USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1955 > Part 9
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8
78
Bradford
Court
8
280
Washington
Old Country Way
12
3,959
Old Country Way South
8
1,596
Old Country Way Easement
Woodside
8
329
Peach Street
Washington
Summit
8
2,740
Washington St.
Easement
Peach
8
972
Weededge Ave.
Woodside
South
8
832
Woodside Ave.
Old Country Way Summit
8
713
Total
12,638
Total 1955 Construction
2.4 Miles
Previous Construction
45.1 Miles
Total Constructed to Date
47.5 Miles
The sewers in Alden Road, Bradford Road and Easement, from Bradford to Court were constructed by and at the expense of the private developer. This work, totalling 1,414 feet, was done under the supervision of the Sewer Department in accordance with current con- tract construction specifications.
The short 78 foot stub for Cavanagh Road was done by the Sewer Department. All of the remaining work, 11,141 feet, was done under a unit price contract by Giangrande-Andreasse, Inc., theirs being the lowest bid received from 11 contractors. The contract work was not completed. There remains about 1,200 feet in the Wood- side area to be done next spring.
The total cost of the year's contract work amounted to $125,022, or an average of $11.22 per linear foot. This work made the sewer available to 93 buildings including the new South Junior High School on Peach Street and all of the Norfolk County Hospital buildings off South Street. The present sewer system can serve 4,018 or about 52 per-cent of the 7,770 dwellings, business and industri- al buildings in the town. During the past year 423 new buildings were erected or under construction that will eventually require sewage facilities. Only 52 of the new buildings were within the present sewered area.
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Pipe Size
Iinches
Sewer Length Feet
Alden Road
Brewster Alden
Assessments :
Sewer assessments amounting to $60,406.07 were levied against 98 properties. Assessments against prop- erty where the sewer was constructed at the expense of the developer, were levied at 60 per-cent of the normal rate in accordance with the present policy of the Sewer Board. In accordance with an agreement with the Nor- folk County Commissioners, an assessment of $25,000.00 was levied against the Norfolk County Hospital.
House Connections
There were 204 sewer connections, totalling 11,602 feet made by the Sewer Department at a total cost of $46,618.60. The sewer connection to the new South Junior High School and the connection to the Norfolk County Hospital, totalling 501 feet in length, were done under contract at a total cost of $4,106.50. There were 64 applications on file at the end of the year that will have to wait until spring before work can be started.
Upon application of the owner, the department will make a sewer connection. The whole cost of the work is charged to the owner, but the Town will finance it at 4 per-cent, over a maximum period of 20 years, if desired.
Maintenance:
During the winter months all of the main and lateral sewers were cleaned and inspected. There were no stoppages, but a number of streets had root growths that would have caused trouble if the regular cleaning had been omitted. There was a broken pipe in the Morri- son Street sewer that had to be removed and replaced. For several years now, a number of lateral sewers have been treated with copper sulphate in an attempt to dis- courage root penetration. This treatment seems to be effective.
A total of 26 manhole frames were raised to con- form to new street grades, principally on Common Street and West Street.
During the heavy rainfall of August 19 most of the sewers became surcharged due to draining ground water out of cellars by removal of the clean-out cap from the
114
sewer service. This caused the 30-inch main sewer to overflow into Fore River for about a week. Again during heavy rainfall on November 5, the 30-inch main sewer overflowed for about two days.
The sanitary sewer system was not designed to take storm water flow, and sewer regulations prohibit the re- moval of clean out caps to drain water out of cellars. Vio- lators are subject to prosecution. Unless this dangerous practice is stopped it will prove very costly to the Town as well as the individual violator.
When Smelt Brook overflowed at Weymouth Land- ing during the August flood, water came 9 inches over the top of the entrance enclosure at the Brookside Road pumping station and the motors and switchboard were completely under water. The next day the station was de- watered and restored to service again without drying out the motors or switchboard. The station has since func- tioned satisfactorily except for some solenoid coils on the controls burning out.
The other pumping stations did not suffer any flood damage. However, at the Common Street pumping sta- tion the flow, due to cellar drainage, was so heavy both pumps ran continuously for several days. Also, at the Common Street station a piece of metal caught between the impeller and suction elbow and damaged them so that both had to be replaced.
Mr. Bernard R. Andrews, Chairman of the Sewer Board for 11 years, resigned October 28. During his term of office, contracts totalling more than 11/4 million dol- lars were let for the construction of some 25 miles of main and lateral sewers. Mr. Andrews has served the Town in many ways, and has always given freely of his time. His service and advice have been invaluable. Mr. Wil- liam G. Dyer was appointed November 28 to fill the vacancy on the Sewer Board.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation for the valuable assistance and cooperation by other departments of the Town, and especially the County Engineer who materially aided the Sewer Department in accomplishing its work.
115
Wiring Inspector
ARTHUR F. LUCAS, Inspector
GEORGE W. CHARLESWORTH, Deputy
Permits Issued in 1955 :
New Houses 415
New Schools 1
Miscellaneous 763
Total Permits Issued 1179
Fees collected from January 1, 1955 to December 31, 1955-$2,407.75.
Board of Health
Harrison T. Smiley, Chairman
John J. Atkinson, Clerk James A. C. Smith
Deane R. Walker, Agent
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Braintree Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1955.
Dental Clinics: At the opening of the school year dental examinations were given to all the pupils from kindergarten through the eighth grades.
The local dentists were contacted and they volun- teered their services to do the general examinations.
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 dental work to be done by their family dentist.
Those cards returned requesting clinic were carefully studied and consulted with the teachers of the building where the child was attending school, also district super- visor, district principal and school nurse.
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If there was still doubt in regard to these clinical cases, I contacted Visiting Nurses Association for further information before accepting them.
By determining the numbers of days in the school year that the dentist could work and considering the increased population the condition of the teeth in each building, a working schedule was planned where by the clinic would remain in each building a certain number of weeks during the year.
The dental hygienist precedes the dentist organizing the schedule in each building and giving prophylactic and fluoride treatments to the clinical cases.
If it is possible the dental hygienist works in two schools in advance to the dentist's schedule.
After the general examinations the local dentist com- mented on the vast improvement all over the town in the condition they found the children's teeth.
For the educational part of the program, dental posters were hung in each building, also reading materi- als pertaining to dental health and brushing habits at home were distributed.
Due to lack of time, Miss Hayden, Director of Visual Education suggested that the films pertaining to Dental Health be shown after the first of the year.
However, a new film strip on "Brushing Teeth" has been shown in various classrooms including kindergarten groups through the third grades.
Forty-six children were given a prophylaxis, sixty- eight sodium flouride treatments were given to grades two and five.
In closing I would like to thank principals, teachers, nurses of the Board of Health and local dentist for their valued services.
Visits for Education Materials :
Hood Milk Co. State House National Dairy Counsels Educational Materials acquired by mail
117
-
American Dental Association, Chicago, Ill. Pycope Tooth Brush Co. Kolynos Tooth Brush Co. Ipana Co., New York New England Dairy Food Counsel Church and Dwight Co., Inc. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
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 450 children had the booster shots administered consis- ting of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. Those children ad- ministered by their own doctor were 335 in number, making in all a grand total of 825 children having had the necessary shots. Again the co-operative agencies of the Braintree Visisting Nurse Association, the School Depart- ment 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 consistently 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 over-all results of the program for the inspection of eating and drinking establishments, including the Schools and Indus- trial Cafeterias indicate a steady and healthy graph of improvement. A bi-monthly test of all establishments was 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.
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
118
should also be given to the Braintree School Department Health Division for its active participation in the co-oper- ative and assistance rendered to these Health Programs.
Constant use of the facilities of the State Department of Public Health, and the South Metropolitan Division of the State Department of Public Health was employed. Their ready and willing co-operation in all matters have been most helpful and appreciative.
Polio Clinics
The Board of Health in conjunction with the Brain- tree Visiting Nurse Association, School Health Depart- ment, and all the Doctors conducted the first Polio Clinic during the months of May and June, 1955.
The Clinics were held at the Jonas Perkins School, Watson School, Penniman School, Donald Ross School, Noan Torrey School, Highlands School, Monatiquot School and the Lakeside School.
In all a total of 759 children received their first in- noculation of Polio vaccine.
The Board of Health through this medium express its gratitude to the doctors, the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association and their auxiliaries, and the School Health Department for their gracious co-operation in this program.
Parks and Playgrounds
During 1955 eleven playgrounds and two swimming areas were operated by the Braintree Parks and Play- grounds Commission. A full program of athletics, arts and crafts, and games were enjoyed by hundreds of Braintree youngsters during the summer. A high point in the pro- gram during the past season was an expansion of the swimming program. Over 1400 children registered for swimming lessons under Red Cross trained instructors. In addition to the instructive phase of our water program additional thousands enjoyed recreational swimming at Sunset Lake and Swifts Beach. We had a fine staff of
119
HANDBALL COURT
120
AFTER
BEFORE
lifeguards and playground instructors during the season. Unfortunately, the polio epidemic decreased attendance at the beach and playgrounds during the latter part of the season.
The Board of Parks and Playgrounds Commissioners are making every effort to improve and expand the Town Park system, in order to keep abreast with the increase in the Town population.
During the past year the Park Department operated three new playgrounds each in a different part of town, Foster School in Braintree Highlands, Lakeside School in North Braintree, and Faxon Street Plyaground in East Braintree. We have started construction on a new play- ground at the Dyer Hill section of town.
The Park Departments ten baseball fields were used every night by the Braintree Little League. The regula- tion Little League field at Watson Park is a credit to the men of the East Braintree Little League who built it. Two additional ball fields laid out this past year, one at Watson Park and the other at Hollingsworth Park will be finished this year.
A new combination Volley-ball and basketball court was built in back of the Hollis school. This court is equiped with lights for night play. This court proved to be very popular.
During the coming year the Commission will make every effort to meet the requests of the Schools, Little League, Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts, industrial organizations and Drum and Bugle Corps to use our Parks for their en- joyment, and at the same time to continue our own or- ganized play and swimming programs.
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
121
Moth Department JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent
We beg to submit our report on the activities of the Moth Department for the year 1955.
PRIVATE PROPERTY SPRAYING
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 copy of the receipt of payment.
This copy of the receipt is authority to spray. DUTCH ELM DISEASE
132 samples of suspected trees were sent to the Uni- versity of Massachusetts Shade Tree Laboratories, at Amherst, Mass.
Report of their diagnosis was as follows:
Diseased 77 Sterile 55
Contract let for the removal of diseased trees,
Highway Department
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent
We beg to submit our report on the activities of the Highway Department for the year 1955.
Maintenance
Streets and sidewalks were cleaned throughout the Town. The business centers were cleaned daily.
All catch basins and drains were cleaned.
Drains repaired where needed.
Patching-Repairs
Town streets, Sidewalks, Fences and Guard Rails were repaired where needed.
122
Street Resurfacing
Suface treated about 85,390 lin. ft. Used 72,000 gals. of asphalt.
Signs-New
Street Signs 9 Dead End 3
School Zone 12 Not a Thru Way 3
Children 18 Curve 2
Narrow Road
1
I Hour Parking 4
Driveway
1
Street Painting
Crosswalks at all schools, streets, intersections and traffic meters were painted.
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 83 tons.
Sand used 1915 tons.
New Construction
Common Street 2350 Lin. ft.
Brookside Road-Fence 750 Lin. ft.
Grove Street-Sidewalk 1500 Lin. ft. E. B. Square Sidewalk concrete 204 Lin. ft. S. B. Square Sidewalk concrete 152 Lin. ft.
New Construction Drains
Union St. Relay 1000 ft. 18" Concrete pipe, 2 manholes.
Watson St. 200 ft. 12" Concrete pipe, 4 catch basins, 1 manhole.
Common St. 344 ft. 36" Concrete pipe 1 manhole. Pond St. 240 ft. 10" Concrete pipe 1 manhole. Acorn St. 140 ft. 36" Arched Metal Pipe.
Thayer Rd. 477 ft. 10" Concrete Pipe, 1 catch basin, 2 manholes.
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Watson St. 130 ft. 10" Concrete Pipe 4 catch basin, 2 manholes.
Common St. 450 ft. 12" Concrete Pipe 13 catch basin, 6 manholes.
Cavanaugh Rd. 250 ft. 10" Concrete Pipe, 2 catch basin.
New Construction Streets Resurfaced (Asphalt Concrete)
West Street
3000 Lin. . ft.
New Construction Sidewalks Resurfaced
(Asphalt Concrete 1")
Holbrook Ave. 500 Lin. ft.
Shaw St. Mill Lane to Commercial St. 1200 Lin. ft.
Shaw St., Allen St. to end of curb West side 800 Lin. ft.
Front St.
1700 Lin. ft.
Edgemont Rd.
1900 Lin. ft.
Mt. Vernon Ave.
1800 Lin. ft.
Academy St. Washington to Brow Ave. 600 Lin. ft.
Chapter 90 Construction
Hancock St.
2200 Lin. ft.
Improvement of Streets Under the Betterment Act
Sagamore St. 300 Lin. ft.
Azel Rd.
310 Lin. ft.
Marshfield Rd. 283 Lin. ft.
Home Park Rd. 332 Lin. ft.
Academy St. (partial) 650 Lin. ft. curbing
Streets Under Construction By Private Developers
Addison St .; Burton Rd .; Calvin St .; Davis Rd .; Eleanor Drive; Fallon Circle, Alden Rd .; Bradford Rd .; Virginia Rd .; Cain Ave .; Court St .; Selwyn Rd .; Belknap Rd .; Cranmore Rd .; Stevens Rd .; Webb St .; Regis Rd .; Holly Rd .; Hemlock St .; Penniman Rd .; Richard Rd .; Alida Rd .; Linda Rd .; Oak Hill Rd .; Worthington Circle ; and Marcia Rd.
Bridge Construction
Jefferson St.
124
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.
HURRICANE DIANE AUGUST 19th and 20th
Due to a recorded 12" rainfall, all rivers and brooks overflowed the Monatiquot River.
Flooded at Plain at Intersection of 128; Pearl St .; Union St .; River St .; Middle St .; and Adams St.
Bridge washout at Middle St. to be replaced by State of Mass. in conjunction with the Southeast Expressway construction.
Washouts occurred on Walnut Street.
The so called Smelt overflowed and caused extensive damage to property in the East Braintree, Weymouth Landing area.
The Division of Waterways of the State Department of Public Works, are in the progress of making a survey for both the Smelt Brook and the Monatiquot River, and undoubtedly they will submit a report and make recom- mendation to eliminate a reoccurance of flooding. in the future.
Department of Veteran's Services GEORGE A. SHORTLE, Director
Expenditures for 1955 show a marked increase over the preceding year due to increased number of cases and heavy medical expenses. The cost of recipients in Con- velescent Homes and Hospitals has been a major one, and it is anticipated that hospitalization costs will be increased during the coming year.
The facilities of the Department are available to Veterans and their dependents at all times for assistance, consultation and advice on matters pertaining to all phases of problems of the veteran and their families.
125
Industrial Business and Development Commission Report For The Year 1955
This Commission has met with the various Town Departments and Boards to discuss mutual problems and to become acquainted with the problems facing each of us. The Commission also met with representatives of the' Massachusetts Department of Commerce in order to: understand the purpose of Industrial Commissions in the State and to secure an understanding of how these Com- missions should operate.
The Commission attended preliminary meetings with Arthur Boynton and representatives of the Filene Depart- ment Store to formulate plans for a shopping center to be located in the northwest corner of Braintree, off Granite Street. This development was to tie in with the proposed new Route 128 and would occupy approximately 100 acres in the area mentioned. With the cooperation of the Planning Board, prior zoning was recommended to the Town Meeting and passed by that meeting, changing the zoning from residential to business in March 1955.
After preliminary meetings with a representative of Tedeschi Super Market and in cooperation with the Plan- ning Board, rezoning of a plot at Liberty and Grove Streets from residential to business was passed by the Town Meeting in March and as a result Tedeschi have now erected a modern super market on the site.
As a result of the survey of the Town of Braintree made by this Commission it was noted that there is land available which if properly developed, could be used for industrial purposes. There is considerable interest shown in these areas for industrial use. As this interest is con- tinuing this Commission, upon further study, will recom- mend that action be taken to set aside these areas for industrial development.
This Commission wishes to thank the other Boards and Departments of the Town for their wholehearted co- cperation and help in the solution of problems facing the Commission.
Very truly yours,
PAUL H. YOUNG, Chairman
126
Engineering Department
HAROLD C. PEARL, Town Engineer
Lines and grades were furnished to the Highway De- partment for the following: ROAD CONSTRUCTION -- Thayer Road 456 feet; Massachusetts Avenue 750 feet; Watson Street 170 feet; Sagamore Street 200 feet; Home Park Road 335 feet (restaked) ; Marshfield Road 270 feet (restaked). SIDEWALKS-Academy Street 680 feet; Brookside Road 1541 feet. DRAINS-Acorn Street 140 feet; Walnut Street 170 feet; Watson Street 190 feet.
Plans were prepared for the following: STREET LAYOUTS-Veranda Road, Massachusetts Avenue, Saga- more Street, Lakeside Drive. SIDEWALK LAYOUTS -- Cotton Avenue, Faxon Street, Lincoln Street, Audubon Avenue, Shaw Street, Stetson Street, Willard Street, Ar- borway Drive, Brookside Road. DRAIN EASEMENTS- West Street, Franklin Street, Hobart Street. MISCEL- LANEOUS-Proposed parking area off Brookside Road.
Street lines were furnished upon request on the fol- lowing public ways: Howard Street, Middle Street, Wal- nut Street, Hamilton Street, Ferncroft Road.
Miscellaneous Projects : SCHOOL DEPARTMENT- Survey and plan for land taking on Liberty Street. PARK DEPARTMENT-Lines and grades at Watson Park; Lay- outs of baseball fields at Lakeside School and French's Common; Layout of basketball Court at Monatiquot School; Fence line staked on Gordon Road. POLICE DE- PARTMENT-Plan of intersection of Washington Street, Hawthorn Road and Fairfield Street. ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT-Pole locations staked on Pearl Street, Lakeside Drive, Victoria Avenue, Middle Street, Liberty Street and Home Park Road.
At the request of the Selectmen, all Town Bounds at the Braintree-Weymouth town lines were perambulated.
All deeds and subdivisions were checked and plotted accordingly on Assessors Plans together with four hun- dred nineteen new houses, also additions and other build- ings. Four new Assessors Plans were drawn.
127
Tree Warden
Board of Selectmen
Town Hall S. Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit the annual report for the year 1955.
All of the unfinished work resulting from the recent hurricanes has been completed. The Electric Light De- partment pruned all trees interfering with the electric service throughout the town. which has minimized electric failures.
I planted 215 trees throughout the town to replace' those lost due to storm and other causes. I also planted six hundred seedlings in the tree bank which will be used in the future for replacement purposes to enable my de- partment to maintain a favorable tree population in the town of Braintree. The tree bank now contains one thou- sand trees.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, the High- way, Police, Fire and Electric Light Departments for their assistance and cooperation during the year 1955.
Summary
Appropriated
Expended
Unexpended
Salary
$2,200.00
$2,200.00
$
General Care
3,000.00
2,997.35
2.65
Tree Removal
2,900.00
2,675.00
225.00
New Trees
1,000.00
986.56
13.44
Tree Bank
500.00
500.00
Totals
9,600.00
$9358.91
$241.09
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. LEETCH Tree Warden
128
Building Inspector JOHN C. PAFFORD, Building Inspector DANIEL A. MALONEY, Deputy
Permits Issued
Dwellings
419
Estimated Values $3,317,600.00 49,955.00
Garages (Private)
61
Foundations for Dwellings
2
1,300.00
Barn
1
1,800.00
Armory
1
249,000.00
School
1
900,000.00
Telephone Exchange
1
95,000.00
Stores
2
107,500.00
Office Building
1
3,500.00
Storage Buildings
3
18,500.00
Fruit Stand
1
4,000.00
Crane Enclosure
1
7,500.00
All other new construction
5
1,690.00
Additions, Alterations and Repairs 211 Razing 9
302,306.00
Estimated value of construction . $5,059,651.00
Fees received for permits
6,577.50
Total permits
719
Estimated value of building in the Town increased approximately 80% over 1954.
Fees received were more than double those received in 1954.
Income of the department (as was the case for several years) exceeded all expenses and for 1955 shows a surplus of approximately $3,000.00.
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