USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1961 > Part 10
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 | Part 15 | Part 16
All catch basins and drains were cleaned Drains repaired where needed
Patching & Repairs
Town streets-sidewalks-fences and guard rails were repaired where needed
Street Surfacing
Surface treated about 78,900 lin. ft.
Used 60,000 gals. of Asphalt
Signs-New
Children Slow 6
15" Reflectors 4
Keep Right 9
Stop Signs-Red 3
No Passing 9
Thickly Settled 2
Intersection Symbol 1
Cross Road Symbols 2
Right Curve 1
Crosswalk
4
School Zone
2
Reverse Curve
1
No Parking
92
Dead End 12
Speed Limit 25 M.P.H. 2
Speed Limit 35 M.P.H. 6
Speed Limit 40 M.P.H. 5
No Left Turn 1
Dump No Rubbish 6
Left Arrow 1
132
Street Painting
Cross walks at all schools and business areas painted Cross walks laid with Perma Line:
Braintree buiness areas
Commercial St. at Jonas Perkins School
Quincy Ave. opposite A. & P. Store
All cross walks at schools were painted with traffic yellow
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 120 tons 1
Sand used 2500 tons
New Construction Drains
Liberty St. 900 lin. ft. to Holbrook Line
Used for above-156 ft. 15" Concrete Pipe 224 ft. 12" Concrete Pipe 66 ft. 10" Concrete Pipe 2 Catch Basins 3 Manholes
New Construction-Roadway
900'x40'
315 tons Asphalt Mix 1800 Lin. ft. Asphalt Berm 900 Lin. ft. Sidewalk
New Construction Streets Under the Betterment Act
River St. Extension 200 Lin. ft.
132 Lin. ft. 12" Concrete Pipe 60 Lin. ft. 10" Concrete Pipe
2 Catch Basins
1 Manhole
133
New Construction Sidewalks-Under the Betterment Act
Hillside Rd.
440'x7'
River St. 200'x5'
Granite St.
3000'x6'
Chapter 718
Cedar St .- Drain
280 Lin. ft. 15" Concrete Pipe
315 Lin. ft. 12" Concrete Pipe
201 Lin. ft. 10" Concrete Pipe 6 Catch Basins
7 Manholes
Chapter 718-Resurfacing with Asphalt Concrete
Cedar St.
Middle St. River St. to Cleveland Ave.
Cleveland Ave. to Harrison Ave.
Granite St. Gutter Emerald St. to Five Corners
Pond St. Randolph Line to Granite St .- 1200' of 11/2" Asphalt Mix
Chapter 90 Construction
Union St. Cleveland Ave. to Commercial St.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Liberty St .- Gun Club to Grove St.
Church St -Washington St. to Elm St. Pond St .- Randolph Line to Granite St.
Streets Under Construction By Private Developers
Solar Ave. Tower Hill Rd. Rita Rd. Daniel Rd.
Bel Air Park
Norfolk Rd.
Doris Rd. Helen Rd.
134
Rubbish Collection
Collections are made monthly, beginning :
The FIRST MONDAY in Precincts 1 & 2
The SECOND MONDAY in Precincts 3 & 4 The THIRD MONDAY in Precincts 5 & 6
Holidays falling on Monday, collections will begin the following day
Rubbish should be in suitable containers NOT IN OIL DRUMS
1961 MOTH DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT
Aaron P. Whitcomb, 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 for payment.
This copy of the receipt is our authority to spray.
DUTCH ELM DISEASE
75 samples of suspected trees were sent to the Uni- versity of Mass. Shade Tree Laboratories at Amherst, Mass.
Report of their diagnosis was as follows:
Diseased 54
Wood Decay 9 Sterile 12
Contract let for the removal of diseased trees.
135
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
ROBERT E. FRAZIER, Chairman JOSEPH H. JUSTER, Clerk DR. MARY A. HALPIN, Member FRANCIS E. CHAFE, Agent
Diptheria Clinic: The Diptheria Clinic this year was admirably conducted by the School Health Depart- ment in conjunction with the Board of Health and the Visiting Nurse Association. In all 1008 children received the benefits of this program.
Polio Clinic: No directives were issued by the State Department of Public Health for community clinics for the year 1961. Few requests for a clinic here in Braintree were received by your Board, thus no clinic was held this year. We did, however, carry a supply of the polio vac- cine on hand at all times and to distribute to the doctors and the Visiting Nurse Association on request. No cases of polio were reported in the Town of Braintree this year.
Food Handling Establishments: A program of more frequent inspection of all of the Town's food hand- ling installations was instituted this year. The initial in- spections were very thorough and we were pleased to find so few major sanitation violations. The cooperation of management in correcting unsatisfactory conditions called to their attention deserves commendation since it often involves expenditure of money. A bi-monthly test of all the eating and drinking establishments was made and re- sults of these tests (bacteria count) were forwarded to each establishment. In the event high bacteria counts were recorded, an immediate re-testing was conducted, and steps taken to remedy questionable sources of high inci- dence.
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 Health Department for its active participation in the co-operative and assistance rendered to these Health Programs,
136
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, phos- phates, bacteria and coli. These tests reveal that the milk being sold and delivered in Braintree maintains a consis- tently high level. It is pleasing to report that no milkbone disease has occurred in Braintree for quite some few years.
Any resident so desiring can review the results of these tests at the Braintree Board of Health Office.
Plumbing Inspector's Report: Under the jurisdic- diction of the Board of Health a total of 875 inspections were completed by the Plumbing Inspector. Before any inspection is considered complete the work must fully meet the Plumbing Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.
Asian Influenza Clinic: An Asian Influenza Clinic was held during the month of November for those priority Town employees desirous of protection from the predicted upswing in influenza virulence this winter. The clinic was conducted for the Board of Health by the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association at their Washington Street facilities. This program was greatly appreciated and very well attended.
Annual Disposal Report: The following is a table by months of the number of animals taken care of at the Board of Health Incinerator :
January
34
July 26
February
31
August
34
March
34
September 36
April
41
October
31
May
44
November
29
June
39
December
28
137
DENTAL HYGIENIST REPORT
September 6, 1961 - December 21, 1961
At the opening of the school year dental examina- tions were given to all the pupils from kindergarten through the eighth grades.
I contacted the local dentists and they volunteered their services to do the general inspections.
The two new dentists-Dr. Parmett and Dr. Winick- also gave their services.
Dr. Holmes has resigned doing the examination, of the school childrens' teeth, as of this year.
Following the examinations, notices were sent home to the parents of those children who were found in need of dental attention.
After these cards are signed and returned, I check each card and carefully study those requesting clinic.
I consulted the teachers where the child attends, also district supervisors, district principal school nurse and it in doubt the Visiting Nurse Association, before the pupils are eligible.
Other letters, telephone calls were made to parents as the occasion called for, especially, to explain to new fami- lies moving in town the set-up of our dental clinic.
By determining the number of days in the school year that the dentist could work and considering the in- creased population, the condition of the teeth in each building, a working schedule is planned by the dental hy- gienist for just how long the dental clinic will remain in each school building.
The dental hygienist not only organizes the schedule, but prepares the clinical cases before the dentist moves into the school building. I have fifteen schools to cover.
I assist all the local dentists, also the school dentist during the general examinations in every school through- out the entire town.
After these examinations are completed, I start my educational programs. This consists of hanging dental posters in all schools, distributing reading materials in re- gards to tooth brushing habits at home and nutrition for good dental health.
138
I had a meeting with Mr. Ward, Director of Visual Aids, the first part of November and a program was dis- cussed and set up to show dental film.
I will devote most of January, February and part of March showing films on "Dental Health" education.
Dr. Ludlow is making it possible to continue the prizes to be given to all pupils and teachers in the class- rooms which attain 100% on the dental charts. He is planning to contact all local dentists for donations to be used for this purpose.
Miss True, grade two, Foster School was the first classroom in the entire town to obtain the first 100% den- tal chart.
With the presence of the applauding first and third grade pupils, I congratulated the teacher and pupils then awarded prizes to the honor classroom pupils and teach- ers.
October 15-19th I attended the National Dental Con- vention held in Philadelphia.
One meeting in particular was of value as the subject was:
"Patient Education How-When and Where."
At another session of most importance was the valu- able information obtained by the panel discussion.
The Dental Hygienist In An Expanding Dental Health Pattern.
The Duties and Practices of the Dental Hygienist in all Fields.
The Correction of the Dental Hygiene Laws.
The New England Dairy and Food Council of Boston requested me to be one of the speakers December 6, 1961 at the Tiffaney Club 46, Beacon Street, Boston.
I was a speaker on the panel "Dental Health Educa- tion in Schools."
Dr. Arno Bommer spoke on what elementary teach- ers should know about dental health problems.
That school children can learn about growth of teeth, caries, prevention.
139
Miss Rachel W. Jones, Nutritionist, Dairy Council of Southeastern New England, spoke on some nutrition facts for teachers relating to dental health, What children can learn about foods needed, snacks, foods relation to denta! caries.
My topic was "The Dental Health Program in Brain . tree Schools."
Regular inspections, follow-ups, also teaching chil- dren about dental care at home and school.
In closing, I would like to thank principals, supervi- sors, teachers, nurses, secretaries and custodians for their excellent co-operation.
I wish to thank also Mr. Proctor, Mr. Raymond and members of the Board of Health, also secretary and local dentists for their valued services.
Respectfully submitted,
SABENA D. ARSENAULT R.D.H.
Educational materials were received from the fol- lowing :
1. H. P. Hood and Sons, Inc.
2. Dept. Public Health, State House, Boston, Mass.
3. National Dairy Council
4. New England Dairy Food Council
5. American DentalAssoc., Chicago, Ill.
6. Kolynos Company
7. Church and Dwight Co., Inc.
8. International Apple Assoc., Washington, D. C.
140
BRAINTREE PARK DEPARTMENT
Charles F. Abell, Supt.
During 1961 the Braintree Parks and Playgrounds Commission operated two swimming areas and thirteen playgrounds. This past summer your Fark Dept. spon- sored a Retarded Childrens class, held at the Lakeside School. The program was very successful. One half of the program costs are paid for by the State of Massachusetts.
Sunset Lake and Swifts Beach both had a large at- tendance during the swimming season.
Our playgrounds were kept in good condition for athletics carried on by Schools, Little League, Men's soft- ball, Junior Legion etc. The Town of Braintree was cho- sen by the State Little League Association to have the State championship Little League games played at one of our fine Little League fields in August of 1962.
The Park Department carried out a full program of organized play during the summer. This included arts, crafts, athletics, night baseketball and dances.
The Braintree Municipal Golf Course had another good year of play. Many Braintree citizens are taking advantage of our course for good golfing and recreation. The Course opened for play 28 days late this year because of inclement weather. We also lost 9 days of play in Au- gust due to heavy rains. A long range program for de- veloping new tees and underground watering will make Braintree one of the better 9 hole Golf Courses in this area.
The Commissioners are grateful to the Town Depart- ments who have assisted us in making 1961 a successful year.
GEORGE F. LEBEN, Chairman GEORGE H. SNYDER JR." DR. EDGAR L. COPP EARL C. HOLLIS ELMER E. RAYMOND JR. MITCHEL GAWLOWICZ WILLIAM G. RYER
141
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HARRY T. SEARS Chief of Fire Department Superintendent of Fire Alarm
In 1961 out of a total of 907 calls of all descriptions 75 resulted with a loss totaling $315,763.42 which in- cludes two Major Fires with losses of $80,000.00-Gross- man's Lumber Yard and $170,000.00-First Congrega- tional Church, Elm Street, Braintree. Property valuation involved by fire in 1961-$3,354,001.00.
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 returned 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.
By amending the Building Code at the 1959 Town Meeting and adding Sprinkler and Fire Detection Law, all boarding and lodging houses, hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, schools, and all new business or in- dutrial 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.
This year we hope to amend the Building Code by adding a Fire Detection Law to protect life in dwelling houses. All New dwellings must install a complete fire detection system. The loss of life by fire is outrageous and unnecessary.
The large reduction in insurance premiums has in many cases been the prevailing reason for installing au- tomatic sprinklers. Often times the annual savings is suf- ficient to pay for the sprinkler system. Regardless of the question of safety which should be the most important feature for the safety of people, sprinkler protection is an excellent investment.
142
Mutual Aid plays a very important part in the pro- tection of life and property. We are grateful to have auto- matic Mutual Aid with our neighboring city and towns.
During the year 1961 we used 24,800 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 17,150 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 60,000 feet of booster hose, and 1,181 feet of ladders. Our engines pumped wa- ter 174 hours and 20 minutes. We answered 45 calls for oil-Gas-Water leaks, 60 False Alarms, 102 calls for build- ing fires, 220 calls for Grass-Woods-Dumps, 49 call for Resuscitators, 67 calls for Automobiles and trucks, 15 calls for Mutual Aid, 2 drownings, 23 calls for Automo- bile accidents and 324 miscellaneous calls making a total of 907 calls in 1961.
Supervised drills and schooling in the Fire Depart- ment are carried on through out the year to keep abreast of the most advanced fire fighting techniques and equip- ment.
In 1962 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 Central Station should be manned by two additional men on a shift. This will give us two engine campanies answering in the South Shore Plaza district from the Central Station. This should eliminate building and equipping a new fire station in this district. The last increase in personnel was in 1956.
The Fire Stations are in very good condition except for some minor repairs. The apparatus is in very good condition.
I have recommended the purchase of a 2nd piece of Aerial equipment. One 20 year old 65 foot Aerial Ladder is inadequate to protect a town with a population of 31,000. When we purchased the aerial ladder in 1942 we had 4,663 dwellings, today we have 7,816 dwellings plus new schools numerous manufacturing plants and the new South Shore Plaza.
A permit is required from the head of the Fire De- partment for the installation and storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas System, 15 permits were issued in 1961 for such installations. 60 Permits for blasting and 655 per- mits for fire in open air.
143
The Fire Alarm system is very good condition except for a 20 year old fire alarm truck. I have recommended the purchase of a new fire alarm truck. In 1961 five new fire alarm boxes were added to the fire alarm system.
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.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
HERBERT B. HOLLIS, Chairman HARRISON T. SMILEY, Clerk FRED A. TENNEY, Member H. J. GAFFNEY, Director
The greater share of the costs of assistance are borne by the Federal and State Governments by reimburse- ments in the categories of Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged, Disability Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children. No such reimbursements are avail- able on General Relief. For direct payments to the recipi- ents we operate on a State budgetary system. For medical payments we must follow the State Medical Care Plan which requires payments to be made on a vendor payment basis. Expenditures on a per case basis are continuing to increase, caused by increased costs of living and higher medical costs.
Eligibility to receive any type of assistance is gov- erned by the Federal and State laws, rules and regula- tions. Continuing eligibility is determined by periodic revisits of our social workers. Special revisits are made when occasion requires.
Old Age Assistance: The first 12 sections of Chap- ter 118A cover this category, the last 20 sections cover Medical Assistance for the Aged, which category became effective late in 1960. At that time cases eligible for
144
Medical Assistance for the Aged were transferred to this new program, which reduced the number of Old Age cases. Under Old Age Assistance there is a minimum grant paid directly to the recipients. For a recipient living in a family group the minima is $55.00 monthly plus $4.00 "Leisure Time Activity" making $59.00 monthly. For a recipient living alone the minima is $75.00 monthly plus $4.00 "Leisure Time Activity" making $79.00 month- ly. There is another item, "Transportation Allowance" of $4.00 monthly, payable except to those recipients who are patients in nursing homes, chronic hospitals or public medical institutions. These items are exclusive of medical care, drugs and supplies. For the year 1961 grants to re- cipients, payments for hospital care, medical care, drugs and medical supplies amounted to $150,853.98. The Town's share was $14,307.09. On the basis of settlement laws we paid other cities and towns $5,093.40 and billed other cities and towns $3,786.99. Recoveries of $26,948.85 under the lien law as well as from other sources, were made which by statue were proportionately redistributed to Federal, State and Local Governments.
Medical Assistance for the Aged: This is a new pro- gram which became effective late in 1960. Under the pro- visions of this law we are required to provide medical assistance as follows: "Payment of part or all of the cost of (1) inpatient hospital ward services, (2) public medi- cal institution services, (3) nursing home services, (4) physicians' services, (5) outpatient hospital or clinic serv- ices, (6) nursing services, (7) physical therapy and re- lated services, (8) dental services, (9) home health care services, (10) laboratory and X-ray services, (11) pre- scribed drugs, eyeglasses, dentures and prosthetic de- vices, (12) diagnostic screening and preventive services, (13) any other medical care or remedial care recognized under the law of the Commonwealth, and (14) other med- ical care in accordance with the department medical care plan". There is no Federal participation for personal needs, which amounts to $15.00 per month payable direct to recipients in licensed nursing homes, chronic hospitals or public medical institutions. For the first full year, 1961, total expenditures were $128,054.77. The Town's share was $22,191.53.
Aid to Dependent Children: Prior to the passage of the Social Security Act, needy widows and children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were assisted under a.
145
program known as Mother's Aid. In 1937 this program was replaced by the category known as Aid to Dependent Children, in which the Federal Government participates. Over the years the program was extended to assist fami- lies where there is a divorce or legal separation, where the father has become physically incapacitated, has de- serted or has become incarcerated. In 1961 it was further extended to include additional needy children deprived of parental support because of the unemployment of par- ents. Assistance is rendered according to a State budget based on need. Grants to families and for medical care in 1961 amounted to $35,563.27. The Town's share was $9,174.34.
Disability Assistance: To receive assistance in this category a person must be at least eighteen years of age, in need, totally and permanently disabled and has resided in the Commonwealth for one year immediately preceding date of application. The poor physical condition of many persons require care in institutions, hospitals and nursing homes, which results in large expenditures for such ser- vices. Grants to recipients and for medical care in 1961 amounted to $33,939.90. The Federal and Commonwealth jointly bear 75% of the expenditures. The Town's share amounted to $8,484.97. A recovery of $775.00 was made which was proportionately re-distributed to Federal, State and Local Governments.
General Relief: In this category we have the unem- ployed, the medically indigent including the sick, infirm and disabled who are ineligible under any other program. Also' in this category assistance is rendered to families left destitute by desertion of the parent until we find a solution, which is usually solved by placing the family on Aid to Dependent Children. Fortunately for all con- cerned, good employment conditions continue to exist in our general area which results in not too many applica- tions being made for regular welfare. The total expendi- tures for direct aid to families, payments to hospitals, in- stitutions, medical care and other purposes, amounted to $21,790.90. Under the settlement laws we have billed other cities and towns $1,112.66. A recovery of $140.00 was made to the Town during the year.
146
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1962
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, 1961.
In my budget requests for 1962 I have asked for an additional Lieutenant so that we will have a Superior Officer in charge at all times. I have asked for one Pa- trolman to replace the man who would be promoted to Lieutenant and for one patrolman for relief duty.
I have requested that two cars be replaced-a 1958 Chevrolet Sedan and a 1960 Chevrolet Station Wagon. Also requested one extra car for use by the Safety Offi- cer in his program.
Miscellaneous complaints for 1961 totaled 9316 as. compared to 9034 in 1960-6556 in 1959 and 5972 in 1958.
Our total number of arrests decreased from 1014 in. 1960 to 816 in 1961.
Ambulance calls totaled 525 for 1961 as compared to 518 in 1960 431 in 1959 and 389 in 1958.
I have again recommended a new Radio System to replace the present equipment which was installed in 1952. Also have recommended again an improvement in our telephone communication system.
On December 8, 1961, our Deputy Chief N. Eric Nel- son died suddenly-after having faithfully served the town for thirty-seven years-since September 25, 1924. He was the first Deputy Chief in the Department and held the position for thirty years since September 8,. 1931.
Temporary officers have been appointed to replace. the Deputy, Lieutenant and Sergeant who were advanced. so that we would have a full complement of officers.
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.