USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1957 > Part 7
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
Board meetings are held regularly the third Mon- day of each month with special meetings usually held the first Monday. Public hearings are held on all sub-division applications and also prior to Town Meeting in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws. Many special meetings have been held with other department officials and committees on matters relating to the development of the Walworth property, and the proposed multi-million dollar shopping center.
In the past the board has inserted articles for the ac- ceptance of streets constructed within sub-division develop- ments prior to complete construction and installation of utilities. This year, afer discussion with the heads of the various Town Departments it was felt that the best policy would be to wait until all construction of such roadways and utility installation was complete so that the rights of the Town under any sub-division bonds would be protected. This action has been further prompted by the many com- plaints on drainage problems and other incompleted items with developments. Our future policy will be to make certain that the streets and utilities are completed to the satisfaction of the Board of Health, the Water Department, the Engineering Department and the Highway Department as well as this board, prior to the insertion of any articles asking for street acceptance.
The Planning Board has coordinated its efforts with the Parks and Playground Commissioners and other site committees in locating new parks or in setting aside Town owned plots for future development.
71
The road building program now underway within the Town is a challenge not only to the Planning Board but to all Town Departments and Officials and a complete co- ordination of efforts is necessary for the future welfare of our Community.
The Planning Board is grateful for the cooperation and assistance of town officials and especially to Mr. Har- old Pearl, Town Engineer and his capable staff.
The Braintree Planning Board
JOSEPH M. MAGALDI, Chairman WILLIAM G. DYER, Clerk MITCHELL W. GAWLOWICZ FREDERICK J. KLAY EDWARD J. ROSE
Report of The Highway Department
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent
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 and Repairs
Town streets, sidewalks, Fences and Guard rails were repaired where needed.
Streets Resurfacing
Surface treated about 72,000 lin. ft.
Used 35,000 gals. of asphalt.
Signs-New
No Parking 12
Cross Walk
2
Do Not Enter
1
Keep Right
6
Not A Thru Way
6
Railroad
2
Street Names
13
72
Street Painting
Cross walks at all schools, streets, intersections and traffic meters were painted. Also center lines were painted.
Painted SLOW on streets requested by the Police.
Snow Removal
All Streets, School Parking Areas, Town Parking Areas, were plowed and sanded as soon as possible.
Salting begins in Business Centers, Main Streets, Hills and Intersections as soon as snow covers the ground.
Salt used 70 tons.
Sand used 2536 tons.
New Construction
Peach Street 800 lin. ft.
Ray Lane 350 lin. ft.
Old Liberty Street 1200 lin. ft.
Hollingsworth Ave. 1757 lin. ft. sloped face curbing.
New Construction Drains
Peach St. 369 ft. 12" Conc. Pipe-132 ft. 10" Conc. Pipe-378 ft. 8" Conc. Pipe. 5 manholes-3 catch basins.
Washington St. Dr. Ext. 112 ft. 15" Conc. Pipe-200 ft. 12" Conc. Pipe. 4 manholes and 4 catch basins.
Independence Ave. - Holmes St. 1000 ft. 18" Conc. Pipe-408 ft. 15" Conc. Pipe, 36 ft. 12" Conc. Pipe-66 ft. 10" Conc. Pipe. 7 manholes, 4 catch basins.
Old Liberty Street 748 ft. 12" Conc. Pipe-294 ft. 10" Conc. Pipe. 5 manholes, 9 catch basins.
Packard Estate relay and extend 784 ft. 18" Conc. Pipe. 4 manholes.
New Construction Streets Resurfaced (Asphalt Concrete)
West Street 5000 lin. ft.
Improvement of Streets Under the Betterment Act. Mass. Ave. 700 lin. ft.
Whittier Rd. (not completed) 618 lin. ft. 72 ft. 10" Conc. Pipe. 4 catch basins, 1 manhole.
73
1
Belmont Street 350 lin. ft. Howie Rd. Sidewalk 3200 lin. ft. Asphalt Concrete Arbutus Ave. (not completed) 600 lin. ft. Asphalt Concrete.
Grove Street Sidewalk 4000 lin. ft. Asphalt Concrete.
Streets Under Construction by Private Developers
Belknap Rd .; Cain Ave .; Cranmore Rd .; Court Rd .; Connell Park; Holmes St .; Lorretta Ave .; Robert St.
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 collections will begin the following day.
Rubbish should be in suitable containers, NOT oil drums.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH.
Report of The Moth Department
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent 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, a copy of the receipt of payment.
This copy of the receipt is our authority to spray. DUTCH ELM DISEASE
142 samples of suspected trees were sent to the Uni- versity of Mass. Shade Tree Laboratories, at Amherst, Mass.
74
Report of their diagnosis was as follows:
Diseased 77 Sterile
66
Contract let for the removal of diseased trees.
Respectfuly submitted,
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH
Parks and Playgrounds
During the past seven years the number of play- grounds operated by the Park Commission has increased from five to twelve. Except for the newer developments, almost every section of town has a neighborhood play- ground where children of all ages may attend without tra- veling great distances. Each area has excellent facilities and good leadership that make it possible to conduct a pro- gram of athletics, arts and crafts, games and free play that should appeal to all children. An average of eight hun- dred children come to the twelve playgrounds each day during the summer to participate in either our regular pro- gram or the special events that are planned.
At the present time Braintree has one of the best swim- ming programs in the state. Each day approximately fifteen hundred children who are registered for swimming classes learn swimming techniques that range from beginners to life saving. All of the swimming instructors are trained by the Red Cross in teaching swimming techniques, life saving, and first aid. On week ends particularly there are frequent- ly over two thousand people using Sunset Lake and a great- ly improved Swifts Beach for recreational and family swim- ming. Parking space, especially at Sunset Lake, is a major problem and will continue to get worse as the town grows and more people take advantage of this recreational area. There exists great possibilities to expand our program at Sunset Lake to include boating and sailing instruction as well as diving. This type program is very popular and serves a real need in a town in our geographical location.
75
Braintree Park Departments Winter Projects
76
DRIVING PIPE FOR SWIMMING DOCK AT SUNSET LAKE
WELDING SUPPORT PIPE ON THE ICE AT SUNSET LAKE SWIMMING DOCK
The 1957 winter was ideal for lake and pond skating, the best in over ten years. Your Park Dept. with its equip- ment were able to remove snow from Sunset Lake, Faxon street rink and a section of the Golf course where skating was carried on. During the winter we were able to build a regulation swimming dock at Sunset Lake. We drove our foundation pipe through the ice, welded braces and pads, drilled and installed wood frame for diving platform. Working on the ice proved very successful. We hope to make another swimming dock this coming winter for the older boys and girls of the town. State wide swimming competition would then be carried on.
This past summer drought and ban on the use of water caused considerable damage to our parks and Golf course. Healthy grasses were over run with weeds. These weeds had to be destroyed before their seeds could develop, so a weed killing program was carried on at Frenchs, Hol- lis, Watson, Adams, and Faxon late this fall.
In order to provide good playing conditions at Hollis field for a twenty-two football game schedule this fall. The Park Dept. cut over 10,000 sq. feet of sod at the Golf course and transplanted it on the center of the footall field, thus relieving a hard burned out area. Because of this project the Park Dept. has made a large nursery at the Golf course to take care of some of our grass sod needs in the future.
The Park and Playground Commission are grateful to many other town departments for their generosity in allowing us to use their equipment and facilities as well as assisting us to make our areas safe and clean. Our thanks also to the service organizations in town for their gifts that have added greatly to our facilities and program.
GEORGE F. LEBEN DR. EDGAR L. COPP GEORGE SNYDER, JR. EARL C. HOLLIS ELMER E. RAYMOND, JR.
WILLIAM G. DYER RICHARD S. BROOKS
Board of Parks and Playgrounds Commissioners
7.7
Veterans Services
During the year of 1957, assistance has been granted to 129 cases involving 304 persons. This is an increase of 14 cases over the year 1956. The veteran population of Braintree is increasing steadily, therefore the demands on this Department are greater.
The Department is operated under Chapter 115 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, as amended by Chapter 584 of the Acts of 1946 in the administering of Veterans Benefits.
Upon proper application, aid is rendered to eligible Veterans, their dependents, or dependents of deceased veterans. The budget assigned by the Commissioner of Veterans Services is the determining factor as to the amount of aid granted an applicant. Any assistance given is not to be taken as a pension, but rather temporary aid. On all expenditures approved by the State Depart- ment, the Town is reimbursed 50%.
The facilities of this office are available at all times for the filing of forms for pensions, disabilities, etc., or with any problem with which a veteran may be con- fronted. The services of a Notory Public and the photo- stating of papers for veterans and their dependents may be had through this Department at no charge.
JAMES A. C. SMITH, Director,
Dept. of Veterans Services.
Engineering Department HAROLD C. PEARL, Town Engineer
All surveying, plans, and engineering requirements were furnished the Highway Department for various con- structions on the following streets :
Howie Road-From Walnut Street to No. 2 Howie Road. Sidewalks-both sides of street.
78
Old Liberty Street-From No. 1125 to No. 1217. Drains, Catch Basins, new streets and sidewalk.
Arbutus Avenue-From Washington Street to Standish Avenue. Sidewalk on south side.
Whittier Road-From Middle Street to B. V. French Street.
New street, drain and catch basins.
Oakland Street-From Hobart Street to end. Rebuilding of street.
Packard Drive-Drain.
PLANNING BOARD
Inspected forty-one streets in new developments for bounds, sidewalk and street conditions. These inspections were made to ascertain the contractors' compliance with the requirements of the Planning Board.
Revised topographical map and prepared new key zoning maps.
Prepared numerous individual zoning maps as re- quired.
ASSESSORS
Checked and plotted 300 new buildings and 150 ad- ditions on Assessors Plans.
Checked and plotted all deeds and subdivisions, in- cluding land takings on Route 128 and Southeast Express- way, on Assessors Plans.
Redrafted numerous Assessors Plans.
MISCELLANEOUS
Established numerous pole relocations for the Electric Light Department.
Street lines were established upon request for hedges and fences.
Prepared detailed plan of Norfolk Square for the Po- lice Department.
Prepared plans for the following :
Whittier Road, portion of Gordon Road and portion of River Street for street betterments.
Howie Road and Arbutus Avenue for sidewalk bet- terments.
Relocation of street line corner of Lincoln Street and Liberty Street.
79
Graves Registration
The department of Graves Registration operating under Chapter 115 of the General Laws of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts as amended by Chapters 86 and 143 of the Acts of 1957.
Amendments enacted by the General Court this year, 1957, now make it mandatory that a flag of our country be placed on each veteran's grave every Memorial Day.
Through the cooperation of the various veteran organizations this will be done, as it has been over the years.
During the year I have examined records of burials at the Town Clerk's office to make complete the file list now established containing available data on all veterans buried in Braintree. On the various visits I have made to the cemeteries I found that the graves have been properly cared for.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. LYDON, Graves Registration Officer.
Board of Health
DWIGHT T. CHANDLER, Chairman
PAUL M. SWEEZEY, Clerk JOHN J. ATKINSON DEANE R. WALKER, Agent
DENTAL HYGIENIST REPORT
September 5, 1957-December 20, 1957
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 volunteered their services to do the general examinations.
80
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.
Other letters, telephone calls were made to parents, as the occasion called for.
By determining the number of days in the school year that the dentist could work and considering the increased population the conditions of the teeth in each building, a working schedule was planned whereby the clinic would remain in each building a certain number of weeks during the year.
The dental hygienist precedes the dentist in each building where she organizes the schedule and prepares the clinical cases which will be done by the school clinic.
For the educational part of the program dental posters were hung in the buildings also reading materials pertain- ing to dental health and brushing habits at home were distributed.
After the first of the year, a meeting will be arranged with Miss Hayden, Director of Visual Aids to set up a pro- gram pertaining to films, film strips according to age levels in all the schools.
Dr. Ludlow will continue to make it possible to give prizes to all pupils in the classrooms which attain 100 % on the dental charts, by contacting local dentists for dona- tions to be used for this purpose.
Dr. Bergman, a new local dentist was contacted and he volunteered his services in one of the schools.
I attended the National Dental Convention held at Miami, Florida, November 2nd through November 5, 1957.
As a result of the meeting, I brought back some valuable information on Stannous Fluoride.
According to the recent clinical studies at the Indiana State Board of Health and at the Indiana University, it has
81
appeared clinically evident that a single application of a highly concentrated 2% or 4% Stannous Fluoride solution is equally effective if not more so than four treatments of 2% Sodium fluoride solution.
After four treatments of the 2% Sodium fluoride a reduction in dental cavities is effective 40 % - 60% only on healthy childrens' teeth.
Stannous Fluoride is 80% effective on teeth with den- tal cavities not only on the teeth of children, but also on adults.
I have obtained from Indiana University a small amount of the Stannous fluoride gratis and upon request I will be able to obtain more for use in my clinical practice in the school clinics.
In closing, I would like to thank all the local dentists for their valued services in completing the general exami- nations.
Respectfully submitted, SABENA D. ARSENAULT, Dental Hygienist
Educational Materials received from following :
H. P. Hood and Sons
State House
National Dairy Council
Educational Dept. Amer. Dental Assoc., Chicago, Ill. Pycope Tooth Brush Co.
Kolynos Company
New Eng. Dairy Food Council
Church and Dwight Co., Inc.
International Apple Assoc., Washington, D. C. Ipana Co., New York
Diphtheria Clinic: The Diphtheria Clinic held in the spring was well attended. Some 58 children had the triple antigen shots of diphtheria tetanus-pertussis, and 589 chil- dren had the booster shots administered consisting of diph- theria and tetanus toxoids. Those children administered by their own doctor were 411 in number, making in all a grand total of 1058 children having had the necessary shots. Again the co-operation agencies of the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association, the School Department nurses and at- tending physicians served to make the clinic a succes.
82
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, phosphates, bacteria and coli. These tests reveal that the milk being del'vered in Braintree maintains a consistently high level. It is pleasing to report that no milk-borne disease has oc- curred 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 im- provement. A bi-monthly test of all establishments was made and results of these tests (bacteria count) were for- warded to each establishment. In the event high bacteria count was recorde, an immediate re-check test was con- ducted, and steps taken to remedy questionable sources of high incident.
Tuberculosis Prevention, Communicable Diseases and Health Education: The execution of the various programs connected with the above named captions have been very efficiently carried out by the Braintree Visiting Nurse As- sociation. Braintree still continues to report a low incident of communicable diseases. Credit should also be given to the Braintree School Department Health Division for its active participation in the co-operative and assistance ren- dered 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 were 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 Braintree Visiting Nurse Association, School Health Department and all the Doctors conducted in all five Polio Clinics-one in March 1957, three in April 1957 and one in June 1957.
The Clinics were held in the Town Hall which proved a most ideal set-up for conducting mass inoculations. Ap- proximately 8,000 children ranging in age from 6 months to 19 years attended these Clinics. Many more should have taken advantage of these Clinics and the Board hereby
83
does urge all those eligible who did not attend these Clinics to visit their own private Doctor and receive their inocu- lation.
It is most gratifying to report that Braintree did not have a single case of Polio to submit during the past year.
The Board of Health through this medium does express its sincere gratitude to the Doctors, the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association and their auxiliaries, the School Health Department and the following organizations: Kiwanis Club, Catholic Women's Club, Braintree Women's' Club and Women's Club of South Congregational Church, for their gracious co-operation in making these Clinics a pro- found success.
Equine Encephalitis: By virtue of the good wisdom of the Town Meeting Members March 1957 there was voted a sum of $2,000 for anti encephalitis auxiliary spraying.
This program was carried out very effectively and efficiently by the contractors so designated by the Board.
The Board is again pleased to report that not a case of Equine Encephalitis occurred in Braintree in 1957 and we hope that a similar report may be made in 1958.
Soot Fall-out: Due to the numerous complaints re- ceived by the Board of Health your Board made arrange- ments with the State Board of Health to investigate the source or sources of this nuisance.
Late this fall delicate detective instruments were placed on the roofs of the Ross and Watson Schools to track the incident and amount of the Soot fall-out. To date the Board has not received a report from the State but on re- ceipt will publish same.
The Board expresses appreciation to the School De- partment for their co-operation in permitting these instru- ments to be placed on the roofs of the above named schools.
Asian Influenza : In early Spring the country was more or less alerted to the possibility of an Influenza Epi- demic-a so called Asian Influenza.
Your Board immediately instituted preventive meas- ures. Although not conducting mass Clinics the Board did order and furnish the various priority groups in town with the Asian Virus Vaccine. These groups included the Police and Fire Departments, the Water Department and Electric
84
Light Department, the Highway and Sewer Departments, the Visiting Nurse Association and the Town Hall Em- ployees and School Department.
The Board further through publications urged all peo- ple of Braintree to visit their own family doctor and to secure an inoculation.
By results and reports, we feel the incident of this disease was kept to a minimum.
Plumbing Inspector's Report : Under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health a total of 532 inspections were com- pleted by the Plumbing Inspector. Before any inspection is considered complete the work must fully meet the Plumb- ing Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.
Annual Disposal Report: The following is a table by months of the number of animals taken care of at the Board of Health's incinerator :
January 47
July 54
February 76
August 23
March 62
Sept. 26
April 59
Oct. 38
May
52
Nov.
31
June
53
Dec.
37
Child Care Agencies: Due to the increase in appli- cations for Child Care Agencies the Board felt that certain Rules & Regulations should be adopted governing the operations of such Agencies.
After long and diligent study of this matter and with the valuable assistance from Doctor Audrey Bill of the State Health Department, Rules and Regulations were set up and legally adopted governing the operation of these Agencies.
Before an applicant receives a license to conduct a Child Care Agency these Rules and Regulations must be strictly followed. Periodic inspections will be made by the Board of Health to assure that all these provisions con- cerning the conduct of an Agency are being honored.
85
Building Inspector
JOHN C. PAFFORD, Building Inspector DANIEL A. MALONEY, Deputy
Permits Issued
Estimated Values
Dwellings
134
$1,263,000.00
Garages (Private)
48
54,669.00
Garages (Commercial)
2
18,500.00
Gasoline Stations
4
58,500.00
Stores
2
23,000.00
Manufacturing Buildings
3
3,065,000.00
Pumping Stations
2
79,150.00
Tank Foundation
1
10,000.00
Office Buildings
2
58,000.00
Maintenance Building
1
8,500.00
Work Shops
2
8,500.00
Tool Sheds
3
1,500.00
All other new construction
3
350.00
Additions, Alterations & Repairs
206
848,704.00
Razing
20
Estimated value of construction Fees
$5,497,373.00
5,018.50
Total permits issued
433
-
86
Thayer Public Library REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
To the citizens of the Town of Braintree :
During the past year the Trustees of the Thayer Public Library have been engaged in a study of the scope and quality of the services rendered to all parts of the town. As a result, our Branch Library system was the object of a thorough survey under the direction of Mrs. George Galick of the Massachusetts Division of Library Extension. Miss Hall, our librarian, has ably summarized the details of the survey in her report which follows. As a result of the study, the Trustees voted unanimously to close the Braintree Branch. Other recommendations made in the survey are under consideration and steps will be taken at the opportune time seeking to improve and bolster our facilities for providing adequate library services in the outlying areas. Specifically, it is planned that a sub-committee be formed to study the various suggestions that have been made for improving the serv- ices offered in East Braintree, and in the fast growing southwest and northwest sections of the town. Despite the closing of the Braintree Branch, circulation figures have been climbing steadily, more than making up the deficit caused by the closing. The Town should be pre- pared to keep pace with this growth by providing in- creasing numbers of books and improved library facilities.
Many thanks are due the Braintree Historical So- ciety and many other local organizations and individuals for making it possible for the Library to have the beauti- ful mural depicting Quincy Avenue and the Toll Bridge as they were in 1850. This mural is the work of one of Braintree's eminent sons-Carroll M. Bill-now of Wey- mouth. It was in large part due to Mr. Bill's generous offer of his talents at a very modest expense, that the townspeople were encouraged to make the effort to raise the needed sum. We are proud to have this artistic and historic mural gracing the wall of cur auditorium.
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.