USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1961 > Part 12
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Respectfully submitted,
MIRIAM HALL, Head Librarian
163
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Braintree:
The Braintree Water Department is self-supporting, operating entirely within its income, with no funds from general taxation. The source of water is from Great Pond, Upper Pond and one deep well with a capacity of 500,000 G.P.D. The water is treated in our modern filtration plant which takes about three hours per gallon to complete the cycle.
Over one-third of the expense of the Department is for fire protection in the Town of Braintree. The Town shares a small part of this cost each year by its hydrant rental appropriations; however, industry and commercial plants with hydrants, standpipes and sprinklers have not shared in this expense. Your Commissioners feel that this inequality should be corrected and they will establish suitable water rates for fire protection during "1962".
The employees of the Department, under the super- vision of Mr. Donato Richardi, have again solved many problems and completed a large number of projects with their own man power and equipment. This has saved the Department and the Town a great deal of money. One of these jobs was the installation of a new water main on Wood Road. The saving to the Town amounted to several thousand dollars.
One of the Department's goals is to be "debt free" and during the past four years the Department has re- duced its funded debt by $190,000.00 We still have many problems to solve in our distribution system-dead ends, old mains made inadequate by corrosion, present many work projects to be performed in the next few years.
The Commissioners again wish to thank the Water Department Personnel for the enthusiastic spirit shown in their daily tasks.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS H. MATTHEWS, Chairman ARTHUR L. WHITTEN HOWARD J. ROSE Board of Water Commissioners
164
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners :
As Superintendent of the Water Supply System, I am pleased to submit the 71st Annual Report showing the present condition of the Department and the extensions and improvements made together with a statement of the. cost of operating the system during the year.
The Distribution System has been increased by 9,460 linear feet of water mains and 14 new hydrants. We added 130 new services, 25 were renewed, and 37 were repaired.
The repairs and improvements made at Great Pond were a 145 Horse Power Buffalo Engine which was taken out and replaced with a 185 Horse Power Gray Marine Diesel Engine. A 14" Gate Valve and Venturi Tube and Gauge were installed in the main outside the Pumping Station. We also connected a new discharge line from the No. 1 Pump to the existing 14" Main. This gives us two discharge lines out of the pumping station. The 10" But- terfly Valve at the Filtration Plant was broken and the Paddlying Machine for the Coagulating Basin burned out. At the Booster Station the Motor and Switchboard also burned out, this work was repaired and replaced for the most part by our own Supervisor, Pumping Station Oper- ators, and Men.
Sprinkler lines were installed at the Abraham Lin- coln School, the Grossman Building off Union Street, the C. Healy Plaza on Forbes Road, the Charterhouse Motel and R. H. Stearns Store in the South Shore Plaza.
We had an unusual amount of locating and marking mains and services for the Highway and Sewer Depart- ments. The Contractors installing sewer lines in the Town caused considerable damage to our mains, hydrants, and to our services.
We installed two blow-offs to take care of complaints of rusty water, one on Old Washington Street at the en- trance to the Walworth Plant, and the other on Pearl Street near the Expressway.
The 2-Way Radio has been installed and was put in operation on November 10th. It certainly has proved its worth in the efficiency of locating the men in any emer- gency.
165
Considerable damage was caused by vandals to our property, at the Spillway between the upper and lower Ponds; the wedges were driven out and the center plank removed. At Lincoln Heights Standpipe, the fence gate was smashed and the standpipe defaced. At the Penn's Hill Standpipe they removed the top row of barbed wire from around one-half of the fence.
The damage caused by Hurricane Esther was minor and we were without the Town Electric Power for three hours and had to use the auxiliary Diesel Engine.
Due to the improvements to our Pumping Station and Distribution System, water restrictions have not been necessary during the last two summer seasons. More im- provements are planned in the future.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Board of Water Commissioners for their full cooperation and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
DONATO T. RICHARDI, Superintendent
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Balance, January 1, 1961 Collections
$ 49,017.58 391,639.82
$440,657.40
Disbursements
Maintenance and Operation
$314,551.06
Amortization on Debt
56,000.00
Interest on Debt
12,602.00
Commissioners
300.00
383,453.06
Balance, December 31, 1961
$ 57,204.34
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166
ANNUAL REPORT - SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1961
1961 was a most active and stimulating year for the School Committee. Items of a magnitude, which we certainly hope are of non-recurring type, occupied a great deal of our attention. This was the year in which many major maintenance problems occurred. These produced conditions which, by their very nature, required immediate action to protect not only the Town's prop- erty but the safety of the occupants of these properties. Although quick action was necessary, the Committee did not stampede into making hasty decisions. It sought and paid for expert engineering advice before arriving at any judgment. These judgments, we feel were made in the best interests of the Town.
By scheduling weekly meetings we were able to study our budgetary needs thoroughly for the coming year and to complete the budget early in December. We found very valuable the attendance of some members of the Finance Committee at many of these meetings.
The continuing improvements of our educational pro- grams and the upgrading of our teacher personnel pleases us all. We are especially pleased with the Administra- tion's unceasing efforts toward improvements in curricu- lum and teaching methods. Some of these are outlined in the Superintendent's report. We hope by increasing and upgrading the personnel of the maintenance and custodial services that our properties will have prolonged' useful lives.
The Committee is sincerely grateful to the Superin -- tendent and his administrative staff and to the many loyal employees in all divisions for giving Braintree one: of the very best school systems in the Commonwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
REUBEN H. FROGEL, M.D., Chairman. ROGER W. ARNOLD ROBERT M. BURDETT RUTH W. SHUSTER ROBERT J. BARRETT WILLIAM E, TRAINOR
167
1961 REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
I. Membership has increased only slightly this year; the increase has been mainly by 100 additional pu- pils in Braintree High School. This situation will continue for several years until Braintree High School reaches about 1550.
Much of the normal increase in elementary pupils is absorbed by the two parochial schools. In the East District this process has resulted in some small divisions, while the South District classes in High- lands and Liberty Schools, which are unaffacted by parochial enrollments, have increased in size beyond the desirable limit. Two sixth grades from
Typical Kindergarten
Liberty School will be assigned to South Junior High School next year. With additional home construction, which we understand is contemplated in that area, additional school facilities will soon be needed. A study group to survey this situation should be appointed by the school committee.
Some shifts in the Penniman School district will be necessary because of large classes in the primary grades there; to adjust class sizes some from Pen- niman will be assigned to Eldridge.
168
II. Building Facilities have created problems, but these are now substantially solved. The addition of the Hollis building to Braintree High School provides ample space which has permitted the expansion of academic services.
The new East Junior High School is now completed, providing excellent teaching areas for all activities at that level. The demolition of the old section of the Lincoln School solved a reconstruction problem there, although the remaining facilities are difficult to maintain because of poor initial construction.
The heating system at the Monatiquot finally "gave up" and went to pieces, which made it necessary to consider distributing these pupils with possibly a double session at another school. Everyone con-
Developing Skills in Machine Shop
cerned should be grateful to the authorities at St. Francis Parish who offered, without charge, the use of eight rooms at their new school to house the Monatiquot group until the new building could be constructed. The school pupils and teachers are very happy there, and extremely appreciative.
169
Heating Systems in various schools nave been the cause of concern. All schools except Penniman are now oil-fired, the two Torreys and Perkins converted this summer. Various reports have indicated a serious situation existing for some years in the high school boiler room, due to inadequate combustion chambers and high water level below the base. Sump pumps installed several years ago reduced the water level somewhat, but progressive deter- ioration of boiler settings over a period of years
Braintree High School Science Fair
has caused a situation that calls for drastic action before the next heating season. The committee has retained Professor Hesselschwerdt of M.I.T. to in- vestigate and advise on condition of heating sys- tems in Braintree High School.
The Torrey Elementary and Perkins still have grav- ity distribution systems; The Torrey Primary, High- lands, Lincoln, and part of Braintree High School have univents of 1930 vintage without temperature control. These systems need complete moderniza- tion.
170
IV. Teachers for the past year were recruited from many sources. 21 additional teachers and 35 re- placements were needed. We have been fortunate in obtaining capable persons at our salary level.
The great majority of our teachers are profession- ally alert, striving always to improve their tech- niques, and giving generously of their energy for the best interests of their pupils. The excellent reputation of our schools has been earned through the devotion of our classroom teachers, and their pride in working together to improve the Braintree Public Schools.
Our job as administrators is to provide the best possible conditions and materials so that their work may continue on this high level of accomplishment.
Home Instruction For The Handicapped
V. The Academic Program at the secondary level has been expanded by the offering of Distributive Ed- ucation, Electronics, and the establishment of a Developmental Reading lab, foreign language labs, additional typing rooms, with one now completely electric. We are striving to make Braintree High
171
School a completely comprehensive high school with sufficient variety of offerings to meet the need of every level of ability, aptitude, and interest. In this connection we must continue to reduce the en- rollment in the so-called "general course" by intro- ducing training in specific skills. In this age of auto- mation, no high school graduate will be employ- able without such training, or the background to readily acquire it on the job. One means of pro- viding effective transition between school and com- munity is the work-study program, in which the student spends part of his day (or week) on a job, and part in school. Such programs deserve far wider adoption than they have had to date.
Preparation of School Lunches
The Summer School is expanding each year. In 1961 over one-half the cost was returned to the Town in registration fees. Opportunities for ad- vanced work in math and science were offered. Also, the review courses successfully passed saved the Town several times the cost of the entire sum- mer program, as the pupils involved did not have to repeat the regular school courses.
172
Test results showed all grades and levels to be from one-half to a full year advanced over normal grade levels; individual pupil graphs from these tests are used by teachers for remedial work, and by the guidance department for conferences regarding present work and future plans.
In the secondary schools experiments are under way in areas of (1) revision of math content and teach- ing (2) programmed teaching (3) a supplemental Humanities course (4) closed-circuit television.
In several elementary schools plans are being de- veloped for organization of teaching on a "Double- Purpose Plan" in which social studies and language will be taught by one teacher on a grade level basis, but science and math taught by specialists on an ungraded level to permit all pupils to advance at their maximum rates of learning.
Evening School enrollment is presently over 300 in dressmaking, rug hooking, rug braiding, oil paint- ing, decorative painting, woodworking, furniture refinishing, machine shop, physical recreation, type- writing, and shorthand. The annual exhibit in March impresses those who attend by the quality of the work accomplished.
VI. College Admissions were more extensive in 1961 than ever before. Although admission to college is now highly competitive, Braintree sent more to college last year than any year in its history. Fifty- six boys and thirty-one girls of the class of 1961 are attending four year degree colleges. Counting all other schools of higher education a total of 186 out of 427 (43.56% ) are continuing their education be- yond high school. It is interesting also to note that 45 previous graduates sought college placement this year.
Boys in the Class of 1961 received a total of $26,000 in scholarship aid.
VII. The High School Guidance Department is breaking down the old (and well-founded) belief that the parent of a high school age pupil does not visit the school unless there is a disciplinary problem. More parents are learning that a close contact with the school is advantageous to all concerned. They seek help in the educational plans for their children, realizing that the post-secondary school situation
173
today is one that they do not always understand since it is changing so rapidly. We have the infor- mation they need to make their most important de- cisions with their children.
The parents are also discovering that they can dis- cuss problems in confidence with a counselor and they will be listened to. The counselor is not threat- ening to the morale of the parent as the authorita- rian figure of the teacher may be. We do not at- tempt to tell the parents what should be done, but rather, will help them to reach and accept their own solutions. Often the problems of the student dissipate when the parents accept counseling.
VIII. Special Services throughout the year have supplied benefits through the contributions of the music, art, physical education, audio-visual, safety, guidance, health, athletic, dental, remedial reading programs. The supervisors and specialists in these subjects all possess talents which allow them to get fruitful results from their efforts.
Our custodians and maintenance men do remark- ably well considering the extent of their responsi- bilities. Home instruction, special classes, and Braille, efficiently serve those who require special programs. Our attendance officer takes a personal interest beyond the call of duty, and our lunchroom staff efficienlty prepares appetizing meals. Secre- taries are much prized; we wish for more of them.
IX In the area of Public Relations it is our aim to pro- ject a true image of the Braintree Public Schools by presenting correct information concerning edu- cational activities and special services. We desire to contribute to an increase in understandig of our goals and accomplishments, so that closer ties be- tween the citizens and the school will be fostered. In conclusion, I wish again to express my apprecia- tion to the school committee, parents, teachers, and all school employees, for their excellent support and cooperation, thus benefiting our most import- ant citizens, our children.
Ralph W. Proctor Superintendent of Schools
174
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR Year Ending December 31, 1961
Commitment Refunds and Total and Balances Charges
Charges
Receipts
Abatements
Judgements Tax Titles etc.
Dec. 31, 1961 Balances
1961
Real Estate & Charges
4,595,632.09 65,220.08 4,660,852.17
4,363,673,21
145,709.58
12,996.71
138,472.67
Poll Tax
17,720.00
29.60
17,749.60
15,411.60
2,234.00
104.00
Personal Tax
160,868.60
551.30
161,419.90
151,489.10
1,217.30
8,713.50
Farm Animal Excise
53.76
53.76
53.76
Auto Excise
534,158.16
4,380.57
538,538.73
341,045.21
40,125.53
157,367.99
TOTAL
5,308.432.61 70,181.55 5,378,614.16
4,871,672.88
189,286.41
12,996.71
304,658.16
1960
Real Estate & Charges
115,408.49
2,345.17
117,753.66
103,705.07
2,839.47
7,611.72
3,597.40
Poll Tax
82.00
2.00
84.00
50.00
34.00
Personal Tax
14,130.47
14,130.47
7,864.43
2,007.36
4.258.68
Auto Excise
322,461.24 10,709.83
333,171.07
293,442.15
35,691.53
4,037.39
TOTAL
452,082.20 13,057.00
465,139.20
405,061.65
40,572.36
7,611.72
11,893.47
Misc. Previous Years:
Personal Tax
893.00
893.00
400.00
493.00
Water
70.84
70.84
70.84
Real Estate
10,170.16
201.35
10,371.51
6,976.71
193.52
3,201.28
Auto Excise
260.19
15.30
275.49
218.58
56.91
TOTALL
11,394.19
216.65
11,610.84
7,595.29
250.43
3,765.12
175
Betterment Assessments:
Unapp. Assessments 379,818.16
379,818.16 20,500.50
49,740.38
334.67
174,220.41
155,522.70
Def. Apportionments 20,500.50
20,500.50
TOTAL 400,318.66
400,318.66
70,240.88
334.67
174,220.41
155,522.70
Miscellaneous Receipts : Interest
4,292.25
Statements & Discharges
1,858.00
Fees
3,269.05
TOTAL
9,419.30
TOTAL RECEIPTS
5,363,990.00
GEORGE W. GERRIOR, JR.
176
SEWER DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1961
New Construction :
3.6 Miles of new sewers were constructed during the year, as shown below:
Location
From
To
Pipe Size
Inches
Houses
Served
Length
In Feet
Abbott Street
Dickerman
Staten
8
2
151
Atlas Road
Thayer
Northerly
8
6
213
Belmont Street
Shaw
Easterly
8
7
377
Dickerman Lane
Bestick
Abbott
8
5
262
Doris Road
Helen
Summit
8
5
231
Drake Street
Wildwood
Southerly
8
2
243
Easement
Audubon
Pleasant View
8
480
Easement
Ejector Sta.
Wildwood
C.I. 8
50
Fairmount Ave.
Hayward
Summit
8
12
560
Gardner Terrace
Washington
End
8
3
248
Hayward Street
Shaw
Howard
8
24
1,057
Hayward Street
Marietta
Easterly
8
4
121
Hillcrest Road
Hayward
Summit
8
11
468
Hillcrest Road
Somerville
Summit
8
8
316
Hobart Street
Exist. Sewer
Summit
8
22
981
Kew Road
Strathmore
Westerly
8
4
197
Liberty Street
Claremont
Lincoln
8
8
376
Lincoln Street
Liberty
Summit
8
7
585
Marietta Avenue
Veranda
Hayward
8
6
274
Middle Street
Union
Southerly
8
25
1,559
Middle Street
Union
Northerly
8
19
802
Penniman Ter.
Strathmore
Northerly
8
7
302
Pleas. View Ave.
Easement
Westerly
8
9
260
Pond Street
Washington
Summit
8
14
1,159
Somerville Ave.
Shaw
Easterly
8
9
409
Somerville Ave.
Shaw
Hillcrest
8
7
420
Strathmore Cir.
Strathmore
Westerly
8
4
179
Strathmore Cir.
Strathmore
Penniman
8
11
479
Strathmore oad
Exist. Sewer
Strathmore
8
3
325
Thayer Road
Quincy
Summit
8
12
752
Trefton Drive
Vinedale
Westerly
8
18
825.
Trefton Drive
Easement
Westerly
8
3
217
Trefton Drive
Easement
Easterly
8
1
125
Washington St.
Plymouth
#1978 Washington
8
26
2,622
Wildwood Ave.
Ejector Sta.
Easterly
8
8
375
Wildwood Ave.
Ejector Sta.
Westerly
8
9
412
Wildwood Ave.
Force Main
Ejector Sta.
Westerly
C.I. 6
691
Totals
321
19,103
Total 1961 Construction
3.6 Miles
Previous Construction
60.4 Miles
Total Constructed to Date
64.0 Miles
177
This was the first year of a proposed 5-year program of lateral sewer construction based upon an expenditure of $350,000 per year.
Three separate contracts were let as follows:
#1 A. Singarella & Sons, Inc.
2 E. Susi & Williams Corporation
3 D. Federico Co., Inc.
All of the contract work was completed except Hillside Road and this will be done early in the spring of 1962. ..
The present, sewer system can now serve about 60 % of all the buildings in the Town.
Sewers in Dickerman Lane and Doris Road were in- stalled by and at the expense of private developers.
Assessments :
Sewer assessments, amounting to $105,345.69, were levied against 415 properties during the year. The as- sessment levy amounted to about 30% of the construction .cost.
House Connections :
There were 263 sewer connections, requiring 14,098 feet of pipe, completed during the year. Charges assessed for the work amounted to $63,649.08.
The new Howard Street Pumping Station was put into operation April 1. By the end of the year 73 houses were being served by this station.
The new underground Wildwood Avenue sewage ejector station was put into operation September 29. By the end of the year 31 houses were being served by this station.
New construction this year made the sewer available to serve 321 additional buildings and applications for con- nection were received from 210 of them.
There were 153 applications for sewer connection on file at the end of the year.
178
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 be effective in controlling root penetration. There were 27 stoppages of sewer connections due to root growths.
Recommendations for 1962:
1. Continue second year of 5-year plan for extension of lateral sewers: $350,000
2. Trunk sewer extensions : M.D.C. at Grove Circle to Hancock Street and Jef- ferson Street to Wayne Avenue : 150,000
3. Granite Street extension to serve busi- ness property on northerly side of route #128 and industrial development at end of Wood Road : 135,000
Total Recommended New Construction $635,000
The continued excellent cooperation and valuable as- sistance received from other departments of the Town throughout the year has materially aided the Sewer De- partment in accomplishing its work and is greatly appre- ciated.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU Superintendent
179
BRAINTREE AIRPORT COMMISSION
William G. Brooks, Chairman
John W. Murphy
George H. Robinson
William K. Stewart George T. Woodsum
The Braintree Airport, located off West Street near Old Route 128, is registered with the Massachusetts Aero- nautics Commission as a Private Landing Field, at lati- tude 40 degrees 12'-20" and longitude 72 degrees 02'- 25" and is operated under the direction of the Braintree Airport Commission.
Fifteen years ago the site of the Municipal Airport was a heavy wooded swamp area, allocated by the Brain- tree Water Commission, for the construction of a Muni- cipal Town Airstrip.
A group of young aviation enthusiasts returning from war service, worked every weekend for two years to complete the first stage of the airport. Money was scarce but youth and hard labor soon developed a flying field that allowed them to land their planes in safety.
Twelve years ago the Town of Braintree appro- priated $1,000. for the construction of the second stage of the airfield resulting in a 1500 foot runway. During the last three years a new group of citizens have con- tributed funds and labor to complete one of the best pri- vate airports on the South Shore with a 2500 foot runway 100 feet in width. This work was accomplished by the officers and members of the Braintree Airport Associa- tion.
The Braintree Airport Association, operating under the direction of the Braintree Airport Commission, in- cludes the actual fliers and persons interested in avia- tion. The association is open to residents of Braintree and the South Shore. It is not necessary to own a plane to be a member of this organization. Fliers, students and per- sons interested in aviation who wish to join the group should make application to the Association secretary. Dues are $10.00 per year to be used for field improve- ment. Monthly meetings are held at the Braintree Town Hall with interesting speakers and social gatherings fol- lowing the meetings.
180
Tie down facilities are available to plane owners. All persons with planes using the airport must register their planes with the Airport Supt. before using the Town Municipal Airport.
A town airport is a major factor in attracting large industrial plants with national distribution. Today most business and industrial companies are using small planes to service their customers. It is a known fact that more persons travel in small planes in the United States than are serviced by large commercial airlines. It is not the thought of the Braintree Airport Commission to have commercial airlines use the Braintree Airport as the run- way is too short for this service. Braintree has over 1,000 acres of land zoned for industry in areas that will not be detrimental to residential homes. Every manufacturing and business enterprise that builds in Braintree is a means of reducing the ever increasing tax rate.
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