USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1954 > Part 8
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In addition to the main water extensions which will be required we will be obliged to approach the considera- tion of an additional water supply and possibly the ex- tension of our Filtration Plant. In the interest of econ- omy we want to defer entering into the Metropolitan system as long as possible.
Our Superintendent continues his efficient services not only in the interest of the Water Department but in the supervision of the Water Shed of the joint towns of Randolph, Holbrook and Braintree from whence we draw our water. Through his services we have been able to save thousands of dollars which we otherwise would have been obliged to pay to supervising engineers for their services.
The Superintendent's Report giving detailed data on the activities of the department is attached herewith.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS E. SEARS, Chairman JOSEPH LANDERS WILLARD P. SHEPPARD Board of Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Braintree Water Commissioners:
I hereby submit for your consideration the Sixty- Fourth Annual Report of the Water Supply System, in- cluding a Financial Report and a List of Work Performed.
This has been a very busy year for the Department; additions to our Distribution System amounted to 18,036 feet of main pipe, 101 gate valves, 31 hydrants and 373 new service connections. Thirty-eight old services have been renewed and repairs have been made on 53 old services.
The lowering of grade, during the reconstruction of Hayward Street. necessitated the relaying of 420 feet of
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12 inch pipe. Ten fire hydrants were damaged, five of which were repaired and five replaced with new ones.
A chain link fence has been erected around the Elevated Storage Tank in Braintree Highlands and two old trucks have been replaced with new ones.
As an experiment this department, along with the Randolph and Holbrook Departments, opened up certain areas of Great Pond for fishing during a two week period in July. About 200 permits were issued by us to resi- dents of Braintree. The experiment proved fairly suc- cessful, but the fishing enthusiasts failed to catch the number of fish they had anticipated.
The new standpipe at Dearing Park was completed and put into service during the latter part of June. Plans for removing the old standpipe were postponed as the price of scrap metal has been very low.
The Reservoirs have remained full throughout the year as 1954 was the wettest year in about 75 years.
The old Thayer Library Building was turned over to this department last spring and after extensive altera- tions were made, we moved in on November 22nd. We now have a very pleasant office to work in and have ample space for all of our records. Permission has been granted the Civilian Defense Agency to occupy the rear section of the basement, and one room on the main floor is used by the Historical Society.
It is a pleasure to thank you for the valuable co- operation, support and assistance which you have ac- corded me this year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE N. WATSON, Superintendent.
Financial Statement
Outstanding January 1, 1954
Current Bills $ 29,073.93
Liens Committed to
Assessors 1,184.58
-$ 30,258.51
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Charges Made
227,913.24 Abatements
Water $ 4.40
Disclaimed Lien 18.15 22.55
227,890.69
$258,149.20
Collections
Current Bills
223,927.13
Liens Committed
4,927.19
228,854.32
Outstanding December 31, 1954
$ 29,294.88
On Current Bills
28,454.83
On Liens Committed to Assessors
840.05
$ 29,294.88
Cash
A. REGULAR ACCOUNT
Balance January 1, 1954 $ 23,903.17*
Collections 228,854.32
Refunds received 54,71
Expenditures
$252,812.20 226,459.75
Balance December 31, 1954. .
$26,352.45*
*Petty Cash of $200.00 Not Included
B. STANDPIPE ACCOUNT
Cash Transfer in 1953.
$ 28,000.00
Borrowed in 1954
45,000.00
73,000.00
Spent in 1953
6,366.85
Spent in 1954
57,340.82
63,707.67
UNEXPENDED BALANCE ..
$ 9,292.33
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Board of Selectmen JOHN W. MAHAR, Chairman
HERBERT B. HOLLIS, Clerk FRED A. TENNEY
The Board of Selectmen met regularly during 1954 on the first, second and fourth Monday of each month and in addition held many special meetings either to accommo- date the public or to meet emergency situations. Space does not permit a detailed account of the many activities of the Board at those meetings; such details rest in a complete record of those meetings which is regularly kept as a public record by the Board of Selectmen.
In many respects, of course, the year has provided the normal grist for the Selectmen's mill. In a growing Town there are always persons with real or fancied grievences who feel that the Town departments should render more services for their benefits. The most fre- quent type of such complaint which comes to the Select- men is the oft repeated request for improvement, either to the physical facilities of our Highway, or of the use of them. Where such complaints or requests appear to be justified the Selectmen, with the full co-operation of the Highway Superintendent, have, so far as appropri- ations have permitted, endeavored to make such improve- ments or corrections in our highway facilities as seemed to be required. With reference to the use of our high- ways there have been various minor revisions. The Selectmen are normally reluctant to make such revisions unless they are obviously required, since experience has taught, that what one section may deem beneficial, may have reaction to the detriment of another section, and they must consider the best interests of the whole Town rather than individual desires.
Much time has been spent sitting as a Licensing Board considering the propriety for issuing various types of permits and licenses. In this scope of their function as a Licensing Board they have heard and acted upon a somewhat increased number of complaints of violations of the Liquor Control Act; in most instances these com- plaints have been for alleged sales to minors. Again, the Selectmen plead for the co-operation of parents who have any information that their minor children have been served Alcoholic Beverages on the premises of any
96
BRAINTREE LICENSEE. Although this business seems to be under reasonable control in the Town of Braintree it is the intention of the Board to deal firmly with any violations of this sort in order to protect our inexperi- enced youth from potential abuses.
Aside from the foregoing normal problems there was much that was unusual in the year arising from one word 'WEATHER".
First, it was noticable that there were many complaints relating to the fact that our surface drainage system did not appear to be adequate.
We trust that, in those instances, where we were unable to give individual assistance that the citi- zens will recall that the rainfall during 1954 was more than 50% over the average rainfall. It follows that in a normal year the drainage problems will not be so aggravated as they were during the extraordinary wet year of 1954.
In addition to the unusual rainfall of 1954 we were struck by two disasters named "CAROL" and "EDNA" which littered our streets with de- bris and interrupted our normal electric service. In these occasions the Selectmen acted immedi- ately in declaring "AN EMERGENCY" in order to waste no time in commencing the RESTORA- TION WORK.
We offer, and, the Public should offer, the high- est praise to our regular protective departments as well as to the Auxiliary Police, Civil Defense Communications Group and the National Guard for their efforts in coping with these emer- gencies.
Repairs, of course, involve a very substantial ex- penditure of money largely on highways and light plant. Most of these, however, it is hoped will be reimbursable from the State under spec- ial legislation passed at a Emergency Session of the Legislature. Claims for such reimbursement have been filed, on behalf of the Town, amount- ing to more than $60,000.00
In closing the years' report we should note, with regret and thanks, the resignation of Mr. John J. Drink-
97
water from the office of Town Engineer which he has filled for many years with ability and high fidelity. At the end of the year the Selectmen are seeking a worthy qualified successor.
Police Department
Braintree, Massachusetts January 1, 1955
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, 1954.
ARRESTS
Whole Number
525
Male
502
Female 23
No. 1-Crimes Against Person
Assault & Battery
Male 11
0
Threats
0
1
11
1
No. 2-Crimes Against Property
B & E & Larceny
12
0
Concealing Leased Property
2
0
Larceny
18
0
Malicious Mischief
2
0
Receiving Stolen Property
2
0
36
0
No. 3-Crimes Against Public Order
Committing Affray
3
0
Delinquency
11
0
Drunkenness
145
2
Motor Vehicle Laws, Violation
132
10
Non-Support
12
0
Non-Payment Wages
1
0
Female
98
BRAINTREE POLICE
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEW EQUIPMENT
Operating Motor Vehicle Under Influence
23
1
Operating Motor Vehicle so as
to Endanger
7
1
Traffic Laws, Violation
95
6
Vagrancy
1
0
Violation Probation
4
0
Violation Town By-Laws
6
2
Weapons Carrying
5
0
Arrests for Out of Town Police.
10
0
455
22
COMPLAINTS, Etc.
Ambulance Trips
419
Buildings Found Open
495
Cat Complaints
145
Car Trips
156
Dog Complaints
573
Dog Bites Reported
83
Fire Alarms Answered
126
Drunk Releases
88
99
Holes in Street Reported
69
Insane Persons
MR
4
FR
4
MNR
0
FNR
1
Lanterns Put Out
29
Lodging
6
Messages Delivered
174
Miscellaneous Complaints
2939
Missing Persons
MR
40
FR
36
MNR
11
FNR
6
Night Lights Out
13
Permit to Labor
18
Permit to Purchase Firearms
29
Stolen Autos, Braintree
7
Recovered
10
Street Lights Reported Out
121
Sudden Death
MR
7
FR
7
MNR
1
Vacant Houses Checked
279
Wagon Trips
83
Code: On Missing Persons, Sudden Deaths & Insane Cases
FR-Female Resident
MR-Male Resident
MNR-Male Non-Resident
FNR-Female Non-Resident
EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief
Braintree, Massachusetts January 1, 1955 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, 1954.
100
FNR
0
ACCIDENTS
Minor
213
Serious
160
Fatal
5
Cases Prosecuted in Court
Operating M V so as to Endanger
Male 7
1
Operating M V under Influence. .
23
1
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
132
10
Violation of Traffic Rules & Regulations
95
6
Violation of Parking & Meter
Regulations
170
28
427
46
Cases reported to Registrar for action on Licenses
Unlawful Speed
69
2
Operating M V after Drinking 24
2
Passing School Bus
11
3
Other Violations
17
2
121
9
Violations of Traffic & Meter Regulations
1-Vehicle on Crossing 17
2-Too Close to Hydrant
2
3-Parking without Lights 16
4-Wrong side of Street 89
5-Motor Running
4
6-Restricted Place 278
7-Defience of Corner Law 24
8-Right Wheels not at Curb 33
9-Double :Parking 11
10-Meter Violations Meter Expired 251
Failure to Deposit Coin 63
11-All Night Parking 42
12-All Other Violations
42
872
Violations Committed by :
Residents 465
Non-Residents 407
EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief.
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Female
Board of Public Welfare HARRISON T. SMILEY, Chairman FRED A. TENNEY, Clerk HERBERT B. HOLLIS, Member
H. J. GAFFNEY, Agent
Assistance rendered under the Board of Public Wel- fare is based solely on need. The various categories are Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Dis- ability Assistance and General Relief. £ The Town In- firmary is also under the Board of Public Welfare. The Department of Public Welfare of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has prescribed a budgetary system which we are required to follow to determine payments to the several recipients under Old Age Assistance, Aid to De- pendent Children and Disability Assistance. Exclusive of the Federal and State reimbursements which are received monthly, we also have available as a savings from our 1954 operations, an amount of $41,177.69 of Federal Grants, which amount is being deducted from the 1955 Town appropriation. In 1954 the State Department of Public Welfare put into effect a "Medical Care Plan." Hospital rates increased from $12.00 to $14.00 per day. Doctors rates increased from $2.00 to $3.00 for office visits, $3.00 to $4.00 for home visits. Visiting Nurse home visits from $1.62 to $2.00. Convalescent home from $25.00 and $30.00 per week to $28.00 and $35.00.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
1940-1954
280000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
IN DOLLARS
240000
200000
NUMBER OF CASES
160000
1
320
120000
240
AMOUNT EXPENDED
80000
160
40000
80
0
O
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
YEAR
102
Costs to fill prescriptions have increased very much. More so because of the costs of the new drugs which are now being quite commonly used. Medical has to be pro- vided in all categories. In Old Age Assistance alone, medical bills increased $1,000.00 per month during the year with no increase in the case load. Continued eli- gibility is determined in all cases by periodic revisits to the homes and reinvestigations.
Old Age Assistance: By statute, minimum rates are established to be paid to the recipients : in the case of an individual living outside a family group, not less than $75.00 monthly, in the case of any other person, not less than $55.00 monthly. There is also a $4.00 amount monthly of "Leisure Time Activities", which has to be added. Any available resources have to be deducted.
The grants to the recipients and medical amounted to $263,628.03, most of which is reimbursed by the Federal and State Governments. The Town's share was $39,- 692.11. In addition to these grants, on the basis of set- tlement laws, we paid other cities and towns $5,758.63 and billed them $6,741.24. Under the new lien law $6,612.22 was recovered which has been proportionately distributed to the Federal, State and Local authorities.
Aid to Dependent Children: The purpose of this program is for the benefit of children. A State budget has to be followed which allows the parent or parents
AMOUNT EXPENDED
50
50000
40
40000
30
30000
NUMBER OF CASES
20
20000
10
10000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
O
0
51 52 53
54
40
4
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
YEAR
103
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN 1940 - 1954
and children to remain in their own home as a family unit. Families are aided based on need and eligibility ; where there is a widow, divorcee, legal separation; where the parent is physically incapacitated, has deserted, or is incarcerated. Full medical has to be granted including the physically incapacited parent which, many times, proves most expensive. The assistance to the families and for medical amounted to $41,372.15, which expendi- tures are participated in by the Federal, State and Local Governments. The Town's share was $9,583.93. In one case we recovered $500.00 out of a settlement the family received, which was proportionately distributed to the Federal, State and Local authorities.
Disability Assistance: This is a comparatively new program going into effect in 1951. Basically, this cate- gory provides for assistance to needy persons, eighteen years of age or over, who are permanently and totally disabled. The medical eligible determination is made by a medical review team working under the State Depart- ment of Public Welfare. The very nature of the pro- gram indicates heavy hospital, convalescent care and medical bills. The grants to the recipients and medical amounted to $14,761.54. The Commonwealth reimburses 75 per cent of the expenditures which includes the Fed- eral participation. The local share amounted to $3,690.38.
General Relief: Families and individuals not eligi- ble for any other program and eligible for assistance are granted relief under this category. The ordinary cases are those of unemployment, sickness, infirm, broken homes and indigent medical. Many of the cases aided become eligible for another category and are then transferred. The total expenditures for this type of assistance amounted to $20,057.32, including payments to the State, other Cities and Towns and the various hospitals, for assistance, care and hospitalization on Braintree settled cases. We received 84 notices during the year on the basis of the settlement laws. Under these laws we were paid $775.00 by the State and $2,447.44 by other Cities and Towns.
Town Infirmary: The Infirmary is maintained for the purpose of housing single homeless persons and those with an infirmity or disability which prevents them from
104
GENERAL RELIEF 1938 - 1954
120000
180
100000
150
-
80000
120
NUMBER OF CASES
60000
90
40000
NUMBER OF CASES
20000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
30
0
o
38
39
40
4
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
5
52
53
50
YEAR
earning a living on the outside. The inmates must be capable of taking care of themselves. Evicted families and other families falling into distress are admitted on a temporary basis. There were seven inmates throughout the year. A superintendent and a matron are in charge. $5,086.70 was spent for general operating costs. $184.18 for repairs and maintenance. $187.75 for new equip- ment. One of the inmates reimbursed $190.00 out of his social security benefits. The State reimbursed $687.02 on an unsettled case. Bills submitted for repairs of the hurricane damage were paid in full by the Common- wealth.
Board of Health
Dr. B. Joseph Rizzo, Chairman
Harrison T. Smiley, Clerk John J. Atkinson Dean R. Walker, Agent
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Braintree Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Dental Clinic: This exceptionally worthy clinic is gradually expanding year by year. Under the very able personal supervision of Mrs. Sabena Arsenault, Dental Hygienist, and with full co-operation of the School De- partment and the local Dentists this clinic is showing excellent results.
105
NAMOUNT
OEXPENDED
At the opening of the school year dental examina- tions were given to all the pupils from kindergarten through the eighth grades. The local dentists were con- tacted and they volunteered their services to do this work.
Following the examinations, notices went home to the parents of those children who were found in need of dental attention.
On the notices it was requested that all parents ar- range for the work to be done by their family dentist. and those unable to do so could apply for school clinic.
Each request for clinic was carefully studied and taken up with the teachers of the building where the child was attending school, also the district principal, building principal, and the school nurse.
If there was still doubt in regard to these clinic cases, the Visiting Nurses Association was contacted for further information before finally accepted.
By determining the number of days in the school year that the dentist could work and considering the in- creased population, the condition of the teeth, in each building, a working schedule was planned where by the clinic would remain in each school a certain number of weeks during the year.
As planned three years ago, the dental hygienist pre- cedes the dentist with prophylactic treatments and fluor- ide which will also be given after the first of the year.
After the local dentists made their examinations of the children's teeth they commented on the improvement and progress which has been made in the past few years.
For the educational part of the program posters have been hung in the buildings and reading materials have been distributed.
The Dental Hygienist visited the classrooms giving cral lessons on the importance of home brushing, foods and diet which help to build strong teeth and also en- couraged prompt visits to family dentist.
From time to time appropriate films are shown to the children evaluating the importance of all-round dental health. Visits were made for Educational and Constructive Materials to the following listed concerns :
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Hood Milk Company and State House. Educational ma- terials acquired by mail was received from the American Dental Association, Chicago Illinois, Pycope Tooth Brush Co., Kolynos Company, New England Dairy and Food Council, Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Ipana Company, N. Y. and E. R. Squibb and Sons, N. Y.
Space does not permit a complete recapituation of the dental reports for each school, but such is available at the Health Office, and would gladly be shown to those who manifest an interest in this vital clinic.
Diphtheria Clinic: The Diphtheria Clinic held in the spring was well attended. Some 40 children had the triple antigen shots of diphtheria tetanus-pertussis, and some 450 children had the booster shots administered consisting of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. Those chil- dren administered by their own doctor were 335 in number, making in all a grand total of 825 children hav- ing had the necessary shots. Again the co-operative, agencies of the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association, the School Department nurses and the attending physicians served to make this clinic a success.
Milk Testing: Once each month samples of milk were taken from dealers delivering milk in Braintree. These samples were tested for butter fat, total solids, phosphatase, bacteria and coli. These tests reveal that the milk being delivered in Braintree maintains a con- sistently high level. It is pleasing to report that no milk- borne disease has occurred in Braintree for quite some few years. Any resident of Braintree, so desiring, can review the results of these tests at the Board of Health office.
Eating and Drinking Establishments: . The overall results of the program for the inspection of eating and drinking establishments, including the School and In- dustrial Cafeterias indicate a steady and healthy graph of improvement. A bi-monthly test of all establishments were made and the results of these tests (bacteria count) were forwarded to each establishment. In the event of high bacteria count was recorded, an immediate re- check test was conducted, and steps taken to remedy questionable sources of high incident.
107
Tuberculosis Prevention, Communicable Diseases and Health Education: The execution of the various pro- grams connected with the above named captions have been very ably efficiently carried out by the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association. Braintree still continues to report a low incident of communicable diseases. Credit should also be given to the Braintree School Department Health Division for its active participation in the co- operation and assistance rendered to these Health Pro- grams.
Constant use of the facilities of the State Depart- ment of Public Health, and the South Metropolitan Divi- sion of the State Department of Public Health was em- ployed. Their ready and willing co-operation in all mat- ters have been most helpful and appreciative.
South Shore Mosquito Control Project COMMISSIONERS
JOHN B. CLAPP, Chairman, Hingham NANCY W. KETCHUM, Secretary, Cohasset GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU, Braintree GEORGE STARR, JR., M. D., Duxbury PAUL C. ROSS, Hull CHARLES P. DUFFEE, Marshfield BROOKS RYDER, M. D. Quincy PAUL FINNEGAN, Scituate HENRY F. GODIN, Weymouth
To the Citizens of Braintree :
Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town of Braintree for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The Town of Braintree appropriated $5,800 for mosquito control for 1954. This money was to be used for mosquito control in the Town of Braintree by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a co-operative pro- gram for mosquito control embracing the Towns of Brain-
108
tree and Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Scituate, Weymouth and the City of Quincy.
Accomplishments
In spite of the wettest year on record and the ex- istence of mosquito breeding places throughout the sea- son in areas normally dry by early June, reports of mosquito troubles were considerably less than last year. In addition, comment to the crews, inspectors, and su- perintendent indicated a very noticable change for the better in mosquito troubles in the largest part of the project. However, certain areas remain as trouble spots. These areas are mainly associated with large undrained areas, water connected intimately with water supply, or are on the borders of the project. These large problems are the ones we must now solve. With this in mind, ditching operations on a much larger scale than last year were started this fall.
Such strides in a year marked for its wetness in- dicate an increased efficiency and point out that very good control will be achieved in a normal year. Mos- quito breeding is greatly influenced by the precipitation during the months of March through September. Look- ing at the weather records for this period, we find that the total rainfall for these months was 80% above normal and, what is equally as important, there were 20% more days on which we had precipitation of .01 inches or more.
This frequency of rains was as important as the total amount of rainfall in keeping a large amount of our breeding places wet throughout the season. In addition to the above, hurricanes in the fall and torrential rains in May blocked streams with debris and resulted in ab- normal flooding. To summarize, this past year was ex- ceedingly wet and rainfall was rather frequent. The weather records also show that this year has been very unusual and that normally we may expect a much better situation as regards rainfall and, therefore, mosquito con- trol will be relatively more efficient.
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