USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1957 > Part 6
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ARTICLE 62. Observance of Independence Day.
SO VOTED: No action.
ARTICLE 63. Care for Injured Dogs.
SO VOTED: No action.
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ARTICLE 41. Acceptance of Davis Road, Calvin Street and Fal- lon Circle as Town Ways.
SO VOTED: No action.
ARTICLE 64. First Parish Cemetery.
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 8, Item 35.)
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Annual Town Meeting stand adjourned.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Monday, May 27, 1957
Pursuant to a Warrant duly issued, the Special 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, May 27, 1957.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:55 p.m. o'clock in the evening by the Moderator, Mr. E. Curtiss Mower.
There were 154 Town Meeting Members present.
We now continue with consideration of the Article in the Warrant.
ARTICLE 1. To see if the Town will vote to amend the votes under Articles 1 and 4 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting- held December 11, 1956, respecting the sale of certain lands described in said Articles to Walworth Company insofar as they relate to an Option to repurchase said lands to be granted to the Town by Walworth Company, or take any other action relative thereto.
Upon moion duly made by Mr. Hunt, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: To amend the vote taken under Article 1 of the Warrant for a special town meeting held on December 1, 1956, by striking out and rescinding the last paragraph thereof and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:
"Said sale is authorized only upon payment to the Town by the purchaser of the sum of $45,000.00 provided that the Selectmen may in their discretion require in addition to the above price a grant by the purchaser to the Town of an option permitting the Town to re-purchase the said property, together with the propetry the sale of which was authorized under Article 4 of said warrant, upon such terms and con- ditions as in the judgment of the Selectmen may be in the best interests of the Town."
And further, to ratify and confirm the action taken under Article 1 and Article 4 in said warrant in all other respects.
Upon motion duly made, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Special Town Meeting stand adjourned.
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Index For Special Town Meeting Monday, October 7, 1957
ART. DESCRIPTION
NOT IN LEVY $5,000,000.00A 7,600.00D
1 Appropriation for New Electric Light Plant
2 Authorizing Taking of Land by Electric Light Comm.
3 Transfer of Land to Electric Light Commissioners
4 Appropriation for Addition to Watson School
165,000.00A 51,685.00B
5 Appropriation for Remodelling of Watson School
55,000.00A
6 Transfer from Ross School Fire Loss Account to Maintenance Account of School Department
1,497.76C
7 Committee to Study Report on Secondary School Facilities
8 Zoning By-Law, Amend from Residential B to Industrial Resolution, Preservation of Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace
9 Zoning By-Law, Amend Sec. VIII, Par. 5
10 Appropriation for Fire Department Extra Pay
6,006.60B 204,000.00A
11 Appropriation for Addition to Filtration Plant
12 Appropriation to Replace Pump at Great Pond Pumping Station
21,000.00A
13 Appropriation to Improve the Water Distribution System
14 Acceptance of Land Containing Filter Bed from Braintree Housing Authority
15 Appropriation for Salaries in Assessors' Dept. 108.36B
16 Appropriation for Bills in Board of Health 68.00B
17 Sale of Land to Harry M. Alger
Total Appropriations not in Tax Levy $5,511,965.72
CODE :
A Bonds or Notes
B Available Funds in Treasury
C Ross School Fire Loss Account
D Electric Light Department Depreciation Account
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Monday, October 7, 1957
Pursuant to a Warrant duly issued, the Special 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, October 7, 1957.
The meeting was called to order at 7:53 o'clock in the evening by the Moderator, Mr. E. Curtiss Mower.
There were 166 Town Meeting Members present.
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The following tellers were appointed by the Moderator to serve during the course of the evening:
John Alden Carl J. Knutson G. Vinton Jones Gilbert L. Bean
Charles C. Parker
E Theodore Nokes
Walter E. Delory
William J. Burns
We now continue with consideration of the Articles in the Warrant.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Articles 1, 2 and 3 be taken up in conjunction with one another.
ARTICLE 1. Appropriation for New Electric Light Plant. MOVED :
That the Town raise or borrow and appropriate the sum of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) to be expended by the Municipal Light Board for the purpose of establishing and equipping a new plant to furnish electric light and power and extending and enlarging the ex- isting facilities therefor, and to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor under authority of Chapter 674 of the Acts of 1957, and pay- able in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty (20) years from the date of issue of said bonds and notes.
The Moderator ordered a teller count. Vote and count were taken. and the tellers reported 107 votes in the affirmative and 47 votes in the negative. There being more than the required two-thirds majority vote in the affirmative, the Moderator then declared the motion.
SO VOTED.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Article 2 and 3 be laid on the table.
ARTICLE 4. Appropriation for Addition to Watson School.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $165,000.00 to be expended under the direction of the Watson School Building Com- mittee for the purpose of constructing an addition to the Watson School and for originally equipping said addition and that to meet said appro- priation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and; hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $165,000.00 under authority of Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1948 as most recently amended and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than ten years from the date of issuance of the first bond or note or at such earlier time as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine.
Mr. Ainsleigh submitted the following Interim Report of the Watson. School Building Committee.
The Watson School Building Committee was authorized by a vote of the town under Article 12 of the December 11, 1956 Special Town Meeting. An appropriation of $15,000 was made for the purpose of
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securing plans, specifications and bids for an addition to, and altera- tions to, the Watson School. The Committee was duly appointed by the Moderator. The Committee received many applications from archi- tectural concerns, interviewed the most promising and selected Walker and Hanna, Associated Architects, to prepare plans, specifications, etc., preparatory to obtaining bids for the project. The Committee held several meetings with the School Department, the faculty of the Watson School, and other interested parties. From these conference complete educational specifications evolved.
On instructions of the Committee, Mr. Hanna, our architect, pre- pared preliminary drawings for the addition and alterations. In keep- ing with the architecture of the building, these were for a two-story addition. On receipt of estimates the Committee felt that they were too high and requested Mr. Hanna to revise the plans. Again the estimates were too high and the Committee threw out all work and started over for the third time, instructing the architect to use single story construc- tion which he felt would be more economical. These plans and estimates were acceptable to the Committee and the State School Building As- sistance Commission approved them. Working drawings and specifi- cations were then drawn up. These were approved by the State and the Braintree School Committee.
In anticipation of this special Town Meeting, the job was adver- tised for bids which were opened on September 27, 1957. The General Contract bids ranged from $224,860.00 to $271,800.00.
The Committee met with the Braintree Finance Committee and ex- plained all the circumstances concerning the addition and alterations. The Finance Committee moved favorable action and the Watson Build- ing Committee requests a favorable vote on Articles 4 and 5 of the warrant.
Watson School Building Committee
Jack R. Ainsleigh, Chairman William G. Brooks, Secretary Reuben H. Frogel, M.D. Raymond P. Palmer Roy O. Ventura
ARTICLE 5. Appropriation for Remodelling of Watson School. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $106,685.00 to be expended under the direction of the Watson School Building Com- mittee for the purpose of remodelling, reconstructing or of making extra- ordinary repairs to the Watson School Building and that to meet said appropriation there be transferred from available cash in the Treasury the sum of $51,685.00 and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $55,000.00 under authority of Chapter 275 of the Acts of 1948, as amended, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from the date of issuance of the first bond or note or at such earlier date as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine.
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ARTICLE 6. Transfer from Ross School Fire Loss Account to Maintenance Account of School Department.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That upon recommendation of the Finance Committee there be appropriated by transfer $1,497.76 from the Ross School Fire Loss Account to the Maintenance Account of the School Department.
ARTICLE 7. Committee to study Report on Secondary School Facilities.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
That the present Committee be continued to further study the report on Secondary School Facilities as given by the Cambridge Con- sultants, Inc. and to report with recommendations to the Annual Town Meeting in March 1958.
ARTICLE 8. Zoning By-Law, Amend from Residential B Zone to Industrial Zone.
MOVED:
That the Town vote to amend the Zoning By-Law and the Zoning Map dated May 2, 1940, as most previously amended, by providing that a triangular shaped tract of land located in South Braintree west of present Washington Street near Old Road and Old Washington Street, containing approximately seven acres of land including Plots Nos. 11, 12, 12A and 12B as shown on Assessors' Plan No. 1050 and being bounded on the southeasterly side by land conveyed by the Town of Braintree to Walworth Company shown as Plot No. 9 on Assessors' Plan No. 1053 and the southerly line of Old Road extended to present Washington Street and Old Road so-called: on the southwesterly side by the present industrial zone line: and on the northwesterly side by the northerly line of Braxton Street so-called, be changed from Residential B Zone to Industrial Zone.
Mr. Magaldi submitted the following report of the Planning Board.
Report of the Planning Board with recommendation on Article 8 of the October 7, 1957 Special Town Meeting Warrant which relates to changes proposed in the Zoning By-Law and the Zoning Map.
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40A of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, the Planning Board submits this report with recommendations to the October 7, 1957 Special Town Meeting.
On September 20, 1957 the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held October 7, 1957, was advertised in the Braintree Observer. In the same issue of the said Braintree Observer dated September 20, 1957, the Planning Board caused to be advertised notice that a public hearing would be held by the Planning Board at the Braintree Town Hall, Saturday, October 5, 1957, at 10:00 a.m. Additional notices were pub- lished in the Braintree Observer September 27th and October 4th, 1957, stating time, place and purpose of the advertised public hearing. Maps showing the changes proposed were posted at the Town Hall and were available for inspection in the office of the Town Engineer.
The Public Hearing was held as advertised. Maps showing the proposed changes were exhibited. A dozen interested citizens and town officials attended the hearing and expressed their views.
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Article 8 proposed a change in the zoning classification of approxi- mately seven acres of land from Residential B to Industrial Zone. As detailed in the Article, the land in question is west of Washington Street near Old Road. This land was not included in the adjoining area pre- viously rezoned for industry because ownership had not changed hands and the former owners had no interest in a zoning change for their property. The Walworth Company has since either acquired or is under agreement to purchase the land involved in this proposed change.
Since the hearing we have conferred with the Walworth Company representative, Walworth Company attorneys and our own Town Coun- sel. The Planning Board desired to know the reason for the necessity of rezoning at this time and the contemplated use. These two questions were asked repeatedly at the public hearing and we wanted to be informed.
We have been advised that there are no present plans for the use of the land to be rezoned. However, the point which has been stressed is the fact that if the property is not rezoned it would pose a legal ques- ion and possible complications relative to location and relocation of the gas line and any appurtenant use to the property already zoned. Also involved is the question of financing which could possibly be a handicap if the property is not rezoned.
The Board does not want to place any unnecessary obstacles or handicaps in the way of the new industry. It is our opinion that the land to be rezoned cannot be used for any purpose appurtenant to the operations of the industry which has already been approved without a public hearing and approval of the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided by our Zoning By-Law.
In view of all the circumstances herein set forth the Planning- Board feels favorable action should be taken and so recommends.
The Braintree Planning Board
Joseph M. Magaldi, Chairman William G. Dyer, Clerk Mitchell W. Gawlowicz Edward J. Rose Frederick J. Klay Harold Pearl, Town Engineer
Vote was taken and the Moderator being in doubt a teller count was ordered. Vote and count were taken and the tellers reported 73 votes in the affirmative and 70 votes in the negative. There not being the required two-thirds majority vote in the affirmative, the Moderator then declared the motion LOST.
ARTICLE 9. Zoning By-Law, Amend Sec. VIII, Par. 5. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
That the Town vote to amend the Zoning By-Law, as most pre- viously amended by striking out the figure 3 where it appears after the word "article" near the end of the first sentence in Paragraph 5 en- titled Lot Size under Section VIII of the Zoning By-Law and insert in place thereof the figure 4 so that the corrected phrase shall read, "Except that this proviso shall not apply to lots sold by the Town in accordance with the provisions of Section 4, Article 4 of the Town of Braintree By-Laws.,".
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Mr. Magaldi submitted the following report of the Planning Board.
Report of the Planning Board with recommendation on Article 9 of the October 7, 1957 Special Town Meeting Warrant which relates to changes proposed in the Zoning By-Law.
This Article proposes to change the figure 3 to figure 4 where it appears in Par. 5, Lot Size, Sec. VIII of the Zoning By-Law. The pur- pose of this Article is to correct a typographical error made at the last Town Meeting when this Section was amended. No change is involved in the By-Law other than a correction of a reference number. The Board recommends favorable action.
The Braintree Planning Board
Joseph M. Magaldi, Chairman William G. Dyer, Clerk Mitchell W. Gawlowicz Edward J. Rose Frederick J. Klay
MOVED the following resolution :
Resolved, that it is the sentiment of this Town Meeting that the preservation of the Sylvanus Thayer birthplace be encouraged, and to that end the Moderator shall appoint a Committee of seven to investi- gate available sites and means suitable for its relocation, and that such Committee shall report its finding and recommendations to the next regular or special Town Meeting.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
Upon motion duly made it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Article 2 be taken from the table.
ARTICLE 2. Authorizing Taking of Land by Electric Light Com- missioners.
SO VOTED.
To authorize the Board of Electric Light Commissioners to purchase or take by Eminent Domain on behalf of the Town Plot Nos. 1 to 8 inclusive on Assessors' Plan No. 3040 presumed to belong to John K. Symons and George E. Delorey and located on Weymouth Fore River northwesterly from Harbor Villa Avenue together with the buildings and structures thereon and appropriate a sum of $7,600.00 therefor to be transferred from the Electric Light Department Depreciation Account.
Upon motion duly made, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That Article 3 be taken from the table.
ARTICLE 3. Transfer of land to Electric Light Commissioners.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: To remove from the list of properties to be sold under the provisions of Town By-Laws, Article 4, Section 4 and place in the exclusive control of the Board of Electric Light Commissioners Plot Nos. 15 thru 22 inclusive and 25 thru 29 inclusive on Assessors' Plan No. 3041.
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ARTICLE 10. Appropriation for Fire Department Extra Pay.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That there be raised and appropri- ated the sum of $6,006.60 and that to meet said appropriation there shall be transferred from available funds in the Treasury the sum of $6,006.60 to the item "extra pay of firemen" in the fire department for the following items :
1. Fires at Plymouth May 8, 9 and 10, 1957 $1,067.15
2. Fires at Braintree May 8, 9 and 10, 1957 1,087.46
3. Fires at Braintree July 8 to Aug. 5, 1957 3,851.99
ARTICLE 11. Appropriation for Addition to Filtration Plant.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That there be raised and appropri- ated the sum of $204,000.00 to be expended by the Board of Water Com- missioners for the construction of an addition to the Filtration Plant at Great Pond together with an addition to the Pumping Station to house a low lift pump all for use in connection with said Filtration Plant, and that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer, with the ap- proval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $204,000.00 and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from date of issue of the first bond or note or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine and that the Water Commissioners shall fix sufficient rates to meet expenses of maintaining and operating the Water Supply System including the interest and debt charges as they mature and the indebtedness herein authorized.
ARTICLE 12. Appropriation to Replace Pump at Great Pond Pumping Station.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That there be raised and appropri- ated the sum of $21,000.00 to be expended by the Board of Water Com- missioners for the purchase and installation at the Great Pond Pumping Station of a new high lift pump with all necessary fittings, piping and equipment therefor and that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be and hereby is authorized to bor- row the sum of $21,000.00 and to issue bonds or notes of the Town there- for payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than fifteen years from the date of issue of the first bond or note or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine and that the Water Commissioners shall fix sufficient rates to meet expenses of maintaining and operating the Water Supply System including the interest and debt charges as they mature and the indebtedness herein authorized.
ARTICLE 13. Appropriation to Improve the Water Distribution System.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: No action.
ARTICLE 14. Acceptance of land contaning Filter Bed from Braintree Housing Authority.
SO VOTED.
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That the Town of Braintree accept from the Braintree Housing Authority, Inc. a grant of land comprising approximately 8,858 square feet, situated at the rear of numbers 12 and 18 Drake Street and num- bers 189 and 193 Wildwood Avenue known as a filter bed; also, a con- necting Septic Tank located between numbers 12 and 18 Drake Street and connecting Chlorinator located between numbers 189 and 193 Wildwood Avenue.
ARTICLE 15. Appropriation for Salaries in Assessors' Depart- ment.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That there be raised and appropri- ated the sum of $108.36 and that to meet said appropriation there be transferred the sum of $108.36 from available funds in the Treasury to Assessors, Salary Items.
Principal Clerk $46.26
Junior Clerks (2) 62.10
ARTICLE 16. Appropriation for Bills in Board of Health.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That there be raised and appropri- ated the sum of $68.00 to meet the payment of an unpaid liability of, the Board of Health incurred prior to January 1, 1957 and to meet said appropriation there be transferred the sum of $68.00 from available funds in the Treasury to the Board of Health item prematurely born infant care.
Milton Hospital $68.00
ARTICLE 17. Sale of Land to Harry M. Alger.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.
That the Selectmen be authorized to sell to Harry M. Alger a par- cel of land now under the control of the Park Department and shown as Assessors' Plan No. 3023 Plot No. 1 for a minimum price of $1,000.00 upon the passage of necessary authorizing legislation and that our Representative in the General Court be authorized and requested to petition for enabling legislation therefor.
Upon motion duly made, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Special Town Meeting stand adjourned.
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Report of Tax Collector
Year ending December 31, 1957
1956 and Previous Years Balances and Commitments ....
Refunds
$ 187,798.66 10,617.32
1957 Commitments Refunds
4,098,201.75
42,755.70
Total Accounts for Collection
$4,339,373.43
Credited by :
Collections
3,894,138.64
Abatements
153,237.39
Tax Takings, Judgements, etc.
10,607.00
Returned for Apportionment
4,127,117.74
Outstanding Balance December 31, 1957
$ 212,255.69
Itemized Outstanding Balances :
1957 Real Estate
$ 91,321.10
Sewer Betterment Apportionments
1,089.10
Sewer Connection Apportionments
212.18
Street Betterment Apportionments .
112.23
Sidewalk Betterment Apportionments
26.96
Water Liens
482.98
Committed Interest
343.36
Poll
60.00
Personal
3,420.57
Excise
19,659.75
1956 Real Estate
252.20
69,134.71
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Personal · Excise . Unapportioned Betterment Accounts
595.20 369.19 94,310.17
Total
$ 212,255.69 GEORGE H. GERRIOR, JR. Tax Collector
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Report of The Tree Warden
I respectfully submit the following report as Tree Warden for the year ending Dec. 31, 1957.
All work approved in the 1957 budget, both General Care and Tree Removal, has been completed.
778 new Trees were planted throughout the town, and we still need many more, especially in the new Projects where trees are needed so badly.
I have also maintained 1000 Seedlings and young trees in the Tree Bank for future planting.
I hope to continue this tree planting program and keep Braintree in the favorable position it now holds in regards to trees.
-
Summary
Salary
$ 1,950.00
$ 1,950.00
General Care
2,500.00
2,498.35
$ 1.65
Tree Removal
3,000.00
3,000.00
New Trees
1,500.00
1,500.00
New Trees Transfer
1,000.00
1,000.00
Tree Bank
500.00
498.00
2.00
Totals
$10,450.00
$10,446.35
$ 3.65
€
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. LEETCH,
Tree Warden
Report of The Planning Board
During the year 1957 there was a noticeable decrease in the number of real estate sub-divisions and residential building in the Town. This reduction in building while part- ly due to a decrease in demand also reflects the effect of the more stringent planning board regulations and the re- visions in the zoning by-law adopted by the Town in recent years on the recommendation of the board.
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The School Building Needs report by Cambridge Con- sultants stresses the fact that zoning ordinance changes sponsored by this board increasing lot sizes to a high of 25,000 square feet and a low of 15,000 square feet will substantially reduce large scale sub-division activity within the Town.
Studies indicate a possible reactivated building pro- gram between 1960 and 1965 so that everything possible must be done to prevent any large scale housing develop- ments below our required high standards.
We have continued our efforts to promote business and industrial activity in the Town. This work must be con- tinued in order that the property owners will not have to stand annual increases in the tax rate.
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