USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1959 > Part 9
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1. Drainage of salt marsh and fresh water areas.
2. Larvaciding of all breeding areas (spraying) air, power sprayers, and hand spraying.
3. Adulticiding (fogging and mist blower).
In spite of these in a stepped-up form, mosquitoes were a much talked of problem throughout the summer. However, conditions would have been much worse with-
11,0
out mosquito control, as others will bear out in aeas out- side of mosquito control districts.
Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in south New Jersey rose to an epidemic stage, which should tend to stress to taxpayers of the area the need for a continued mosquito control program, until we can find out for sure if the mosquito is the carrier and to attack and control these.
The spring spraying of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done in the latter part of April and first of May. 1,708 acres were sprayed in the Town of Braintree.
As was done last winter, some aerial applications of dusts will be made. This procedure reduces the spring spraying which must be fitted into the few days in April suitable for air spraying.
The Project wishes to acknowledge the help received from officials and departments of the Town and sin- cerely hopes that the benefits derived by these depart- ments as a result of ths cooperation are as great as those derived by the Project.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
Residential building activity in the town continued to be at a moderate rate during the year 1959. There were some real estate subdivisions, however, all of them were relatively small in the number of house lots. In- dications are that the planning board regulations and the zoning by-law, now in effect, provide adequate con- trol so as to assure normal and healthy growth in the Town for some time to come.
During the past year the planning board devoted considerable time and effort toward the planning and development of new business and industrial areas, many of which have been created by the recent highway con- struction. Several projects, directly made possible by rezoning as recommended by the board, which have been completed or are in the process of construction, have directly been beneficial to our tax base. Among the projects are included Walworth Company, The South Shore Plaza, The Ainslie Corporation, The Continental Baking Company, First National Stores, The Tedeschi
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Shopping Area and of course the proposed million dollar motor hotel, another supermarket and a well known restau- rant installation. Several other projects are in the planning stage and when they materialize will add to our expand -. ing business and industrial climate. All these new sources of tax revenue will effect the town's economy and take available revenue needed for increasing cost of schools and municipal services.
The partial opening of the Southeast Expressway for highway travel during the past year has considerably altered the distribution of vehicles on town ways. Traffic flow has improved in some areas, however, in other areas. serious bottlenecks have developed. Completion of all the new highways now under construction will further change the traffic pattern in the Town.
The time to take stock and survey our needs for the future is at hand and to this end we have inserted an article in the annual town meeting warrant for funds so. that a Master Plan may be started and worked on.
Transportation is presently in the spotlight. NO doubt some action will have been taken by the legislature by the time this report is published. Several plans for- handling mass transportation have been suggested and the situation is very confusing. We hope that whatever plan is finally adopted that it will be for the best interest of our community and all others concerned. Whatever plan is finally selected must be carefully surveyed to see what effect it will have on our future planning. No plan should be adopted if it is going to place a heavy financial. burden on the people.
The Planning Board has coordinated its efforts with the School Committee, The Parks and Playgrounds Com- missioners and all other own Departments so that the Town would be best served.
The Board is grateful for the cooperation and assist- ance of all town officials with whom it has worked with and especially to Mr. Harold Pearl, Town Engineer, and. his capable staff.
The Braintree Planning Board
JOSEPH M. MAGALDI, Chairman WILLIAM G. DYER, Clerk EDWARD J. ROSE MITCHELL W. GAWLOWCZ FREDERICK J. KLAY
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HARRY T. SEARS Chief of Fire Department Superintendent of Fire Alarm
In 1959 out of a total of 914 calls of all descriptions, 56 resulted with a loss totaling $111,104.08 with a prop- erty valuation involved by fire of $2,532,650.00.
Fire prevention being the most effective weapon in lowering the fire loss and minimizing the physical dan- gers to our people, we have introduced the Junior Fire Marshall Program which has contributed measurably in controlling hazardous conditions in the homes. Over 3,000 homes in the Town of Braintree were inspected, cleared of any fire hazard through a questionnaire by the Junior Fire Marshall. The questionnaire was then re- turned to the school teacher before receiving a reward. We feel this plan along with the Fire Department Fire Prevention program is far reaching in reducing our fire losses and protecting the lives of our people.
The three fire stations are in very good condition and require only the usual maintenance to keep them in good repair.
Mutual Aid plays a very important part in the pro- tection of life and property. We are grateful to have automatic Mutual Aid with our neighboring city and towns.
In 1960 we should complete the School Building Sprinkler Program. All 2nd and 3rd class school build- ings will be protected by automatic fire alarm and sprink- ler systems.
By amending the Building Code at the 1959 Town Meeting and adding the Sprinkler and Fire Detection Law, all boarding or lodging houses, hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, schools, and all new business or industrial establishments having more than 3,000 square feet of floor area must be protected by a complete sprinkler system or a complete Fire Detection system.
The large reduction in insurance premiums has in many cases been the prevailing reason for installing auto- matic sprinklers. Often times the annual savings is suf- ficient to pay for the sprinkler system. Regardless of
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ORGANIZATION OF THE BRAINTREE FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF
1
1
Superintendent Fire Alarm
1
Assistant Superintendent Fire Alarm
Fire Prevention
1
Deputy Chief Drill Master
Assistant Chief
Deputy Chief Pump Instructor
-
1
-
EAST BRAINTREE STATION
CENTRAL STATION
HIGHLANDS STATION
Lieutenants [3] Company Officers School Officers
Captains [3] Assistant Drill Master Company Officers School Officers
Lieutenants [3] Company Officers School Officers
I
1
1
Privates
Privates
Privates
I
-
-
1
I
-
1
I
Mechanic
Fire Alarm Operator
Firefighter Clerk
Fire Alarm Repairman
Rescue Recovery Team
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Forest Warden
the question of safety which should be the most import- ant feature for the safety of people, sprinkler protection is an excellent investment.
During the year 1959 we used 31,250 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 18,300 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 40,000 feet of booster hose, and 1,394 feet of ladders. Our engines pumped water 98 hours and 10 minutes. We answered 60 calls for building fires, 66 resuscitator calls, 304 grass, woods and dump fires, 50 calls for automobile fires, answered 59 false alarms, received 23 Mutual Aid Calls and 233 Miscellaneous calls, making a total of 914 calls in 1959.
Supervised drills and schooling in the Fire Depart- ment are carried on throughout the year to keep abreast of the most advanced fire fighting techniques and equip- ment.
In 1960 I have requested Six additional Fire Fighters due to the increased property to be protected at the South Shore Plaza district. When completed approximately $30,000,000 worth of new property must be protected. To protect this additional property the 2nd engine at the Central Station should be manned by two additional men on a shift. This will give us two engine companies and a ladder company from the Central Station on a 1st alarm answering in the South Shore Plaza district. This should eliminate building and equiping a new fire station in this district.
STATE LAW-Upon the approach of any fire ap- paratus which is going to a fire or responding to an alarm, every person driving a vehicle on a way shall immedi- ately drive said vehicle as far as possible toward the right hand curb or side of said way and shall keep the same at a standstill until such fire apparatus has passed. No person shall drive a vehicle within three hundred feet of any fire apparatus going to a fire or responding to an alarm, nor drive such vehicle or park or leave the same unattended, within eight hundred feet of a fire or within the fire lines established thereat by the fire department. Violations of any provisions of this section shall be pun- ished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
Fuel oil in excess of ten gallons shall not be kept in a structure without a permit having been obtained from the head of the Fire Department. In 1959 there were 300 inspections of fuel oil burner installations. These
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installations are increasing every year. A person, firm or corporation shall not install nor alter a fuel oil burner installation untill a certificate of competency has been obtained from the State Fire Marshall.
A permit is required from the head of the Fire De- partment for the installation and storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas Systems. 8 permits were issued in 1959 for such installations, 47 permits for blasting and 510 permits for fire in open air.
In closing I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen and all others who have assisted the Fire De- partment in carrying out its duties.
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
Board of Selectmen,
Braintree, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Braintree Town Forest Committee herewith sub- mits its annual report.
During the past year the committee has instituted a long-range program of planting seedlings in selected areas of the Town Forest, which will eventually replace scrub growth with species of trees that as they grow to maturity will improve the appearance and value of the forest.
These seedlings were obtained from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts at a nominal cost and planted with the advice and help of the state forester for Norfolk County, F. Gilbert Hills of Weymouth. A total of 1,300 seedlings were planted, 800 Japanese larch and 500 hem- lock seedlings, and the committee has requested funds in its 1960 budget to continue the program.
Additional areas of the forest were cleared of under- brush during the year, improving the appearance, reduc- ing the fire hazard and giving small trees a chance to grow. Fortunately no destruction by forest fires occurred, but some damage to trees and to the picnic area resulted from vandalism. The trails through the forest were pa- trolled periodically and kept clear of fallen branches.
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During the summer the Braintree Girl Scouts con- ducted their annual day camping program at their shelter in the forest, and some use of the forest made by Boy Scout groups throughout the year. The committee wishes to express its thanks to the Boy Scouts and leaders who as a work project cleared fallen limbs and underbrush from a section of the forest bordering on Peach Street.
Mr. Lake and Mr. Wilder of the committee attended the annual fall meeting of the Massachusetts Forest and Park Association held at the Westford Town Forest, where by touring that forest and talking with members of other forest committees we learned much that will be of help in Braintree.
In conclusion the committee wishes to thank your board, the Finance Committee, the state forester, Mr. Hills, and all others who have been of help throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY C. LAKE, DONALD C. WILDER, JEANETTE MOHNKERN, Town Forest Committee.
SEWER DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1959
New Construction :
3.6 Miles of new sewers were constructed during the
year. The following tabulation shows the extent and dis- tribution of the year's work:
Location
From
To Sewer Main
Pipe Size Inches 10
Sewer Length Feet 37
Brookside Road
M.D.C.
Easement
Howard
Quincy
8
511
Easement
Howard
Quincy
12 F.M.
511
Easement
Hill
Light Plant
12 F.M.
2,473
Easement
Light Plant
Harbor Villa
16
643
Easement
Harbor Villa
Audubon
15 & 16
1,119
Easement
Lakeside
Granite
15
3,090
Easement
Granite
Westerly
8
15
Easement
Middle
Easterly
8
1,315
Easement
Easement
Doris
8
158
117
Doris Road
Easement
Helen
8
163
Grove Circle
Grove
Grove
8
1,030
Harbor Villa Ave.
Easement
Easement
16
205
Helen Road
Doris
Norfolk
8
605
Hill Avenue
Quincy
Lancaster
8
981
Hill Avenue
Quincy
End
12 F.M.
1,134
Lakeside Drive
Walnut
Westerly
12 & 15
955
Middle Street
L.berty
Northerly
8
552
Norfolk Road
Helen
Summit
8
785
Old Country Way
Woodside
South
8
660
Pearl Street
Middle
Westerly
8
250
Union Street
Miller
Westerly
8
486
Union Street
Cleveland
Middle
8
1,536
Total
19,214
Total 1959 Construction
3.6 Miles
Previous Construction
53.7 Miles
Total Constructed to Date
57.3 Miles
Work on the force main and gravity sewer outlet for the Howard Street pumping station, started in Decem- ber of the previous year, was completed in June at a total cost of $131,141.31.
A $39,884.00 contract for the installation of larger pumps and motors at Common Street pumping station, and the installation of the present Common Street pumps and motors in the Howard Street pumping station, was awarded in June to Miles Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc., of Brockton. Appropriately 42% of the work under this contract has been completed.
A contract for the construction of a sewer between Walnut Street and Granite Street, to serve the proposed new shopping center, was awarded in June to Quintin Vespa Co., Inc., the lowest of seven bidders. All of the pipe has been laid and the work is practically completed. The total cost will be about $126,000.00.
A $186,100.00 contract for the construction of lat- eral sewers in various streets was awarded in August to A. D'Alessandro & Sons, Inc., the lowest of eight bidders. Approximately 40% of the work under this contract has been completed.
This year's work made the sewer available to 77 more buildings. The present sewer system can now serve about 54% of all the buildings in the Town.
Sewers in Doris Road, Grove Circle, Helen Road, Norfolk Road and Old Country Way were installed by and at the expense of private developers. This work,
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amounting to 3,401 feet, was done under the supervision of the Sewer Department in accordance with our current contract specifications.
As part of the work on the Southeast Expressway, 951 feet of the 21-inch sewer in Union Street were aband- oned and replaced with 880 feet of 21-inch and 3000 feet of 24-inch located in the rotary of the Union Street inter- change. Also, 597 feet of the 24-inch main trunk sewer between Cabot Avenue and Merritt Avenue were aband- oned and replaced with a permanent by-pass located en- tirely outside of the Expressway and on the east side of the relocated Monatiquot River. The State paid the whole cost of the above relocations. The work was done under the general supervision of the Sewer Department.
Connections were made to the recently completed M.D.C. Randolph Trunk sewer at Brookside Road, Mid- dle Street and Grove Circle. The connection at Brook- side Road has reduced the load on the Brookside Road pumping station by 75 % .
Assessments :
Sewer assessments amounting to $35,334.38 were levied against 101 properties.
The sewer in Union Street between Cleveland Ave- nue and Middle Street is still under construction, and no assessments will be levied until the sewer is ready for use.
Hill Avenue drains into the Howard Street pumping station, and no assessments will be levied until the pump- ing station is put into operation next year.
House Connections :
There were 211 sewer connections, requiring 12,055 feet of pipe, completed during the year at a total cost of $52,828.33. There were 6 applications for sewer connec- tion on file at the end of the year.
There are now a total of 3,954 buildings connected with the sewer system, or 86% 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
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be removed. Continued treatment with copper sulphate seems to be effective in controlling root penetration. There were 31 stoppages of house services due to root growths.
On June 15, a portion of the 24-inch main sewer collapsed in the embankment of the Southeast Express- way between Union Street and River Street about oppo- site Harding Avenue. A temporary 14-inch cast-iron by- pass 700 feet long was laid on top of the ground. Pumps were set up and run on a 24-hour schedule beginning June 20. On July 7 the State took over the operation and continued pumping until October 9, when their newly constructed 24-inch permanent by-pass was put into op- eration. It is expected the State will reimburse the Town for expenses incurred in connection with the above work.
The excellent cooperation received from other de- partments of the Town throughout the year materially aided the Sewer Department, and is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU, Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
PAUL M. SWEEZEY, Chairman DWIGHT T. CHANDLER, Clerk ROBERT E. FRAZIER DEANE R. WALKER, Agent
Diphtheria Clinic: The Diphtheria Clinic this year was admirably conducted by the School Health Depart- ment in conjunction with the Braintree Board of Health and the Visiting Nurse Association. In all 1,225 children received the benefits of this program.
Polio Clinics: The State Board of Health having set up no program for the year 1959. We did not conduct any Polio Clinics. We did, however, purchase a supply of the vaccine and distribute to the doctors on request and also to the Visiting Nurse Association.
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The Doctors of the Town were kind enough to donate their time to conduct two (2) Polio Clinics-one Sunday, June 14, 1959 and one on Sunday, July 14, 1959. These Clinics were conducted with the full co-operation and help of the Visiting Nurse Association and the Board of Health.
Tuberculosis _ Prevention, _Communicable Diseases and Health Education: The execution of the various pro- grams connected with the above names captions have been very efficiently carried out by the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association. 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 rendered to these Health Programs.
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 improvement. A bi-monthly test of all establishments was made and results of these tests (bacteria count) were forwarded to each establishment. In the event high bac- teria count was recorded, an immediate re-check test was conducted, and steps taken to remedy questionable sources of high incident.
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 sold and delivered in Braintree maintains a consistently high level. It is pleasing to report that no milk-borne disease has occurred in Braintree for quite some few years.
Any resident of Braintree so desiring, can review the results of these tests at the Braintree Board of Health Office.
Plumbing Inspector's Report: Under the jurisdic- tion of the Board of Health a total of 621 inspections were completed by the Plumbing Inspector. Before any in- spection is considered complete the work must fully meet the Plumbing Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.
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Annual Disposal Report: The following is a table by months of the number of animals taken care of at the Board of Healths incinerator :
January
31
July 38
February
29
August
41
March
28
September
18
April
30
October
26
May
31
November
32
June 38
38
December
35
REPORT OF THE DENTAL HYGIENIST
September 9, 1959-December 23, 1959
At the opening of the school year dental examina- tions were given to all the pupils from kindergarten through the eight grades.
The local dentists were contacted and they volun- teered their services to do the general examinations.
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 care- fully studied and consulted with the teachers of the school where the child attends, also district supervisor, district principal, school nurse and if in doubt Visiting Nurse Association.
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 in- crease in population, the condition 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.
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For the educational part of the program dental pos- ters were hung in the schools, also reading materials dis- tributed to pupils informing them on brushing habits at home and good dental health.
I had a meeting with Mr. Ward, Director of Visual Aids and a program has been arranged that pertains to films.
I am planning to show films in all the schools includ- ing the Junior High Schools according to age levels.
I attended the National Centennial Convention of the Dental Society held September 13th-17th in New York City.
This meeting was most interesting and stimulating due to the Centennial as it was not only Nationally attended but also Internationally. I obtained ideas and suggestions which I will try to utilize in the Dental pro- gram.
In October I attended a course " The Handicapped " held at the Mass. Hospital School for Crippled Children, Canton.
November I also
£ attended : Educational Course in Public Speaking held at Forsyth Dental Infirm- ary, Boston.
Dr. Ludlow will continue to make it possible to give priezs to all pupils and teachers in the classrooms which attain 100% on the dental charts, by contacting all local dentists for donations to be used for this purpose.
After the general examinations were completed in the Junior High Schools, both Dr. Allen and Dr. Klinken- berg commented how pleased they were to find good teeth, less tooth decay and the progress made each year for better dental health, due to the dental program.
By checking the teeth of those pupils who received stannous fluoride treatments last year, the results are also most gratifying.
In closing, I would like to thank all the local dentists for their valued services in making it possible to complete all the general examinations.
Respectfully submitted,
SABENA D. ARSENAULT, R.D.H., Dental Hygienist.
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Educational Material received from following :
H. P. Hood & Sons, Inc. State House (Public Health) National Dairy Council Educational Dept. Amer. Dental Assoc., Chicago, Ill. Pycope' Tooth Brush Co. New England Dairy Food Council
Church and Dwight Co., Inc. International Apple Assoc., Washington, D.C. Ipana Co., New York
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAROLD C. PEARL,Town Engineer
In addition to the routine duties of the Engineering Department, surveys, plans, grade sheets and engineering data were compiled as requested by the Selectmen, High- way Department, School Department, Assessors, Legal Department and Planning Board for the following pro- jects :
Selectmen
A leather bound portfolio of all listed tax title prop- erties was prepared. This portfolio is composed of asses- sors prints of approximately 500 properties. These prints include all plot identification numbers and adjacent streets as shown on the assessors plans. By means of a cross index any of these properties can be located in the portfolio and on the town street map. When desired, prints of available tax title property in any section of the Town can be readily located in the portfolio.
A cross section plan of the Union Street gravel pit was prepared.
Highway Department
Sidewalks Constructed Under Betterment Act:
Liberty Street-north side from Forest Street 700 ft. west.
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