USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1959 > Part 13
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One Gallon
32
Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
Gasoline
47
258
3
Oil and Grease
4
31
2
Vehicle Tank Meters
6
97
1
Bulk Storage Meters
13
Kerosene
45
5
1
Other Automatic Measuring Devices
Taxi Meters
57
12
Cloth
2
Yard Sticks
7
Totals
237
2504
32
68
212
ANNUAL REPORTS
Summary of Inspections
Clinical Thermometers
1748
Marking of Bread
6
Marking of Food Packages
185
Pedlers License
3
Transient Vendors
3
Taxi Meters
57
Fuel Meters
97
Gas Pumps and Meters
258
Coal in Paper Bags
6
Glass Graduates
177
Applications Inspected and Signed for Special Licenses
Special City License
6
County License
35
State License
56
Disabled Veterans License
18
Transfers
7
Total
122
Gasoline Station Test
Total Number of Calls
258
Number of Stations
57
Number of Gallons Drawn for Tests
2060
Total Meters Sealed
444
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Commodities Put Up For Sale
Total No. Number Tested
- Incorrect - Under
Bread
6
6 24
Butter
24
Coal in Paper Bags
6
6
Confectionery
Dry Commodities
52
23
6
23
Flour
Fruits & Vegetables
39
3
12
24
Meats
58
27
16
15
Potatoes
Municipal Weighings
4
Other Weighings
78
Totals
185
165
34
68
Correct
Over
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. CASEY
213
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Honorable Harold W. Wells Mayor of Somerville Somerville, Massachusetts
January 4, 1960
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to submit the following report on activities of the Somerville Department of Public Works during the period from January 1, 1959 through December 31, 1959.
During the year, in addition to performing the heavy rou- tine maintenance schedule in all divisions of the department, we made considerable progress on several phases of our im- provement program, notably the modernization of our school system; improvement and expansion of the parks and play- grounds; road construction, with the start of work on private ways; and construction of a municipal incinerator.
At all times maximum use was made of all state aid pos- sible.
I. IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
A. INCINERATOR
Following approval for the construction of a municipal in- cinerator by the Board of Aldermen on August 21, 1958, necessary land takings were made in the Industrial Develop- ment area at the corner of McGrath Highway, Linwood Street and Poplar Street. The firm of Robert Charles Associates was engaged to draw plans and specifications and complete all architectural work.
Advertising for public bids for construction of the inciner- ator was accordingly started on March 5, 1959, with sub-bids publicly opened on March 20, 1959 and general bids opened on March 26, 1959.
214
ANNUAL REPORTS
A total of 14 bids were received from general con- tractors, ranging from the low bid of $1,069,000 to a high of $1,296,639. Contract was awarded to the low bidder, the firm of C. J. Maney Co., Inc., of Lexington. Ground breaking cere- monies were held Monday, April 6, 1959.
The new incinerator will have three furnaces with a total burning capacity of 450 tons in 24 hours and a 175-foot chim- ney, which will contain combustion and expansion chambers, as well as other equipment designed to completely eliminate smoke and odor. Morse-Boulger Destructor Company, low bidder on the incinerator and flue gas equipment, guarantees against smoke.
The considerable rain in the early part of the summer, dur- ing the setting of the concrete foundation helped to secure slow curing of the concrete with even drying that has helped to strengthen it. Despite minor delays during the year, actual construction work was nearly completed as scheduled, Decem- ber 31, 1959.
We are proud of this accomplishment and the fine struc- ture, which properly utilized should insure Somerville residents healthful, economical rubbish disposal. It will reduce the city's sanitation problem by being in an industrial area within the City limits, by providing considerable savings on gas, oil, tires and the wear and tear of the trucks; and by reducing the danger to health and property inherent in open dumps.
B. AIR POLLUTION STUDY
In conjunction with construction of the incinerator and in order to provide a yardstick for efficiency of the smoke control facilities in the new incinerator, we inaugurated last fall a six to eight month air pollution study covering a square mile area in the vicinity of the incinerator.
The program, being operated by Leonard C. Mandell, con- sulting chemical engineer for Robert Charles Associates and several universities, is being done with the cooperation of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Sani- tary Engineering, Worthen H. Taylor, chief engineer.
A testing station, consisting of a dust jar and sample pump has been set up at the following sites: a building near the incinerator; Somerville High School; Southworth School; White
215
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Rose Baking Company, Somerville Avenue; Central Fire Sta- tion; Squires Building; A & P Storage Warehouse; and Singal Building, 225 McGrath Highway. A ninth site is still to be selected, probably in Cambridge. Sites were chosen in order to insure true testing of material in the air and to eliminate interference from local irritants.
The testing began last October. It will record the materials in the air and the smoke density in all seasons and with all prevailing winds, as well as helping to trace their origin.
C. ROAD WORK
1. Chapter 90 Program
The State Department of Public Works agreed to our re- quest to expand the use of state and county aid granted under the provisions of Chapter 90 of the General Laws. In order to get more streets included in the allotted funds through quan- tity bidding, the 1958 and 1959 streets were combined in the 1959 program.
The following streets were accordingly reconstructed in 1959: Sycamore, Boston, Church, Delaware, Fairfax, Gilman, Gordon, Heath, High, Mansfield, Quincy, Sterling Streets, Columbus and Concord Avenues, and Washington Street be- tween Mansfield and Boston Streets.
The wonderful cooperation of County engineers in early completions of specifications and sketches permitted early ad- vertising so that all the fifteen streets could be completed in 1959. These streets were re-designed to conform to the needs of the heavy traffic of today according to Chapter 90 specifica- tions. They were excavated and reshaped to provide proper reveal on edgestones and to insure good drainage and sound base. Unsuitable base was excavated and new gravel base was installed where needed.
The State allowed our city work on drainage and tree re- moval to be figured in as part of the City's twenty-five percent contribution toward the cost of the work.
The majority of the necessary drainage improvements, tree removal etc., had been completed in 1958 on the fifteen
216
ANNUAL REPORTS
streets; as was the considerable necessary preliminary work re- quired on the two additional streets for which state aid approval had been secured: Morrison Avenue from Cedar Street to Willow Avenue and Willow Avenue from Elm Street to Mor- rison Avenue.
At a hearing before the State Department of Public Works in September, 1959, I requested aid for the following streets for continuation of the program:
Bonair Street, Bonner Avenue, Crocker Street, Crown Street, Garfield Avenue, Grove Street from Elm Street to High- land Avenue, Harrison Street from Ivaloo Street to Kent Street, Merriam Street from Somerville Avenue to Washington Street, Moreland Street, Hinckley Street, Newton Street, Otis Street, South Street, Summer Street from Cedar Street to Cutter Ave- nue, Tower Street, Trull Street and Warren Avenue.
2. Other Surfacing Work
City crews spent considerable time on resurfacing damaged areas in streets and sidewalks. They removed raised slabs at trees and other danger spots and repaired the sidewalks with bituminous concrete (hot top).
An eighty foot long access road (Capen Court) was surfaced from Capen Street on city owned land leading into the new elderly housing project. The road had been rough graded and a steel reinforced concrete mat constructed over MDC water- line the previous year.
Also surfaced were the gutters of Eastman Road, Broadway Terrace; at Broadway walk across Broadway Park at Melvin Street and the yards of the three Junior High Schools (see sec- tion on school buildings), as well as a burm around the basket- ball courts at Trum field to protect them from weather erosion.
3. Private Ways
Progress was made on implementation of the Private Way Bill we sponsored before the legislature in 1956. Accepted by the aldermen the Bill permits the city forces to work on private ways that have been opened for public use six years or more.
217
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Following several meetings with abutters, which | person- ally attended in order to fully explain the provisions of the bill, the following private ways were resurfaced: Greenville Court, Greenville Terrace, Lester Terrace, Albion Place, Silvey Place, Mortimer Place and Sherman Court. Guard rails were installed on Sherman Court to protect pedestrians.
D. SCHOOL BUILDINGS
1. Forster and Hodgkins Schools
The major school renovation undertaking of the year was the combined project of the modernization and rejuvenation of the Hodgkins and Forster Schools.
With limits dictated by practicality and economy, the schools were almost completely redone from the major roof and plaster repairs and new wiring, to the installation of new fluorescent lights and electric clocks in all rooms and the com- plete repainting of the entire school buildings in modern, bright colors. Work also included such related projects as in- stallation of new fire alarm horns, sanding, shellacking and varnishing of furniture throughout the Forster School, Hodg- kins School. Furniture had been completely repaired previously, and modernizing of blackboards.
New health and teachers' rooms were set up and furnished at the Hodgkins School, where modern lavatories had been constructed in 1957. Last year, at the Forster School, girls' and boys' lavatories were completely modernized with overhead boxes and wooden compartments replaced by modern, auto- matic flushometer toilets and metal compartments. The wooden wall in each lavatory was replaced by cinder block par- titions. Three new lavatories were installed in teachers' rooms and principal's office.
All necessary electrical work, plumbing, ventilating etc., was completed and wall fixtures were furnished together with new water bubblers. The chimney at the Forster School was also cut down and re-bricked; and the Hodgkins School boiler was retubed.
Most of the work was done by City crews with contracts for painting and supplying the fluorescent lights going to the low bidders. Open house was held in the two buildings on Septem- ber 17, 1959.
218
ANNUAL REPORTS
2. Western Junior High School
Much of the work in the Junior High Schools and the High School was done to cooperate with the School Committee's utilization of the Defense Education Act, which provides funds for various phases of science and guidance programs, among others.
Therefore, a large part of the rotating renovation program was devoted to the Western Junior High School, where the gas line to both laboratories had been shut off for a good number of years because of a hidden leak.
Room 207, a generally unused science laboratory in the school, was completely renovated and redecorated, including new wiring, fluorescent lights, new ceilings, new partitions and storage areas with sliding doors for special equipment, refur- bished demonstration table, painting, new furniture and floor repairs. A new gas line was installed from the basement.
The science laboratory was dedicated by the school at spe- cial ceremonies November 9, 1959, as part of the observance of American Education Week.
Plaster repairs were made in Room 206 and the new wiring for fluorescent lights was drawn into the room preparatory to modernizing this laboratory in 1960.
There was considerable other work in the school. One boiler was retubed; roof repaired; men teachers' room completely modernized and new toilets with low down tanks installed; and the teachers' room was painted. Major building repairs were made, including installation of three new ceilings and painting of several sections of the corridors. Furniture was repaired in a large number of rooms. In the boys' toilet on the first floor, plaster repairs were made, the room was painted, and new bowls were installed. The skylights were removed and boarded in, followed by installation of a new five ply gravel roof.
The girls' shower room was modernized and remodelled when it was found that a bad drainage condition in the base- ment floor was eating away at the floor, creating the danger of a cave-in and causing a dangerous tilt to the heavy slate walls of the shower compartments.
The shower room floor was broken out; and two new floor drains with back water valves and a new ceramic tile floor was
219
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
installed. The slate shower partitions were reset; ten new shower heads and six new shower strainers installed. Dressing compartments were cleaned and repaired.
Considerable work was done to the exterior with repairs to the coping of the side entrances; laying of four hundred feet of storm drainage; necessary catch basin and manhole work; grading and hot-topping of circular areas around the rear and sides of the school; and setting of edgestone to create a hot- topped walk around the school. The adjacent area was loamed and seeded to meet the new grade.
3. Elementary Schools
Work in the City's schools is constant. The following is a list of major items, as well as a sampling of the work done in every school: (The list for each school is in no way complete)
Baxter: The department repiped showers and drinking facilities for the Recreation Commission. Other work included installation of bells and horns; repair work to windows, elec- tricity, doors and plumbing; and renovation of the polling rooms.
Bingham: A leaky return line was replaced on the top floor of the building. Program included masonry work on boilers, considerable repairs to brick work, windows, plumbing, etc.
Brown: A stoppage in the storm drainage at this school was freed and the cellar walls waterproofed to prevent a recurrence of the flooding in the basement, if the drainage blocks again. Masonry work was done in this school, plus repairs to boiler, doors, plumbing, electricity, etc.
Burns: A return pump and motor was installed for the boiler and thirty desks were installed in classrooms. Other items included electrical work, and repairs to windows, doors, brickwork, and the roof. A health room is planned for next year.
Carr: The passageway between Cleveland Street, Atherton Street and the front yard of the school was entirely hot-topped, completing the full resurfacing of the grounds. Flag pole ropes were replaced and general repairs were made to windows, doors and plumbing. Seven fire alarm horns were installed.
220
ANNUAL REPORTS
Cholerton: (Highland) A classroom on the third floor was repainted, completing the full repainting of the rooms and of- fices of the school. The room was fully set up for use of an audio-visual aids room. Other work included painting and set- ting up of a large new sign on the outside of the building; cutting of a new door in the rear; replacing of wire and trans- formers, fire, program and door bells.
Conwell: A stainless steel sink, gas stove and radiator were furnished and installed in service room next to the auditorium- gymnasium.
Cummings: Fire hoses and new window cords were in- stalled. Considerable repairs were made to broken windows, as well as other general items.
Cutler: A basement wall was broken through and an exit made for the audio-visual aids class. A platform with stairs was constructed; both boilers were rebricked; new fire alarm horns were installed; a sixth grade was supplied with new fur- niture; a one hundred watt transformer for six program bells was Installed; drinking bubblers were set up for the Recreation Commission. Repairs were made to boiler, windows and ma- sonry. Plans were set up for the replacing of the girls' toilets on all three floors, with hung type toilets, next year.
Durell: Work included the reputtying of windows, installa- tion of new fire horns; and making of general repairs to win- dows, plumbing and other items.
Edgerly: See Trade High School.
Forster Annex: All toilet facilities on the three main floors of the annex were painted and generally renovated, with repairs to heating and plumbing. Wooden baffles were replaced with metal ones.
A water bubbler was installed in the basement, where all wooden trench covers and a wooden air shaft door were re- placed with metal ones. Sprinkler piping was repaired; a brick air shaft was taken down and cap installed. It is planned to seal off the vacant top floor of this building.
Grimmons: Work included installation of a door bell, drink- ing fountains for the Recreation Commission, and a 3 h.p. motor. Repairs were made to locks, windows and the electrical system.
221
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Hanscom: Four classrooms and a section of the corridor were repainted and generally renovated. Doorbells and a sump pump were installed. Switches and a defective air valve were replaced. A leaky return line in the basement was replaced, which meant digging up of the floor and recementing it. Boiler repairs were made, plus other items.
Healey: New accordion type doors and canvas curtains were installed in two kindergarten toilets. Staging was erected for changing the lights in the gymnasium; a storm drain was freed; flag pole ropes were replaced; general maintenance repairs were made.
Knapp: New lights were installed in the alley outside the school. Work included installation of three new fire alarm horns, new window cords, flag pole ropes, considerable repairs to windows, plumbing, masonry.
Morse: A room on the third floor was painted for use as audio-visual aids room. Dark shades were put up and folding chairs furnished.
New tops were installed on desks in one room, new reading tables in four rooms. Major plaster repairs and repairs to the slate roof were made. Seven new fire hoses were installed, as well as new tank clock levers; considerable repairs were made to windows, doors and boiler.
Plans were set up for the installation next year, of a fire escape on the rear of the building.
Perry: The department installed and repaired screens; in- stalled new wires in fire alarm; frosted windows in boys' and girls' lavatories; repaired and sanded desks; repaired front door with new panic bar, plywood panels and door pull. Repairs were made to oil burner, windows, electrical fixtures, brick work and other items.
Pope: Defective trap elements in some classroom unit heaters were replaced, as well as the flag pole ropes. All gen- eral maintenance items were taken care of. See also SECTION VI on matter of annex.
Prescott: Approximately fifty feet of drainage piping were installed in this school over a week-end when a bad stoppage and break developed in the ninety-three year old clay piping, which would have prevented use of cafeteria.
222
ANNUAL REPORTS
A drinking fountain was installed for the Recreation Com- mission. Other installations included new door, program and fire alarm bells, new flag pole ropes, relief tank in tankless heater, new ramp and new cement steps in basement, and other items. Masonry and other work was done on the boilers.
Southworth: (Prescott Annex) New screens were made and put up; vent valve installed; door panels, windows, burner, other items repaired.
Proctor: The teachers' room was entirely renovated and a lavatory added. A counter was constructed in the room with built-in sink and ten-gallon electric automatic hot water heater. New electric service was put in with connections and plaster work done.
Gas lines throughout the school were disconnected and capped, with the exception of the one servicing the burner.
Two new rooms of furniture were provided; a room was re- decorated for use of audio-visual aids class; a new linoleum was put down in the kindergarten; repairs were made to windows, boiler, plumbing, cloak rooms. Three fire hoses were installed.
4. Junior High Schools
Northeastern: Five more rooms were repainted in the Northeastern Junior High School this year, together with the kitchen and cafeteria and complete redecorating of the main office and sections of the first floor corridor. Major furniture repairs were made throughout the building.
Installations included new railing in the cafeteria, drinking fountain for the Recreation Commission, marbleized heavy gauge linoleum on the lunchroom counter. Repairs were made to windows, doors, boiler, plumbing, locks and other items.
Fifty feet of storm drainage were installed in the North- eastern Junior High School yard, together with a new manhole. One catch basin was remodelled and it is planned to construct another in the boys' play area. Considerable work was done on the fences.
Vandalism plagues all schools during the entire year, but the worst case of it during this past year occurred in this school,
223
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
when a group managed to enter the building in October. Con- siderable damage was done to supplies and equipment in many of the rooms and black and red ink was spattered on the newly painted walls of the office.
Southern: Considerable work was done on the windows. Be- sides replacing of innumerable panes of glass, as in every school building, all windows were reputtied; cords and parting beads were replaced in a large number of windows. Repairs were made to the boiler, plumbing, locks, showers, and lighting. The sump pump and several screens and shades were replaced. Some new lights were installed. The Vinal Avenue side yard and the boys' yard were completely hot-topped.
5. High Schools
Trade High School: Final stages of the installation of the new boiler were completed. New furniture was installed in one class room. A leaky return line was replaced in a class room; eight unit heater motors and fans were reconditioned; a plat- form was built for lockers; repairs to doors, windows, electrical and brick work, heating, plumbing, etc.
At the Edgerly School in the same building, desks through- out the school were sanded, shellacked and varnished, and the kindergarten was painted.
Somerville High School: This is the largest school building in the city and its maintenance and repair is a project which requires somebody from the Building Division to visit it almost daily to supplement the general maintenance of the custodians. Repairing the plumbing, heating, electrical system, furnishings, etc. for the wide variety of facilities and equipment in the school is a vast operation.
Some of the major work in the school during this past year includes the installation of a new roof of fire check shingles on the gymnasium; the setting up of a completely new chemistry laboratory in Room 313; erection of partitions for guidance offices on the first floor; constructing two cinder block walls and two doorways to create a room in the basement; complete renovation of the storage room in the gymnasium with specialized fixtures for various equipment; installation of a second sink in the biology room, installation of ventilators in
224
ANNUAL REPORTS
the main office and a bubbler outside the health room. Repairs were made to bleachers and considerable other work was done in the gymnasium.
Care of the High School also includes care of the School Committee quarters and the G A R hall under the gymnasium and reaches to such items as the application of fly-away solu- tion for pigeons.
E. OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS
In addition to schools considerable work must be done during the year on other public buildings. During the past year work on the seven fire stations included repairs to stokers, boilers and accessories, windows, locks, doors and steps, including setting of new cement steps at Engine 4. Boilers, masonry and toilet facilities, among the other minor items needed attention at the various fieldhouses; and routine repairs were made at the Central heating plant, as well as our Public Works Building itself.
Besides this routine work special projects were undertaken at the Libraries, City Hall, Bow Street Recreation Building, and the Police Station.
1. Libraries
East Branch: The exterior trim of the East Somerville Branch Library was painted with two coats of lead oil, screens and two flag poles were painted and the lettering refinished.
Central Library: Upon completion of the installation of new wiring and lighting, we advertised for bids to start the needed renovation of the interior and exterior of the Central Library Building. Repairs to the paint and plaster of the interior must wait until exterior repairs have been completed and the build- ing made watertight, therefore bids were advertised for the necessary exterior work. All bids were rejected because they were in excess of the appropriation for the work and the project was rescheduled in the coming year's program.
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