USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1956 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
The next chart shows the comparative costs for street lights in Braintree as figured on our present rates and also as figured on the rates used by the utilities listed, thus showing the saving obtained by the Town of Braintree over rates now in use by other utilities.
The final chart shows total estimated savings in the residential and commercial rates and on street light charges. These figures show that savings to Braintree over comparable operations in surrounding Towns is substantial amounting to the following figures :
Savings over Taunton Electric Light Department $120,389.42
Savings over Belmont Electric Light Department 141,909.78
Savings over Quincy Electric Light Department 124,231.44
Savings over Weymouth Light & Power Company 290,262.24
Savings over Brockton Edison Company 310.980.00
Savings over Boston Edison Company 324,970.48
Time involved in a study of industrial rates limits this report only to those rate classes quoted but a check of our average cost per kwh to industrial users against purchased power for Belmont Electric Light Department will show that we are selling industrial power at an average rate per kwh that is below the cost of purchased power to Belmont Electric Light Department.
Since special attention has been drawn to our street lighting costs and activities, some explanation is warranted.
New street lights are installed by this Department only at the direct request, by letter, from your Selectmen. After the request is received a study is made of the area and lights installed as necessary for the health and safety of the residents of the area. Lights are not
:53
installed to light a person's driveway or front door but for adequate street lighting based on recommended light values for the particular type of installation. All street lights within this Town must be met- ered according to State regulations and the Light Department may charge only for kwh used to light such installations. The cost of power to street lights is again regulated and according to State law the Light Department must charge according to the following formula for each kwh used for street lighting:
Total operating expenses plus bond payments plus interest on bonds
Total kwh sales (including street light kwh)
With a regulation as strict as this, it is impossible for the Light Department to operate street lights other than at a loss. Many other considerations are given to the Town Departments and other services are also rendered to the Townspeople to the extent that the Light Department Commissioners feel proud of this Department, its em- ployees, services, savings to the Town and its efficient and economical operation. We welcome the opportunity to present this report to you and invite all, individually or in groups, to visit your Light Department and obtain a fuller understanding of this type of operation.
Respectfully submitted
CARL W. R. JOHNSON, Chairman JAMES H. DIGNAN, Secretary SHELLEY A. NEAL
(The charts referred to in the above report are on file in the Town Clerk's office.)
MOVED by Mr. McCue:
That the report of the Braintree Electric Light Department be accepted with thanks.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 14. Determination of Tax Rate for 1956.
MOVED by Mr. McCue :
No Action.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 17. Rent for D.A.V.
That $566.67 be appropriated for the use of Braintree Chapter 29 Disabled American Veterans for rent of hall to conduct meetings and other functions of the Chapter.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Albee submitted the following report of the Committee investigating Central Purchasing for the Town of Braintree.
Under Article 2 of the 1955 Annual Town Meeting a Committee was established to report back to the 1956 Annual Town Meeting rela- tive to the advisability of a central purchasing agency or some other appropriate method of coordination for all eligible Town Departments.
54
This Committee was established and several meetings have been held.
Various Town Departments have been contacted directly and in- directly and variations appear to exist relative to purchases. We do not know at this time the answers to these differences and whether or not they previal for all types of purchases.
Studies are also being made of Purchasing Departments in other Towns and Cities, as well as of the individual departments of the Town of Braintree.
The Committee unanimously voted that more time is required to make a more detailed study of the conditions.
It is respectfully requested that this report be accepted as an interim report only and that the Committee be continued to the next Annual Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT J. ALBEE, Chairman WILLIAM B. BELCHER, Secretary JACK R. AINSLEIGH HUGH B. SNOW WILLIAM H. GUSTAFSON ALMEDA W. CAIN
SO VOTED: That the report of the Committee Investigating Central Purchasing for the Town of Braintree be accepted and the committee be continued for another year as requested.
ARTICLE 18. Study of Central Purchasing Agency.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Albee, it was
SO VOTED: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $300.00 for the expenses of the Committee authorized by the 1955 annual Town Meeting to study the advisability of a central purchasing agency.
ARTICLE 19. Graves Registration Officer.
That the Town appropriate from available funds the sum of $400.00 for expenses of the Graves Registration Officer appointed under provisions of General Laws, Chapter 115, Section 9.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Ainsleigh presented the following resolution.
WHEREAS, There exists in the Town of Braintree a volunteer civilian defense organization known as the Braintree Auxiliary Police, and
WHEREAS, The members, officers and instructors of this organi- zation have given unstintedly of their time and services for the welfare and best interests of the town and their fellow townsmen;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town of Braintree, through its Town Meetings Members assembled this 9th day of April 1956, hereby expresses its sincere and grateful thanks to the Braintree Auxiliary Police for their devoted public service; and be it further
55
RESOLVED, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this meeting, and that the Town Clerk shall send a copy of the same to each member of the Braintree Auxiliary Police.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: The adoption of the resolution.
ARTICLE 22. Construction of Sewers.
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $115,000.00 for the construction of additional sewers for sanitary purposes, under the direction of the sewer commissioners, and that to meet said appro- priation, the sum of $84,200.00 be raised by transfer from Sewer Re- ceipts Reserved for appropriation and the balance of $30,800.00 be raised in the tax levy.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 25. Treasurer of Trust Funds for Library.
SO VOTED: That the Town authorize the Trustees of the Thayer Public Library to select one of said Trustees to act as Treasurer of the Trust Funds held by the Town for the benefit of the library under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 78, Section 10.
ARTICLE 2.
SO VOTED: That a committee of three members to be known; as the Trust Fund Committee be appointed by the Moderator to exa- mine and report on the present status of trust funds now or to be in the control of the town, and to advise on methods of handling present or future municipal trust funds.
ARTICLE 26. Chapter 670, Acts of 1955, Pension Increases. SO VOTED: No Action.
ARTICLE 28. Municipal Parking, Brookside Road.
MOVED by Mr. Palmer under Article 2:
That a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to make a study of the subject matter under Article 28 and report at a subse- quent Town Meeting.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 2.
SO VOTED: That the Moderator appoint a committee comprised of seven Town Meeting Members to survey and investigate the Brain- tree Water Department and its operations, said committee to especially investigate as to the need of larger capacity filter beds and other facilities to provide adequate healthy supply of water to the present population. This committee to report their findings to the 1957 Town Meeting, or insert an article, if deemed necessary, in the 1957 Town Warrant.
ARTICLE 29. Sale of land to Helen V. O'Connell.
That the Town vote to sell to Helen V. O'Connell for the sum of $50.00 all its right, title and interest in a parcel of land shown as Plot. No. 1 on Assessors' Plan No. 1046.
56
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 30. Sale of Land to Patrick K. and E. Lillian Donohue.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: To authorize the Selectmen to sell to Patrick K. Donohue and E. Lillian Donohue, a strip of land adjoin- ing their property on Kenmore Road, containing not more than 1,500 square feet of land as shown on plan prepared by the Town Engineer, at a price not less than $20.00.
ARTICLE 31. Abandonment of Old Peach Street.
That the Town vote to abandon Old Peach Street from Washington Street to westerly line of railroad right of way.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 32. Group Insurance.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. McCue, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: No Action.
ARTICLE 34. Construction Colbert School Addition.
On recommendation of the Finance Committee that there be ap- propriated the sum of $70,860.00, of which $34,518.78 shall be trans- ferred from the James W. Colbert School Trust Fund, and the balance of $36,341.22 to be raised in the tax levy, for the purpose of construct- ing an addition to the Colbert School and for originally equipping and. furnishing said addition, under the direction of the South District School Development Committee, appointed pursuant to vote under Article 3 of the Warrant for the special Town Meeting of June 28, 1954, with full power to employ architects, consultants, secure bids, and let contracts in the name of the Town and to do all and any acts necessary to construct, equip, and furnish said addition and school grounds within the aforesaid appropriation.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 35. Plans for Addition to Watson School.
MOVED by Mr. McCue :
No Action. SO VOTED
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Delorey, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Annual Town Meeting be adjourned until 7:45 p.m. April 16, 1956.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1956
The Adjourned Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 7:54 in the evening of Monday, April 16, 1956, by the Moderator, Mr. E. Curtiss Mower.
There were 158 Town Meeting Members present.
Prayer for Divine Guidance was offered by Rev. John R. Dallinger, Pastor of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
57
The following tellers were appointed by the Moderator to serve during the course of the evening.
Dr. Nahum Pillsbury Ernest Janssen Robert J. Barrett Arthur Moffatt
Elmer Derby Harold Cairns
Frank Diekmeyer Ramon A. Nagle
ARTICLE 2.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Highway, Police and Fire Departments be given a vote of thanks for the excellent work they are doing for the Town of Braintree.
ARTICLE 2. Report of the Committee to Investigate Sprinkler Systems in Schools:
Under Article 2 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1955 it was, Re- solved, that a committee of three, composed of a member of the Finance Committee, appointed by the Moderator, the Superintendent of Schools and the Chief of the Fire Department, be appointed to investigate the need of sprinkler systems in the schools not now provided with them and report, with recommendations, to the 1956 Annual Town Meeting. The Moderator appointed Mr. Charles D. Curtiss, Jr. to this committee, as representative of the Finance Committee.
This committee is agreed that sprinkler systems should be installed in schools not now sprinkled. These schools are the Highlands, Tor- rey Primary and Lincoln. Loss of any school by fire would create a serious difficulty, especially at a time when a shortage of classrooms exists.
We have secured estimates from two reliable firms covering the cost of installation of sprinkler systems in these schools, as follows:
Highlands $ 8,000 $ 9,500
Torrey Primary $ 6,500 $10,000
Lincoln
$13,500 $16,000
We feel that the most reasonable method would be to proceed with the installation of sprinkler systems at the rate of one each year, and recommend that an appropriation for the Highlands School be requested in 1956, the Torrey School in 1957, and the Lincoln School in 1958.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY T. SEARS CHARLES D. CURTISS, JR. RALPH W. PROCTOR
Upon motion duly made by Mr. McCue, it was
SO VOTED: That the report be accepted with thanks.
ARTICLE 36. Sprinkler System for Highlands School.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That on recommendation of the Fi- nance Committee the sum of $10,204.68 be appropriated for the pur- chase and installation of an automatic spray sprinkler system for the Highlands School, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Committee, and to meet said appropriation $2,204.68 be trans-
58
ferred from Sprinkler System-Watson School, and the sum of 8,000.00 be raised in the tax levy.
ARTICLE 2. Interim report of the Perkins Area Development Committee :
Under Article 36 of the 1953 Annual Town Meeting an appropria- tion of $7,500 was voted for the purpose of securing plans, specifica- tions and bids for a new elementary school in the Perkins area, and the so-called Perkins Area Development Committee was appointed by the Moderator.
From six architectural firms, who were invited to come before the committee, James H. Ritchie and Associates were selected to pre- pare plans and specification preparatory to getting bids for the project.
Three conditions were set, as follows:
1. The building should be planned with the heavy tax burden of the citizens in mind, and every effort made to keep the final cost at a minimum consistent with the needs of a substantial building.
2. It should be so planned that it would meet with the approval of the School Building Assistance Commission, thus qualifying for State Aid.
3. It should be so planned that if later expansion was desirable such expansion could be made with no material changes in original building.
Many meetings were held with the Architects, and acceptable plans were received on July 7 and put in proper form to submit for State approval which was received on July 31.
In anticipation of a Special Town Meeting in the Fall, the job was advertised for bids which came in and were opened on November 5. The range of bids from $203,000 to $286,000 was so high that the Committee voted to throw them all out and start over again.
Many more meetings were held, the old plans and specifications picked to pieces, re-vamped, finally accepted and re-submitted to the School Building Assistance Commission and the Emergency Finance Board from each of whom approval was secured and the job again ad- vertised for bids.
Sixteen contractors filed on March 18, the bids ranging from, $161,710 to $183,000, the lowest bid being by John Hamre and Son.
Under Article 40 of the 1954 Annual Town Meeting an appropria- tion of $183,000 was made, of which $21,500 was to be from available school construction funds, and $161,500 by a 20-year bond issue.
In accordance with the authority given by this vote, the Committee engaged the services of John Hamre and Son as General Contractor.
Various unfavorable conditions, especially the wretched weather. conditions which prevailed for weeks, delayed the completion of the building, so that no portion was ready for school use until January 24, 1955, at which time three of the rooms were opened and the other two soon after.
: 59
Several change orders were made in the original contract. One of these changes resulted in this report being presented with one cost item still in dispute. For this reason it seems advisable to report the conditions as follows :
Because of a ruling by the Sewer Department that the sewer in- stallation must be done by that Department instead of the sub-contrac- tor on plumbing and heating, the Puritan Plumbing and Heating Com- pany, who had not understood that requirement, asked to be released from their contract, and the sub-contract was given to the William M. Collins Company who was the next higher bidder, at an additional cost of $799.17. A further condition of the Sewer Department was that the sub-contractor must put up $2,000 cash to guarantee payment. The Collins Company was unwilling to accept the contract except un- der the condition that they would not be accountable for more than that amount, and the tacit agreement of the Committee that any excess over that amount would be taken care of from the contingency fund seemed sufficient reason to question whether or not the $807.24 refund from the Sewer Department to the Collins Company should belong to the Town.
On the advice of the Town Counsel that amount was withheld from the amount due the General Contractor, who in turn held back the same amount from the sub-contractor, the Collins Company, who filed suit against Hamre.
The conditions set by the Sewer Department caused some delay in the work, because of the change from one sub-contractor to the other, caused additional expense to the Town, and resulted in this incomplete report, pending the settlement on the disputed amount.
The Committee desires to express its appreciation of the assistance rendered by Superintendent of Schools, Ralph W. Proctor. He was, most cooperative and helpful, attended practically all of the Committee meetings, and his building experience, especially with the newer type of school building, was invaluable.
JAMES L. JORDAN, Chairman WILLIAM H. GUSTAFSON RONALD W. SCOTT WILLIAM I. BUDD ROBERT M. HUTTON
SO VOTED: That the report be accepted as read and the com- mittee be continued.
ARTICLE 37. Payment of Architect, Liberty Street School.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: No Action.
ARTICLE 38. School Facilities, Five Corner Section. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED-No Action.
ARTICLE 39. Zoning By-Law, Section X, Parking Areas.
That the Zoning By-Law be amended by adding thereto a new section Number X entitled "Parking Areas" reading as follow:
Section X. Parking Areas
60
1. Every new building hereafter constructed, for business or industrial use, shall provide adequate off street parking spaces to accommodate motor vehicles or other conveyances of customers, patrons and employees and to serve incoming and outgoing delivery require- ments of the establishment. Such parking spaces shall be located on or adjacent to or within 200 feet of the lot to which they pertain.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
ARTICLE 40. Zoning By-Law, Section VIII, Area Regulations.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Zoning By-Law be amended by striking out the words "or industrial" in the two places they ap- pear in Paragraph 5 Sub Title "Lot Size" of Section VIII entitled 'Area Regulations".
ARTICLE 41. Zoning By-Law, Section V, Industrial District Uses.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Zoning By-Law be amended by striking out Section V entitled "Industrial District Uses" and in- sert in place thereof a new Section V Part 1 and 2 reading as follows :
Section V. Industrial District Uses
1. In an industrial district any industry or manufacturing may be carried on provided it is not injurious, noxious, or offensive to the neighborhood by reason of the emission of odor, fumes, dust, smoke, vibration or noise or other cause and only if authorized by the Board of Appeals.
2. Any uses permitted in Residence A, B, C or Business District except no building shall be erected to be used as a dwelling.
ARTICLE 42. Zoning By-Law, Residence B to Business Zone.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Paragraph 1, Section 1 of the Zoning By-Law be amended so that the Zoning Map dated May 2, 1950, as most previously amended, be further amended to provide that the zoning classification of a tract of land at the junction of Elm and Adams Streets, shown on Assessors' Plan No. 2076 Plots 1A and 2 be changed from Residence B District to Business District.
ARTICLE 44. Zoning By-Law, Residence A to Industrial Zone.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Paragraph 1, Section 1 of the Zoning By-Law be amended so that the Zoning Map dated May 2, 1940, as most previously amended, be further amended to provide that the, zoning classification of a tract of land described as follows: A parcel of land in the southeasterly section of Braintree containing approxi- mately 400 acres, beginning at a point where the boundaries of the Towns of Braintree, Holbrook and Weymouth meet, thence running' northerly along the Braintree-Weymouth boundary line approximately Five Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty (5,820) feet, thence along the westerly side of Columbia Street and continuing along the westerly. side of Grove Street approximately One Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty (1,850) feet, thence turning southerly along westerly boundary of Plot 22 Assessors' Plan 1112 approximately Four Hundred Sixty (460) feet and continuing along the northwesterly boundary of Plot 22 As- sessors' Plan 1112 approximately Three Hundred Ten (310) feet, thence turning and running southerly along westerly boundary of Plot
61
22 Assessors' Plan 1112 approximately One Hundred (100) feet, thence turning and running westerly parallel to and One Hundred (100) feet south of the southerly boundary of Plot 1 Assessors' Plan 1109 approxi- mately Three Hundred Eighty (380) feet, thence turning southerly and running southerly along a line parallel to and One Hundred (100) feet easterly of easterly boundary of Plot 1 Assessors' Plan 1110 for a distance of approximately One Thousand Two Hundred Eighty (1280) feet, thence turning westerly and running along northerly boundary of Plot 1 Assessors' Plan 1113 approximately Eight Hundred Thirty (830) feet to the easterly side of Forest Street, thence turning north and running northerly along Forest Street, approximately Four Hun- dred Eighty (480) feet, thence turning westerly and running in a line westerly parallel to and Four Hundred (400) feet north of northerly boundary of Plot 2 Assessors' Plan 1107 for a distance of approximately One Thousand Four Hundred Ten (1410) feet, thence turning and running southerly approximately Three Hundred (300) feet to a point One Hundred (100) feet from the northwesterly corner of Plot 2 Assessors' Plan 1107, thence turning and running westerly Four Hun- dred Eighty (480) feet to westerly boundary of Plot 1 Assessors' Plan 1107, thence along westerly boundary of Plot 1 Assessors' Plan 1107 approximately Four Hundred Ninety (490) feet, thence turning" and running along the northerly boundary of Plot 2 Assessors' Plan' 1104 approximately One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety (1690) feet to Liberty Street, thence southerly along Liberty Street approximately Five Hundred Forty (540) feet, thence easterly along southerly boun- dary of Plot 2 Assessors' Plan 1104 approximately One Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty (1960) feet, thence running along westerly boundary of Plot 2 Assessors' Plan 1104 approximately Four Hundred Forty (440) feet, thence running along the southerly boundary of Plot 2 Assessors' Plan 1104, Plot 3 Assessors' Plan 1104, Plot 3 Assessors' Plan 1103, Plot 12 Assessors' Plan 1116 approximately One Thousand Nine Hundred (1900) feet, thence continuing southerly along Wannetta Road approximately Six Hundred (600) feet, thence continuing in a line sontherly across Plot 1 Assessors' Plan 1111 to the Braintree-Hol- brook boundary approximately Nine Hundred (900) feet, thence turn- ing easterly and running along the Braintree-Holbrook boundary line approximately Three Thousand Two Hundred Forty (3240) feet to point of beginning; the foregoing described area is shown in full de- tail on Assessors' Plans as follows: Plan 1103 Plot 3; Plan 1104 Plots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; Plan 1107 Part of Plot 1; Plan 1110 Part of Plot 2; Plan 1111 Part of Plot 1; Plan 1112 Plots 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 14, 14A, 14B, 20, 21 and 22; Plans 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117, and all land shown thereon; Plan 1119 Part of Plot 1 and all of Plots 2, 3, and 4; be changed from Residence A District to In- dustrial District.
ARTICLE 45. Zoning By-Law, Residence B to Business Zone.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Paragraph 1, Section 1 of the Zoning By-Law be amended so that the Zoning Map dated May 2, 1940, as most previously amended, be further amended to provide that the zoning classification of a tract of land described as follows: A parcel of land containing approximately 50 acres located on the easterly side of Granite Street adjoining the Old Quincy Reservoir, beginning at a point on Granite Street where the present business zone ends and the boundary line of the westerly corner of Plot 1 on Assessors' Plan 2089 meets Granite Street and running southeasterly along Granite Street approximately Two Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy (2770)
62
feet to point where southerly boundary of Plot 3 on Assessors' Plan, 2040 meets Granite Street, thence turning and running easterly along southerly boundary of Plot 3 Assessors' Plan 2040 approximately One Hundred Ninety (190) feet, thence turning northerly along westerly boundary of Plot 2E on Assessors' Plan 2040 approximately Three Hundred Twenty Five (325) feet, thence starting and running along the westerly side of the Quincy Boundary line of the Old Quincy Rese-r voir and following said boundary line to northerly boundary of Plot 1 on Assessors' Plan 2089, thence running along the northerly boundary line of Plot 1 on Assessors' Plan 2089 in a westerly direction approxi- mately Six Hundred Fifteen (615) feet to point of beginning: the foregoing described area is shown in full detail on Assessors' Plans as follows: Assessors' Plan 2040 Plots 3, 4, 4A, 4B and 4C; Assessors' Plan 2040A Plots 1 to 80 inclusive; Assessors' Plan 2089 Plot 1 and part of the same plot on Plan 2040; be changed from Residence B District to Business District.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.