USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1958 > Part 12
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Extra Classroom Activities - Dramatics, glee clubs, orchestra, cheerleaders, football, basketball, soccer, track, softball, bowling, vol- ley ball, etc.
Social Activities - Dances, class trips, Christmas caroling, Pops Night, etc. Assemblies to commemorate holidays and demonstrate activ- ities being carried on in the classrooms.
School Lunch Program - Daily hot lunch menu under Federal subsidy in all except Colbert School.
3. INSTRUCTION
Faculty meetings at all levels are held regularly to discuss the var- ious phases of instruction and administration. New teachers are involved in a series of special meetings. Meetings by grades, by committee, by schools, to discuss such procedures as accelerated classes, test results, marking, etc., are frequent. Under the direction of the Elementary Supervisor a monthly Institute is held on the second Wednesday after- noon. A teachers committee is now studying a revision of the primary
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arithmetic course of study. An Acceleration Committee is working to establish procedures and standards not only for the gifted pupils but for the "able and ambitious" who may respond to a greater challenge. A Mental Health Committee continues its work from previous years.
In the past many teachers have given their best students extra instruction and material for those subjects in which they excelled. This was called enrichment. We have now developed a program of organized acceleration which in addition to enrichment, gives the pupils in each class who are capable of learning at a rapid rate, the opportunity to progress beyond their grade level to the extent of one year's advance- ment by the end of grade six.
It is especially gratifying to the Superintendent of Schools, who is a member of the State Board for Educational T. V., that the "21 inch classroom" has received favorable reception by the teaching staff. Pro- grams are now offered every school morning in Natural Science, Physical Science, Literature, History, Music, bringing to the school much ma- terial and many otherwise unavailable experiences These programs are possible only through the cooperative financing of over fifty school sys- tems in eastern Massachusetts.
The action of the School Committee in authorizing probationary status for "unwilling" high school students has had a salutary effect, and the general attitude of all high school students is definitely better.
Extra educational opportunities in the form of voluntary after school college level courses have been provided as pupils have indicated interest in taking on this extra work. It is hoped that funds will be available for additional offerings of this sort after school, evenings, Saturdays and during the summer. The principals of all elementary and secondary schools have recommended that summer schools be provided for (a) providing for review and special help for children who fall be- hind, and (b) providing for enrichment or advanced subjects for tal- ented children.
RESULTS
Eighth graders took their annual test the week of November 3. The results were compiled at the Testing Center at Dunbarton, N.H., and returned to us in December with the following comment: "We were pleased to note again this year the high level of achievement main- tained in each of the subtests and the high correlation between intelli- gence and achievement in each of the subject matter areas as shown on the charts. Excellent work on the part of the teachers and super- visors is certainly indicated."
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Every school budget should provide funds for continued improve- ment of the school system. Any organization that does not work con- sistently for improvement is in danger of going backward.
In addition to the recommendations made under the heading of Instruction, there are several other areas in which additional emphasis is needed :
Penniman School - Miss Snow Reading Lesson Grade 4
a. The subject offering for the non-college "general course" stu- dents in the high school should be studied and correlated more practically with vocational opportunities available to these pupils upon graduation.
b. Much more elementary science demonstration material is need- ed for the grade schools.
c. Additional clerical help for our supervisors is necessary before these people can find time to expand and organize their pro- grams to best advantage.
d. The employment of a School Adjustment Counselor (reim- bursed up to $4,500 by the State) to work in the field of pre- vention of juvenile delinquency would be very desirable.
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MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
The Superintendent wishes again to call to your attention the serious situation that exists relative to our budget requests for upkeep. When the financial going gets tough, these are the places where cuts in the budget are first made. The sums remaining are insufficient to even maintain the, present conditions of buildings and grounds. All our physical properties are going down hill and a repair list totaling now over $300,000.00 becomes greater each year. One of the most critical conditions lies in the inadequate heating systems of our older school buildings. These buildings are drafty. Schools like the Monatiquot, Perkins, Torrey elementary. Lincoln (old) are almost impossible to heat satisfactorily by their gravity hot air system ; and in Lincoln, Torrey P.imary, Highland; and Braintree High, the old univents are ready to give out anytime. An additional appropriation of $50,000.00 per year would gradually reduce this backlog. Otherwise a substantial special appropriation will be required when this work can no longer be post- poned.
Bicycle Safety Week Sponsored by Mass. Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. Ross School
ENROLLMENT
The schools closed in June 1958 with a total enrollment of 6835 and opened in September with 7124 (an increase of 204 over Septem-
168
ber 1957. A careful study of the changes in enrollment by schools, grades and ratio of past to present trends has been maintained for several years. This study indicates an increase of 200 more pupils by September 1959. The growth will be largely in the secondary schools as the larger classes now in the grades move along.
At present the Braintree High School enrolls 1171 pupils Hollis Junior High School enrolls 787 pupils South Junior High School enrolls 797 pupils
Highlands - Arbor Day Mr. Robert Stanley, Pres. PTA
To accommodate these pupils in the high school it has been neces- sary to add a seventh period to the day, and to use the lunchroom and auditorium for study halls. In the junior high schools the libraries have already been converted to classrooms. Next year (September 1959) the high school enrollment will increase by at least 100 and the junior high by another 100; spaces for these additional pupils can be made only by utilizing makeshift arrangements (such as stage and lunchrooms for homerooms) and increasing size of divisions which are already large. We propose to do everything possible to delay the introduction of dou- ble sessions until September 1960.
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By September 1959, therefore, the secondary enrollment will be approximately 3,000 pupils in schools with normal capacity of 2,500. The survey by the Cambridge Consultants estimates secondary school enrollments :
by 1960 of 3310 by 1962 of 3549 by 1965 of 4055
The survey recommends the immediate construction of a second high school for 1200 pupils; and start by 1962 of an addition to this school or a third junior high school. The additional facilities are needed NOW, but could not possibly be completed before September 1961 if voted this year.
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Comparable Costs
The total appropriation for school operating costs in Braintree for 1948 was
2,142,023 from which 270,000 In receipts should be deducted
1,872,023 Net cost to Town
This represents about $37 of the tax rates or 53.5%. This is a substantial sum of money equal to about 3.5% of income of families in Braintree.
Gross sums have little significance, however, unless broken down into comparative costs which indicate the relation of Braintree's per pupil cost to that in other comparable towns. For the past ten years tables showing our relationship to 24 other towns ranging in popula- tion from 20-30,000 have been prepared. In a typical year, 1956-7, Braintree ranked 20th out of 24 in per pupil cost - only Peabody, Methuen, Woburn and Attleboro ranking slightly lower. (This table in last year's Town Report)
This year it has seemed more appropriate to compare Braintree to other towns on basis of size of the school system, rather than size of the town. There are six places in Massachusetts with average pupil mem- bership between 6400 and 7200. The following statistics will show that Braintree ranks lowest in per pupil cost, and in total expenses, in this list of towns and one city.
Comparable School Costs : Year 1957-8
City
or
Town
Av Member- Gen. ship Control
Teachers Salary
Repairs
Total
Av Staff Salary
Braintree
6853
28,087
1,430,390
98,539
1,994,644
4655
Framingham
6840
69,167
1,475,420
73,308
2,046,920
5547
Brookline
6791
69,327
2,153,971
187,345
3,112,384
6143
Revere
6777
39,267
1,431,847
253,076
2,193,955
4789
Arlington
6762
56,642
1,583,276
116,047
2,213,637
4960
Per Pupil Cost
Braintree
$290
Framingham
299
Brookline
454
Revere
324
Arlington
327
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WATER DEPARTMENT Report of the Commissioners
To the Citizens of Braintree :
1958 was a troublesome year for the Braintree Water Department.
With the intention of increasing the storage capacity of Great Pond and the Upper Reservoir the department made several contracts for excavation under which it was to be paid a certain amount per cubic yard for the usable fill removed as a result of the excavation.
It should be definitely understood that the department was not and is not now operating a gravel pit for the sale of fill.
Thanks to the great demand for fill created by the nearby road building this much needed work could be done without cost to the department and at the same time furnish necessary funds for the improve- ment of our distribution system.
Contracts were let to avail ourselves of this opportunity. Unfor- tunately a few persons for reasons of their own opposed these contracts both in the local press and in litigation. No purpose would be served by a review of that already too well publicized opposition except to note that the net result of that opposition is that the town will lose as a re- sult of it an anticipated $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 revenue from this service.
At the end of 1958 our engineers, Messrs. Weston and Sampson, estimate that we have already increased our storage capacity in Great Pond by 150,000,000 gallons. By the end of 1960 the storage capa- city of the Upper Reservoir should be increased by 300,000,000 gallons.
During 1958 additions to the Filtration Plant and the Pumping Station together with a new heating system and toilet facilities, as well as the installation of new high and low lift pumps were completed and are in successful operation. The new standpipe on Penn's Hill is in operation resulting in greatly increased pressures and flows in a large area with definite benefits to the entire system.
A telemetering system has been installed connecting the pumping station with the various standpipes so that the pump operators now know the elevation of the water level in the various standpipes by consulting instruments at the station.
There is still a lot of work to be done for improvements in our distribution system. The work consists of the laying of new mains in areas where they are needed to meet the requirements for fire protec- tion, industrial uses and domestic demands. It is expected that much
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progress will be made in 1959 to improve the distribution in critical areas.
At our request Messrs. Weston and Sampson, our engineers, have prepared the following estimate of the value of the Water Department property. We believe that these figures should be of interest to the citizens of Braintree and include Mr. Sampson's letter as part of our report.
WESTON & SAMPSON Consulting Engineers
Mr. Willard P. Sheppard Mr. Robert L. Taylor Mr. Thomas H. Matthews
Board of Water Commissioners
Gentlemen :
You have asked what we would consider the present value of the Braintree Water Works.
The present physical worth is the present reproduction cost, less depreciation. It is apparent that the buildings, filtration plant, stand- pipes, water distribution system, and other facilities are worth less than their present day reproduction costs. The land acquired around Great Pond and at Sunset Lake and land for the standpipes and pumping stations has not depreciated in value.
Depreciated has been computed on the ratio of average age to the expected useful life. As an example, a steel standpipe with ordinary maintenance is considered to have a serviceable life of 60 years. For a standpipe 15 years old, the depreciation would be 25%. It is of inter- est to note that the old West Street wrought iron standpipe 30' in dia- meter by 100' in height, erected in 1887, was in service until replaced by a steel standpipe in 1953, a useful life of 66 years. The informa- tion for the following estimate of the present value of the Water Works was obtained from the annual reports of the Braintree Water Com- missioners, the Superintendent of the Braintree Water Department, Town records, and our own files covering a period of 25 years.
VALAUTION
1. Land
The value of the land is based on the present Braintree assessment value of none-taxable property in Braintree.
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Land around Great Pond outside of the original water surface of the pond (elevation 122.77), 571 acres @ $106.50
$ 60,810.00
Sunset Lake lot, 3.52 acres
15,840.00
Lakeside Well lot, 0.8 acre 100.00
Braintree Highlands booster pumping station lot, 1/4 acre 830.00
Braintree Highlands elevated tank lot, 19,332 sq. ft.
170.00
West St. standpipe lot, 73,783 sq. ft.
13,640.00
Lincoln Heights standpipe lot, 61,747 sq. ft.
1,500.00
Penns Hill standpipe lot, 21,750 sq. ft.
2,000.00
Total Assessed Value
$ 94,890.00
Depreciation - None
PRESENT VALUE
$ 94,890.00
2. Buildings and Structures
Great Pond Pumping Station
$ 95,000.00
Depreciation - 25%
23,750.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 71,250.00
Great Pond Filtration Plant
$ 562,500.00
Depreciation, 22%
123,750.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 438,750.00
Great Pond Dam
$
68,500.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 68,500.00
Upper Reservoir Dam
$
152,725.00
Depreciation - None
PRESENT VALUE
$ 152,725.00
Braintree Highlands booster pumping station
$ 19,700.00
Depreciation - 15%
2,955.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 16,745.00
Lakeside Well Pumping Station
$ 9,035.00
Depreciation - 5%
450.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 8,585.00
Sunset Lake buildings
$ 88,820.00
17.1
Depreciation - None
Depreciation - 30%
26,650.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
62,170.00
Lakeside Gravel Wall Well
$ 4,620.00
Depreciation - 6 2/3%
300.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
4,320.00
3. Pumping Equipment
At Great Pumping Station
$
62,000.00
Depreciation - 10%
$
6,200.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
55,800.00
At Braintree Highlands booster pumping station
$ 14,000.00
Depreciation - 20%
2,800.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
11,200.00
At Lakeside Well pumping Station
$
10,860.00
Depreciation - 6 2/3%
725.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
10,135.00
4. Standpipe and Elevated Tank
West Street standpipe
$
61,750.00
Depreciation, 81%%
5,250.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
56,500.00
Penn Hill standpipe
$
57,415.00
Depreciation - None
PRESENT VALUE
$
57,415.00
Lincoln Heights standpipe
$ 50,000.00
Depreciation - 50%
$ 25,000.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 25,000.00
Braintree Highlands elevated tank
$ 41,125.00
Depreciation - 20%
$ 8,225.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 32,900.00
5. Roads and Grounds
$
15,000.00
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Depreciation - None PRESENT VALUE
$ 15,000.00
6. Equipment, Including Trucks, Pumps, Com- pressor, etc. Depreciation -, 35%
$ 35,000.00
12,250.00
PRESENT VALUE
$
22,750.00
$
15,000.00
7. Office Furniture Depreciation - 10%
1,500.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 13,500.00
S. Distribution System - Mains
Size
Length - Feet
Cost Installed
16"
741
$ 9,203.00
14"
1,151
12,212.00
10"
55,617
401,555.00
12"
64,005
551,723.00
8"
71,204
420,104.00
6"
356,658
1,651,326.00
4"
45,580
151,899.00
2"
17,154
56,951.00
11%"-1"
23,600
61,832.00
Total
635,710
$3,326,715.00
Depreciation - 30%
998,015.00
PRESENT VALUE
$2,328,700.00
Services
Number of services - 7,926
Average length of service - 60 ft.
Total length of services - 475,560 ft. equals 90.1 miles.
Average cost
$ 69.50
Total cost
$ 550.000.00
Depreciation - 25%
137,500.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 412,500.00
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Gate Valves and Valve Boxes
Size
Number
Unit Cost
Total Cost
16"
1
$515.25
$
515.00
14"
2
372.45
745.00
12"
58
283.75
16,455.00
10"
62
208.05
12,900.00
8"
285
136.05
38,755.00
6"
1535
92.60
146,770.00
Total for 16" to 6" Gate Valves
$216,160.00
Depreciation - 30%
64,850.00
PRESENT VALUE
$151,310.00
Fire Hydrants
Number of fire hydrants - 713.
Average cost per hydrant - $211.55.
Total cost
$150,835.00
Depreciation - 30%
45,250.00
PRESENT VALUE
$105,585.00
River and Railroad Crossings
$ 12,500.00
Depreciation - 20%
2,500.00
PRESENT VALUE
$ 10,000.00
SUMMARY
Item
Cost
Depreciation -
Present Value
Land
$ 94,890.00 $
$
94,890.00
(Includes Well)
Roads, Grounds & Plantings 15,000.00
15,000.00
Pumping Equipment
86,860.00
9,725.00
77,135.00
Standpipe & Elevated Tank
210,290.00
38,475.00
171,815.00
Mains
3,326,715.00
998,015.00
2,328,700.00
Services
550,000.00
137,500.00
412,500.00
Gate Valves & Valve Boxes 216,160.00
64,850.00
151,310.00
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Fire Hydrants
150,835.00
45,250.00
105,585.00
River and Railroad Crossings 12,500.00
2,500.00
10,000.00
Equipment
35,000.00
12,250.00
22,750.00
Office Furniture
15,000.00
1,500.00
13,500.00
$5,714,150.00 $1,487,915.00 $4,226,235.00
Engineering & Contin-
gencies, 5%
285,700.00
74,390.00
211,310.00
$ 5,999,850.00 $ 1,562,305.00 $ 4,437,545.00
Respectfully submitted, WESTON & SAMPSON
Our Superintendent, Donato T. Richardi, who was appointed late in 1957, has justified the faith which we had in his ability at the time he was appointed. The knowledge of the department which he gained after serving in all divisions for more than 20 years stood him in good stead. This "know how" coupled with his courage, honesty and tremen- dous vitality made it possible for him to cope with the great detail of supervisory work in a year beset with many problems.
In the death October 18, 1958, of Thomas E. Sears, our former chairman and commissioner for 31 years, the department lost a great friend and counselor. By the time this report is distributed the en- larged filtration plant at Great Pond will be dedicated in his memory and will henceforth be known as the "Thomas E. Sears Filtration Plant."
Respectfully submitted,
WILARD P. SHEPPARD ROBERT L. TAYLOR THOMAS H. MATTHEWS
Board of Water Commissioners
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To The Board of Water Commissioners :
As suprintendent of the Water Supply System, I am pleased to submit the 68th Annual Report, showing the present condition of the Department and the extensions and improvements made, together with a statement in detail of the cost of operating the system during the year.
The Distribution System has been increased by 28,942 linear feet of water mains and 25 new hydrants. We added 156 new services, 28 were renewed, and 52 were repaired. The Contractors working on the New Highways and Sewer Extensions were responsible for quite a number of the repaired services.
Considerable time was spent in changing and repairing our water mains due to the work on the Expressway, the Route 128 Highway, the M. D. C. Sewer Lines, and the Chapter 90 Job on Pearl Street.
The telemeters are now in operation at the Well, East Braintree tree Standpipe, Booster Station, Braintree Highlands Standpipe, West Street Standpipe, and the new one at Penn's Hill.
The Standpipe on Penn's Hill off Commercial Street has been erected and is now in operation. The capacity of this standpipe is one million gallons.
The Commercial Line that supplied Cities Service Oil Company with water from Little Pond has been converted to Domestic Use from Great Pond. We made ten cross connections to complete this project and now have an additional 10 inch water main supplying East Braintree.
The new High-lift and Low-lift Pumps are now in operation with a capacity of five million gallons each.
The Addition to the Filtration Plant is 90% completed and will be in operation early in 1959.
We made a change in Chemicals at the Filtration Plant. We are using Soda Ash instead of Lime and Sodium Silicate. The Soda Ash makes the Water softer and less corrosive. This change was made three months ago.
179
The Sandar Construction Contract for Excavating at Great Pond was completed December 1st, this work has increased the capacity of the Pond by 150,000,000 gallons of water and an area of 32 acres.
The M. DeMatteo Construction Company that have the Contract for removing the gravel from the upper reservoir have made very good progress, one-half of the swamp has been cleaned in an area off Oak Street, Randolph.
Line Construction Company completed the laying of the water main from Elm Street on Elmlawn Road to the new Standpipe Carlino Engineering finished their Contract on Liberty Street from Peach Street to Division Street, and Susi & Dicenso have more than one-half of their Contract completed.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Water Commiss- ioners for their kind cooperation and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
DONATO T. RICHARDI,
Superintendent
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Balance January 1, 1958
$ 61,881.05
Collections 438,001.59
Refunds 134.32
Accrued Interest on Bonds $501,710.46
Disbursements
Maintenance & Operation $263,129.28
Amortization on Debt
37,013.42
Interest on Debt 12,077.00
Commissioners 300.00
$312,519.70
Balance, December 31, 1958
$189,190.76
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HOUSING AUTHORITY
William H. Gustafson, Chairman
Joseph Connolly
Ernest Janssen
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
William Doren Paul Foley
Assistant Treasurer Member
John E. Maloney, Executive Director
The Braintree Housing Authority was organized as a result of a Special Town Meeting on June 7, 1948 to administer low income Veteran's housing project in the Town. After ten years of operations the Authority is in a position to render further service to tenants whereby they are empowered to purchase the homes which they occupy.
Since our annual report for the year 1957, considerable interest has been shown by tenants in the purchasing of the dwelling which they occupy. Up to the time of this writing one third of the houses have been sold or are in the process of transferring title. As it was not until November of 1957 that we could inform he tenants as to the cost of these dwellings, the result of the first year indicates that the average person prefers to own his own home, rather than depend on subsidized housing. The opportunity afforded Veterans secure a home, well kept and completely landscaped at a nominal cost is recognized by those seeking to establish their own independence. A four room dwelling costs approximately $9,500 and a five room dwelling ap- proximately $11,700.00. These prices having been established will pre- vail, notwithstanding the inflation of the real estate market unless we are otherwise directed.
The Authority, under the law must investigate continuously and keep abreast of the total income of tenants and their families. The financial status of tenants keeps improving and when a tenant's income exceeds the maximum occupancy limits, we must reluctantly start the wheels in motion toward eviction, unless such tenant proceeds to ne- gotiate for the purchase of the dwelling he occupies.
The rents as charged Veterans for their ocupancy of the 90 residence are based. on their gross income and cannot be considered burden ome.
The following indicate maximum income allowances for en- trance and continued occupancy. This s based on gross ncome.
181
Rent
Number of Children
Entrance Limits
Continued Occup. Limits
* (Percentage of Gross Income)
1
$3,950.00
$4,400.00
14%
2
4,150.00
4,600.00
16%
3
4,350.00
4,800.00
18%
* After allowable deductions
As previously reported, the tenant accupant has the first option to purchase. As houses become vacant, non-tenant veterans who were resi- dent of Braintree when entering the service, then have the opportunity to purchase. The sequence of sale to individuals other than those above will be designated by the State Housing Board.
We must repeat that the only source of income to meet the obligation of short term notes and maintenance of the property is rent collections together with the State subsidy. While the Authority may appear firm in insisting on prompt payment of rent, we have no other altenative in order to meet these obligations.
On March 3, 1958 Mr. Irving E. Stoddard, our Executive Di- rector, passed away in his 73rd year. Mr. Stoddard came to the Author- ity on June, 1955 asd while his employment was on a parttime basis he went beyond this by putting in many extra hours serving the tenants as well as the Authority with but one thought and that of being of service.
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