USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1956 > Part 13
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ANNUAL REPORTS
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191
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Bureau of Research and Statistics Comparative Figures for Medical Care for 1955 - 1956
1955 State
1956 State
Difference
Total
$33,564,090. 100 % $35,863,865. 100% + $2,299,775.
HOSPITALIZATION:
A. General
a. Units 512,775
b. Amt. $7,268,966. 21.6%
497,365 $7,453,158. 20.8%
+$ 184,192.
B. Chronic
a. Units 745,434
784,839
b. Amt. 4,593,753. 13.7%
4,970,390. 13.9%
+ 376,637.
PHYSICIANS:
A. Home Visits:
a. Units 581,340
b. Amt. 2,302,649. 6.9%
509,895 2,034,359.
5.7%
- 268,290.
B. Office Visits:
a. Units 284,148 b. Amt. 884,736. 2.6%
247,562
794,990.
2.2%
89,746.
NURSING HOME CARE:
a. Recipients b. Amt.
11,648,373. 34.7%
13,045,736. 36.4%
+ 1,397,363.
DRUGS:
Amt. 4,395,290. 13.1%
5,019,281. 14.0%
+ 623,991.
DENTAL CARE:
a. Recipients b .. Amt.
666,894.
2.0%
683,053. 1.9%
+ 16,159.
OUTPATIENT CARE:
a. Units 85.550
b. Amt. 253,246.
.8 %
99,476 302,910.
.9 %
+
49,664.
EYE CARE:
a. Recipients
b. Amt.
437,029.
1.3%
439,649.
1.2%
+
2,620.
VISITING NUSE ASSOC .:
a. Units 175,320
173,964
b. Amt. 345,334.
1.0%
368,947.
1.0%
+
23,613.
ANCILLARY SERVICE:
Amt.
185,175.
.6 %
164,331.
.4 %
-
20,844.
OTHER:
Amt. 852,645.
1.7%
587,061.
1.6%
+
4,416.
-
.
192
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS * ALLOCABLE TO CATEGORIES by STATE OFFICE AND LOCAL OFFICES IN MASSACHUSETTS (In thousands of Dollars - 000 omitted)
Year
Total
State
Local
Total
State
Local
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN State Total Local
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE Total Local
State
Total
State
Local
1941
$3,714
LA 506
$3,208
$1,525
$ 260
$1,265
$ 446
$ 111
$ 335
$1,743
$ 135
$1,608
1942
3,811
569
3,242
1,789
293
1,496
499
117
382
1,523
159
1,364
1943
3,826
586
3,240
2,077
324
1,753
545
141
404
1,204
121
1,083
1944
3,899
610
3,289
2,297
367
1,930
518
123
395
1,084
120
964
1945
4,077
622
3,455
2,494
376
2,118
523
121
402
1,060
125
935
1946
4,481
641
3,840
2,761
381
2,380
476
129
447
1,144
131
1,013
1947
4,846
608
4,238
2,978
388
2,590
650
119
531
1,218
101
1,117
1948
5,488
684
4,804
3,435
466
2,969
756
131
625
1,297
87
1,210
1949
6,114
771
5,343
3,661
528
3,133
835
148
687
1,618
95
1,523
1950
7,177
875
6,302
4,387
605
3,782
1,037
168
869
1,753
102
1,651
1951
7,732
909
6,823
4,698
594
4,104
1,152
174
978
$77a
$19
$58
1,805
122
1,683
1952
8,718
1,007
7,711
5,024
587
4,437.
1,359
183
1,176
635
127
508
1,700
110
1,590
1953
9,348
1,409
8,299
5,254
576
4,678
1,492
186
1,306
913
162
751
1,689
125
1,564
1954
9,831
1,059
8,772
5,244
568
4,676
1,844
219
1,625
937
161
776
1,806
111
1,695
1955
10,393
1,088
9,305
5,443
575
4,868
2,044
231
1,813
1,046
178
868
1,860
104
1,756
1956
10,787
1,103
9,684
5,576
571
5,005
2,249
247
2,002
1,118
183
935
1,844
102
1,742
1941-56:
+190% +120% +200%
+265%
+ 120%
+295%
+ 123%
+500%
+76%b
+ 44%
+84%
+ 6%
-25%
+ 8%
* For the categories only: not including DCG and "other" administration costs such as Bureau of Incorporated Charities, Social Service to Tewksbury, etc.
a. Nov .- Dec. only
b. % change 1952-1956 February 25, 1957
Compiled by: Mass. Department of Public Welfare Bureau of Research and Statistics
ANNUAL REPORTS
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ALL CATEGORIES
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
GENERAL RELIEF
% change
+405%
193
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
January 3, 1957
Honorable William J. Donovan City Hall
Somerville, Massachusetts
Dear Mayor Donovan:
I am pleased to submit the following report on activities of the Somerville Department of Public Works for the period from January 1, 1956 through December 31, 1956.
Our HIGHWAY DIVISION has performed its regular du- ties of snow plowing, sanding, scraping, street sweeping, street cleaning, tree removal, tree trimming, tree spraying, street and sidewalk repairs, edgestone repairs, construction of new drive- ways, construction of new concrete sidewalks, hot top side- walks, painting center lines, cross-walks, silhouettes and warning signs. During January, February and March they assisted the Sanitary Department and performed many other duties, such as removing Christmas trees from squares, setting and maintaining sand boxes throughout the City, removal of dead animals, and clearance of debris following storms. In addition, this Division has worked with and assisted Utility Companies in topping and trimming trees. A partial tally of their accomplishments this year includes:
Installation of 124 new street signs. Installation of 132 traffic regulatory signs.
Construction of 105 new driveways.
Construction of 5,002 running feet of new concrete sidewalk.
Construction of 981 running feet of new bituminous concrete sidewalk.
Topping of 102 trees to stump level preparatory to stump removal operation.
Removal of 91 tree stumps. Permits issued to occupy sidewalks - 113.
Permits issued to Private Contractors and Public Utilities for streets and sidewalk openings - 222.
Cash receipts for sidewalk and driveway construction, etc., $4,959.45.
Operation of Paint Shop, Repair Shop and Gasoline Pumps.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Our WATER DIVISION performed its usual duties of maintaining the water system, including repair of leaks - thawing of pipes - repair of hydrants - repair of meters - installation of new meters - general maintenance of the high and low pressure systems - meter reading and water billing. This Division is vitally affected by weather conditions and ma- jor construction programs of all types and operates on a 24 hour basis. Included in their accomplishments are the following:
Excavated and repaired leaks at 576 locations. Major repairs or replacements on 33 hydrants. Installation of hydrant gate valves at 48 locations. Hydrant guards installed at 29 locations. Cleaned out 156 gate boxes.
Repaired and repacked 12 main gates.
Major main pipe repairs at 4 locations. 78 new meters set.
101 meters removed, repaired and replaced.
The ENGINEERING DIVISION performed its usual duties of snow removal, cleaning of catch basins and storm drains - emergency clearing of blocked drains and sanitary sewers repairing and rebuilding of storm drains and sewer system - general maintenance and repair of parks, playgrounds, cemeteries and recreational facilities, including ice skating areas.
The Engineering Office is instrumental in developing and perfecting plans, in preparing detailed drawings and specifica- tions for bids and construction projects including surveys, layouts, grades, lines, inspection, drawings and plans for all types of City activities.
The Engineering Sewer Division crews have performed many and varied activities among which are noted:
Construction, flooding and maintenance of ice skating areas. Construction and maintenance of playground facilities. Maintenance of parks and cemeteries.
A kindergarten play area was constructed at the Arthur D. Healey School, fences were erected and an eight foot wide bituminous walk was built from the rear of the school to Mystic Avenue for the safety and convenience of the children.
Calcium chloride was spread on playgrounds throughout the City to control the dust problem. Conway Playground was graded, raked and rolled and a Little League diamond layed out. Shaw Playground was graded and two Farm Team dia- monds formed.
The Cesare A. Marchi Memorial monument was relocated at the Arthur D. Healey School.
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Gatto Memorial was erected on the basketball courts: on Sartwell Avenue.
The O'Brien Memorial Plaque was erected at the corner of Butler Drive and Memorial Road.
At the Proctor School flagstone paving was installed to stop erosion of steep slopes adjoining the stairs. Fences were erected and the areas adjoining the doors were paved with bituminous concrete. Unused air vents and windows were bricked in. The area in front of the building was loamed, seeded and rolled.
The Sewer Crews inspected every manhole throughout the City, removing sticks and other material that might block the sewers and drains.
A large rectangular catch basin frame and grate has been installed at each of the four corners of School and Medford Streets. A new catch basin D frame and grate was installed on School Street at the High School driveway and the inverted syphon under the B &M Railroad tracks was cleaned.
A forty-two inch storm drain extension was constructed from the end of the old Waverly Street outlet to the new B & M main drain. A new manhole and chamber was constructed to. service this line.
Built 17 new catch basins. Rebuilt 53 catch basins. Built 7 new manholes.
Installed 26 new "D" frames and grates on catch basins.
Installed 18 new manhole rings and covers. Repaired 16 manholes.
In addition to above this Division has performed many ma- jor repairs to sewer and storm drainage lines and has handled bituminous concrete resurfacing of old trenches, bad gutters. and school yard surfaces at a great many locations.
The BUILDING DIVISION has completed an amazing number of repair and maintenance assignments on our school and Public buildings. This Division faces a tremendous task in maintaining boilers, heating and ventilating systems, plumb- ing, electrical installations and building maintenance items in general, ranging from replacing sash, glazing, painting, lock- smithing, clearing of rubbish and debris, carpentry work and metalsmithing down to moving furniture. In addition they handle the setting up of polling places, erection of the band stand, furnish folding chairs for all types of activities, set up special classrooms and prepare buildings for many school and
196
ANNUAL REPORTS
civic functions. A few of their accomplishments this year are listed as follows:
Classrooms for Special Classes have been set up at the Lowe, Prescott, Carr, Cutler and Proctor Schools.
Modern toilet facilities were installed for girls at Morse School.
Modern toilet facilities were installed for boys and girls at the Knapp School.
New soap dispensers, paper towel containers, toilet tissue cabinets and adjustable fixtures were installed in every school throughout the City.
New plumbing facilities and canvas drape enclosures were installed in the Health Room at the Southern Junior High School, and the room redecorated.
Two new classrooms for the 4th and 5th grades were set up at the Cholerton School.
New electric flushometers were installed in cell blocks at the Police Station.
Boilers were retubed at the Western Junior High, Cutler, and Hodgkins Schools.
30 classrooms and a number of lavatories, corridors and stair- wells were repainted.
The Building Division office and inspectors handle items ranging from the condemnation of hazardous property to the rental of Public buildings and the issuance of permits.
Following are a few tabulations for the year 1956:
486 building permits issued.
1145 building inspections performed.
280 building complaints investigated.
2095 plumbing and gas fitting permits issued.
2541 plumbing and gas fitting inspections performed.
114 plumbing complaints investigated.
Cash receipts for licenses, permits, elevator inspections, Board of Appeal and services, $9,566.88.
Our LIGHTS AND LINES DIVISION handled its normal activities of electrical inspection - maintenance and care of Police and Fire Signal System - Police and Fire Radio System - traffic light installations - all cable and underground work for above systems and the maintenance and collection of park- ing meter receipts. This Division covers all fires of two alarms or more and carefully checks condition of wiring following floods or fires. They have been particularly active this year since they, like the Water Division, are greatly affected by the scope of heavy construction work in progress in our City. Among their accomplishments this year are:
OPERATION OF PARKING METERS
A total of 981 meters in operation are serviced, collected and maintained including painting and striping of meter stalls, erection of signs and constant inspection of condition. An aver-
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
:age of 200 meters are collected daily -- receipts are counted, tubed and deposited with the City Treasurer.
Total receipts for 1956 to $41,413.44.
215 meter posts were straightened. 92 new posts and bases were installed.
156 meters were repaired. (Largely due to vandalism). 86 old type meters were rebuilt.
Numerous meters were relocated due to the construction of driveways, changes in licensed stands, restricted areas and the ordaining of One-way Streets.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM
178 trouble calls investigated and conditions corrected.
On a great many occasions signals were changed from auto- matic to flashing operation during stormy weather.
21 - 3 light signal heads, 2 bases and 4 signal posts were replaced due to collision damage.
Progression system signals at Walnut Street and Highland Avenue, Walnut and Medford Streets and Walnut and Pearl Streets are serviced weekly.
All other signal installations are serviced monthly which includes checking controllers, motors, relays, time clocks, push buttons and pedestrian signals.
4 new controllers were installed at Highland Avenue and Walnut Street.
New two movement controller with pedestrian period was, installed at Willow and Highland Avenues and all signal heads were rebuilt.
New controller was installed at Elm, Cedar and Mossland Streets.
New flasher units were installed at Curtis Street and Powder House Boulevard, Gerrior Square, Magoun Square and Wilson Square.
Flasher unit at Lombardi Street was overhauled and new post and signal head installed.
4 - 3 light heads were set back from curb on bracket arms at Highland Avenue and Cedar Street - Medford and Central Streets - Summer and Cedar Streets.
Additional 3 light signal heads were installed on existing near left signal posts at the following intersections: Highland
198
ANNUAL REPORTS
and Willow Avenues - Highland Avenue and Cedar Street - Highland Avenue and School Street and Highland Avenue at Walnut Street. (The installation of these signal heads will eliminate the claim that signal visibility was obscured due to large trucks and busses as there are now two signals in unison facing the motorist).
9 new Stop signs with posts and precast concrete bases were installed.
12 police traffic spotlights were maintained.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
The system consists of:
1 1 box circuits connected to 208 street boxes.
75 auxiliary stations and 3 sprinkler systems.
5 primary alarm transmitting circuits.
4 local circuits.
5 mutual aid circuits, all tested three times daily.
4 secondary alarm transmitting circuits tested twice daily.
1 public alarm air horn circuit tested once daily.
1 Civilian Defense public alarm circuit controlling 8 sirens tested weekly.
All circuits are of the closed type under constant 24 hour supervision and are tested for current, voltage and ground readings six times daily. Any irregularities or abnormal condi- tions are checked and corrected immediately.
Monthly inspection and test of all street boxes by actual street pull, testing all features of the boxes which are received® and recorded at headquarters.
Connected Auxiliary System, consisting of 12 local stations. with supervisory panel, to Fire Alarm Box 361 (Arthur D. Healey School).
36 new batteries placed in service.
Fire Box 113, Bennett School discontinued.
New code signal device installed for special mutual aid* signal on Boston tapper line.
New Fire Alarm Box 731, Leon Conwell School, Capen Street and Alewife Brook Parkway placed in service.
Disconnected auxiliary loop, removed auxiliary box and' cable to Box 314 (Old Glines School).
Set sub-base, pedestal and combination fire and police top casting at new location of Box #19.
A total of 2269 feet of underground cable was installed. during the year.
199
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
FIELD LIGHTING
All outdoor field lighting installation at Trum Field-Glen Street Playground - Lincoln Park - Shaw Playground and Albion Street Playground are maintained and supervised by this Division.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PERSONNEL
276 Men - 23 Women.
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
Permanent Shop Equipment and machinery to operate main Repair Shop, Lubritorium, and Garage Shops for Building, Water and Lines and Lights Divisions.
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
2 Hough Payloaders.
2 Catch Basin Cleaning Machines.
2 - Sno-Go Loaders.
4
Walter Snow Fighters.
3 Street Sweeping Machines.
2 - Tractor Plows.
1 - Wrecker.
2 Hoist Rack Trucks.
13 - Dump Trucks.
11 - Service Trucks.
11 - - Pick Ups.
1 - Jeep.
2 - Power Wagons.
2 - Power Rollers.
2 - Low Boy Trailers.
1 - Concrete Mixer.
2 - Sewer Cleaning Machines.
2
- Street Striping Machines.
8 - Power Lawn Mowers.
5 - Air Compressors.
14 - Pumps.
7 - Gasoline Chain Saws.
4 - Electric Chain Saws.
7 - Gasoline Driven Portable Generators.
In addition we have all types of hand tools, jacks, bars, floodlights, etc.
ALBION STREET PLAYGROUND LIGHTS
In answer to a petition presented by a group of neighbor- hood boys outdoor lights were installed at this playground. Two 35 foot poles were set with four 1000 watt floodlights mounted on the cross arms (Two flood lights on each pole) wires were pulled in and time control equipment installed. This arrange- ment has furnished adequate lighting for the double basket-
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ANNUAL REPORTS
ball court and has afforded the children of the neighborhood many pleasant hours of evening play.
FLOOD RELIEF STREET WORK
Immediately following the flood rains of August 18th and 19th, 1955 this Department compiled costs of water damage suffered by the City of Somerville and entered claims for re- imbursement with the Flood Relief Board and the Corps of Engineers U. S. Army. There followed many months of detailed negotiation, forms and reports including close inspection tours of the damaged areas. Finally on March 8, 1956 we received approval and an allotment for the major part of this work. On Monday, April 23, 1956 we started the repair and resurfacing of the following streets:
Streets armor coated with asphalt and pretreated stone
Edgar Avenue from Main Street to Meacham Street. Fremont Street from Meacham Street to East Albion Street.
Gutters Resurfaced
Belmont Street from Somerville Avenue to Highland Avenue. Concord Avenue from Springfield Street to Wyatt Street.
Streets stripped, reshaped, rolled and resurfaced with bitumious concrete
Fremont Street from Main Street to Meacham Street. Meacham Street from Fremont Street to Medford line. Gilman Terrace from Pearl Street to dead end. Richdale Avenue from Sycamore Street to School Street. Tennyson Street from Medford Street to Forster Street Waldo Street from Highland Avenue to Hudson Street. Columbia Street from Webster Avenue to the Cambridge line. Newberne Street from Appleton Street to the Railroad. Clifton Street from Appleton Street to the Railroad. Winslow Avenue from Clifton Street to College Avenue. Conwell Street from Highland Avenue to dead end.
This program was successfully completed early in the month of June.
CHAPTER 90 PROGRAM
Under the Provisions of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, Ter. Ed. The following listed streets were approved for recon- struction. At this writing Mystic Avenue has been completed and preparatory work such as edgestone repairs, tree removal- and storm drainage are underway. Actual resurfacing will be resumed as quickly as weather will permit.
201
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Mystic Avenue from Connecticut Avenue to Sullivan Square. Wheatland Street from Broadway to Mystic Avenue. Temple Street from Broadway to Mystic Avenue. Tufts Street from Cross Street to Washington Street. Chester Street from Elm Street to the Cambridge line. Bow Street from Union Square to Somerville Avenue.
LOWELL STREET BRIDGES
The surfaces of the two railroad bridges on Lowell Street (city owned) were badly in need of repair. To extend the life of the wearing surfaces a new method of reinforcing the bi- tuminous concrete with steel mesh was used. The old surface was entirely removed, loose planks over the bridge beams were bolted securely and a tack coat of bitumen was liberally applied to the exposed wooden deck. Steel mesh was stapled to the deck and incorporated in the binder course, A 1 } inch wearing surface was then applied over the binder course.
ROSELAND STREET WATER MAIN
The old water main in Roseland Street had corroded so badly that residents were not receiving sufficient water. The street was excavated and a new 4 inch cast iron main was laid including new copper services from the main to the gate boxes in the sidewalks. The trench was backfilled and the street sur- face replaced thus eliminating another annoying condition.
EMERGENCY CONNECTION AT WALNUT STREET
An emergency connection was made with the Metropolitan District Commission water main at Broadway and Walnut Street. A T shaped trench was cut 35' long and 4' to 6' wide in order to expose both the 36" M.D.C. main and the 12" city main. A 12" connecting link was established between the two mains using 12" pipe and 12" gate valves. These gates will be kept closed except during an emergency period and will be of vital importance in the event our existing feeder main now supplying East Somerville should be damaged by heavy con- struction activities in the general neighborhood. This con- nection will enable us to supply East Somerville from this M.D.C. main, should the need arise.
SQUIRES BRIDGE WATER LOOP
Construction work at Squires Bridge on the Monsignor McGrath Highway made it imperative that a water main loop be provided to serve the area of Somerville on the Cambridge
202
ANNUAL REPORTS
side of the bridge since any break in existing main or inter- ruption of service would leave the entire area without water. To avoid cost of laying a new line an agreement was reached whereby we utilized an existing Boston and Maine Railroad line in combination with a city line to provide the desired loop. This was accomplished by location and repairing a gate valve and removing an unused check valve from the Boston and Maine line. By this method we were able to provide the vitally needed by-pass line with our only expenditure being the labor involved.
MARCH AND APRIL BLIZZARDS
On March 16, 1956 we received the first of a series of crippling blizzards which presented us with some serious plow- ing problems. In order to combat these storms we were forced to use extreme measures, such as winching out stalled cars and breaking up ice with heavy bulldozers. One of the worst of this series of storms occurred on Sunday morning, April 8, 1956. Headquarters emergency plans such as we used in the past were again placed in effect. Plows were sent out at 6:00 A.M. and Light and Lines, Highway, Forestry, Engineering, Water and Building Division crews were called in. The Lights and Lines Division faced many problems with live wires laying buried in the snow. This situation presented both a life and fire hazard making it imperative that these dangers be removed with utmost speed, this was done. Forestry crews assisted by Building Division personnel proceeded to remove fallen trees, cut down hanging limbs and clean up brush and branches while Engineering crews assisted the Highway Division with plowing operations and clearing of catch basins until the storm sub- sided whereupon they started their snow removal routes cover- ing Churches, Schools and Public Buildings. Meanwhile Build- ing Division inspectors checked each school and public build- ing for storm damage and made certain heating plants were operating properly. Three schools were prepared to furnish shelter to residents should the occasion arise. Residents and business firms were notified of hazardous fence and sign condi- tions and every step possible was taken to protect the lives and safety of the general public.
THREE NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
It is with extreme pleasure that I include in this report the progress made on our new school construction program. The major task of finishing the actual construction of three new elementary schools has been completed. The Arthur D. Healey School, the Leon M. Conwell School and the new Pope School were opened to classes this year. These new schools constitute
203
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
invaluable additions to our school system and should be a source of pride and satisfaction to all concerned. All three schools were formally dedicated' on Sunday, October 28, 1956 with colorful ceremonies attended by capacity crowds.
HIGH SCHOOL FIRES
On Wednesday, January 4, 1956 we suffered a three alarm fire at the Somerville High School. Major damage in this fire was confined to the auditorium and cafeteria sections. Per- manent restoration including a complete new electrical system was started immediately, both cafeteria and auditorium sec- tions were entirely renovated and redecorated. This work was rushed to completion with the cafeteria being reopened for use in April and the auditorium opened for class day exercises on June 8, 1956.
On that very afternoon we suffered a second disastrous three alarm fire at this school. The fire caused tremendous damage to the entire central building and forced us to close this section off entirely. Reconstruction work on the roof and basement, necessary before the school could be reopened, was started. The roof was razed, a new flat roof installed and the basement renovated. This major operation was pushed steadily all summer and completed just in time to resume classes on opening day. The reconstruction and modernization of the interior of the central building is progressing and will afford our student population finer and better facilities upon its completion.
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