USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1963 > Part 4
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$2,254.12 be taken from dog license
receipts and the balance of $18,145.88 be raised in the tax levy.
New Equipment:
Furniture
165.00
Fire Extinguisher
30.00
Window Grates
140.00
Rubber Matting
48.00
Mirror
20.00
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Electric Fans (2) Out of State Travel Alterations-Main Library (New Bst. Entrance)
$ 57.00
75.00
298.00
90,116.84
ARTICLE 2.
MOVED the following Resolution by Mr. Bean:
Resolved, that it is the sense of this meeting that the State Grant for Free Public Libraries under Section 19A, Chapter 78, of the General Laws, which comes to Braintree each year, should be divided so that the portion thereof which would have come to Braintree under the equalization formula, formerly applicable, shall have unrestricted use as before, but that the portion of the Grant in excess of this amount, if any, should be appropriated to make possible special improvements of library service which would not be pos- sible within the normal appropriation which would be made for library purposes in the absence of this Grant.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Bean, Mr. McConnell and Fire Chief Sears.
Comes now the question on the Resolution by Mr. Bean.
Vote was taken and the Moderator being in doubt a Teller count was ordered. Vote and count were taken and the Tellers reported 97 votes in the affirmative and 67 votes in the negative. The Moderator then declared the Resolution by Mr. Bean
SO VOTED
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Delory, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Annual Town Meeting be adjourned until 7:45 P.M., Tuesday, March 19, 1963.
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1963
The Adjourned Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 7:50 o'clock in the evening of Tuesday, March 19, 1963, by the Moderator, Mr. John J. Canavan.
There were 179 Town Meeting Members present.
The Moderator declared a quorum present.
Prayer for Divine Guidance was offered by Rev. M. James Workman, Pastor of the First Congregational Church.
The following Tellers were appointed by the Moderator to serve during the course of the evening.
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Herbert Hollis Roger Champagne Patricia Arnold Ernest Frawley
Linda Burdett George Allen Jack Ainsleigh Barbara Keefe
We now continue with consideration of the Articles in the Warrant.
MOVED by Mr. Paul Young in compliance with Article II, Section 7 of the By-Laws:
Reconsideration of action taken under Article 14, Item 17, Fire Depart- ment.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Paul Young, Mr. McMaster, Mr. Laing and Mr. Withington.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Paul Young.
Vote was taken and the Moderation declared that there being more than the required two-thirds vote in the affirmative the motion by Mr. Paul Young was
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 17. Fire Department
MOVED by Mr. Paul Young:
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $15,830.16 for four new men as follows: Salary, $14,092.00; $ 15,830.16 Vacations, $420.00; Uniforms and incidentals, $800.00; Holidays, $ 518.16.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Paul Young, Mr. Foley, Fire Chief Sears, Mr. McMaster and Mr. Pinault.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Paul Young.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 34. Thayer Public Library
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $90,116.84 as follows:
Salaries-Librarians
$ 59,085.25
Salaries-Janitors
6,798.59
Binding
3,000.00
Expenses (Including Thayer Fund)
20,400.00
That of the sum of $20,400.00 to be
raised and appropriated for expenses
of the Thayer Public Library, $2,254.12
be taken from dog license receipts
and the balance of $18,145.88 be raised in the tax levy. New Equipment:
Furniture
165.00
Fire Extinguisher
30.00
Window Grates
140.00
Rubber Matting
48.00
Mirror
20.00
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Electric Fans (2) Out of State Travel Alterations-Main Library (New Bst. Entrance)
$ 57.00 75.00
298.00
90,116.84
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Bean:
That $3430.00 be appropriated to install a fire detection system in the Thayer Public Library in accordance with advice and approval of the Fire Chief of Braintree and the Fire Underwriters Laboratories, and that to meet said appropriation $2110.78 be transferred from available funds in the Treasury and the balance of $1,319.22 raised in the tax levy.
Mr. Bean spoke on the amendment.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Bean.
SO VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion as thus amended.
SO VOTED
$ 93,546.84
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 35. Cemeteries
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $4,410.00 as follows:
Plain Street Cemetery
Salary-Superintendent
$ 700.00
Grave Openings
500.00
Labor
550.00
Materials and Supplies
300.00
Expenses
200.00
Pond Street Cemetery
Salary-Superintendent
600.00
Grave Openings
150.00
Expenses and Labor
750.00
First Parish Cemetery
460.00
Office Expenses
200.00
4,410.00
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Paul Young:
That under Office Expenses the sum of $200.00 be increased to $300.00 and that the total sum raised and appropriated be increased to $4,510.00 $ 4,510.00
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Paul Young.
SO VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion as thus amended. SO VOTED
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ARTICLE 14, ITEM 46. Water Department, Maintenance and Operation
That there be appropriated for the maintenance, operation and develop- ment of the Water Supply System, including the purchase of new equipment, laying and relaying of Water Mains and necessary land takings, the sum of $413,622.55 to be expended as follows:
Salary-Superintendent
$ 8,400.00 4,968.75
Salary-Executive Secretary
Salary-Clerks
16,350.50
Salary-Adjustments 368.80
Debt and Interest
43,334.50
Out-of-State Travel
200.00
Other expenses including new equipment and wages
340,000.00
$413,622.55
And to meet said appropriation, the sum of $58,425.30 shall be transferred from the Water Department Reserve at the end of 1962 and the balance of $355,197.25 shall be taken from the Revenue of the Water Department for the year 1963.
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Matthews:
That there be appropriated for the maintenance, operation and develop- ment of the Water Supply System, including the purchase of New Equipment, Laying and Relaying of Water Mains and Necessary Land Takings, the sum of $437,368.22 to be expended as follows:
Salary, Superintendent
$ 8,400.00
Salary Clerks
21,319.25
Salary Adjustment (Men)
368.80
Debt & Interest
43,334.50
Out of State Travel
200.00
Other Expenses, including new equipment and wages
363,745.67
$437,368.22
And to meet said appropriation the sum of $58,425.30 shall be transferred from the Water Department Reserve at the end of 1962 and the balance of $378,942.92 shall be taken from the Revenue of the Water Department for the year 1963.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Matthews and Mr. McConnell.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Matthews.
Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Mr. Matthews LOST.
MOVED by Mr. Matthews:
That the motion by Mr. McConnell be tabled until after consideration of Article 37.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Matthews, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Hunt.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Matthews.
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Vote was taken and the Moderator declared that the motion by Mr. Matthews LOST.
Comes now the question on the motion.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 48. Personnel Board
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $1,300.00 as follows:
Clerical Expenses $ 50.00 1,250.00 $ 1,300.00
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Laing:
That for Expenses the sum of $1,250.00 be increased to $5,250.00 and that the sum of $1,300.00 to be raised and appropriated be increased to $5,300.00.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Laing and Mr. McConnell.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Laing.
Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Mr. Laing LOST.
Comes now the question on the motion.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 49. Civil Defense
MOVED by Mr. McConnell:
Administrative Expenses
$ 100.00
Auxiliary Fire Dept. (Equipment)
200.00
Auxiliary Police Dept. (Equipment)
563.00
Communications
318.00
Radiological Service
325.00
New Equipment: All Band Transmitter Receiver Warning System Line Rental
450.00
714.00 $ 2,670.00
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Reynolds:
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $2,407.20 as follows:
6 fixed/ mobile transmitter receivers on the 2 meter frequency, approved FCDA models, @ $439.95 each, less trade-in of
2 Gonset II transmitter/receivers, 2 meter frequencies @ $300.00 $ 2,339.70
18 transmitting crystals, 2 meter and
6 meter, @ $3.75 each, for new CD frequencies, .005 tolerance 67.50
$ 2,407.20
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Reynolds and Mr. McConnell.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Reynolds.
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Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Mr. Rey- nolds LOST.
Comes now the question on the motion.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 56. Chlorination of Sunset Lake
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $2,200.00.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Richardi and Mr. McConnell.
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Hollis:
That the sum of $2,200.00 be increased to $2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 Mr. Richardi spoke on the amendment.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Hollis.
SO VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion as thus amended.
SO VOTED
SO VOTED: That Article 14, Item 19, Police Department, be taken from the table.
ARTICLE 14, ITEM 19. Police Department
SO VOTED: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $2,039.56 for new men to be allocated as follows:
Salary Adjustments $ 260.00
Salary- Vacations
494.20
Salary-Sickness
534.00
751.36
Holiday Pay $ 2,039.56
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. McConnell:
That Uniforms-New Men be amended to read $375.00.
MOVED the following amendment by Police Chief Polio to the amendment by Mr. McConnell:
That Uniforms-New Men be amended to read $1,750.00.
Discussion ensued involving Police Chief Polio and Mr. McConnell.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Police Chief Polio to the amendment by Mr. McConnell. 1
Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Police Chief Polio to the amendment by Mr. McConnell LOST.
Comes now the question on the amendment.
53
SO VOTED
MOVED the following amendment by Police Chief Polio:
That Salary-Sickness and Injury be increased from $6,000.00 to $9,851.76.
Discussion ensued involving Police Chief Polio and Mr. McConnell.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Police Chief Polio.
Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Police Chief Polio LOST.
MOVED the following amendment by Police Chief Polio:
That Salary-Court Time and Overtime be increased from $2,000.00 to $2,500.00.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Police Chief Polio.
Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Police Chief Polio LOST.
MOVED the following amendment by Police Chief Polio:
That Uniforms for Men be increased from $3,525.00 to $3,675.00.
Discussion ensued involving Police Chief Polio and Mr. McConnell.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Police Chief Polio. SO VOTED
MOVED the following amendment by Police Chief Polio:
That Expenses-General be increased from $14,225.00 to $19,675.71.
Discussion ensued involving Police Chief Polio and Mr. McConnell. Comes now the question on the amendment by Police Chief Polio.
Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Police Chief Polio LOST.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Littlejohn, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Laing.
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. McConnell:
That Salary-Deputy be increased from $6,462.50 to $6,480.33.
Mr. McConnell spoke on the amendment.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. McConnell.
SO VOTED
Comes now the question on the main motion by Mr. McConnell on Article 14, Item 19, Police Department, as amended through- out the Town Meeting.
$396,004.19
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UNANIMOUSLY VOTED
The Moderator recognized the presence of the Honorable James S. McCormack, Senator 1st Norfolk District, who was greeted with applause by the assembly.
The Moderator announced the appointment of Ruth Shuster as a Teller to replace Patricia Arnold.
ARTICLE 15. Municipal Light Plant
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the sum of $51,000.00 appropriated under Article 15 of this Warrant, for Electricity used for street lighting together with the income from the sales of electricity to private consumers and for current supplied to Municipal Buildings and for Municipal Power and from the sales of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year be expended under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board for repairs, renewals, new construction and operating expenses of the plant, including a sum not to exceed $51,000.00 be turned over to the Town Treasury in lieu of taxes, and including $1,000.00 for out-of-state travel, for the fiscal year as defined in Section 57, Chapter 164 of the General Laws and that if said income shall exceed the expenses for the fiscal year such amount of excess as is deemed necessary by the Municipal Light Board shall be transferred to the Construction Fund of said plant and appropriated and shall be used for such additions to the plant as may thereafter be authorized by the Municipal Light Board and any remaining amount paid into the surplus of the Town Treasury.
ARTICLE 16. Salaries Electric Light Commissioners
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 44.)
ARTICLE 17. To authorize housing for the elderly.
MOVED by Mr. Withington:
That the Town vote to accept Housing for the Elderly under General Laws, Chapter 121, Section 26 SS to 26 VV.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Beaver, Mr. Connolly, Miss Bates, Mr. Gustafson, Mr. Morton and Mr. Ainsleigh.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Ainsleigh, it was
SO VOTED: Indefinite postponement.
ARTICLE 18. Appropriation for Committee for the Aging.
That the sum of $500.00 be raised and appropriated to be expended by the Committee for the Aging for the distribution of information to the people 65 years old and older giving data on services available to people of these ages.
MOVED the following amendment by Mr. Connolly:
That the amount be increased from $500.00 to $800.00 $ 800.00
Under ARTICLE 2 Mr. Beaver submitted the following report for the Committee for the Aging:
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The Committee of the Aging was formed at the request of the moderator with town meeting approval at last years annual Town Meeting after a pro- gress report was submitted by the Study Committee.
After several committee meetings, it was decided to hold an open meet- ing to discuss with town-s older citizens what problems there were in this area.
On November 10, at the Town Hall, a meeting was held. In spite of its being a rainy day, 250 senior citizens attended. The following conclusions were drawin, that there was a definite need in the following categories:
Education, Recreation, Medical or Dental, Housing and Financial Assistance.
It was brought out that housing was the most pressing need. To further determine that this was a truly representative group, it was the committee's opinion that a questionnaire should be mailed to everyone in town over the age of 64. Toward the end of the year, with the cooperation of the school department, a mailing list was compiled and two forms were mailed. One form required information on housing only, the other, general information. The results of the answers to these forms are as follows:
167 - people are interested in housing for the elderly
109 - interested in medical or dental assistance
64 - recreation 59 - educational opportunities 39 - in some form of financial assistance
Based on these facts it is the thinking of the committee that there is a definite need for housing for the elderly in Braintree.
Under Article 18, the committee is asking, with Finance Committee approval, for $1,000.00 to continue the work of the committee in areas other than housing. This year a booklet will be printed listing all the available services with names and telephone numbers of persons to call in the areas of Recreation, Medical & Dental, Legal, Church groups, and many others.
Respectfully submitted,
James Buckley, Rodney Powers, Joseph Connolly, Ovidio Chiesa, William Gustofson, Whitney Withington, Paul Foley, Charles Kelley - Secretary Howard Beaver - Chairman
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the report of the Committee for the Aging be accepted as a report of progress.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. McConnell and Miss Bates.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Connolly.
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SO VOTED
Comes now the question on the motion as thus amended. SO VOTED
ARTICLE 19. Memorial Day
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 51.)
ARTICLE 20. Rent of Hall for VFW
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 54.) ARTICLE 21. Rent of Hall for DAV
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 59.) ARTICLE 22. Hydrant Maintenance
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 55.) ARTICLE 23. Chlorination of Sunset Lake
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 56.)
ARTICLE 24. South Shore Mosquito Control Project
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 58.) ARTICLE 25. Insect Pest Control
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 27.)
ARTICLE 26. Dutch Elm Disease
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 14, Item 27.)
ARTICLE 27. Indemnity Agreement, Waterways or Highways projects
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: That the Town will assume liability in the manner provided by Section 29 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, as most recently amended by Chapter 5, Acts of 1955, for all damages that may be incurred by work to be performed by the Department of Public Works of Massachusetts for the improvement, development, maintenance and pro- tection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, harbors, tide-waters, fore- shores and shores along a public beach, including the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, in accordance with Section 11 of Chapter 91 of the General Laws, and authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver a bond of indemnity therefor to the Commonwealth.
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Johnson, Town Clerk, submitted the report of the Commit- tee to Study the Use of Automatic Voting Machines as follows:
1. Purpose. To analyze the use of voting machines as a possible substi- tute for the present method of manually computing the results of electron ballots for the Town of Braintree.
57
2. Background:
a. The population growth of most of the cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during recent years, has resulted in a comparable increase in the numbers of eligible voters in all communities.
b. At present, the method of computing election results throughout the Commonwealth is accomplished by the process of manual count, in the majority of cities and towns and by automatic voting machines in the minority of cities and towns.
c. It is a proven fact that the tally sheets of votes by automatic voting machines can show election results much faster than those completed by the manual process.
d. The Town of Braintree utilizes the manual method of computing voting results.
3. Action.
a. A review of public information pertaining to the use of automatic voting machines has been made by members of the committee. This review has included a study of proposed legislative action concerning the subject matter, discussions with public representatives, and an evaluation of news- paper accounts regarding the pros and cons of the question of voting machines.
b. Evaluation of the composition of voters within established pre- cincts is considered necessary to determine distribution and effectiveness of population dispersal throughout the town. The effects of population in- creases of voters within the town during the past few years must be related to any planned change to the use of automatic voting machines.
c. Consideration of economic factors is of prime importance to the Town prior to the acceptance or rejection of the use of automatic voting machines.
d. As an outgrowth of this study, the committee, has introduced an Article requesting Selectmen to conduct a comprehensive review of the composition and effectiveness of the present structure of existing precincts. It is expected that adoption of this proposal will provide sufficient factual information to enable town meeting members to better evaluate existing or improved methods of voting procedures for the town.
e. In the event that objective planning should consider it feasible to warrant the ultimate purchase of automatic voting machines, there are two reasons why precincts should be consolidated when such machines are installed - to effect a saving and to keep the number of machines required to a minimum.
f. The approximate cost of each voting machine is $1800. It has been estimated that three to four machines would be required in each precinct. This would require an expenditure by the town of more than $70,000 under existing arrangements. In addition to this cost, the town would have to add the expense of transportation, storage and the proper care of the machines.
g. At this time, it is considered that it would be unrealistic to pre- determine the amortization rate for each machine. Development of additional pertinent information will be needed prior to finalization of specific recom- mendations concerning this matter.
58
Since the machines are used for state and federal governments during the course of elections, it should be expected that they would share the cost or subsidize them. In this regard, the State Election Division is making an effort to find possible ways to help come up with methods to defray the costs of purchasing machines.
Recommendation:
a. Selectmen approve and conduct a study to determine whether the need exists to maintain, increase or consolidate existing precincts in the town.
b. Continue the existing committee on "Voting Machines" to further study the advantages or disadvantages in the use of automatic voting machines by the Town of Braintree.
Submitted:
Mr. Carl Johnson, Member Mr. Henry Mullowey, Member Mr. Louis V. Cassidy, Member
SO VOTED: That the report of the Committee be accepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 28. Revise voting precincts and boundaries.
SO VOTED: That the Selectmen be requested and directed to review, and if need be, to revise the voting precincts and boundaries thereof in December 1963.
ARTICLE 29. Chapter 646, Acts of 1962, increasing pensions and retirement allowances.
SO VOTED: Indefinite postponement.
ARTICLE 30. Chapber 409, Acts of 1962, Pedestrian Control.
To accept the provisions of Chapter 409 of the Acts of 1962 providing for pedestrian control.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Morton, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Little- john.
Comes now the question on the motion.
SO VOTED
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Cusack submitted the majority report of the Braintree Conservation Committee as follows:
After careful study, it is the recommendation of the Braintree Conserva- tion Committee, appointed by the Moderator after the 1962 Annual Town Meeting, that the Town of Braintree create a Conservation Commission, under the provisions of Chapter 223, Acts of 1957 (Chapter 40, Section 80 General Laws as amended).
Mr. Charles E. Downe, the consultant who is preparing the Braintree Master Plan, also has recommended a Conservation Committee.
About fifty per cent of the Town is still undeveloped and the conservation of its natural resources is imperative. Braintree's population is increas-
59
ing; consequently the demand for recreational facilities, water, etc., will increase accordingly.
The Town has no single agency coordinating water supply, drainage areas wetlands, flood control, river pollution, fishing, boating, swimming, hunting, etc.
Properly organized, this Conservation Commission would complement, not overlap or conflict with, any existing private or public agency. As an example, it could assist the flood committee in supplying such information as drainage areas, and assist the planning board in flood plain zoning.
Recently, the Conservation Commissions of Hingham, Norwell, Cohasset and Scituate in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources prepared plans for the development of the thirty-seven hundred (3700) acres of the old Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot annex -- in the event that the land is declared surplus.
The Commission would be eligible to receive money from the State for recreational facilities and from the Federal Government for pollution control. Also, the Commission could purchase, or acquire by gift, land for a green belt area.
A Commission, rather than a Committee, should be established so that the Commission would have equal status with other Commissions from neighboring towns in discussing drainage areas, green belt areas and water supply areas which do not stop at town or city lines. Normally, a com- munity cannot solve these problems by itself.
The Conservation Committee, having completed its assignment requests that it be discharged on acceptance of this Report.
Very truly yours, John J. Cusack, Chairman Harry C. Lake, Member
The minority report of the Braintree Conservation Committee was sub- mitted as follows:
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