USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1964 > Part 11
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Reflective Sheeting 6"
100 Yds.
Letters 4" @ 25 per Pkge.
72 Pkges.
Letters 2" @ 25 per Pkge.
26 Pkges.
Signs Facings
Keep Right 24"x30"
14
Slow Children 18"x24"
6
School 24"x24"
6
No Parking 12"x18"
40
Stop 24"x24"
10
Low Clearance 24"x24"
4
Blank - Yellow 24"x24"
4
Dead End 24"x24"
2
Blind Child 24"x24"
1
Deaf Child 24"x24"
1
Do Not Enter 24''x24"
2
Extruded Aluminum Sign Blades
Blades 6"x24"
44
Blades 6"x36"
10
Post sign bracketts
54
Street Painting
Cross walks at all schools and business areas were painted All school cross walks were painted yellow
Traffic White 121 gals.
Traffic Yellow 105 gals.
Painted approximately 5 miles of center lines
Snow Removal
All street - school parking areas - private ways were plowed and sanded Salting begins in business centers - main streets - hills and intersections as soon as snow covers the ground
Sand used
6137 tons
152 tons
Salt used
New Construction - Streets under the Betterment Act
Forest St. 885' x 40' Roadway
340 Tons Asphalt Mix 800 Lin. Ft. - Asphalt Curb
600 Lin. Ft. 12" Concrete pipe 120 Lin. Ft. 10" Concrete pipe
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3000 Gals. Liquid Asphalt 6 Catch Basins 4 Manholes
70 Cu. yds. Retaining Walls 4700 Cu. yds. Gravel
Putman Ave. - 75' x 40' Roadway
25 Tons Asphalt Mix 150 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
150 Cu. yds. Gravel 200 Gals. Liquid Asphalt
New Construction - Sidewalks under the Betterment Act
Forest St. 800' x 5' Sidewalk
79 Tons Asphalt Mix 800 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
162 Cu. yds. Gravel
Commercial St. 850' x 7' Sidewalk
84 Tons Asphalt Mix
850 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
Shaw St. 200' x 7' Sidewalk
20 Tons Asphalt Mix 200 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
5 Cu. Yds. Retaining Wall 40 Cu. Yds. Gravel
Walnut St. 2200' x 7' Sidewalk
105 Tons Asphalt Mix
2200 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
River St. 600' x 5' Sidewalk
54 Tons Asphalt Mix 600 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
Faxon St. 1000' x 7' Sidewalk
90 Tons Asphalt Mix 1000 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
Stetson St. 240' x 7' Sidewalk
27 Tons Asphalt Mix 98 Cu. Yds. Gravel
240 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
Elliot St. 550' x 7' Sidewalk
54 Tons Asphalt Mix 550 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
98 Cu. Yds. Gravel
Middle St. 440' x 7' Sidewalk
30 Tons Asphalt Mix 440 Lin. Ft. Asphalt Curb
75 Cu. Yds. Gravel
Union St. Drain
230 Lin. Ft. 42" Concrete pipe 40 Lin. Ft. 15" Metal Arched Pipe
3 Manholes 3000 Cu. Yds. Gravel
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192 Cu. Yds. Gravel
160 Cu. Yds. Gravel
Forbes Road Widen
120 Tons Asphalt Mix
64 Cu. Yds. Gravel
Chapter 90 Maintenance (Resurface with Type I Mix)
Hayward St. - Commercial St. to No. Bowditch St. Shaw St. to Quincy Ave.
Sanitary Land Fill - To cover Town Dump
10,000 Yds. - Contracted
With the water ban being in effect in June and to help eliminate a fire hazard, the Water Dept. gave us fill from their Great Pond Site. The Highway Dept. loaded and hauled approximately 15,000 yds.
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.
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1964
MOTH DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT PRIVATE PROPERTY SPRAYING
The procedure for spraying private property for other than Elm Trees:
The party for whom the spraying is to be done makes application and pay- ment to the Town Treasurer, who in turn forwards to us a copy of the receipt for payment.
DUTCH ELM DISEASE
28 samples of suspected trees were sent to the University of Massachusetts, Shade Tree Laboratories at Amherst, Mass.
Report of their diagnosis was as follows:
Diseased 20 Sterile 8
Contracted let for the removal of diseased trees and completed.
Respectfully submitted, AARON P. WHITCOMB
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH JOSEPH H. JUSTER, Chairman DR. MARY A. HALPIN, Clerk FORREST A. PARMENTER, Member FRANCIS E. CHAFE, Agent
Diptheria Clinic: The Diptheria Clinic this year was admirably conducted by the School Health Department in conjunction with the Board of Health. In all 1060 children received the benefits of this program.
Food Handling Establishments: A program of more frequent inspection of all the Town's food handling installations was instituted this year. The initial inspections were very thorough and we were pleased to find so few major sanitation violations. The cooperation of management in correcting unsatis- factory conditions called to their attention deserves commendations since it often involves expenditure of money. A bi-monthly test of all the eating and drinking establishments was made and results 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 incidence.
There were three occasions during 1964 when the Department was called upon to investigate into suspected dangerous or poisoned foods.
Tuberculosis Prevention, Communicable Diseases and Health Education: The execution of the various programs connected with the above named
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captions have been very efficiently carried out by the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association. Braintree still continues to report a low incident of com- municable diseases. Credit should also be given to the Braintree School Health Department for its active participation in the co-operative and assis- tance rendered to these Health Programs.
Milk Testing: Once each month samples of milk were taken from dealers delivering milk in Braintree. These samples were tested for butter fat, total solids, phosphates, bacteria and coli. These tests reveal that the milk being sold and delivered in Braintree maintains a consistently high level. It is pleasing to report that no milk-borne disease has occurred in Braintree for quite some few years.
Any resident so desiring can review the results of these tests at the Brain- tree Board of Health Office.
Plumbing Inspector's Report: Under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health a total of 1006 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.
Polio Clinic: It is pleasing to report that the success of mass immuniza- tions carried out here and throughout the Commonwealth resulted in that not one case of polio occurred in the State this year. Sabin oral polio will con- tinue to be offered free to the Doctors and the Braintree Visiting Nurse As- sociation upon request. No new mass clinics are planned for 1965 unless suggested by the Surgeon General of the Department of Public Health.
Gas Piping and Gas Appliances: During the first full year of operations there were 412 gas permits issued and inspections made. Before any gas piping or gas appliance is installed a permit must be issued by the gas inspec- tor. When the work is completed it is thoroughly tested by the gas inspector for approval.
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 42
July
38
February
23
August
35
March 43
September
40
April 47
October
47
May 41
November
44
June
33
December
38
Total
471
DENTAL HYGIENIST REPORT
September 9 -- December 23, 1964
At the opening of the school year dental examinations are 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.
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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 checked each card and care- fully studied those requesting clinic.
I consulted the teachers where the child attends, also district supervisors, district principals, school nurses and if in doubt the Visiting Nurse Associa- tion, before the pupils are eligible.
Other letters, telephone calls were made to parents as the occasion called for especially to explain to new families moving into town, the procedure of our dental clinic.
By determining the number of days in the school year that the dentist could work and considering the increased population, the condition of the teeth in each building, a working schedule is planned by the dental hygienist for just how long the dental clinic will remain in each school building.
There are fifteen schools to cover. I assist all the local dentists including the school dentist during the screening in every school throughout the entire town.
After these examinations are completed, I start my clinical work, also my education program.
Dental health posters are hung in all schools and reading materials in regard to tooth brushing habits at home, nutrition for good dental health are distributed.
I had a meeting with Mr. Ward, Director of Visual Aids, the first part of November. At this meeting, films were discussed and a program arranged to show dental films for age levels including kindergarten through the eighth grades.
I have planned to devote 'half of January and all of February and part of March showing these films on "Dental Health" education.
Dr. Ludlow has made it possible to continue the practice of awarding prizes to the pupils and teachers of the classrooms that attain 100% on dental charts.
Through the interest, co-operation and contributions of the local dentists are these awards made possible.
I had a meeting with Mr. Raymond in regard to rearranging the words to be used on a new dental card. As the previous card, sent home to the parent, was inadequate it was necessary to procure a new one.
The new card is more efficient as it relays the message home to the parent what type of service administered to the pupils by the local dentist, a better understanding of the purpose and goal of the dental health program.
An explanation is given also for the use of the dental certificate obtained by the pupil from the family dentist.
I was pleased to receive from the Board of Health permission to use the new fluoride solution.
140
As the "Luride Phosphate Fluoride" solution reduces tooth decay 70%, I hope my services will be effective in cutting down the rate of tooth decay in the mouths of the children we care for in our dental clinic.
In closing, I would like to thank principals, supervisors, teachers, nurses, secretaries and custodians for their excellent co-operation.
I wish also to thank Mr. Young, Mr. Raymond and members of the Board of Health, also the secretary and local dentists for their valued services.
Respectfully submitted, SABENA D. ARSENAULT, R.D.H.
Educational Materials were received from the following:
H. P. Hood & Sons, Inc.
New England Dairy & Food Council
National Dairy Council
Church & Dwight Company, Inc.
American Dental Assoc., Chicago, Il1.
International Apple Association, Washington, D.C.
Proctor & Gamble Company Oral B. Company
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND GOLF COURSE
Charles F. Abell, Superintendent
Playgrounds and waterfront areas were very active during this past dry summer. With the addition of the Foster School playground the Park Com- mission now have thirteen playgrounds for our summer organized play program.
At all playgrounds the following activities took place:
Midget Baseball League Junior Baseball League Girls Softball League Arts and Crafts
Archery Instruction Checker Tournament Active and quiet games
Horseshoe Tournament
Routine-playground activities Field Day
Special activities were:
Tennis Instruction Tennis Tournament After Supper Dances Baseball clinics
All-star baseball games Soccer games Tag Football games
Championship playoffs of above leagues
The swimming program at both Sunset Lake and Swifts Beach were both staffed with certified Red Cross swimming instructors who gave instructions to more than 700 Braintree youngsters in various swimming class divisions. A swimming meet was held at the end of the season that proved very success- ful. This will be part of our program in the future.
Our playgrounds were kept in good playing condition for all Spring and Fall athletic events. All fields were used to capacity to carry on scheduled games of the High School, Junior Highs, Little League Babe Ruth, Men's Softball
141
"Daily Park" will be ready for Athletic Teams in the Fall of 1965
Construction of Parking Lot for 75 cars at Swifts Beach
142
League, Drum and Bugle competitions, Industrial Leagues, etc. Over four tons of lime was used to mark off athletic fields for games.
A new athletic field (Daily Park) was build this year across the street from the Braintree Post Office. This athletic field will be ready for play next fall.
A new double tennis court was built at Watson Park, Hollis Fund money was used for its construction. Tennis is very popular throughout the town.
A new water system was installed at Hollis practice field so grass could be grown, but because of the Town water ban we were not allowed to use it. This coming year the Commission are going to install an artesian well to help the Town water problem.
The Park Department Golf Course had another successful season. More and more Braintree residents are taking up the sport. Braintree High School's golf team had a good season in the Bay State League.
The Park Commissioners are grateful to the service organizations in our town and the town departments who have helped make 1964 a very successful year.
EARL C. HOLLIS, Chairman LAWRENCE T. GINGROW EDGAR B. LAWRENCE I. RAYMOND LIBBY H. FREDERICK HERGET WILLIAM J. RIZZO MITCHELL GAWLOWICZ
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT - 1964 WALTER HENNESSEY Chief of Department Superintendent of Fire Alarm
In 1964 we answered a total of 1336 calls of all descriptions 170 of these resulted in a loss totaling $73,116.51. Property valuation involved by fire in 1964 was $5,467,182.00. 1963 was a record year with 1253 calls. 1964 we had 1336 calls which we topped 1963 record by 83 calls.
During the year 1964 we used 36,700 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose, 35,300 feet of 1 1/2 hose, 110,000 feet of booster hose and 1,041 feet of ladders. Our Engines pumped water 354 hours and 23 minutes. We answered 65 calls for Oil-Gas-Water leaks, 24 Sprinkler Alarms, 82 False alarms, 78 building fires, 612 calls for Grass-Woods-Dumps, we had 74 Investigations, 29 Resuscitators & Inhalators, 117 Automobile & truck fires, 45 Mutual Aid calls, 157 Miscellaneous calls, 1 Drowning, and 52 Automobile accidents making a total of 1336 calls for the year 1964.
In 1965 I have requested 4 additional Firefighters due to the increased property to be protected. I would like to put one firefighter on Engine 2 in the Central Station making a total of 2 men. The apparatus is getting very old. Engine 1 is 23 years old, Aerial Ladder 1 is 23 years old, Engine 4 is 22 years old, Forest Fire Truck 25 years old, Squad A is 19 years old, Engine 2 is 15 years old, Engine 3 is 11 years old, and Engine 5 is 7 years old.
I have recommended the purchase of a 2nd piece of aerial equipment. One 23 year old 65 foot aerial ladder is inadequate to protect a town of this size population - 36,000. When we purchased the aerial ladder in 1942 money was appropriated in 1941, we had 4,663 buildings. Today we have 10,000 buildings, 24 Schools public and private, 14 churches, 100 stores plus 50 Stores at the South Shore Plaza, 25 new industrial buildings in the last 4 years plus all of the old wooden buildings.
I have recommended one new 1000 gallon Pumping Engine for the Braintree Highlands Station. Engine 1 was purchased or delivered in 1942, money ap- propriated in 1941. Motor was rebuilt in 1962, motor broke down three times this past year. One time the new piston let go in March of 1964, November 2 of 1964 a bearing burnt out, and December 30 of 1964 the valve seats came out and each time this happened the Engine was tied up for 2 weeks.
I have recommended 6 new transistorized radios for cars and trucks, 1 for desk in office, and transmitter and aerial equipment complete. One new foam maker, 1 new automatic water vac, and 17 new nozzles to change over all 20 1b. powder extinguishers, and 1 new chief's car with trade in value of 1963 Plymouth Sedan.
The Fire Alarm System is in fair condition, getting very old. It was in- stalled in 1931 - 34 years old. Circuits are getting overloaded. In 1964 five new fire alarm boxes were added to the fire alarm system. We will not allow stores, factories, industrial plants, to be hooked up to our fire alarm system. They must come in to our station over telephone lines. We will allow nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, motels, schools, and churches to be connected to the town fire alarm system, all others must come in to station over A.D.T., Firelite, Minneapolis Honeywell, Hyde Park Systems available to them.
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Mutual Aid plays a very important part in the protection of life and property. We are grateful to have Automatic Mutual Aid with our neighboring city and towns.
Fire Prevention being the most effective way in lowering the fire loss and minimizing the physical danger to our people. We have introduced the Junior Fire Marshall Magazine Program again this year in schools. 6000 copies of the Fire Marshall Magazine was distributed in the Braintree Schools. The program has controlled hazardous conditions in the home. Over 6000 homes in the Town of Braintree were inspected through the Fire Marshall Magazine.
The Fire Department Fire Prevention Program has reduced our fire losses and protected the lives of our people. Our inspections in the churches total 56. In 24 schools public and private, we had 576 fire drills in 1964. All stores, shops, factories, industrial plants, garages, gas stations, hospitals, convalescent and nursing homes, hotels, motels with inn holders licenses, schools, churches, town buildings, and dance halls are inspected every 3 months. Assistant Chief Edward Hennebury has charge of all inspections in churches and gasoline stations. Deputy Chief Daniel Ryan has all inspections in stores, industrial plants and factories. Deputy Chief Arthur McGibbon has inspections of all schools, nursing & convalescent homes, hotels, motels, and town buildings. Deput Chief Edward Gannon has all oil burners and oil tanks. All deputies have fire duty. Supervised drills are carried out every day Monday thru Friday for 2 hours. In the summer we have outside drills, opera- tion of 8 different pumping engines, aerial ladder, hose and ladder evolutions, 300 pieces of equipment which are used on the ground and over ladders, simplified hydraulics on water volumes and pressure, ladder distances from building, studying locations of hydrants, streets, fire alarm boxes and water main sizes in the streets. Pumping water from hydrants and drafting water from ponds, rivers, or lakes. Friction loss in hose, resuscitators, inhala- tors, foam makers, water vacs, and all types of extinguishers.
Drill Masters Deputy Chief Daniel Ryan and Deputy Chief Arthur McGibbon, under the direction and supervision of the Chief of the Braintree Fire Depart- ment, Walter Hennessey. Drill Masters have attended all fire schools and demonstrations of the State Vocational Training School.
Permits issued for year of 1964 by the Fire Department - Storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas System - 22, Permits for Blasting Operations - 83, Permits for Storage of Fuel Oil - 191, Permits for Storage of Range Oil - 10, Permits for Storage of Diesel Fuel - 5. The Fire Department issues permits for storage up to 2500 gallons fuel oil and 10,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil No. 5-6.
Please accept my personal thanks to all who have assisted the Fire De- partment in anyway.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER HENNESSEY Chief of Department Superintendent of Fire Alarm
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Total number of calls during the year 1336 divided as follows:
Box Alarms Month Still Alarms Box Alarms Month Still Alarms
13
January
34
16
July
108
4
February
38
22
August
116
20
March
94
13
September
93
15
April
115
24
October
96
21
May
120
24
November
107
23
June
155
21
December
44
216
Totals
1,120
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
RALPH W. PROCTOR, Chairman PAUL H. YOUNG, Clerk ROBERT E. FRAZIER, Member
In 1964 the social service staff of the Public Welfare Department made 2,703 purposeful contacts, which includes applications, investigations and reinvestigations pertaining to Public Assistance programs together with many inquiries.
The categories of Public Assistance are as follows: Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Disability Assistance and General Relief.
Reimbursements are made to the town by the Federal and State Govern- ments on the total expenditures according to a specific formula on all cate- gories of assistance under the Social Security Act.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Old Age Assistance is a program of public assistance established in Chap- ter 118A of the General Laws for elderly persons 65 years or over who are in need. In determining the need of an aged person, income from any source and property ownership of all types must be considered. Children of appli- cants are required by law to contribute to the support of their parents less certain exemptions.
The lien law effective since January 1952 is still a requirement on the ownership of property.
The total expenditures for the year 1964 amounted to $135,324.94. The towns share after Federal and State reimbursements together with other cities and town payments was $13,699.87.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE AGED
Medical Assistance for the Aged is a program of public assistance estab- lished by the General Laws Chapter 118A under which medical care is pro- vided for persons 65 years or over, whose income and resources are insuffi- cient to meet the costs of necessary medical services. In determining the needs of an aged person, income from any source and property ownership must be considered. However, the law established certain exemptions for the applicant. The general provision of law is that an unmarried person has an exemption of $150 monthly income and $2000 ownership of personal assets, a
146
married couple has an exemption of $225 monthly income and $3000 ownership of personal assets.
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 lia- bility of children is applied first as a resource to the medical needs of the parent. The applicant has the responsibility of cooperating fully with the local Board of Public Welfare in its investigation to determine eligibility and need for assistance. The investigation must cover information relative to income from any source housing arrangements, rent, board and room, insurance, real estate, personal property, savings deposits, cash on hand, wages of children, and various other points that may have to be considered in an individual case.
The total expenditures for the year 1964 amounted to $206,022.66. The Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $35,374.04.
AID TO FAMILIES OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN
In conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Family Services, particular emphasis is being made on extended social services to meet special problems of families such as reducing dependency through an effective program of re- habilitation services, jobs, job training under the Federal Retraining Programs and Economic Opportunity Act, thus insuring insofar as possible through the parents, that each child has maximum opportunity to benefit from parental care and community resources with special emphasis upon health, education and vocational training and social relationships so as to prepare for responsible and socially sound adulthood.
Effective activity in the location of deserting fathers and follow through of non-payment of support charges through the courts is a continuous procedure by the Welfare Department.
The total expenditures in 1964 amounted to $92,780.03. The Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $26,900.88.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Disability Assistance is a program of public assistance established by Chapter 118D of the General Laws under which assistance is provided for needy persons who are permanently and totally disabled. In determining the needs of the disabled person, income from any source and property ownership of all types must be considered. To be eligible for this program a person must be 18 years of age up to 65 years of age and permanently and totally dis- abled as certified by a complete medical report and approved by the State Medical Review Team. Reviews are made every six monthly and yearly periods for continued medical eligibility.
The total expenditures in 1964 amounted to $39,423.41. The Town's share after Federal and State reimbursements was $9,855.87.
GENERAL RELIEF
General Relief is a program of public assistance established by the General Laws Chapter 117. It assists those in need of public assistance, medically indigent or who are not eligible for the other programs of assistance.
Under Section 6, the kindred of such poor persons, in the line or degree of father, mother and children, by blood relationship, living in the Commonwealth,
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