USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1895 > Part 1
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Gen. Ref.
974.48 A88. Ref
RARY
OF ATTL
PUBLIC
GH MASS
INCORPORATI
1885
Date_
1895-
Nº 10838
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY a316540013040515
1
1
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN FFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH
For the Year Ending December 31,
1 895.
TLEBOR
A
O
OF
TOWN
. INCO
MASS . 776
R
R
ATTLEBORO, MASS. : THE ATTLEBORO PRESS, ROBINSON BUILDING NO. I. 1896.
Attleboro Public Library Joseph L. Sweet Memorial Attleboro, Mass.
1895 ٠١ث
٣
TOWN OFFICERS, 1895-'96. 10838
SELECTMEN:
EVERETT S. HORTON, CHARLES PHILLIPS, ABIJAH T. WALES.
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER: JOHN T. BATES.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR:
GEORGE B. FITTZ, ELIJAH R. READ, WM. H. GOFF.
ASSESSORS:
JOHN THACHER, JOSEPH O. MOWRY, JOHN M. KNOWLES.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES: JOSEPH O. MOWRY.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND:
SAMUEL P. LATHROP, FRANK I. BABCOCK, EVERETT S. HORTON.
WATER COMMISSIONERS:
GEORGE A. DEAN, LUCIUS Z. CARPENTER,
WILLIAM M. STONE.
WATER REGISTRAR AND SUPERINTENDENT : WILLIAM J. LUTHER.
4
ANNUAL REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS : SOLON D. BUSHEE.
PARK COMMISSIONERS:
EVERETT S. CAPRON, WILLIAM J. LUTHER, CHARLES M. ROBBINS.
ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT:
HIRAM R. PACKARD, Chief,
EDWARD A. SWEENEY, GEORGE O. WILMARTH, Assistants.
BOARD OF HEALTH:
CHARLES S. HOLDEN, E. E. HALE, CHARLES E. BLISS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
CHARLES H. WHEELER, WILLIAM L. ELLIOT,
WILLIS H. STREETER, JOHN M. KNOWLES,
WALTER E. HAYWARD,
EVERETT S. CAPRON,
SAMUEL M. HOLMAN, MRS. L. V. G. MACKIE, MISS LEONORA P. BEERS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS:
JOSEPH O. TIFFANY.
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
EVERETT S. HORTON, ALBERT W. STURDY,
CHARLES H. WHEELER, CHARLES S. HOLDEN,
CLARENCE L. WATSON, MARK E. ROWE,
HELEN W. METCALF, ALICE M. WALES,
ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS:
JOHN T. BATES, HENRY A. STREETER,
JOHN W. CODY, HARRY E. CARPENTER.
5
ANNUAL REPORT.
AUDITORS:
O. P. RICHARDSON, MARK O. WHEATON, BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND INSPECTOR OF OIL:
LYMAN M. STANLEY.
INSPECTOR OF CATTLE, MILK AND PROVISIONS: THOMAS L. SWIFT.
CONSTABLES:
ELIJAH R. READ,
SETH R. BRIGGS,
GEORGE F. IDE,
JOHN H. NERNEY,
CHARLES E. RILEY. LEON STANTON,
ALLEN L. BARDEN, FRED E. GOFF,
ABEL C. THORNTON.
FENCE VIEWERS:
LYMAN M. STANLEY, EVERETT S. CAPRON, PHILIP BRADY.
SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND BARK:
LUCIUS Z. CARPENTER, SHEPARD W. CARPENTER,
GEORGE L. ADAMS, GEORGE A. MONROE,
NOYES L. BILLINGS,
CHARLES H. STURDY,
WM. A. VICKERY, CHARLES HOPKINS,
JAMES W. GIFFORD, WM. N. GOFF,
HENRY W. GALLAGHER,
SPECIAL POLICE AND NIGHT PATROL: JOHN H. NERNEY.
FIRE POLICE:
SETH R. BRIGGS, FRED E. GOFF,
DEXTER E. NEWELL, G. IRVING SIMPSON,
THOMAS F. GILROY.
POUND KEEPER:
FRANK E. LUTHER.
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
MASS.
M 6
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
To the People of Attleborough :
In presenting our report at the close of the year, 1895, when the town of Attleborough enters upon the second year of the third century of its incorporation, we accept with pleasure the opportunity to congratulate our entire people on the general satisfactory condition of the affairs of the town. Although the highest ideals have not been attained in any of the various departments of our municipal management, we feel confident progress has been made in many directions and the result of such advancement as has been made will stimulate a desire among our people for still higher advancement in the future.
The general health of the people within our territory which has been enjoyed in a marked degree during the past year, with no prevailing epidemic or contagious dis- ease to ravage our homes has prevented any cause for alarm regarding our sanitary conditions, and the old time healthy conditions which with few exceptions has been proverbial among dwellers within our borders has contin- ued unabated.
With the commencement of the year the general de- pression of business which pervaded the entire country . during the preceding year seemed to reach its lowest point and with the advent of 1895 the conditions com- menced to brighten so that during the year our manufac- turing industries have shown an improvement over the year 1894. With the peculiar features of our chief industry, the
IO
ANNUAL REPORT.
energy and persistency of our manufacturers has been ex- hibited by their determination and energy to push their business although their margin of profits was small, thereby furnishing their employees with the opportunity to comfortably maintain themselves and their families and carry forward their plans for the future in accordance with the promptings which are characteristic of our people and the pride of New England civilization.
Having been entrusted by the legal voters of Attle- borough with the management of the municipal affairs of the town we feel that we would be recreant to our duty if at the close of the term for which that trust was imposed upon us, we should fail to consider some of the more prominent questions which have demanded action by us, and to express our opinions regarding matters which in the near future must be determined upon, also to make such sug- gestions regarding all matters of our town's interest, as will call the attention of the thoughtful and candid voter to the subject in an unprejudiced manner and thereby secure the wisest legislation.
Highways.
There are about eighty miles of road with the bridges of the town to be kept in proper repair from an appropria- tion of $8,000, and with this consideration staring us in the face we are not disposed to criticise the present condition of our highways too severely. There has been a percepti- ble improvement in the condition of our roads over that of last year, in our outlying districts as well as in the village centre. The question of good roads and how to make them has been quite thoroughly discussed from various standpoints during the past few years by men who are considered experts in the art, and many people seem to allow themselves to draw conclusions without weighing
II
ANNUAL REPORT.
the environments with which nearly all towns of our im- portance are surrounded. In some localities it is a compar- atively easy matter to make and maintain a good road. Where the natural condition and character of the soil over which the road is to be constructed are favorable and the material which must be used to secure good results is of easy access, or the wear of heavy teams is not severe, 110 great problem is involved in the construction and care of the roadway.
Good material in the shape of gravel is not found plentifully in our town, and there are many miles of our roads where proper material for road construction must be brought a great distance, also where by reason of the land elevation a large amount of labor is required in the con- struction, all of which must be paid for and under such conditions the construction of a single mile of road will make quite an important reduction of the appropriation for highway purposes.
We believe there is no material which can be used in the construction of our roads as good as crushed stone, and although its cost will be much greater than ordinary gravel we believe the durability of the work performed would warrant the increase in the cost of construction. Of course the benefits received from the use of this material would be more perceptible on those portions of our high- way where public travel is most frequent. The unimpor- tant cross roads of the town could no doubt be maintained to a sufficient standard of excellence with cheaper mate- rial.
Good judgment and a practical knowledge of the principles of road making on the part of the person who has the department in charge is an indispensible requisite of road construction and whether one or another material is used good results cannot be obtained without it.
5
I2
ANNUAL REPORT.
Bridges.
There has been no large amount of money expended on bridges during the past year. Cooper's Bridge on Tiffany street has been replanked at a small expense and County Street Bridge was found to be unsafe for travel, by reason of the decayed condition and was replanked at an expense of about two hundred dollars, and probably the whole expense of bridge work during the year has not exceeded $300.
The West Bridge on Mechanics street must be re- placed with a new structure this year. Three years ago it was considered beyond repair and an appropriation made for its replacement, but as travel over it has been reduced in volume by the suspension of business at that village, it has been carefully watched and patched up from time to time during the past few years. The revival of business in Mechanics village, which now seems assured, demands the construction of a good substantial bridge at that local- ity and we recommend an appropriation therefor.
County Street Bridge, in its present condition, is safe for all ordinary transportation and travel over it, but by reason of its peculiar structure it is not capable of sustain- ing such weights as are liable to desire a crossing there, as long as the present double planking continues unimpaired, no doubt it would answer any emergency, but it is desira- ble that the original width of the river at that point should be restored to allow a more free delivery of the water. It will be remembered that some twenty years ago this bridge was constructed and the span was contracted about seven feet, on the theory that as the old bridge had a support in the centre which impeded the flow of water if iron girders should be used in its construction instead of large timbers of the old structure, no centre support will be demanded,
13
ANNUAL REPORT.
consequently a contraction of the span would allow as much water space as will be found necessary.
Actual demonstration has given the assurance that the channel is too narrow for present requirements there, and proprietors of water privileges above in former years have threatened legal action to remove an obstruction to a fuller discharge of water under this bridge.
The abutters of course carry their line of ownership to the river and by this construction our present sewer pipe, which turns at nearly a right angle near the present northerly abutment of the bridge, is made to discharge from the premises of an abutter on the easterly side of the bridge. If the bridge is placed in its original position the sewer could be discharged inside the limits of the high- way directly under the bridge and a complication in this direction averted.
We append a letter from W. J. Luther, C. E., who has made some investigations regarding the most approved plans for contemplated changes in this locality at our re- quest. We would recommend that the entire subject be placed in the hands of an efficient committee to investigate and report at the next annual meeting of the town.
To the Selectmen of Attleborough:
At your request I have made measurements of the present bridge on County street over the Ten Mile River and prepared estimates for replacing the same with a more substantial bridge that will also provide a larger water way for flood water.
The present bridge rests on abutments which are 25 feet apart and consists of eight 15 in. I beams spaced six feet apart, upon which rests spruce floor joists three inches thick by 9 inches deep and spaced about eighteen inches apart. On these floor joists is placed the planking of the
14
ANNUAL REPORT.
floor of the bridge. The weakest part of this bridge is in the spruce floor joists, 3 in. by 9 in., having a span of 6 ft. The safe load which one of these timbers should be re- quired to carry is but one-third of the load which it would be subjected to in case a 15-ton steam roller passed over the bridge. It is possible that the timbers might not actually break if subjected to this strain as the safe load is taken at one-sixth of the breaking load, but certainly the bridge occupying this location should be able to carry such a load with absolute safety and at the same time pro- vide an ample water way for flood water. In view of this fact that it is probable that improvements will be made in the near future on the property on one or possibly both sides of County street, on the east side of the river it is important that prompt action be taken to arrange with the land owners for the widening of this water way under the bridge by moving the east abutment to a location which will be mutually advantageous for the interests of the town and the property adjoining the river. An increased width of ten feet has been suggested which would provide thirty- five feet between the abutments. It is on this basis that I have made my estimate. Before taking up the estimate of the cost of the bridge it may be well to state that in con- nection with the rebuilding of this bridge it will probably be possible to abate, to some extent at least, the nuisance caused by the discharge from the sewer on the south side of this bridge. The object of discharging sewage into a stream is:
Ist. To dilute the sewage as much as possible.
2d. To take advantage of the current of the stream to remove the sewage as rapidly as possible.
Under the present arrangement both of these objects are signally defeated. The sewage is discharged into a re- cess which has been built in the wall and there it remains
I5
ANNUAL REPORT.
protected from dilution, and removed by the currents of the stream by reason of this very jog or recess in the wall. If the point of discharge into the river was within the limits of County street and through the east abutment of the bridge, the discharge of the sewer would be removed by the flow of water in the stream as fast as it was discharged and as it flowed in the stream would become rapidly di- luted. Another cause of the trouble with the sewer is the fact that the out fall is nearly if not quite below the bed of the river while there is really ample fall in the sewer within fifty or eighty feet of the bridge, so that the grade of the sewer can be adjusted to provide for the discharge of the sewage at a considerable velocity instead of in the slug- gish manner in which it now finds its way through the ob- structed outlet. While it is to be desired that the time is not far distant when we shall be provided with a system of sewers that will enable us to keep from this river all sew- age, yet this sewer will always continue to be used for the discharge of the surface water of Park, North Main and Bank streets in times of rain and should have the outfall rebuilt in such a manner as suggested above.
For rebuilding this bridge I have estimated the cost of rebuilding both abutments with first class ledge stone laid in cement. If the west abutment is considered satis- factory without rebuilding, $400 may be deducted from the total cost. But as the iron beams are to support brick arches, any settlement of either abutment would cause se- rious injury to the bridge and therefore both these abut- ments should be rebuilt unless after careful examination it is decided that there is no danger of any settlement.
Upon these abutments are to be placed 20 iron I beams each 20 in. deep and 40 ft. long, and secured to each other by tie rods to prevent any possible spreading. Between these I beams brick arches laid in cement morter and cov-
I6
ANNUAL REPORT.
ered with cement concrete are to be turned and above the arches and beams the street can be surfaced either with macadam or paving. Previous to surfacing of the street it would be well to cover the cement concrete with a coat- ing of asphalt and before the brick arches are turned the beams should be covered with a coat of thick tar paint of some kind.
Below will be found an estimate of the cost of rebuild- ing the bridge .
Excavations for abutinents, $80 00
New abutments, 720 00
Iron beams including tie rods, 1,152 00
Brick arches and cement concrete over same,
616 00
Labor setting I beams, surfacing street over bridge, 160 00
Add 10% for possible advance in price of iron and contingencies, 273 00
$2,728 00
$3,001 00
Deduct cost of west abutment if same is not
rebuilt,
400 00
$2,601 00
This bridge has a width of roadway of 49 feet which very considerably increases the cost over that for the aver- age highway bridge. Thus at the same rate of cost a bridge twenty feet wide would cost but $1,225.
Such a bridge as described above would require little or no expenditure for repairs, be of ample strength for all demands which might be made upon it, be capable of out- living several wooden bridges and at the same time provide
North Main Street, Brady's Corner, West Street, corner No. Avenue, 66 Mechanics Street, I
2 Boards, Attleboro No. Attleboro Mansfield Foxboro S. Attleboro Attleboro Falls 2
Deantown Road,
2
Deantown
Thacher Street,
2
Linden
=
66 Dr. Fuller place, I
..
66
Hebronville
Near Red Rock Hill t
46
Pawtucket
Washington St., corner Mendon Road, I
16 Brown St.,
T
Adamsdale Road
" Washington St,, 1
Bunker's corner So. Attleboro,
1
Corner near Church, So. Attleboro, I
Mechanics village, corner Dennis St., 2
Park St., corner Bearcroft Road, 2
Maple,
Dorrance place,
1
6 .. Near Wilmarth place, 2 66
Chartley
Norton
Briggs corner,
School House, 2
Horn Street, corner Locust,
- Camp Ground, I
South Main St., cor. Thacher
=
- Locust, 2
Tiffany Street, O
66
.:
16 Nr. H. A. Smith's, I
New Road, near Seekonk line, I
County
- Dennis Street, 2
N. Attleboro 66
66 Thacher 2
S. Attleboro
Mechanics Dodgeville
66 6 Tiffany 2
Read and Ide n'b'rhood, 2
Pleasant Street, corner Foxboro Road, 2
Attleboro
Foxboro
Taunton Norton Chartley
Bearcroft Road, 2
Taunton
Briggs Cor.
Mansfield “ 2
Foxboro Mansfield
Bearcroft Road, cor. near Dr. Mackie, 2
Chartley Road, 2
Chartley
Muggs School House, 2
Rehoboth
place,
2
Briggs Cor.
Brown's Corner,
I
Chartley
Near residence of Mrs. Coombs,
2
Norton
Briggs Cor. Pawtucket.
I
2
Pawtucket Rehoboth
2
66
I
Briggs Corner
Thurber's corner, I
Adamısdale Attleboro No. Attleboro Taunton
S. Attleboro Chartley
Pawtucket
16
Pawt'k't Dodgeville
Cemetery So. Att. 2
66
66
Making a total of sixty-six guide boards now erected in the town, about fifty of them having been put in position last year.
We recommend the erection of guide boards in the following locations :- At Hebronville, corner of South Main Street and road to Read and Ide neighborhood ; at South Attleboro, corner of Mendon road and Valley Falls road; at South Attleboro, corner of Adamsdale road and Robbin Hollow road.
Nr. Capt. French pl I
17
ANNUAL REPORT.
a water way having an area forty per cent. greater than the present one. Compared with many towns and cities this town is fortunate in not having any large and expensive bridges to be built and maintained.
If the bridges are rebuilt upon such plan as out- lined above, the cost of maintenance will be reduced to a minimum, and in a very few years all the important bridges would have been rebuilt so that practically no further ex- penditure would be required on account of this branch of the Highway Department.
Respectfully submitted,
W. J. LUTHER.
Guide Boards.
No addition to the number of guide boards erected in the town has been made during the past year, although we believe a few more should be put in position. We would repeat the request made in our report of last year that persons living outside the village limits report to the Selectmen such names as they would prefer for streets or roads in their respective localities, to the end that all streets and roads in town may receive a rame to be recorded in the office of the Town Clerk.
The attention of all mischievous persons is hereby called to the provisions of Chapter 203 of the Public Stat- utes relative to defacing or injuring guide posts, signs, etc.
We herewith åppend a list of such guide boards as are now erected in the town, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Statutes, Chap. 53, giving the number already erected with their location, the places directed to, and the direction indicated by the pointing of an index finger.
I8
ANNUAL REPORT.
· Sidewalks.
On the streets of our village where sidewalks have been constructed during the past year we feel satisfied the general improvement in the appearance of the street fully justifies the annual expenditure for this purpose and nearly all the abutters have signified their hearty appreciation of the work. In the prosecution of the sidewalk improve- ment on Sanford and South Main streets about $500 was expended where school property was improved by the work.
We recommend a continuance of the present policy of the town in the direction of this permanent improvement.
Armory, Co. I, 5th Regiment M. V. M.
Since our last annual report no change of condition has been made in regard to the Armory. We have had several consultations with the officers of the Company and tne proprietors of the building in which the Company are located, with a hope that an arrangement could be made between them which would satisfy both parties until some other arrangement should be made, but we are advised of no action between them in the matter. The allowance from the State for Armory rent continues at $200 per year.
Street Lighting.
The streets of the town continue to be lighted in ac- cordance with the contract made with the Attleborough Steam and Electric Co. two years ago. During the greater part of the past year the service has been very unsatisfac- tory. We have been informed the plant from which we are at present receiving our light may change ownership, and that the parties who propose to carry on the business
19
ANNUAL REPORT.
in the future desire to make arrangements with the town which will enable them to give our people satisfactory re- sults in the future.
Sewerage. '
The question of sewerage for our town is the problem which involves more vital interest to our entire population than any other department of our municipal system. When considered from a sanitary standpoint alone we are im- pressed with the responsibilities which seem to threaten us if we continue too long to postpone the time for action.
Two years ago a committee was chosen by the town to consider the sewerage problem who made an earnest in- vestigation of the subject, and secured the services of some of the best engineering talent of the state, who after a com- plete survey of our locality placed in the hands of the com- mittee a thorough and intelligent report of a system which they earnestly recommend should receive the thoughtful and careful study of our people. Their report with a map of the section of territory to be covered by the system therein proposed was submitted to the people in our annual report of 1894.
We would call the attention of every one to the recommendations on the subject contained in the report of the Water Commissioner for 1895.
Hebronville Crossing.
A settlement has been completed during the past year with all parties who had a claim for damage by reason of the separation of grade at Hebronville crossing, but the Foot Bridge has not been erected although all the plans have been made and adopted.
20
ANNUAL REPORT.
Grade Crossings of Railroads.
In our report of last year we called the attention of our people to this question, feeling assured that in the de- termination of this subject the future interests of our town were deeply involved, and we take occasion to repeat the the recommendations we presented in our report of last year, " That a committee of representative men be chosen to guard our interests in the matter, and that this commit- tee be authorized and instructed to take such action as they may deem best to guard the interests of the town in this connection." We have reason to believe the Railroad management have already determined on such plans as they propose to have carried out at our several crossings ; that their calculations based upon measurements and sur- veys which have already been made in their interests are already on file in their hands. The separation of grade at the crossings in the village of Attleboro must be executed
within a few years in all probability, and may be precipi- tated upon our community at any time by some complica- tion or disturbance of our affairs which may not at present be conjectured by our people. We may not be able when the time arrives to stem the current which will be pushed by the corporate power and influence of the Railroad Co., but we may be better enabled to defend our own interests if we will perform our preliminary duty now.
Thacher Brook Drain.
It has been the custom of the town to make an appro- priation of one thousand dollars each year for the exten- sion of Thacher Brook Drain, and we earnestly recom- mend a continuance of this custom. During the past year the drain has been continued as far north as Park street, and we believe no enterprise which the town has underta-
21
ANNUAL REPORT.
ken promises more for the town's interest and develop- ment when the cost of it is considered.
Fire Department.
In this department we should be ready to take advan- tage of the evolutionary conditions of the present time and not allow ourselves to retard or hold in check the efficiency of any service which is demanded, by a rejection on our part of any progressive appliance or system which has been discovered or invented, and after actual demonstra- tion has proved its superiority over former methods to such an extent as to warrant their adoption.
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