USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1964 > Part 15
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send Co. Textron Plant are paying their own bonds and interest charges, from taxes from these first plants, that would not have built in Braintree without sewers. These three sewer lines are not costing the taxpayers of Braintree a single penny.
The Coca Cola Co. sewer and water lines have opened up 130 acres of in- dustrial zoned land in the Messina Granite St. Industrial Center, 70 acres in the Campanelli Granite St. Industrial Center and will provide sewer facilities for 400 homes in the South Braintree area. This past summer the entire Armstrong Circle area was connected to the Coca Cola main sewer line. The Tubular Rivet trunkline sewer installation will also serve 97 homes in the area. 30% Federal assistance will be returned to the town toward the cost of these two main trunkline sewer projects. The Wood Road main sewer facility has attracted 9 industrial companies to build plants or purchase land in this area that three years ago was wild vacant land. 50 acres of land are still available for future industrial development in the Wood Road Industrial Plaza.
Braintree 1964 Industrial & Business Projects are as follows:
A. Buildings Completed or are Under Construction in 1964.
1. Townsend Co. Tubular Rivet & Stud Division of Textron Inc. $1,000,000.00 130,000 sq. ft. building on 35 acres of land. West St. Braintree National Company - Founded 1865 - Formal opening Decem- ber 8, 1964
2. Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Braintree
$1,000,000.00 building & equipment on 6 1/2 acres of land - 70,000 sq. ft. bldg. International Company - Formal opening August 19, 1964
3. Ross Professional Building - Braintree 5 Corners 8800 sq. ft. 2 story building and Jenney Gasoline Station Milton Bank & Trust Co. occupy first floor - 9 offices on second floor occupied by William C. Field Co., Insurance; Black & Co., Real Estate; Kenneth F. Kane & Co., Accountants; Subscription Service Co., Divi- sion of Ebsco of Alabama; E. Wallace Pyne, Accountants; and Gilman Wales and Robert Wright, agents of Pfister & Vogel Tanning Co. of Milwaukee.
4. Campanelli Brothers. Expansion of Administration Building For office expansion - Campanelli Granite St. Industrial Park. Campanelli Drive, Braintree
5. C. Healy Co., Thomas H. Hannaford Industrial & Warehouse Building 50,000 sq. ft. Shell Building, ready for tenant specification for occu- pancy. New Wood Road in Wood Road Industrial Plaza.
6. Valle's Steak House - Union St. Interchange of the Southeast Express- way-Rt. 3
30,000 sq. ft. building with 500 parking lot for cars. $400,000 building with seating capacity for 1,000 people. 30 year old company with res- taurants in 5 communities. Opened May 8, 1964.
7. C. Healy Co., Thomas H. Hannaford - 17,000 sq. ft. Building - New Wood Road
Speculative building, can be used for warehouse or industrial opera- tion. Has 4 separate entrances and loading platforms. Shell building waiting for customer specifications for final building completion. In Wood Road Industrial Plaza.
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8. C. Healy Co. Thomas H. Hannaford - 17,000 sq. ft. Building - New Wood Road.
Duplicate of above building - Waiting for customer specifications be- fore completing building. In Wood Road Industrial Plaza.
9. Corey Tool Co. Granite St. Rear Near 5 Corners 23,800 sq. ft. manufacturing and office building. Completed and occu- pied in December 1964. Formerly located at 21 Granite St., Braintree.
10. New England Office Building - C. Healy Co., Thomas E. Hannaford Forbes Road between Twin Open Air Theatre and Bowling Alley. 4 story elevator office building 43,000 sq. ft. $350,000 Shell building waiting for occupants specification before completion. Large auto- mobile parking area. In Plaza Office Building Area.
11. Automatic Retailers of America - Wood Road, Braintree. 10,000 sq. ft. single story building. Parent company has outlets in 40 states in the United States. In Wood Road Industrial Plaza. Building completed and occupied in December 1964.
12. Arnold Box Co. River St., Braintree - Near Southeast Expressway $100,000 building and equipment - Located on land formerly owned by the Grossman interests. Manufacturers of packing cartons. Com- pleted 1964.
13. C. S. Walsh Transportation Co., Wood Road, Braintree - Not Com- pleted 1964
11,100 sq. ft. warehouse & office building. Groundbreaking Nov. 27, 1964. Company are agents for North American Van Lines to all parts of U.S.
14. Flatley 4 Apartment Buildings - Opposite Braintree Post Office Wash- ington St.
Completed in early 1964 - All apartments occupied.
Buildings face new Braintree Playground donated by Flatley Interests.
B. Land Purchased - Plan to Build in 1965.
1. W. E. Collins Co. Pioneers of Iron Lung & Oxygen Tent of 555 Hunt- ington Ave., Boston
Have purchased 2 acres of land on New Wood Road Industrial Plaza on the North Side of Route 128.
2. Robert A. Zottoli Land - Grass Instrument Co. Plants The Grass Instrument Co. of Quincy are manufacturers of medical instruments. As a result of the rezoning of 51 acres of land on the Southeast Expressway and Route 3 at the special Town Meeting of October 19th, 1964 Mr. Zottoli stated that the Grass Instrument Co. of Quincy, Mass. will build three 30,000 sq. ft. manufacturing buildings on the rezoned property in 1965. Probable cost will be over $1,000,000.00. The Grass Instrument Co. are nationally known.
3. J. L. Hammett Co. of Cambridge Mass. Purchase 49 Acres of Land The Hammett Co. are known as the largest school supply company in the United States. Founded in 1863, the company has manufacturing plants in Cambridge, Lyons, New York, Union, New Jersey and a re- tail store in Boston. The 49 acre plot of land will contain several manufacturing plants. The Hammett Co. plans to prepare the site in early 1965 and build a manufacturing plant in 1965. The land formerly owned by the Grossman interests has access to all utilities.
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4. Blue Hills Sports Arena on West Street, Old Route 128. The Blue Hill Sports Arena Co., Inc. plan to build a $750,000. Ice Arena to seat 4,000 people in the hockey arena and 6500 people for conventions. The 14 acre tract of land is located on the left hand side of West St. traveling from 5 corners directly opposite the old abandoned Route 128 road. Ground breaking will take place in March 1965 with an opening date the following October 1965.
5. Spaulding Moss of Boston Purchases 2 1/2 Acres of Land on Wood Road
Spaulding Moss Co. is one of New England's oldest Printing & Book- binding Co's. Spaulding Moss Co. of 401 Summer St., Boston have purchased land bordering the north side of Route 128 on Wood Road. They plan to have their warehouse and bookbinding plants ready for occupancy in 1965.
6. Nelson Precast Concrete Co. Plan to Double Manufacturing Operations This company located at 25 Hayward St., Braintree plans to break ground early in 1965 for a 10,000 sq. ft. addition to their present plant. They expect to have the new operation ready for production in May 1965.
C. Changes in Braintree Business Operations in 1964
1. Allied Research & Service Corp. Lease Campanelli Building This company has leased the first piece of property in the 70 acre Campanelli Industrial Center on Granite St. The structure includes 3760 sq. ft. of office space and a 3000 sq. ft. warehouse.
2. Joseph's Restaurant of Braintree has been purchased by the Frank Messina Interests and is now being operated as Edmondos of Brain- tree, Inc.
3. Curtis Farms Supermarket Now in South Braintree Square. The former First National Market on Washington St., South Braintree has been remodeled by the Curtis Bros. and opened in May 1964. This is the fifth establishment in the Curtis Farms Supermarket chain.
4. D. W. Clark Paper Co. Purchases Gale Dye & Stamping Co. Building In early March 1964 the D. W. Clark Paper Co. of Cohasset, Mass. purchased the Gale Dye & Stamping Co. on River St., Braintree. The Clark Co. are representatives of the Minnesota Mining & Manufactur- ing Co. The Gale Dye & Stamping Co. have leased back 1200 sq. ft. of floor space for their manufacturing operations.
5. William B. Webber Insurance Agency Remodels Braintree Square Building
The former Braintree Pharmacy Building at 352 Washington St., in Braintree Square has been completely remodeled as an office building. The structure is now known as the Bay Colony Building. Occupants of the new building are the William B. Webber Insurance Agency, Allied Budget Co., Inc., Premium Financing, George F. Himmel, Attorney; Tag Inc., Sales Representatives and Timothy P. Casey, Insurance Agency.
D. Former Land Purchases With No Committment of Date of Building Erec- tion
1. Red Coach Grill Co. 4 Acres of Land on Granite St., Route 37 & 128 Intersection
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This 4 acre site located at one of the most strategic points on the South Shore at the intersection of Route 37 and Route 128 has been graded and is ready for the construction of a $500,000 building as an- nounced some time ago by the Red Coach Grills Co. No definite date has been announced for the construction of the 8,000 sq. ft. restaurant to seat 275 people.
2. Nordblom Co. Boston Industrial & Commercial Real Estate Co. 2 Acres Old North St.
Over one year ago the Nordblom Co. of Boston purchased two acres of land on Old North St., adjoining the Red Coach Grill property. A sign was erected announcing the construction of a proposed 4 story office building to provide approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of office space. No definite date has been set for the erection of this building.
3. South Shore Plaza Office Building - On Land Adjoining Charter House Hotel
Several months ago a sign was erected by the South Shore Plaza management on the desirable plot of ground on Forbes Road next to the Charter House Hotel. No definite date has been recorded for the erection of this office building.
4. Boston Gear Works a Division of Murray Corp. of Texas. 80 Acre Site
On October 21, 1963 the Boston Gear Works of Quincy, Mass. an- nounced the purchase of 80 acres of land for future expansion of their operations in Quincy. This land is part of the 400 acre Prosperity Development Co. land zoned for industry on Columbian St., Braintree on the Weymouth Line. No decision has been made to date of plans for building erection on this property.
5. Grand View, Braintree - C. Healy Co. Site Reserved for High Rise Luxury Apts.
30 acres of land have been reserved and site prepared by the C. Healy Co., Thomas H. Hannaford Pres. at "Grand View." This site is on the hill off Forbes Road, directly in back of the Forbes Office Building, for High Rise Luxury Apartments. The Tenament Act, adopted by the Town of Braintree over 50 years ago, must be revoked and land re- zoned for apartments, before apartments at $1,500,000 each can be erected. Taxes from each building would reduce the Braintree tax rate by $1.20 per $1,000. property value. This reduction would include excise tax on automobiles owned by tenants.
E. Braintree South Shore Plaza Shopping Center.
Paul W. Lowney, Vice President and General Manager of the South Shore Plaza reports as follows: "In 1964 the South Shore Plaza continued its growth since its first store opened in February 1961. There are now 51 stores in business which include some of the finest stores in the New England area. There are over 450,000 square feet of retail space, and the volume of business is meeting the projected figures."
"Plans are still: in the formative stage for the addition of more stores, for at the present time there is no available retail space at the Center. There is a demand for more space by some of the leading Boston Stores. The management of South Shore Plaza is very optimistic as to the future, and it feels that part of its success is due to the aggressive attitude of the officials of the Town of Braintree."
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F. Why the Slogan "Braintree the Future Business Capital of the South Shore."
Braintree has a bright future with many prospects for added business and industrial building. The town of 33,000 people, the birthplace of John Adams, John Quincy Adams and John Hancock had an excellent foundation with these famous men, who helped to mould the laws of our Nation, as officers of the Town of Braintree in their early political years.
Fate again brought the junction of 4 major highways in the center of the west area of Braintree, providing access from all industrial and business centers without passing through the residential sections of the town. Route 128, Route 37, the Southeast Expressway and Route 3 lead to all major highways in Massachusetts. Braintree is the only town in the area to have a combination of a Municipal Power Plant, Municipal Water Supply and the sewer installations covering 72% of the entire town. This past year a new source of water supply has been discovered in the Crowley Pit area, which assures adequate water requirements for many years.
Thanks to early planning over 1,000 acres of land still remains idle for future industrial and business building. In addition Braintree has a new modern hotel with 100 rooms and dining facilities, several new restaurants, excellent shopping centers with stores to meet all needs, modern office buildings, amusement centers with a new skating and hockey rink planned for 1965, outstanding public, parochial and private schools, many fine residential areas and outstanding police and fire protection. The municipal golf course, 15 playgrounds, swimming and boating areas with trained life- guards completes the story of a town that has everything to offer as a place to work, live and play. Thus the reason for the slogan "Braintree the Fu- ture Business Capital of the South Shore."
The Braintree Industrial & Business Development Commission appreciates the splendid cooperation of Braintree Officials and Citizens of the Town during the past year. All leads to new prospects, who wish to build in Braintree, should be referred to a member of the Braintree Industrial Commission.
WILLIAM G. BROOKS, Chairman
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT - 1964
CHARLES F. MacGILLIVRAY, Town Engineer
The continued growth and development of the Town of Braintree has re- sulted in an increase in the number of requests for information received at this office during the year 1964. Some of these required the attention of other town agencies and were appropriately re-directed, but the majority were the concern of this department and can be classified in the following manner:
Information on regulations - Planning, Zoning and Building Information on land boundaries for: Owners, prospective buyers, land surveyors, attorneys, real estate agents, etc.
Town Street Maps - available at a nominal fee.
Zoning Maps and Zoning By-Laws - available at no charge Planning Board Subdivision Rules and Regulations - available at no charge Building Codes - available at a nominal fee
Field locations and measurements of new streets and buildings are made periodically and same are plotted on a working roll, two prints and two linens, on the street map, zoning map and planning map to keep them up to date.
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These services are provided directly to the people of Braintree and to others interested in the development of the Town.
Other town departments requested and received services as follows:
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Cost estimates prepared and sidewalks staked on:
Audubon Avenue - south side - from Arthur Street to Argyle Road Commercial Street - east side - from Hayward Street to Wilkins Road Hobart Street - west side - from Hayward Street to Oakland Road Middle Street - west side - from No. 639 to No. 665
Shaw Street - west side - from No. 168 to No. 178
Lines and grades were set on:
Abbott Street - from Parkside Avenue to Dickerman Lane
Ellis Lane
Forest Street - from Liberty Street to Birch Street
Ivory Street Reed Hill Road Williams Court
Design, layout and widening plans prepared and street lines staked at intersection of Washington Street and Common Street.
Street line set on Middle Street at John Scott Nursing Home.
Reset land corner at 53 Forest Street - accidentally disturbed.
Checked street drainage at rear of John Scott Nursing Home.
Set drainage grades on Dickerman Lane - from Abbott Street to Bestick Road.
Set drainage grades on Union Street opposite Grossman's.
Set drainage grades and line on West Street in easement at Tibbetts' property.
Checked pavement grades at Selwyn Road.
Location survey, estimates, and elevations for proposed Liberty Street widening at Buker's Corner and Lincoln Street.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Survey made to prepare topographic plan of the proposed Highlands School Site - Liberty Street and Braemore Road area.
Plans prepared for attorney for land taking for three school sites:
Highlands site - Liberty Street at Braemore Road
East Braintree site - Liberty Street opposite Louise Road Sunset Lake site - Glendale Road area
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PARK DEPARTMENT
Flatley Playground (Washington Street) - Layout, grades, drainage, layout of access way, specifications, cost estimates and inspection.
Swifts Beach - Layout of parking area and fence line.
Proposed garage off Union Street - Layout.
Plan prepared showing lands adjoining golf course.
Location details at Watson Park obtained to prepare plan.
PLANNING BOARD
General checking of all sub-division plans and profiles submitted, recom- mending desirable changes to Board and re-checking to ensure compliance.
Field checking drainage grades at Home Park Road.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Survey made and plans prepared in proposals for establishment of traffic signals at intersections:
Tremont Street at Lakeview Avenue Hollis Avenue at Oak Street Washington Street at Common Street Argyle Road at Arborway Drive
Plans prepared for proposed parking meter installations:
Taylor Street at Washington Street Pearl Street - from Hancock St. to French Ave.
Elm Street at Warren's Hardware Store.
MISCELLANEOUS
Street layout plans and betterment plans were made of the following:
Abbott Street - from Parkside Avenue to Dickerman Lane
Audubon Avenue - south side - from Arthur Street to Argyle Road
Commercial Street - east side - from Hayward Street to Wilkins Road Ellis Lane Forest Street - from Liberty Street to Birch Street
Hobart Street - west side - from Hayward Street to Oakland Road Ivory Street
Middle Street - west side - from No. 639 to No. 665 Reed Hill Road
Shaw Street - west side - from No. 168 to No. 178 Williams Court
Prepared all required maps for revision of voting precincts from six to nine, together with list of names and residences of the registered voters in each precinct.
Furnished plans, elevations and other information to Conservation Depart- ment, Department of Public Works Traffic Division, Massachusetts Regional Planner, Industrial Development Commission, Airport Commission and Water Department.
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Conference and inspection of proposed Fore River dredging site with Waterways Engineer and Weymouth Director of Public Works.
Various conferences and meetings were attended.
One thousand two hundred deeds were processed for the Board of Asses- sors and the necessary changes made on plans and records.
All subdivision plans from the Registry of Deeds were processed and changes made on Assessors Plans.
Field measurements were taken of one hundred seventy one new buildings and two hundred fifty one building additions and plotted on Assessors Plans.
Former Town Engineer, Chester F. Langtry, severed his connection with the Town on March 20th to accept another position. Operations of the Depart- ment were conducted in a highly satisfactory manner by a Senior Engineering Aide and the Principal Clerk until the appointment of the present Town Engi- neer on June 15th; also on this date, Mr. Joseph D. Cleggett began service with the department as Junior Engineering Aide. Mr. Gordon Gray, a Senior Engineering Aide, has been on the disabled list for several months as the result of an aggravated war injury, but is now progressing favorably and ex- pects to be back at work in the very near future.
For the valuable and cheerful assistance received from other Town De- partments, we wish to express grateful appreciation.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BRAINTREE ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT - 1964
Your Commissioners submit the Annual Report of the Braintree Electric Light Department for the year ending December 31, 1964.
CARL W. R. JOHNSON, Chairman WALTER J. HANSEN, Secretary ERNEST S. REYNOLDS
MANAGER'S REPORT TO THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Gentlemen:
The Braintree Electric Light Department has completed, in 1964, one of the most successful years since its origin. Work in all phases of the opera- tion has progressed very satisfactorily and the only major expenditures were those necessary to meet the Town's expanding requirements.
Power sales during the first eight months of 1964 showed very little in- crease over 1963. This lack of increase was mainly in the industrial sales which were substantially off during the early part of the year. The month of September showed a marked upward trend in sales which continued for the remainder of the year averaging almost ten percent over the same period in the previous year. Peak load during the Christmas Season was 30,300 Kw. setting a new high for the Department as well as setting new records for high weekly Kwh. output.
GENERATION
In the generating Department no notable changes, additions or alterations have been made during the year. All work has been of the routine maintenance
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type with equipment at the end of the year in excellent working condition. All boilers and turbines have received their annual overhaul except #5 turbo- generator unit. This unit, installed in 1923, is of the low pressure, low tem- perature type having low efficiency and capacity as compared to our more modern equipment. Because of the many problems in its operation from high pressure equipment, it has not hand any service for the last two years and very little service for the past ten years. I am, therefore, recommending that this unit be retired and removed from the premises. Many efforts have been made to obtain a purchaser for the unit but it is of a vintage and type that does not provide for adaptation to other than power station work. When proper authorization has been obtained for its retirement, I recommend that the unit be sold for scrap value.
Norton P. Potter Station has now completed its fifth year of operation and the following is a resume of its performance:
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
Availability
85.7%
94.6% 82.6%
96% 86.8% 8
91% 86.4% 8 86,362,000
88.6%
Stops & Starts
11
5
Gross Gen .- Kwh.
73,311,000
6 85,563,000 91,401,000
91,331,000
Net. Gen .- Kwh.
69,481,700
81,547,500 87,246,500
82,283,800 87,153,000
Percent of total Sales
81.5%
84.0%
90.5%
73.8%
73.7%
This unit has operated 40,886 hours since installation
As can be seen in the ratio between net generation and total sales, this unit becomes smaller as compared with the system. This will be much more ap- parent in 1965 when I anticipate that the Potter Station will have a net genera- tion of approximately 60% of total sales.
The installation of two diesel generating peaking units in 1963 has served to add over 5,000 KW to our total generating capacity and also served to delay the installation of a second 15 KV feeder to Plain Street Station. These two units have enabled the Department to operate with firm power during the 1964 peak load season. Studies to obtain this same condition in 1965 will be neces- sary during the early part of the year.
A major overhaul of #3 turbine-generator unit at Allen Street will be neces- sary in 1965. All other units will require the yearly inspection and mainten- ance program. Boilers are all in good condition and no work of a major nature is anticipated during the coming year.
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Peak loads in 1964 were substantially greater than previous years and the rebuilding of selected areas served to relieve most of the voltage trouble areas. However, some areas were severely overloaded and others will be this coming peak season unless the reconstruction is continued on a more extensive program. Increasing loads are anticipated because
(a) The average residential customer use in increasing every year
(b) Several residential developments of substantial size are now in the process of construction
(c) Several heavy industrial installations will also be added during the year
The following in an outline of accomplishments in line construction during 1964 and proposed changes necessary for completion in 1965:
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93.8%
Load Factor
77.8%
1. Development in the Granite Street-Pond Street Area.
The installation of a new large capacity feeder to serve Granite and Pond Streets as well as the surrounding areas from the South Shore Plaza to the Randolph Line has served to relieve two 4160 V feeders. This new feeder was available to supply the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant and the Tubular Rivet Plant when power was required. It will also be available to serve future industrial developments, now in the planning stage, off Granite and Pond Streets.
The proposed tie line from Woods Road to Forbes Road will serve to complete a three way tie between Granite Street, Woods Road and Forbes Road. This will assure power to all feeders even under the most adverse conditions. Contract for this installation has already been awarded and work will be completed early in 1965.
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