USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1957 > Part 9
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To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1957.
ARRESTS
Total Arrests 555
Male Resident . .. 353 Female Resident 17
Male Non-Resident .. 178
Female Non-Resident .. 7
No. 1-Crimes Against Person
MR
MNR
FR
FNR
Assault & Battery
7
3
0
0
Threats
0
0
1
0
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
6
2
0
0
Indecent Assault Against
Person
2
0
0
0
Lewd & Lascivious
3
5
0
0
18
10
1
0
No. 2-Crimes Against Property
B & E & Larceny
18
3
0
0
Concealing Leased Property .
1
0
0
0
Larceny
33
4
0
0
Malicious Mischief
8
1
0
0
60
8
0
0
No. 3-Crimes Against Public Order
Delinquency
40
10
0
0
Drunkeness
81
75
6
1
Motor Vehicle Laws, Violation
31
14
0
0
Operating Under Influence,
Motor Vehicle
11
15
1
0
104
Operating So As to Endanger
Motor Vehicle
4
5
0
0
Traffic Laws, Violation
57
35
9
6
Violation Town By-Laws
4
0
0
0
Violation Probation
4
0
0
0
Arrests for Out of Town Police
5
1
0
0
Non-Support
9
0
0
0
Neglect of Family
2
0
0
0
Disturbing the Peace
5
3
0
0
Circulating False Alarm
1
0
0
0
Receiving Stolen Property
2
0
0
0
Misappropriation of Motor Vehicle
8
2
0
0
Weapon Carrying
2
0
0
0
Escapee
1
0
0
0
Arrests by Out of Town Police
2
0
0
0
Illegitimacy
2
0
0
0
Having burglar tools in
Possession
1
0
0
0
Habitual School Offenders
2
0
0
0
Runaway
1
0
0
0
275
160
16
7
COMPLAINTS, Etc.
Ambulance Trips
380
Emergency Car Ambulance
75
Buildings Found Open
583
Night Lights Out
16
Cat Complaints
206
Dog Complaints
661
Dog Bites Reported
75
Fire Alarms Answered
226
Holes In Street Reported
66
Messages Delivered
204
Permits to Labor
32
Drunk Releases
18
Street Lights Reported Out
124
Lanterns Put Out
28
Lodging
6
Vacant Houses Checked
447
Prowlers Reported
74
Hit & Run Complaints 39
Stolen Automobiles, Braintree 29
Recovered 50
Burglar Alarms Answered 63
105
Permits to Purchase Fire Arms
32
Teletype Messages Sent .
281
Teletype Messages Received
672
Articles Found
71
Articles Lost
66
Wagon Trips
171
Car Trips
90
Miscellaneous Complaints
5450
Missing Persons
MR
36
FR
7
MNR
2
FNR
0
Sudden Deaths
MR
27
FR
8
MND
4
FNR
0
. MR
2
FR
4
MNR
0
FNR
0
Code: Arrests, Missing Persons, Sudden Deaths and Insane Persons
MR-Male Resident
FR-Female Resident
MNR-Male Non-Resident
FNR-Female Non-Resident
Braintree, Massachusetts, January 1, 1958
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department with regards to Traffic for the year ending December 31, 1957.
ACCIDENTS
Minor 289
Serious 168
Fatal
4
106
Insane Persons
Cases Prosecuted in Court
Male Female
Operating Motor Vehicle so as to Endanger
9
0
Operating Motor Vehicle Under Influence
26
1
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
41
0
Violation of Traffic Rules
92
15
and Regulations Violation of Parking & Meter Regulations
123
36
291
52
Cases Reported to Registrar For Action on Licenses
Unlawful Speed
105
6
Operating Motor Vehicle after Drinking
50
4
Passing School Bus
3
0
Other Violations
54
0
212
10
Violations of Traffic & Meter Regulations
Restricted Place
307
35
All Night Parking.
625
28
Meter Violations
249
172
All other Violations
227
26
1408
261
Cases & Violations Committed by :
Residents
1425
120
Non-Residents
486
203
PERSONNEL
46 Police Officers
14 Women Traffic Supervisors
1 Clerk
1 Custodian
During the year we have had two Promotions-Sgt. Polio was promoted to Lieutenant and Patrolman Gagne was promoted to Sergeant. Three new patrolmen were also added to our personnel.
107
In my budget requests for 1958 I have asked for an additional car and the replacement of our 1950 ambulance. I have also requested a 5% salary increase. During 1957 we acquired two Station Wagon type of prowl cars. On June 26, 1957 these vehicles were equipped with stretchers, first aid kits, inhalators, fire extinguishers, safety and hand lights, and were placed in service. Since that date until December 31, 1957 there were 75 cases handled by these vehicles.
During the year three women Traffic Supervisors were added to the force handling traffic at School Crossings. I have received several complimentary reports on the service rendered by them.
Traffic problems have increased tremendously since the start of the Southeast Expressway construction and we have experienced splendid cooperation from the Selectmen, Highway Department and State Department of Public Works.
I wish to thank the Selectmen, Finance Committee and all others who have shown this spirit of cooperation with my department.
Respectfully, EDWARD D. CAHILL Chief of Police
1
Board of Appeal Under Zoning By-Law
In May of 1957 the present Board assumed the duties prescribed under the ZONING BY LAW. From its incep- tion it has been self supporting. The instant Board has introduced forms, rules and regulations for facilitating the handling of appeals submitted to it for consideration.
NORRIS H. PINAULT, Chairman HYMAN H. BORAX, Clerk WILLIAM B. WEBBER HOWARD R. BEAVER
108
Board of Public Welfare
HARRISON T. SMILEY, Chairman FRED A. TENNEY, Clerk HERBERT B. HOLLIS, Member H. J. GAFFNEY, Agent
The Board of Public Welfare is charged with the re- sponsibility of rendering assistance in the categories of Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Disability As- sistance and General Relief. The State Department of Public Welfare promulgates rules and regulations for the operation in local communities and has established a bud- getary system to be followed in granting assistance to recipients. We received more directives in 1957 from the State Department of Public Welfare for increased costs than in any one previous year. The budget items were in- creased from 20 % to 25.7% a 5.7% increase. The monthly: fuel and light allowance from September to May was in- creased from $14.65 to $23.00. An increase in burial ex- pense was allowed. The exemptions,- under the legal«; liability of children to support their parents have been in- creased. Nursing homes monthly allowances were rin- creased from $151.66 to $172.50 and for recipients living in the same homes the modification for clothing and per- sonal care has added $2.80 per month for men and $5.40: per month for women. Because of these increases the average cost per case in all categories has increased sub- stantially.
Periodic revisits by our visitors are made upon the recipients from which revisits continued eligibility to re- ceive assistance is determined.
Old Age Assistance: Under present regulations a recipient living in a family group the minima is $55.00 monthly plus $4.00 "Leisure Time Activity" which totals $59.00 monthly. For a recipient living alone, the minima is $75.00 plus $4.00 "Leisure Time Activity" totalling $79.00 monthly. Another item, "Transportation Allow- ance", is $2.50 monthly which is allowed to each recipient who is not a resident of a nursing home or an institution. Because of favorable economic conditions plus increases in Social Security benefits the Old Age Assistance case load
109
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
280000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
IN DOLLARS
GAMOUNT EXPENDED
300000
320
140000
120000
NUMBER OF CASES
160
80000
NUMBER OF CASES
40000
ZT
42
43
42
43
46
YEAR
has decreased gradually during the past several years. Nevertheless, the overall expenditures have increased year after year because of continued increases caused by in- creased costs of living and of high medical costs. During 1957 the grants to recipients, payments for hospital care, druggist bills and medical care amounted to $276,635.19, the greater part of which was reimbursed by our Federal and State Governments. The Town's share was $44,924.22. On the basis of settlement laws, we paid other cities and towns $4,183.41 and billed other cities and towns $7,245.14. Recoveries under the lien law, and other sources, were made in the amount of $12,018.29 which were proportion- ately re-distributed to Federal, State and Local Govern- ments.
Aid. to Dependent Children: The purpose of this program is to allow children to continue living in their own homes as a family unit. Assistance is rendered according to a State budget. Families are aided based on need and eligibility ; i.e., where there is a widow, divorce, legal sepa-
AMOUNT O EXPENDED
SIN DOLLARS
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN 1940 - 1957
60000
.
AMOUNT
50
EXPENDED
40000
40
-
30000
30
20000
20
10000
10
0
40
41
42
43
45
46
47 40
4 9
50
57 52
53
54
55
55
59
YEAR
110
50
32
53
50000
NUMBER OF CASES
NUMBEROFCASES
-
1940 -1957
240000
ration, where a parent is physically incapacitated, has de- serted or is incarcerated. Medical payments are extended to an incapacitated parent which many times proves quite expensive. The assistance to families and for medical care amounted to $46,781.28, which expenses are participated in by the Federal, State and Local Governments. The Town's share was $9,596.70.
Disability Assistance: Because of the physical in- capacity of certain persons, many require special care, much hospitalization and many need continuous nursing home care making the average individual cost extremely high. Assistance is granted to needy persons eighteen years of age or older. Each case needs to be approved by a State Medical Review Team composed of a panel of doc- tors. The grants to the recipients and medical amounted to $27,544.27. The Commonwealth reimburses 75% of the expenditures which includes Federal participation. The Town's share amounted to $6,904.23. A recovery of $255.30 was made which has been proportionately re-distributed to Federal, State and Local Governments.
General Relief: This type of assistance is furnished to the recipients and families not eligible to be classified in any one of the previously mentioned categories. Principal- ly it covers the unemployed, but also covers the medically indigent, which embraces the sick, infirm and disabled. As eligibility is established, many cases are transferred to other categories of assistance so as to participate in Fed- eral and State reimbursements. The total expenditures amounted to $17,790.41 including assistance within the Town itself and of payments to the Commonwealth and other cities and towns including payments to the various hospitals on Braintree Settled cases. Under the Settle-
RAMOUNT OEXPENDED OIN DOLLARS
GENERAL RELIEF
1938-1957
120000
150
--
80000
NUMBER OF CASES
60000
90
40000
60
NUMBER OF CASES
20000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
30
39
45
4
44
43
46
47
48
49
50
ST
52
53
54
55 - 56 :
YEAR
111
ment Laws we received $1,332.15 from the Commonwealth and billed other cities and towns $1,437.32.
Town Infirmary: Because of the further liberaliza- tion of the General laws, rules and regulations, particularly the Federal laws, the inmates were moved out to various adequate places during the first six months of 1957 and the Infirmary was closed on June 30, 1957. The inmates were transferred to the categories of assistance in which both Federal and State Governments participated. Ap- propriated for salaries in 1957 $3,731.38, expended $1,- 769.88, to E & D $1,961.50. For general expenses in 1957 $4,700.00, expended $2,138.14, to E & D $2,561.86. Ap- propriated for repairs and maintenance $200.00, expended $200.00.
Sewer Department
Commissioners
WILLIAM G. DYER, Chairman
CHARLES.C. TEMPLE
EARL D. GILLIATT
GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU, Superintendent
New Construction :
2.2 miles of new sewers were constructed and put into operation. The following tabulation shows the extent and distribution of the year's work:
Location
From
To
Pipe Size Inches
Sewer Length Feet
Beals Road
Wampatuck
Southerly
8
86
Bellevue Ave.
Washington
Phillips
8
390
Belknap Road
Cranmore
Southerly
8
332
Church Street
Elm
School
18 R.C.
582
Cranmore Road
Selwyn
Belknap
8
289
Dobson Road
Wilkins
Summit
8
648
Easement
Washington
Robert
8
341
Elm Terrace
Vinton
Elm
10
233
Hill View Road
Sunset View
Washington
8
973
Loretta Ave.
Robert
Holmes
8
251
Mass. Ave.
Washington
Arbutus
8
777
Parkside Ave.
Walnut
Summit
8
879
Parkside Circle ..
Storrs
Summit
8
935
Phillips Street
Bellevue
End
8
228
112
President Road
School
Washington
18 R.C. 710
Putnam Ave.
Existing M. H.
Easterly
8
79
River Street
Existing M. H.
Easterly
8
200
Robert Street
Loretta
Holmes
8
1,063.
School Street
Church
President
2-12 C.I.
440
Vernon Street
Bellevue
End
8
202
Waldron Road
Sunset View
Summit
8
811
Wampatuck Road
Sunset View
Summit
8
633
Washington St.
Common
President
10 C.I.
121
Whittier Road
B. V. French
Middle
8
504
Total 11,707
Total 1957 Construction Previous Construction
2.2 Miles
49.4 Miles
Total Construction to Date
51.6 Miles
Sewers in Belknap Road, Cranmore Road, Easement, Loretta Avenue and Robert Street were installed by and at the expense of private developers. This work amounting to 2,276 feet was done under the supervision of the Sewer Department in accordance with current contract specifi- cations.
The total cost of the year's sewer work amounted to $147,932. The average cost of 8-inch lateral sewer con- struction was $11.85 per linear foot. The Washington Street relief sewer, constructed in Washington Street, Presi- dent Road, School Street, Church Street and Elm Terrace at a cost of $56,470 provides for the additional capacity that will be required when larger pumps are installed at Common Street.
All of the contract work was done by Crognale Con- struction Co., Inc., the lowest of six bidders, and was com- pleted and put into operation by the end of October.
This year's work made the sewer available to 156 more buildings. The present sewer system can now serve 4,280 buildings or about 53% of the 8,120 dwellings, business, school and industrial buildings in the Town.
The work on the Southeast Expressway near Canen's Bridge made it necessary to relocate and replace 612 feet of 10-inch vitrified clay pipe with 518 feet of 10-inch cast iron pipe. The work was done by the State Highway Con- tractor under the Supervision of the Sewer Department.
A new pumping station was built on Howard Street near the Quincy line at a cost of $76,912 by the James Con- struction Co., Inc., the lowest of four bidders. The build-
113
ing was completed in October. This is the first step in a program to make the sewer available to a thickly settled district in the northeast section of the Town. The next step, proposed for 1958, is to build the long force main and gravity sewer required to take the discharge from the sta- tion to the main gravity sewer near the M.D.C. outlet.
Assessments :
Sewer assessments amounting to $52,753.46 were levied against 196 properties. This figure includes $4,- 769.36 levied against 21 lots in new developments.
House Connections :
There were 241 sewer connections, requiring 12,587 feet of pipe, completed during the year at a cost of $54,- 217.53. All of the connections for Massachusetts Avenue and Whittier Road were extended to the street line so the new street surface would not have to be disturbed later on when connections are made. There were 53 applications for sewer connection on file at the end of the year.
There are now a total of 3,547 buildings connected with the sewer system, or 83% of the buildings where the sewer is available.
Maintenance:
As usual, during the winter months all of the main and lateral sewers were inspected and cleaned. There were no stoppages but a number of root growths had to be removed. Continued treatment with copper sulphate seems to control excessive root penetration. There were 21 stoppages of house services due to root growths.
Priming devices on the pumps at the Brookside Road pumping station are giving more and more trouble every year. It is proposed to abandon this pumping station after the M.D.C. extends a gravity outlet through Weymouth Landing to serve the Town of Randolph.
Studies have been made to determine the best method of serving the proposed South Shore Shopping Center to be located off Granite Street near the Lakeside School. It now appears that the sewer to serve the Shopping Center can be delayed until 1959. Then it will be necessary to spend about $160,000 to extend the sewer across the Shop- ping Center to Granite Street. Also, it will be necessary to install larger pumping equipment at the Common Street
114
pumping station to provide for the expected increase in load.
Several times during the year the Department's emer- gency generator was used to run the pumps at Common Street pumping station during power failures.
The excellent cooperation received from other depart- ments of the Town throughout the year materially aided the Sewer Department, and is greatly appreciated.
South Shore Mosquito Control Project
COMMISSIONERS
JOHN B. CLAPP, Chairman, Hingham GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU, Braintree HOWARD BATES, Cohasset GEORGE STARR, JR., M.D., Duxbury PAUL C. ROSS, Hull CHARLES P. DUFFEE, Marshfield THOMAS BARSTOW, Norwell RICHARD M. ASH, M.D., Quincy PHILIP S. BAILEY, Scituate
HENRY F. GODIN, Weymouth LEWIS F. WELLS, JR., Superintendent
The Town of Braintree appropriated $5,750 for mos- quito control in 1957. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town of Braintree by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative effort embracing the City of Quincy, and Towns of Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth. In addition, the Project worked under contract for the U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot. This government area lies in the middle of our Project and thus affects four of our towns. The cooperation of the Navy Department in this matter has, this past year, helped people in this area and will in the future be of greater benefit.
115
Type of Control Program
The basic program of control continued to be based on drainage in the off-season and larvaciding of all areas found to be breeding during the mosquito season. This program was supplemented by application of D.D.T.dust to selected areas during the period when the swamps were frozen. Fog generators and a mist blower were used to combat flying mosquitoes.
Encephalitis
As a result of the dry weather and/or other factors not yet recognized, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis did not appear in humans in Massachusetts this past summer. However, since the threat is definitely present, the Propect has, the past year, acquired additional ground equipment of the types most useful during Encephalitis outbreaks. During the per od when Encephalitis is most likely to occur, the Project will be in contact with the Massachu- setts Department of Health, the U. S. Public Health Serv- ice and other mosquito control agencies in a cooperative effort to recognize the danger signs so that work can be directed against the suspected species of mosquitoes.
Last spring the U. S. Public Health Service estab- lished a research laboratory at Taunton to study the disease. During the past summer basic data was gathered, procedures established, and personnel trained. The long term aims of this laboratory's work are incrimination of a vector or vectors, the development of means for recogniz- ing potentially dangerous years, and a method of attack to prevent epidemics.
An area wide mosquito control effort is our only present defense against the disease. The recent formation of a Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be of great benefit to this Project. For the first time we are completely surrounded by areas in control districts. and migrations of mosquitoes into the district will be reduced.
Aerial Spraying
The spring spraying of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done in the latter part of April.
1953 acres were sprayed in the Town of Braintree.
Ground Spraying
The ground crews circulated on a schedule through- out their sections of the Project. They varied from this
116
circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by the superintendent or the inspector. They then returned to their rounds.
Catchbasin Spraying
Three catchbasin units were operated the past season. These units are compressed air sprayers mounted on three- wheeled motorcycles.
This phase of the work is particularly important in built up areas since one drainage basin can produce thousands of mosquitoes per week throughout the sum- mer.
Drainage
Since last summer was dry, less spraying was nec- essary, therefore the crews were able to do ditching and stream clearance from time to time. The addition of this work to regular off-season drainage will save further spraying next summer.
In November the Project purchased a hydraulic trencher mounted on a tractor suitable for use in marshy conditions. This machine will be used in conjunction with the saltmarsh trench cleaner, as well as in fresh marsh drainage work.
Adult Mosquito Control
During the past year an additional fogging machine was in operation and a donated mist blower was used. The present three adulticiding machines will enable us to do spot adulticiding at a pace beyond that of past years and w'll be good insurance in the event of an En- cephalitis outbreak.
Plans for Winter
Throughout the months between the past and coming mosquito breeding seasons much attention w'll be given to ditching. Work on the saltmarsh will be done in the fall and early spring and the colder winter months will be spent in the more protected fresh water areas.
When snow and ice conditions are right, prehatch dusting, as was done the last four years, will be done.
In addition to the ground dusting noted above, fur- ther experimental prehatch applications of D.D.T. dust will be made from the air.
117
Plymouth County Retirement System
The employees of the Project were accepted into the Plymouth County Retirement System on January 1, 1957. The Commission feels that having the employees enrolled in the System works to the benefit of the Project since it lessens the likelihood of experienced employees leaving to take other jobs.
Plans for Next Year
All phases of the work carried out in the past will continue. Catchbasin spraying will be done with Dieldrin, a newer insecticide which is effective longer than D.D.T. and thus reduces, by at least one, our applications result- ing in a modest saving in labor costs. This saving can be used to further implement the policy of the Commission to drain all feasible places and thus cut the costs of repetitive spraying. This policy has made it possible to keep total expenditures at a constant level in spite of increased labor and material costs.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the annual report as required by the General Laws, Chapter 98, Section 34.
The measuring and weighing devices in the Town were tested and found in good condition. $670.10 in sealing and adjusting fees was turned in to the Town Treasurer.
The new 200 gallon prover tank authorized by the 1957 Town Meeting has been received, tested and put into service.
I wish to thank the Town Officials and businessmen of Braintree for their cooperation.
Following is a summary of work done during the year.
Not Con- Sealed Sealed demned
Scales over 10,000 lbs.
Adjusted 1
5
Scales 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
1
Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.
1
29
1
Scales under 100 lbs.
13
127
3 2
118
Weights :
Avoirdupois
1
97
5
Metric
57
Apothecary
69
Vehicle Tanks :
First 100 gallons
1
21
Each additional 100 gallons
240
Liquid measures under 1 gallon
14
7
Meters :
Inlet 1" or less-Gasoline
23
118
2
Inlet 1" or less-oil or grease
13
1
Inlet more than 1"
32
68
Pumps, Kerosene, oil, grease
40
Yardsticks
9
Totals
72
908
12
9
Respectfully submitted,
CALVIN E. YOUNG Sealer of Weights and Measures
Harbor Master
From The Log of The Harbor Master-1957
MOORINGS
Forty (40) moorings were assigned from the Brain- tree Electric Light Department to Watson Park.
BOATS
May 2, 1957-Boat Misbehavior-"MISS BEHAVE".
A boat broke away from its mooring and was picked up at Swift's Beach the same day.
June 18, 1957-Boat "ALMAJUKA"
Boat was broken into. A portable radio and fishing kit were stolen. Police report was made. The owner was Al King of 101 Jaffrey Street, Weymouth Heights, Massachusetts.
119
June 30, 1957-Boat "LESLIE M"
Boat stolen. Recovered in Plymouth the same day. Owner was Walter Keefe, Braintree, Massachusetts.
September 15, 1957-Boat
Boat taken and recovered the same day. The out- board motor was not recovered for several weeks. Police report made. Owner was Ernest Reynolds of Braintree, Massachusetts.
October 6, 1957-Boat (Stray)
Quincy Bridge Tender saw boat drifting under bridge. Towed to home port and owner notified.
October 8, 1957-Boat No. 4 U 590
Boat reported blocking the channel at Braintree Yacht Club. Had boat removed.
October 19, 1957-Boat Misbehavior
Outboard cruiser broke its mooring at King Cove, North Weymouth and was recovered at 11:00 p.m.
October 20, 1957- Boat "PATISE"
Outboard cruiser was taken on Sunday morning and recovered on the back river in Hingham the same evening. Owner was Dennis Maloney of Braintree, Mass.
October 27, 1957-Rowboat "LAPSTRAKE"
Rowboat stolen and was not recovered. The owner was Mr. Cahoon of Braintree.
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