USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1958 > Part 11
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1936
ATHLETICS
Charles A. Dickerman, Director
1925
AUDIO - VISUAL AIDS
Edward J. Harrington, Supervisor
PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION
John St. Angelo, Director
1928
SPECIAL CLASSES 1958 - 1959
DIRECTOR
Edward M. McCarty
1939
TEACHERS
PRESCOTT SCHOOL
Mrs. Eleanor J. Gagan 1955 ° Helen Hart 1956
HANSCOM SCHOOL
ºEileen R. Harkins
1956
KNAPP SCHOOL
1956
°Mrs. Mary M. Sullivan
Began Service
1950
173
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1958 - Continued EDGERLY SCHOOL
Began
Began
Name
Service
Name
Service
Mrs. Margaret E. Sullivan
1936
Muriel H. Albanese
1949
*Dorothy M. Leighton 1936
Margaret Connors
1935
Mrs. Louise Gordinier
1953
FORSTER SCHOOL
Mrs. Dorothy Merrifield
1953
BINGHAM SCHOOL
Katherine E. Dooley
1950
CHOLERTON SCHOOL
Elena Alberghini
1948
Suszanne Lombardi ....
....
.... 1946
SOUTHERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
James Keefe
1938
Wilson E. Whittaker
1949
Donald G. Jones 1948
THRIFT
E. Bella Weisman
1921
Eva Palmer
1930
AMERICANIZATION
Rita J. DeLeo
1944
NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING CLASS
Bruno Ciccariello
......... ... 1956
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
Eunice F. Lanigan ............. 1942 Mrs. Madeleine Scammell ... 1951
SUPERVISOR OF SCHOOL CAFETERIAS
°Mrs. Patricia M. Fitzpatrick Claire McAnneny, Clerk
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE James G. Hourihan
VISITING TEACHER Estelle M. Walsh
CUSTODIAN SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOMS Leo J. Callahan
MATRON SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOMS Mrs. Margaret M. Manning
WILLIAM J. DONOVAN
Mayor
139 IPHIL
WALTER J. MANNING Commissioner of Public Works
139 5PEU
175
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
January 1, 1959
The Honorable William J. Donovan City Hall Somerville, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to submit the following report on the activ- ities of the Somerville Department of Public Works for the period January 1, 1958 through December 31, 1958.
As the fifth year of the operation and organization of the department concluded several results appeared outstanding.
First, and most important, tasks introduced into the activ- ities of the various divisions, that were non-existent or very spasmodic when the divisions were separate departments, have become part of the daily routine of operations.
These projects vary from cleaning and inspection opera- tions, which have been standardized and scheduled so as to insure maximum efficiency and results, to the removal of dan- gerous and diseased trees and the permanent patching of sidewalks and streets and many other operations - all aimed at reducing costs of maintenance, replacement and claims, and directly improving living conditions of our residents.
The department's capacity for handling these matters has increased tremendously over the total of what had been ac- complished by the various divisions as separate departments without any appreciable increase in personnel.
Secondly, the cooperation between the divisions has in- creased steadily until it is difficult to credit any one division with completion of one particular task. This accounts in great part for the previously mentioned facts.
176
ANNUAL REPORTS
Thirdly, co-ordination of projects and policies of the de- partment have resulted in considerable saving of money for the City, especially in consideration of the scope of increased activities.
Examples of further saving may be found in both large and small projects, from our success in having the MDC finance a full-scale multi-purpose recreation area in West Somerville to re-use at the Forster school of a flag pole taken from the Knapp school, after the pole had been refinished by building division crews.
The routine maintenance activities of the department are carried on at the department's full capacity so that, at times, when specific improvement projects are undertaken that re- quire specialized skills or machinery or for which limited time is available, we have added to the capacity of the department through the use of contractors.
Often, as in the work in the Northeastern Junior High School this past summer, city employees and contractors work together on an overall project, each on the part for which he is best suited.
While at other times, in operations such as the regrading and sodding of the Prospect Hill Tower grounds, which re- quired specialized machinery and the furnishing of perishable material, a project is completed entirely by contractors, but al- ways under direct supervision of the department.
The bulk of the improvement projects, however, are per- formed entirely by City personnel.
This policy, in its three phases outlined above, has resulted in a savings to the city, for it would cost considerably more to maintain a department large enough all year round in equip- ment, storage and materials to handle the peak activities of the summer months.
We have been fortunate in having the wholehearted sup- port at all times of yourself, Mr. Mayor, and of the Board of Aldermen, School Committee and other departments on various projects, as well as the MDC and other State agencies on certain operations.
On behalf of all the employees of the Department, we were particularly grateful for the good words the National Board of Fire Underwriters Committee on Fire Prevention and Engineer-
177
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ing Standards had for our progress and maintenance in their survey of Somerville, which was published during the spring of 1958. We were particularly gratified when the survey re- sulted in the announcement in September of a decrease in fire insurance rates in Somerville for mercantile and other specif- ically rated risks.
178
ANNUAL REPORTS
I. BUILDING DIVISION
Our Building division is charged with a two-fold task, the complete care and maintenance of all public buildings and the granting of permits and inspection of all new construction and installations.
A. Building Maintenance
Included in the first category is the routine care of heating, lighting, and ventilation systems, carpentry, cleaning, glazing, painting, and generally cleaning the City's 29 school buildings, six libraries, seven fire stations, police station, Bow St. recre- ation center, central heating plant, five fieldhouses and several small storage buildings, public works building and garage it- self, and City Hall.
The division must prepare these buildings for their daily municipal functions, set up the polling places, set up the band- stand where and when it is needed, and furnish folding chairs for all types of activities.
It is also charged with keeping track of and supervising the use of all buildings by other departments, recreation commis- sion groups and civic organizations. A calendar is maintained for all halls, gymnasiums and auditoriums.
1. SCHOOLS
Improvement of our school facilities has been one of the most challenging assignments the department has tackled; and one, we might add, in which we have had a deep personal interest and concern.
Work ranges from improvements in health and safety fac- tors, such as construction of new lavatories and constant in- spection and replacement of fire extinguishers, to operations necessary to help the buildings meet the demands of modern education, such as the installation of electrical outlets for T V sets and audio-visual aids equipment.
An average of $125,000.00 has been spent annually on the major modernization projects in the schools on a rotating basis aimed at improving the entire system as much as possible. Last year the School Committee cooperated on projects at the Trade
179
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
High School through transfer of portions of the funds neces- sary for materials.
Major projects in the school buildings during the year - all of which must be carried out during vacations - included the creation of kindergartens in the Knapp and Durell schools; creation of two temporary classrooms in the auditorium of the Pope School; complete installation of a modern cafeteria and a new boiler in the Trade School; modernization of three lava- tories, bringing this total to 13 for the department; installation of a new electrical service and almost complete renewing of the auditorium of the Northeastern Junior High School, plus other work in the school; repainting and generally redecorating 12 classrooms, numerous corridors, teachers rooms and lavatories, and numerous specialized rooms such as libraries, health and music rooms; and installation of a new roof as well as other work at the Somerville High School gymnasium.
a. Two New Kindergartens
Kindergartens were set up in the Knapp and Durell Schools during the year. The rooms were painted, new 1/2inch plywood and battleship linoleum floor covering installed, and furniture purchased. New furniture included 25 new chairs, two frame tables, two bookcases, and a used piano in each. Original. furniture in the rooms was re-assigned.
b. Pope School Rooms
The auditorium of the Pope School was partitioned off into two temporary classrooms with ten-foot partitions set down the: middle of the hall and across the rear half. The partitions have obscure glass in them to insure maximum light distribution; and casements are of a size which will fit other school windows. for re-use at a later date.
Auditorium lights were left intact and new fluorescent lights, which can also be transferred to another room at a later date, were hung at regulation classroom level.
Portable blackboards were attached to the front partitions. of the rooms and the stands stored for future use. The rear partitions set off a corridor to avoid any possible classroom. disturbance from use of the area as a passageway.
180
ANNUAL REPORT
Two blackboards, new bookcases, and 35 desks and chairs and a teacher's desk were provided, since one room of furniture was available from the previous year.
It is indeed regrettable that use of the hall as an auditorium for the community is thus temporarily eliminated, but we feel that completely satisfactory classrooms have thus been estab- lished and that an even more satisfactory solution to the prob- lem of surplus pupils at that particular school will be found shortly.
c. Trade High School Projects
Cafeteria-An old lunchroom where students could merely eat lunches brought with them from home was converted into a modern cafeteria completely equipped for serving the finest hot lunches.
Bids for furnishing of equipment were publicly advertised and awarded to the low bidder, O'Toole Company of Boston for $10,850.00. Equipment included restaurant size stove and oven, pre-rinse sink, dishwasher, pressure cooker, potato peeler, mixer, modern counter tops for serving food, refriger- ator, freezer, storage freezer, work tables, and all other neces- sary items.
The city employees, during the summer, redecorated the cafeteria, painted the walls, sanded and refinished the floor, and refinished all tables and chairs. New fluorescent lights and a 20-inch galvanized exhaust for the centrifugal blower were installed.
A storeroom was partitioned off in a nearby room and the remainder of the room was painted and set up as a teachers' lunchroom.
Boiler-One of the two boilers in the school failed early in October and although temporary repairs were made to keep the boiler in operation, it became necessary to obtain a completely new installation.
Bids were advertised and subsequently opened October 31, 1958, and contract awarded to the low bidder, Crane Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. of Cambridge for $26,500.00.
Besides the furnishing and installation of the new boiler, work included removing and replacing a section of a wall, over-
181
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
hauling and modernizing of the Powers regulator system for both boilers, and all necessary changes in the heating system, of which there were considerable.
Since the school has a second boiler, it was possible to maintain proper temperatures at all times during the school sessions. Modernizing of the Powers regulator system improves the entire heating plant and makes it possible for the new boiler to carry the brunt of the heating load.
d. Lavatories Modernized
Toilet facilities in the Forster and Brown schools were im- proved with the replacement of old overhead flush box facili- ties by automatic flushometer fixtures. Wooden compartments were replaced by metal ones.
At the Brown school the old floor was taken up, new drains and a new tile floor was installed. At the Forster school a wooden wall in each was replaced with masonry construction.
Additional radiation, new ceilings, new ventilation, water lines, metal baffles, sinks, fluorescent lights, and other items were installed in all three. All were painted.
Lavatory facilities on all three floors of the Forster annex (Folsom building) were painted, and repairs made to the steam, heating, and water plumbing in each of them. Wooden baffles were replaced with metal in all and repairs made to the toilets.
Facilities were also partitioned off for men teachers at the Hanscom school.
e. Northeastern Junior High
A large part of the division's major activities last year was in this building, where two rooms were completely renovated, a new electrical service was installed, and the auditorium- gymnasium was entirely restored.
Work on renovation of the two classrooms included the painting of walls and ceilings, and installation of a battleship linoleum floor covering over a new plywood base. New wiring and fluorescent lights were installed, together with new port- able furniture, clocks, and window shades. Old furniture from the rooms was refinished and reassigned where needed.
182
ANNUAL REPORTS
A new electrical service was installed, which materially in- creased the capacity of the system. Considerable new wiring was completed, switchboard rebuilt, new outside horns in- stalled, and new electrical fixtures placed in corridors and rear of auditorium.
In the auditorium, the entire floor was stripped and four alternate coats of asphalt and tar paper were applied prior to the installation of a new maple floor to eliminate future damp- ness. Work here also included repairs to plaster and brick- work; refinishing of the stage floor; installation of new lights under the balcony and other electrical work on the stage; protective measures on the windows; complete painting of the hall; and other items.
The entranceway to the school was painted and two coats of Urethane, an attractive protective material, were applied on the first floor central corridor.
f. Senior High School
Several projects were completed or started during 1958 on our continuing modernization of the Senior High School, with work concentrated in areas not included in the modernization of the Central building.
A large double room area, which had been partitioned off in the East Wing basement for storage of books and other equipment during the Central building modernization, was converted for use of the night school sewing and upholstery classes. Work involved such operations as cutting a new door- way, repainting the entire area, refinishing the floor, and in- stalling fluorescent lights and wall plugs for a row of sewing machines.
Major project for this school in 1958 was the reshingling of the gymnasium. Bids were publicly advertised for repairing, replacing flashing, and installing new fire-check type shingles and were opened Dec. 5, 1958. The contract was awarded to the low bidder, Hurley Brothers Co., Inc. of Somerville for $7,315 and work scheduled to begin early in 1959.
Work in the school department quarters included painting of school committee office, removal of plain glass from parti- tions in the school committee office and replacement with Florentine glass; painting of ceilings, walls and woodwork, and furnishing of new drapes in the superintendent's office.
183
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
g. Classroom Painting
In all rooms which are painted we use pleasant, modern colors such as rose, yellow, light green and splatter paintings in order to make the schools more pleasant places in which to learn and to obtain maximum light reflection. A variety of accompanying repairs and installations often are carried out in conjunction with the painting of a room, including the appli- cation of a special green substance to the blackboards.
Last year several blackboards were thus modernized in the following schools: Brown, Cutler, Edgerly, Grimmons, Han- scom, Knapp, Morse, Northeastern, Senior High School wings, and throughout the Hodgkins School.
The following areas were painted in 1958 in addition to the ones included in the major projects detailed above:
Following is a summary of the rooms redecorated in addi- tion to the above:
Five classrooms, training apartments, and several of the High School Gymnasium areas.
Two classrooms, health room, library, music room, teach- ers room, two rest rooms, and teachers rest room in Western Junior High School. Work included installation of new ceil- ings in the two classrooms.
First floor and basement corridors, stairwells, and polling booth at the Brown School.
Two classrooms at the Cutler School.
Corridors, coat rooms, rest rooms of the three floors of the Cholerton (Highland) School.
Dental clinic at the Hodgkins School.
Three classrooms, first floor corridor and entrance to Lowe School.
Repairs were made to ceilings and walls of four classrooms.
h. General Work
Many operations, which of themselves appear minor, be- come major in scope when the time and money consumed to carry out these projects over 29 school buildings is added up.
The various projects outlined below are in addition to simi- lar work which might have been done in conjunction with some of the major operations already discussed.
184
ANNUAL REPORT
Repairs were made to the heating systems of at least 25 of the school buildings, plus repairs to ventilation in 14; and plumbing repairs in 8.
A few of these projects were as follows:
Rewiring of oil burner in Southern Junior High School.
Replacement of sump pump and air valves in Bingham School.
New brick work in boilers of Cummings and Durell Schools. New radiator in girls lavatory at the Cutler School.
Brick work repairs in boiler of Cholerton (Highland), Lowe, and Morse Schools.
Replacement of the return tank at the Lowe.
Installation of five new radiators within a brick shaft at the Proctor School.
Stoker repairs at the Forster and Cummings Schools.
Rebuilding of electric motors at Grimmons School.
Locks were repaired in 9 schools; doors in 11 school build- ings; and windows in 17, the latter including such items as new sash, new window shades, new pulleys and screens.
A few of these installations were as follows:
New parting beads and window cords throughout the Bingham School.
New screens in the rear of the Morse School.
20 heavy wire mesh screens in the rear of the Perry School to protect the windows from incessant vandalism.
New screens throughout the Proctor School.
Furniture repairs were made in 11 schools; equipment and appliances repaired in three; roof repairs made in seven build- ings; general carpentry repairs in three; and flooring items in five.
A few of these operations were as follows:
Sanding of all desks, chairs, etc. in Hanscom and Hodg- kins Schools.
Completion of sanding of all desks, chairs, etc. in South- worth School.
185
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
A new battleship linoleum floor covering was installed at the Morse School Kindergarten.
A new gas stove was installed in the Brown School.
Electrical work was done in 11 schools, including repairs to electric motors in several.
A few of these installations were as follows:
New program horns at the Western Junior High School.
New Program clock at the Forster School.
New fire alarm system at the Grimmons School.
New clocks and outlets throughout the Hanscom School.
A few miscellaneous operations were as follows:
Hot top was repaired at Cutler and Durell Schools.
A new flag pole was installed at the Knapp School.
New stair treads were installed on three flights of stairs at the Morse School.
A section of the rear wall near basement entrance was rebricked at the Perry School. (necessitated by vandalism.)
Plywood and asphalt guards were placed around steam pipes in 8 cloak rooms at the Proctor School.
New ceilings were installed in the janitor's and utility rooms of the Brown School.
Lath and plaster repairs were made to ceilings, walls and basement hallway and stairway of Forster School; and wooden trench covers and air shaft door were replaced by metal ones in Forster Annex.
New formica tops were installed on the counters at the Western Junior High School Cafeteria.
i. Daily Care
Further steps toward perfecting our daily care of the schools were taken early in 1958 when five senior custodians were appointed to intensify supervision over the larger school buildings.
Senior custodians, all of whom serve as working foremen, are assigned to the three junior high schools, senior and trade high schools, and the Healey school. The fixing of authority and responsibility to one of the several custodians assigned to
186
ANNUAL REPORT
each of these buildings has increased efficiency of operation and maintenance.
A copy of the "General Duties and Responsibilities" of custodians is distributed to all custodians and is available at the public works office for any persons interested in reading them. They generally outline the daily care of the buildings, lavatories, ventilation, heating, and electricity systems and have specific instructions on fire prevention.
During the latter part of the year a terrible tragedy oc- curred in Chicago, which resulted in the loss of 97 lives in a parochial school fire.
This holocaust drew the attention of the public and various officials to the condition of our own schools, attention which we more than welcome for we are proud of the tremendous operation the department had completed in five years and cog- nizant of the fact that a tremendous job still lies ahead.
For the past five years we have dedicated ourselves and the work of the department to doing everything we possibly can to see to it that such a tragedy will never happen in Somerville. In order to make this task easier public and official awareness of the problems is always most helpful and in most cases in- dispensable.
Accompanying this report is a table giving ages, sizes, structure, and other information on our school buildings, which shows the monumental task the modernization of our facilities really is. Limitations of time and money, freaks of weather, discouraging cutbreaks of vandalism, and demands of emer- gency work are also problems which must be continually over- come in the completion of improvement projects. We have employed a variety of money-saving methods and devices in order to complete as many of the highly desirable operations as possible with the funds available annually.
Besides the daily check and inspection the schools and other public buildings undergo from the custodians, they are also inspected regularly by our building inspectors, supervisor of heating plants, and supervisor of custodians, and periodic inspections by the fire department, State inspectors, insurance company boiler inspectors, and myself.
187
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
CHART NO. 1 - SCHOOL BUILDINGS
SCHOOL
CLASSROOMS
STORIES
SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
D FIRE ALARM
70 CONSTRUCTION
AGE
Baxter, Bolton St.
6
2
Yes
C
58
Bingham, Lowell St.
16 21/2
Yes
P
C
73-55
Brown, Willow & Josephine Ave.
10
2
Yes
P
C
58-52
Burns, Cherry St. nr. Highland Ave.
8
2
Yes
P
C
73-70
Carr, Beach St.
15
3
Yes
P
C
61
Cholerton, Highland Ave. & Grove St.
12
3
Yes
P
C
79-68
Conwell, Capen St.
7
1
No
T
A
21/2
Cummings, School St. nr. High- land Ave.
9
2
Yes
P
A
27
Cutler, Powder House Blvd.
22
3
Yes
P
C C
47-44
Durell, Beacon & Kent Sts.
4
2
Yes
P
65
Forster School, Sycamore St. & Evergreen Ave.
13
3
Ye
P
C
93
Forster Annex (Folsom)
8
2
Yes
P
C
60
Grimmons, Shore Drive
8
2
Yes
P
B
29
Hanscom, Webster & Rush Sts.
10
2
Yes
P
C
62-52
Healey, Meacham St.
26
2
No
T
A
21/2 61
Knapp, 45 Concord Ave.
13
3
Yes
P
C
70-65
Lowe, Morrison Ave. nr. Grove St.
8
2
Yes
P
č C
56
Morse, Summer & Craigie Sts.
12
3
Yes
P
89-69
Northeastern Junior, Marshall St.
42
3
No
P
A c
36
Perry, Washington St.
6
2
Yes
P
60
Pope, Washington & Boston Sts. ..
7
2
No
T
A
21/2
Prescott, Pearl & Myrtle Sts.
13
3
Yes
P
C
92
Southworth (Prescott Annex)
10
2
Yes
P
C
43
Proctor, Hudson St.
9
2
Yes
P
C
54
Somerville High School
102
3
Yes
T
A-C
88-31-11/2
Southern Junior, Vinal Ave. Sum- mer St.
47
3
No
P
A-C
28
Trade High, 33 Cross St.
34
3
No
T
A
23
Edgerly, 10 rooms
Continuation, 6 rooms Boys High School, 18 rooms
Western Junior (Cliff) Holland St.
43
2 No P
B 42-28
T-Tied direct to Fire Alarm Headquarters
P-Local Alarm and one station direct to Fire Alarm Headquarters
A-Brick Walls, concrete floors and corridors
B-Brick walls, concrete corridors, wooden floors
C-Brick exterior walls
Hodgkins, Holland St.
14 21/2
Yes
P
C
188
ANNUAL REPORT
2. OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS
As an example of some of the routine operations which keep the division busy at all times the following work was done in public buildings other than schools during the year:
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