USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1957 > Part 2
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Charles F. Abell
582 Sidney B. Tinson 473
"Everett A. Buker
550
William Calder 332
*Thomas F. Cassidy
495 John W. Clergy 333
*Harold J. Clancy
423
*George M. Cody 394 Rene J. Dawe 209
* Henry J. Diotte
415
*John P. Durning
41
Robert E. Harper 25
*John H. Gauthier
422
Anne L. Morton
351
*G. Vinton Jones
567 Lewis Bradford Morton, Jr. 351
"Harvey G. Lyons, Jr.
442 Wilbur G. Stone
322
" Alexander Mitchelson
512
Charles R. Wing
400
*Elected
One Town Meeting Member (For Two Years) To Fill Vacancy
* Neal V. Humphrey
263
William B. Webber 255
Robert J. Mitchell 153
*Elected
PRECINCT 6
12 Town Meeting Members (For Three Years)
*Jack R. Ainsleigh
539 Raymond P. Palmer 532
*John E. Cannon
555
*Mary T. Ryan 524
*Walter E. Delory 561
*William H. Stovold 551
*Frank H. Diekmeyer
550
*George H. Young
540
* Robert O. Grondin
534 Harold L. Furlani 293
*Emilio Libertine 489 'Elizabeth N. Metayer 442
*John A. Libertine
469
Clarence R. Parker
368
*Elected
One Town Meeting Member (For Two Years) To Fill Vacancy
Joseph F. Hall
153
Robert T. Smart 215
*Thomas M. Jones 231
*Elected
17
Report of The Audit
Report on audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Braintree for fiscal year ending December 31, 1956. Made in accordance with the provisions of Chap. 44, G.L. (Audit on file Town Clerk's office.)
Mr. Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts Department of Corporation and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Braintree for the year ending December 31, 1956, and report thereon as follows :
The financial transactions as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection were exam- ined and reconciled with the records of the town account- ant and the town treasurer.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the re- ceipts being checked with the treasurer's books and the payments being compared with warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's records of payments. The ap- propriation accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings, and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were verified by compari- son with authorizations on file.
The necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condi- tion of the town on December 31, 1956.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several de- partments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the treasury, while the payments were compared with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash book additions were verified, and the cash balance on February 14, 1957 was proved by actual count of the cash in the office, by reconciliation of the bank balances
18
with statements furnished by the banks of deposit, by ex- amination of the savings bank books, and by verification of the amount invested in U.S. Treasury Bills.
The payments made on account of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and were checked with the cancelled securities and coupons on file. The outstanding coupons on February 14, 1957 were listed and reconciled with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the trust, investment, and retirement funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the trustees were examined and listed. The income was proved, and all transactions and balances were verified and compared with the treasurer's and the town accountant's books, and, in the case of the retirement funds, with the books of the contributory retirement board.
The cash balance in the retirement funds on February 14, 1957 was verified by reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit and by listing of the checks in the office.
The records of tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined and checked. The taxes and as- sessments transferred to the tax title accounts were com- pared with the collector's records, the recorded redemp- tions of tax titles and sales of tax possessions were checked with the treasurer's receipts, the foreclosures were verified, and the tax titles and tax possessions on hand were listed, reconciled with the respective ledger accounts, and further verified by comparison with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The records of employees' payroll deductions for Fed- eral taxes, purchase of savings bonds, and union dues were examined and checked. The deductions were footed, the records of savings bond purchases for employees were examined, the payments to the Director of Internal Revenue and to the union treasurer were verified, and the balances on February 14, 1957 were proved with the cash in the general treasury.
The records of receipts from parking meter fees were examined, listed, and checked with the treasurer's re- corded receipts.
19
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The taxes, excise, and assessments outstanding at the time of the previous exami- nation, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and proved with the warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were checked with the assessors' records of abatements granted, the taxes and assessments transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling accounts in the general ledger.
The tax collector's cash balance on February 14, 1957 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit and by actual count of the cash in the office.
The records of apportioned sewer, sewer house con- nection, street, and sidewalk assessments were examined and checked. The apportionments made by the assessors were proved, the payments in advance were checked with the treasurer's recorded receipts, the amounts added to taxes 1956 were verified, and the apportioned assessments not due were listed and reconciled with the deferred rev- enue accounts in the town accountant's ledger.
The books and accounts of the electric light depart- ment were examined and checked. The recorded collec- tions were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed, reconciled with the departmental controls, and checked with the town accountant's ledger.
The records of consumers' deposits for electric service were checked. The refunds of deposits and interest were verified, and the deposits on hand on February 14, 1957 were listed and proved with the cash in the office and on deposit in the savings bank.
The book and accounts of the water department were examined and checked. The charges were proved, the recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the liens added to taxes 1956 were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the controlling account in the town accountant's ledger.
The records of departmental accounts receivable were examined and checked. The charges were proved,
2.0
the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the out- standing accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
The outstanding tax, excise, departmental, electric light, and water accounts were verified by mailing no- tices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The outstanding tax, departmental, electric light, and water accounts were verified by mailing notices to a num- ber of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The town clerk's records of dog and sporting licenses issued were examined and checked. The payments to the town treasurer were checked with the treasurer's re- corded receipts, the payments to the Division of Fisheries and Game were compared with the receipts on file, and the cash on hand on February 14, 1957 was verified.
The surety bonds of the town officials required to file them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records in the school department pertaining to receipts from the lunch and athletic programs, as well as to receipts from miscellaneous sources, were examined and checked. The cash books were analyzed, the payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's re- corded receipts, and the cash on hand was verified.
The records of receipts of the selectmen and of the sealer of weights and measures, as well as of the police, building, health, and libary departments, and of all other departments collecting money for the town, were examined and checked, the payments to the treasurer being verified.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing reconciliations of the several cash accounts, summaries of the tax, excise, assessment, tax title, departmental, electric light, and water accounts, as well as schedules showing the condition and transactions of the trust, investment, and retirement funds.
21
During the progress of the audit cooperation was ex- tended by the town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM SCHWARTZ Assistant Director of Accounts
Index For Annual Town Meeting
ART. DESCRIPTION
Sessions : March 18, 1957
March 20, 1957
March 25, 1957
March 27, 1957
April 1, 1957
1 Choosing of Town Officers
2
Appointment of Committees :
Little League Baseball Activities
Civic Use of Land Under Article 25 Relocation of Corner of Lincoln and Liberty Streets Reports of Committees :
Supplement to Report of 1957 Finance Committee To Study Personnel Board
Central Purchasing
Wiring Inspection and Wiring Inspector
Survey and Investigate Braintree Municipal Electric Light Plant
Trust Fund Committee
Group Insurance Plan for Town Employees
Proposed East Braintree Parking Lot: Majority Report Minority Report
School Fund Committee
Flood Control on Watersheds
Resolutions :
Adjourning Town Meeting to March 20, 1957 To Dissolve Salary Advisory Board Adjourning Town Meeting to March 22, 1957 Off Street Parking for New Business and Industry In the Levy Not in Levy
3 Authorize Treasurer to borrow on year beginning January 1, 1957 4 Authorize Treasurer to borrow on year beginning January 1, 1958
5 General Increases to Employees
within Salary Admin. Plan $ 62,962.27
6 Amending of Schedules A and B of Salary Admin. Plan
7 Salaries Elective Town Officials
22
8 Funds for Interest, Maturing Debt and Town Departments:
8- 1 Moderator
25.00
8- 2 Finance Committee
1,487.00
8- 3 Selectmen
4,875.00
Salaries Board
2,325.00
8- 4 General Government Incidentals
1,500.00
8- 5 Accountant
8,493.00
8- 6 Engineering
17,473.87
Salary Sr. Engineering Aide, 39 weeks
2,652.00
8- 7 Assessors
13,658.98
Salaries Board
3,825.00
8- 8 Treasurer
13,615.92
8- 9 Tax Collector
11,443.35
8-10 Town Clerk
9,051.60
8-11 Elections
2,935.00
8-12 Registrations
7,291.20
8-13 Planning Board
2,570.00
8-14 Law
6,950.00
8-15 Town Hall Maintenance
14,663.90
8-16
Board of Appeal-Zoning
355.00
8-17
Fire Department
207,079.11
Salary Extra Men, Vacations,
Sickness, Overtime:
12,372.78
8-18 Fire Alarm System Vacations :
198.00
8-19
Police Department
215,527.58
Salary New Patrolmen (3) 4-1-57:
7,722.00
Salary Extra Men, Vacations, etc .:
18,852.00
8-20 Tree Warden
9,450.00
8-21
Building Inspector
5,061.00
8-22
Wiring Inspector Salary :
2,137.50
8-23 Sealer of Weights and Measures
2,520.00
8-24 Central Station Maintenance
4,549.81
8-25 Board of Health
36,965.60
Collection of Garbage: Encephalitis :
2,000.00
8-26 Sewer Department
85,995.16
8-27 Highway Department
351,061.05
2,857.29 A
8-28 Street Lighting
24,000.00
8-29 Welfare Administration
16,013.10
8-30 Welfare Assistance Infirmary
8,451.38
8-32
Department of Veterans' Services Veterans' Benefits
60,000.00
8-33
Schools Administration General Control
17,205.00
Operation School Plant:
214,467.50
Maintenance School Plant: Auxiliary Agencies
104,385.00
8-34 Thayer Public Library Expenses :
14,219.69
500.00 D
2,236.31 N
8-31
6,833.10
1,467,895.00
85,087.71
10,829.79 M.
43,624.47
23
4,200.00 A 300.00 A
16,689.06
500.00
35,625.00
245,000.00
8-35 Plain St. & Pond St. Cemeteries
810.00
300.00 B 840.00 C
First Parish Cemetery :
460.00
100.00 D
8-36 Dyer Hill Cemetery
8-37 Parks and Playgrounds
33,041.55
1,000.00 F
Little League Field Maintenance
3,000.00
Swifts Beach Toilet Facilities
2,520.00
Golf Course: Materials, Supplies Maintenance, Repairs, Expenses, Clubhouse :
3,205.04
8-38 Town Forest
500.00
8-39 Non-Contributory Pensions
32,121.98
8-40 Contributory Retirement 35,388.04
31,011.31
8-41 Insurance Premiums Automobile Liability 4,200.00
8-42 Maturing Debt
240,000.00
18,000.00 G 70,000.00 H 120,000.00 I
8-43 Interest 117,460.00
1,725.00 G
8-44 Electric Light Commissioners
8-45 Water Department Commissioners
300.00 G
8-46 Water Dept. Maintenance & Operation
57,634.69 J
267,180.81 G
8-47 Industrial Development Commission 2,580.00
8-48 Personnel Board
1,944.00
8-49 Reserve Fund
19,724.19
8-50 Memorial Day
600.00
8-51 Town Reports
2,156.50
8-52 Maintenance of Legion Hall
1,200.00
8-54 Civil Defense
2,585.60 .00
8-56 Hydrant Service
16,975.00
8-57 Chlorination Sunset Lake
1,900.00
8-58 Unpaid Bills
(Refer to Article 65 (a) and 65 (b)
8-59 Graves Registration Officer 100.00
8-60 South Shore Mosquito Control Project 5,750.00
9 Salaries Elec. Light Commissioners
(Refer to Art. 8, Item 44)
10 Municipal Light Plant
11 Taking of Land for Municipal Light Plant
90,000.00
12 Assessors for Determination of 1957 Tax Rate 35,000.00 L
13
Board of Comm. of Trust Funds
14
Premium Cost for Group Ins. 27,500.00
15 Memorial Day
(Refer to Article 8, Item 50)
16 Braintree Post, V.F.W., Rent (Refer to Art. 8, Item 53)
17 Braintree Chapter, D.A.V., Rent 850.00
18 Hydrant Maintenance
(Refer to Art. 8, Item 56)
24
5,275.81 K
8-53 Veterans of Foreign Wars (Rent)
960.00
8-55 Reimbursement Range Firing
18,987.50 H 300.00 H
12,000.00 E
19 Sunset Lake Chlorination (Refer to Art. 8, Item 57) Chapter 374, Acts of 1956, Pension Options
20
21 Chapter 401, Acts of 1956, Civil Defense Volunteers Amending By-Laws, Art. 13, after Sec. 17
22 23 Three year Terms for Town Clerk, Town Treas. and Tax Collector
24 25
Town Hall Custodians 1956 Overtime Sale of Land under Control of School Fund Committee :
26 Drainage for Weymouth-Braintree Smelt Brook Area :
Public Off Street Parking
27 28 Constr. of Main or Lateral Sewers
44,892.42
55,107.58 O
29 30
Relief Sewer
64,000.00
Constr. of Sewerage Pumping Station on Howard Street
81,000.00
31 Extension of Sewerage Pipes from River Street
32 Noah Torrey Fire Loss Reserve Acct. (Refer to Art. 8, Item 33)
33
Sprinkler System, Noah Torrey Primary School 4,000.00
4,098.23 P
34 Consultants to Study Additional Secondary School Facilities 3,000.00
35
Play Area & Driveway, Colbert School
3,000.00
36
Pumps and Appurtenances for Well near Lakeside School Pumping Station over Well near Lakeside School
9,292.33 R
2,207.67 J
38
Purchase of Land at Addison Street and Davis Road 1.00
39
Land for Parks and Playgrounds, Elmlawn Road & Perry Road
40
Land for Parks and Playgrounds, East Boscobel Street :
41 Acceptance of Streets as Town Ways Davis Road, Calvin Street, Fallon Circle :
42
Zoning By-Laws, Sec. IIIA, Trades and Professions :
43 Zoning By-Laws, Sec. VIII, Area Regulations
44 Zoning By-Laws, Change from Resi- dence B to Industrial Zone, Land between Adams and Elm Streets 45 Zoning By-Laws, Change from Resi- dence B to Business Zone, Land between Washington and Han cock Streets
25
13,500.00 Q
37
Constr. of Washington Street
191.86
46 Zoning By-Laws, Change from Resi- dence B to Industrial Zone, Land adjoining Eaton's Pond
47 Zoning By-Laws, Change from Resi- dential A to Industrial Zone, Land off Granite Street
48 Zoning By-Laws, Change from Resi- dence A to Industrial Zone, Land off Liberty St.
49 Zoning By-Laws, Change from Resi- dence A to Industrial Zone, Land off Pond St.
50 South Shore Mosquito Control Pro- ject (Refer to Art. 8, Item 60)
51 Dutch Elm Disease
(Refer to Art. 8, Item 27)
52 Insect Pest Control
(Refer to Art. 8, Item 27)
53 Sale of Land to David O. Jr. and Florence D. Hallstrom
54 Relocate Corner of Newport Avenue and Franklin Street
55 Relocate Corner of Lincoln and Liberty Streets
56 Acceptance of Jersey Avenue as Town Way
57 Acceptance of Whittier Road as Town Way 5,965.00
58 Acceptance as Town Way from
present point to 295 River St.
59 Acceptance of Gordon Road as Public Way
60 Sidewalk on Arbutus Avenue 1,574.00
61 Sidewalks on Howie Road 4,258.50
62 Observance of Independence Day
63 Care for Injured Dogs
64 First Parish Cemetery
(Refer to Art. 8, Item 35)
65 Unpaid Bills 175.44
324.00
300.00
Appropriations to be Raised by Taxation 4,310,866.12
Appropriations Not In Tax Levy
803,773.01
Total Appropriations $5,114,639.13
A Parking Meter Reserve Acct. H Electric Light Department Revenue 1957
B Sale of Cemetery Lots, Plain Street Cemetery I Available Funds in Treasury
C Braintree Cemetery Association
J Water Department Reserve 1956
D Charles Thayer Trust Fund
E Golf Club Reserve
F Parks & Playgrounds Reserve K Overlay Reserve
G Water Department Revenue 1957
L Electric Light Special Reserve Account
26
M Noah Torrey Fire Reserve Account
N Dog License Receipts
0 Sewer Receipts Reserved for Appropriation
P Sprinkler System Highlands School
Bonds or Notes
R 1953 Appropriation for new Standpipe
Annual Town Meeting
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1957
Pursuant to a Warrant duly issued, the Annual Town Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, represented by their duly elected and qualified Town Meeting Members, was held in the Braintree Town Hall on Monday, March 18, 1957.
The meeting was called to order at 7:50 o'clock in the evening by the Moderator, Mr. E. Curtiss Mower.
Prayer for Divine Guidance was offered by Rev. John Prescott Robertson, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Braintree.
The Moderator stated that due to the resignation of two Town Meeting Members in Precinct 5 a meeting was held of the Town Meet- ing Members from Precinct 5 in accordance with the Town By-Laws and successors elected subject to the action of this meeting.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That this meeting does adjudge that William B. Webber and Lewis Bradford Morton, Jr. have been duly elected and are qualified to act as members of this meeting until the next Town election.
Newly elected Town Meeting Members were sworn in by the Town Clerk.
There were 217 Town Meeting Members present.
The following tellers were appointed by the Moderator to serve during the course of the evening:
John Alden Warren K. Boynton
Whitney Withington William H. Low
Harry E. Holt John J. Canavan
Howard C. White Raymond P. Palmer
ARTICLE 1. To choose all Town Officers except those elected by ballot.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: The election of John C. Pafford, Shelley A. Neal and Daniel A. Maloney as Measurers of Lumber.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: The election of Matthew McCusker, George A. Williams and Dominic F. Diauto as Measurers of Wood and Weighers of Hay.
ARTICLE 2. Reports of Boards and Committees and choosing of Committees.
1
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Article 2 be taken up in con- junction with all other Articles.
27
Mr. Foster submitted the following report under Article 2: Supplement to Report of the 1957 Finance Committee
Recommendations of the Finance Committee have been in the hands of all Town Meeting Members for several days. It is assumed that all have studied the report, since Town Meeting Members sought the privilege of representing their neighbors and hence willingly accepted the responsibility of voting on town appropriations.
A quick look at the inside cover of our printed report shows that the recommendations under Article 8 for 1957 exceed the 1956 recom- mendations by about $500,000. This figure is about $100,000 less than the amount requested and represents a figure which the Committee honestly feels is required to continue the Town's operations at a reason- able level and to provide essential services.
About half of the increase of $500,000 appears in the School De- partment budget, where the full impact of our growing population is most quickly noted and which is further aggravated by the highly com- petitive situation in the market for qualified teachers, which market is unfortunately insufficient to meet the increasing demands. The other budget increases of considerable magnitude are found in the Police Department, Board of Health, Sewer Department, Highway Depart- ment, and Debt and Interest Account.
We have less available free cash in the treasury this year due in part to appropriations made at the Special Town Meeting in December, 1956. Although our assessed valuation continues to increase, the rate of increase has slowed up to some degree. It does appear, however, that estimated receipts in 1957 will be greater than receipts for 1956.
We are recommending no borrowing this year except under Article 36 as presented by the Water Department, and this short term borrow- ing is recommended at the request of the Department. The Town is perilously near its debt limit at the present time, and we obtain no relief until the end of 1958. As a matter of fact, under our present situation, we are well mortgaged into the 1970's. Our printed report makes this self-evident. It sounds fine when a borrowing is proposed which will add only 25 to 50 cents to the tax rate, but you can easily observe how Braintree has built $10.00 into its tax rate over a period of a few years. Interest rates are up this year, and we feel it is much better to pay our own way and not expect our children to help out on the 1957 expenses.
As to the warrant articles, we are recommending favorable action on a number of them because we feel such action is completely justified even though it will cost us money. Article 14, covering Group Insur -: ance, requires an appropriation since the Town voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 32B of the General Laws at the 1956 election.
We have received the wholehearted co-operation of the Board of. Assessors and have obtained able assistance from the Massachusetts Division of Accounts, allowing us to make an estimate of the 1957 tax rate. That we present only an estimate must be emphasized because only the Assessors can set the tax rate. If the recommendations of the Finance Committee prevail, it is estimated that the tax rate will rise to $62.50, an increase of $3.50 over 1956. Any expenditure in excess of the recommendations will further increase the rate.
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There is a further recommendation which we wish to make. Brain- tree is usually one of the last towns in the state to complete its Town Meeting. Four months elapse before the town departments know what total program they can undertake each year. This means, further, that equipment orders are late in being placed. We probably do not get the best prices in many of our procurements. A tax rate cannot be deter- mined until the meeting is concluded. It is strongly recommended that steps be taken to expedite our action and as one step to this end we sub- mit the following resolution.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: It is resolved that when this Town Meeting is adjourned, adjournment shall be to Wednesday, March 20, 1957 at 7:45 in the evening.
ARTICLE 3. Authorizing Treasurer to borrow in anticipation of 1957 revenue.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1957, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
ARTICLE 4. Authorizing Treasurer to borrow in anticipation of 1958 revenue.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year, beginning January 1, 1958 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17, Chapter 44, of the General Laws.
Upon motion duly made, it was
SO VOTED: That Articles 5 and 6 be considered in conjunction with one another.
ARTICLE 5. General wage increases to employees within Salary Administration Plan.
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