USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1963 > Part 11
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The Town's Park Department operated Golf Course grossed $37,698.00 this year against $9,735.00 in 1955. The Course is self sustaining which in turn helps in the over-all Park Dept. budget. It is well to note that a boy or girl over twelve years old to twenty one years old can play fifty five hours of golf per week for the golfing season for only $25.00. The Golf Course Committee are proud to have set up this schedule to encourage teen agers to play this sport.
The Park Commissioners are grateful to the service organizations in our Town, and the Town departments who have assisted us in making 1963 a suc- cessful year.
GEORGE F. LEBEN, Chairman ARIGO LaTANZI, Vice Chairman EARL C. HOLLIS EDGAR M. LAWRENCE MITCHELL GAWLOWICZ LAWRENCE T. GINGROW A. ROSS MALCOLM
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT - 1963
HARRY T. SEARS Chief of Fire Department Superintendent of Fire Alarm
In 1963 out of a total of 1253 calls of all descriptions 166 resulted with a loss totaling $112,552.93. Property valuation involved by fire in 1963 $2,501, - 300.00, Lightning strike at the Braintree Electric Light plant resulted in a $135,000.00 loss, valuation $3,500,000.00 of plant itself these figures are not included in the figures shown above.
Fire prevention being the most effective weapon in lowering the fire loss and minimizing the physical dangers to our people, we have introduced the Junior Fire Marshall Program which has contributed measurably in control- ling hazardous conditions in the homes. Over 4,000 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 the Sprinkler and Fire Detection Law, all boarding or lodging houses, hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, schools, and all new business or indust- rial establishments having more than 3,000 square feet of floor area must be protected by a complete sprinkler system or a complete Fire Detection sys- tem.
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Mutual Aid plays a very important part in the protection of life and prop- erty. We are grateful to have automatic Mutual Aid with our neighboring city and towns.
During the year 1963 we used 38,600 feet of 2-1/2 inch hose, 38,000 feet of 1-1/2 hose, 95,000 feet of booster hose and 976 feet of ladders. Our Engines pumped water 244 hours and 10 minutes. We answered 50 calls for Oil-Gas- Water leaks, 14 Sprinkler Alarms, 70 False Alarms, 63 Building Fires, 526 calls for Grass-Woods-Dumps, we had 94 Investigations, 34 Resuscitators and Inhalators, 93 Automobile and Truck fires, 29 Mutual Aid Calls, 25 Auto- mobile Accidents and 255 Miscellaneous calls, making a total of 1253 calls for the year 1963.
Supervised drills and schooling in the Fire Department are carried on throughout the year to keep abreast of the most advanced fire fighting tech- niques and equipment. Drill Master and Ass't Drill Master attend all schools and demonstrations available thru the year.
In 1964 I have requested 4 additional Fire Fighters due to the increased property to be protected. Over $45,000,000.00 worth of new property must be protected.
To protect this additional property a 2nd man should be added to the 2nd Engine Company at the Central Station. This should eliminate building and equipping a new fire station in the South Shore Plaza district at this time.
The Fire Stations are in very good condition except for some minor re- pairs. The apparatus is in very good condition.
I have recommended the purchase of a 2nd piece of Aerial equipment. One 21 year old 65 foot Aerial Ladder is inadequate to protect a town with a popu- lation of 38,000. When we purchased the aerial ladder in 1942 we had 4,663 dwellings, today we have 8,800 dwellings plus new schools, numerous manu- facturing plants and the new South Shore Plaza District.
A permit is required from the head of the Fire Department for the installa- tion and storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas system, 41 permits were issued for such installations in 1963. 161 Permits for Blasting, 426 Permits for Stor- age of Fuel Oil in dwellings and 357 Permits for Fire in the open air.
The Fire Alarm System is in very good condition except for a 22 year old Fire Alarm Truck. I have recommended the purchase of a new fire alarm truck. In 1963 five new alarm boxes were added to the fire alarm system.
As my time of retirement as Chief of the Fire Department and Superinten- dent of Fire Alarm approaches, I want the Officers and members of the De- partment to know how I appreciate the efficient way they have carried out their duties.
In closing please accept my personal thanks to all who have assisted the Fire Department in any way.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY T. SEARS Chief of Department Supt. of Fire Alarm
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
PAUL W. YOUNG, Chairman FRED A. TENNEY, Clerk WHITNEY WITHINGTON, Member
The Board of Public Welfare under its Director and personnel rendered public assistance together with many social services to approximately 500 cases during the year 1963.
The median case load was 300 cases which were aided under the various categories of public assistance; namely, Old Age Assistance, Medical Assist- ance for the Aged, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Disability As- sistance and General Relief.
The State and Federal Governments through the Social Security Act grants reimbursements in all categories of relief except General Relief, as well as for the administration of the public assistance program.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Requirements for this program are based on need. To be eligible a person must be 65 years of age or over. Children of applicants are required by law to contribute to the support of their parents. Certain exemptions are deducted from gross income before legal liability is arrived at, if any.
The lien law effective since January, 1952 is still a requirement on the own. ership of property.
$26,467.00 in recoveries for assistance rendered in previous years was turned over to the Town Treasurer. This money is reallocated to the Federal, State and local governments. Recoveries are made under the Old Age Assist- ance Lien Law Chapter 118A, Sec. 4 and 4A, together with voluntary reim- bursements.
The total expenditures for the year 1963 amounted to $139, 726.33. The Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $14,580.58.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE AGED
This program functions under Chapter 118A, Sec. 23 through 32. It pro- vides for the medical needs of persons 65 years or over who are in need and medically indigent. Children of applicants are required by law to contribute to the support of their parents the same as under the Old Age Assistance Law. The legal liability of children is applied first as a resource to the medical needs of the parent.
The total expenditures for the year 1963 amounted to $187,091.49. The Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $32,170.39.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Since July 1962, this program has broadened, and in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Family Services, particular emphasis is being made on extended social service to meet special problems of families such as reduc- ing dependency through an effective program of rehabilitation services, jobs, job-training under the Federal retraining program, strengthening family life, and safeguarding children in hazardous home conditions. Social and econom- ic forces in our society together with growth in the child population are fac- tors to be considered in this program. Effective activity in the location of
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deserting fathers, and follow through of non-payment of support charges through the courts, is a continuous procedure by the Welfare Department.
The total expenditure in 1963 amounted to $70,647.55. Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $20,427.37.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
This program functions under Chapter 118D of the General Laws. To be eligible for this program a person must be 18 years of age up to 65 years of age and physically and totally disabled as certified by a complete medical report and approved by the State Medical Review Team. Reviews are made every six months and yearly periods for continued medical eligibility.
The total expenditures in 1963 amounted to $34,223.94. The Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $8,555.98.
GENERAL RELIEF
Under Chapter 117 this program assists those in need of assistance, med- ically indigent or who are not eligible for the other programs of assistance. On the basis of settlement laws under Chapter 116, the Town pays other cities and towns for assistance given to Braintree settled cases. As of 1/1/64 this law has been eliminated. Under Chapter 117, Section 24 and 24A notices are received from various hospitals of any Braintree resident who is hospitalized and in need of public assistance. These notices are investigated by our staff as to need and ability to pay.
The total expenditures in 1963 for General Relief, hospitalization and to other cities and towns was $14,667.77. Details of expenditures and receipts of all categories will be found in the Town Accountant's report.
Increased expenditures of Public Assistance has been due to increased costs of hospitalization and other medical needs. Effective January 1, 1964 an increase of 10.6 percent was granted by the State Commissioner of Ad- ministration and the Bureau of Hospital Costs and Finances.
A request has been made to the Selectmen for larger welfare quarters in which to work. The department has eight in personnel. Privacy of interview - ing recipients for Public Assistance is very limited.
The Director wishes to extend his appreciation in his first year of steward- ship for the fine cooperation extended by the personnel of the Welfare Depart- ment, Board of Public Welfare, Former Chairman Herbert Hollis, Harrison Smiley who resigned May 1, 1963, and other town officials and employees.
The social services of the Community Agencies extended through the Wel- fare Department has been most gratifying. Visiting Nurses Association, Protestant Services, St. Vincent De Paul Societies, many individuals and the press.
Respectfully submitted, LLOYD L. DOYLE Director of Public Assistance
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT JOHN V. POLIO, Chief
PERSONNEL
54 Police Officers 1 Clerk 17 Traffic Supervisors 1 Janitor
2 Substitute Traffic Supervisors
January 1, 1964
TO THE CITIZENS OF BRAINTREE:
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1963.
TOTAL ARRESTS 346
No. 1 - Crimes Against Person
20
Assault & Battery
13
Threats
1
Assault with Dangerous Weapon Rape
3
No. 2 - Crimes Against Property
102
Breaking & Entering & Larceny
5
Breaking & Entering & Attempt to commit Larceny
10
Fraud, Forgery
5
Larceny & Attempt
58
Larceny of Auto
1
Malicious Mischief
3
Using Motor Vehicle without authority Uttering
16
4
No. 3 - Crimes Against Public Order
224
Delinquency
2
Deserter from Army-Navy
3
Disturbing the Peace
13
Driving Motor Vehicle to Endanger
1
Driving Motor Vehicle while intoxicated
18
Drunkenness
142
Lewdness
1
Violating Motor Vehicle Laws
21
Neglect or Non-Support of Family
8
Non-Payment of Wages
1
Stubborness
3
Violating Traffic Rules
2
Tramp or Vagrant
2
Resisting Arrest
1
Possession Burglarious tools
3
Affray
2
Disposing of refuse on Public Way
1
3
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SUMMONSES ISSUED AND SERVED
1,143
Braintree Out of Town
125
1018
SUBPOENAS ISSUED AND SERVED
100
Braintree Out of Town
76
24
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Approximate number of vehicles registered in Braintree:
1962 - 17,012 1963 - 18,402
Total Accidents
1962 - 606 1963 - 534
Personal Injury (including 4 Fatals)
211
Property Damage
323
Four Way Violation Notices Reported to Registrar:
1962 - 86 1963 - 655
Unlawful Speed
510
Operating M.V. after Drinking
23
All Other Violations
122
Violation of Traffic & Meter Regulations :
1962 - 1169 1963 - 1903
Restricted Place
374
All Night Parking
250
Meter Violations
968
All Other Violations
311
Violations receiving court action
91
SUDDEN DEATHS
28
INSANE PERSONS
9
TOTAL SERVICE CALLS
6,397
TOTAL NON-SERVICE CALLS
5,563
TOTAL CALLS RECEIVED AT STATION
11,960
The year 1963 brought forth many changes - the first change came on Jan- uary 1, 1963 when Wampatuck became the official insignia of the Braintree Po- lice Department. Chief Wampatuck deeded the land known as Braintree which was then comprised of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook and Braintree to the towns - people on August 5, 1665 for the sum of twenty-one pounds -- 10 shillings (approximately $72.00).
January 26 Rescue of a small boy from drowning at Sunset Lake. Offi- cers Biagio A. Varroso and George H. Faustini commended by Board of Selectmen, Rotary Club and Police Department for their part in the saving of a life.
February 17 Theodore K. Buker promoted to rank of Sergeant. Assigned to the 12-8 Night Patrol. Patrolman William A. Gallivan assigned to the 4-12 Detective Bureau. Sergeant Herbert H. Eno put in charge of Detective Bureau.
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March 3
Leo J. Hart, Jr. appointed Deputy Chief of Police. Put in charge of the uniformed personnel.
April 1 Construction of central records room begun and indoctrina- tion of a new records system. Officer Paul J. McHugh put in charge of records. Room completed and new system in full operation within period of one month.
April 28 Three new patrolmen appointed: Leonard I. Torrey, Thomas H. Parsons and Thomas W. Cleggett.
May 7 Officers Charles P. Graziano and Donald R. Gustafson com- mended for apprehending person in the act of burglarizing the Highlands Pharmacy.
May 16 Officer Donald H. Snyder elected president of the National Police Officers Association.
May 30
Change in uniform specifications. New patches depicting Chief Wampatuck to be worn by all officers.
June 17
New pedestrian light approved and installed on Commercial St. for children going to and from Adams St. Playground. First "WALK" and "DON'T WALK" in the Town of Braintree.
June
Three vehicles traded in for three new vehicles. First auto- matic transmissions purchased on specifications.
June 28
Photographs taken at Sunset Lake in the A.M. showing the need for a Police Officer from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. instead of the usual hours of 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
August 30. Four new Lieutenants appointed effective October 13, 1963: Peter F. D'Amico, Joseph C. O. Gagne, Edward P. Long and Nofri C. Solimini.
September 23 Joseph J. Starkey and Harold F. Stewart promoted to Ser- geant - Pasqualino A. Leo reinstated as a patrolman - Donald R. Gustafson appointed permanent patrolman - all effective October 13, 1963.
October 13
Re-organization plan put into operation. Deputy Chief Leo J. Hart in charge of uniform personnel. Lieutenant Edward P. Long - Prosecutor and Officer-In- Charge of Detective Bureau. Rotation of Commanding Officers on all three shifts. Start of a Traffic Bureau - Sergeant Everett A. Buker in charge. The above are highlights of the re-organization plan. Limited space prevents further detail.
November 30 Officer George E. Wilson retired from the department after 32 years of faithful and loyal service.
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December 9 First training class - given by Lieutenant Edward P. Long Subject: Public and Human Relations. This started a series of training classes with the following instructors:
Lieut. Long
Court Procedure - Police Photography
Lieut. Gagne
First Aid
Lieut. D'Amico
Firearms Instructor
Sergt. E. A. Buker
Accident reports, correct issuing of
Uniform Traffic Tickets and Parking Violations.
Sergt. Eno
Fingerprinting and taking thereof.
The following men were sent to various schools sponsored by the F.B.I. and State Law Enforcement Agencies during the year 1963:
Chief
2 weeks administrative school
Lieut. 2 weeks training officers school
Lieut. 1 week firearms instructors school
Lieut.
30 hours First Aid Instructors School
Sergt.
2 weeks investigators school
Sergt. 1 day teletype school
2 Ptrlmn.
2 weeks investigators school
2 Ptrlmn. 6 weeks State Police School
1 Ptrlmn.
1 day teletype school
In my 1964 Budget I have requested the addition of 4 (four) new men - 1 Plainclothesman and 3 uniformed patrolmen. In order to give the town ade- quate cruiser coverage I am requesting that 2 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and a 1952 panel delivery truck be traded toward the purchase of an additional station wagon cruiser.
I have also recommended the replacement of one tube type radio now in the Ambulance and a new radio to be put in the Safety Car. In order to have in- stant communication with surrounding towns, M.D.C. Police and State Police - which is invaluable in the apprehension of violators of the law to all depart- ments concerned I have recommended the purchase of an intercity network radio. An improvement in our telephone system is recommended to give greater service and expedite all calls. This will be of benefit to the towns - people who sometimes receive a busy signal when they try to reach the Police Department.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Board of Selectmen and other officials of the Town and especially to the members of my Depart- ment for their cooperation during my first year as Chief of Police.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN V. POLIO, Chief Braintree Police Department
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THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Thayer Public Library present for your consideration the Financial Report of the Trustees and the Report of the Librarian for the year 1963.
Gordon W. Bryant, Treasurer
Doris A. Canavan
Constance S. Leggett
Gordon O. Thayer
Gilbert L. Bean, Chairman
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT - TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY December 31, 1963
PRINCIPAL FUNDS
Foundation Fund
$11,020.91
Caleb Stetson Fund
2,500.00
Rachel Thayer Fund
172.50
Nathaniel Hund Fund (with Town Treasurer)
Lucia E. and E. Stanwood Hollis Fund (with Town Treasurer)
Frank Kenna Fund
545.45
RECEIVED
Cash on hand January 1, 1963
1,430.56
Added during 1963 - Foundation Fund
443.74
Stetson Fund
100.44
Thayer Fund
7.19
Hunt Fund
873.00
Hollis Fund
Hollis Fund School Dept.
2,000.00
Kenna Fund
21.79
Miscellaneous Interest
91.96
$ 4,968.68
EXPENDED
From Foundation Fund
25.00
Hunt Fund
354.51
Hollis Fund
374.37
Hollis Fund School Department
2,000.00
$ 2,753.88
Cash on Hand January 1, 1964
2,214.80
$ 4,968.68
GORDON W. BRYANT, Treasurer Trustees of Thayer Public Library
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THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS, 1963
LIBRARY USE CIRCULATION
Main Library
Books, Periodicals, Pamphlets
Adult
113,477
+5,933
#Juvenile
127,855
-35,477
241,332
-29,544
Phonograph records
4,342
-245
Total
245,674
-29,789
Branches
Adult
28,708
+257
Juvenile
19,561
-679
48,269
-422
TOTAL LOANS
293,943
-30,211
#The juvenile circulation at the Main Library includes books which circulated over the desk at the Library and books which circulated from classroom de- posits at the schools.
Over-the-desk
107,083
-3,836
School deposits
20,772
-31,641
127,855
-35,477
OTHER USE
Group meetings in Library rooms
(including summer story hours)
157
+10
Money collected and turned over to the
Town Treasurer from fines & lost
books
$4,927.68
-$239.57
REGISTRATION OF BORROWERS
Adult
. Juvenile
Total
Borrowers, January 1, 1963
9,323
4,690
14,013
Registered in 1963
2,792
857
3,649
Borrowers moved or cards expired
2,534
454
2,988
Total registrations - December 31, 1963
9,581
5,093
14,674
LIBRARY MATERIALS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Books
Volumes, January 1, 1963
44,110
16,977
61,087
Added 1963
2,297
1,069
3,366
Withdrawn 1963
1,425
1,044
2,469
Volumes, December 31, 1963
44,982
17,002
61,984
Phonograph records
January 1, 1963
855
Added 1963
104
Withdrawn
12
Records, December 31, 1963
947
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
1963
November 3, 1963 marked the end of ten complete years of library service in the new Thayer Library building. These have been ten years of progress, and increased activity, years which reflect change; change in events of world- wide, national and local importance, and changes in library service.
EXTENDED HOURS
Beginning April 15, 1963, it was found possible, by rearranging staff schedules, to have the library open an additional evening in order to improve library service. This was done without additional personnel being added. The library is now open four evenings until 9:00 P.M. and two afternoons un- til 6:00 P.M.
Library Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9 - 9 Thursday, Saturday 9 - 6
THE YEARS RESULTS
Figures preceding this report indicate total loans of library materials of 293,493 and 14,674 registered borrowers or 47% of the population of the town. The library now owns 61, 984 volumes and 947 phonograph records. While the circulation figures indicates a loss, the number of borrowers registered dur- ing the year indicates an increase of 471 or 13%. In analyzing the loss in cir- culation, one fact is evident, that the loss has occurred only in the circulation of children's materials, and primarily in the number of books sent to class - rooms in the schools. This year 84 deposits were sent to the schools as com- pared to 101 last year, and the circulation of classroom books loaned was 20,772 as compared to 52,413 the previous year. There was a slight loss of 3% in the over-the-desk circulation of children's books at the library, and an increase of 4.4% in the circulation of adult books.
SHIFT IN SCHOOL USE
These figures also indicate new trends and changes in methods and needs. For many years, the public library has sent to a great many of the elemen- tary school classrooms, collections of about thirty books which could be used in each room or taken home by the pupils. This filled a great need for ma- terials in the classrooms, both for recreational reading and also for supple- mentary subject materials, since there were no libraries in the elementary schools. Now that the School Department receives the income from the Hollis Fund, money has been made available to each teacher to buy books for her room. Gradually, a classroom library is being developed, so that many teach- ers have not felt the need to bring to the schools extra material from the public library.
Both the Children's Librarian, Mrs. Cobb, at the Main Library and the Branch Librarians, Mrs. Giles and Mrs. Burgess, report their facilities are crowded with children using materials in the library; (reference books, pic- tures, periodicals) and yet they have taken from the library fewer books.
Changes in methods of teaching give the child more assignments which must be done during out-of-school hours, assignments which require more research. This leaves less time for purely recreational, take-home reading. For ex- ample: a fifth-grade child wants material on Marshall Tito, even before she
142
knows who Tito is; other fifth-grade children have an assignment on the Cuban crisis; and seventh-grade pupils have a debate on sending wheat to Russia. These reflect the changes in the work being expected of even the younger child. These assignments require current materials, much of which is found only in periodicals. This means that it is necessary for the children's room to draw more and more heavily on the adult reference department and adult materials. In the Adult Department, 62% of the increase in circulation was in non-fiction, periodicals, and pamphlets.
SERIOUS CONDITION
In 1963, the library added to its collection 385 fewer books than in 1962, yet it spent $2,589 more than in 1962; an increase of 39% in the amount spent per book. This increase is due to the following:
1. Increase in individual book cost:
Experts in the book and publishing field estimate that there has been a general increase of 15% in all types of books. The frequent price of a book of fiction is now about $5.95. An ordinary biography costs, fre- quently, $10.00 or more.
2. Purchase of more expensive items necessary:
It has become more and more necessary to buy technical and scientific books of an advanced nature. These run at least $9.00 to $12.50 each with discount of only 5% or 10%. The library is able to purchase only a small number of these books, yet they are needed and worthwhile books, not luxury items. Such books are too expensive for the average person to buy for his own library. They should be available to the townspeople at the public library.
According to national minimum standards, a town serving less than 100,000 population should add annually at least 1/5 of a volume per capita. With Braintree's population of 31,069, this would mean 6,213 books added annually. Braintree's library added just over half this number.
The Librarian made a study of book budgets in the eighteen towns most comparable to Braintree in the eastern area of Massachusetts. The figures were enlightening and serve as a warning. Of the eighteen towns, Braintree was the fourth highest in population. Braintree spent the lowest amount per capita, or $.40, for library materials, including books, periodicals, and rec- ords. The average per capita of these towns was $.76. If we fall any lower, we will not be eligible for State Aid. That is proof of how inadequate our book budget is.
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