Report of the city of Somerville 1959, Part 14

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1959
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 340


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1959 > Part 14


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2. City Hall


Treasurer's Office: Major project in the City Hall this year was the complete modernization of the Treasurer's Office, in- cluding redesigning of the old cage-type counter with glass


225


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


top barrier. New linoleum, plaster repairs and painting in modern beige tones, and installation of new wiring and fluo- rescent lights were included in this work. Several partitions were removed and eighteen new chairs were furnished. A ramp was built to modernize the cashier's cage.


3. Bow Street Center


New Fire Escape - A used fire escape was found which just suited the requirement of the Bow Street recreation center and dental clinic. The steel stairway, part of our program of constant improvement of safety factors in all public buildings, was erected on the rear of the building and a second floor win- dow was replaced with a metal clad emergency door.


Other projects at the center included the removal of old garage doors and frames, construction of a concrete block wall, painting of the rear of the building, dismantling of the old cell blocks, and considerable other maintenance work.


4. Police Station


The Somerville Police Station received a general renovation during the early months of the year, with painting of almost all rooms and corridors of the large three story building. Sev- eral new fluorescent lights were installed, new partitions were set up, and several new rooms were created, including a records room. A new dark room with built-in sinks was set up in the top floor for photography and considerable other specialized work was performed, together with the furnishing of various accessories.


F. PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS


With the rapid growth of the City's recreation program and that of civic groups taxing available space for organized league games, we instituted a departmental survey last February to consider new facilities under construction and what could be done immediately to provide further facilities this past sum- mer. A number of conferences were held with SHS Athletic Director, Charles Dickerman, MDC Captain William Ward, Recreation and Little League officials, and Department per- sonnel on temporary realigning of fields for immediate use.


226


ANNUAL REPORTS


1. Dilboy Recreation Area


We were personally very gratified to see, during this past summer, the completion by the MDC of the multi-purpose recreation area at Dilboy Stadium, a project for which we have been planning and working for since we first proposed it in April, 1956.


Wonderful cooperation from the Mayor, Board of Alder- men, State Legislators, and MDC officials has finally resulted in the construction of a first class recreation center unrivalled by any in the vicinity and at no cost to the Somerville taxpayer.


Opened at the end of the summer it includes a large tot lot; two ball fields; four basketball courts; two parking lots; picnic area; horse shoe pits; track and electrical scoreboard within the stadium; and ice skating rink. It should afford resi- dents of all ages in Somerville many years of enjoyment.


MDC officials have also signified their intention to repair the fieldhouse and Senators Corbett and McCann sponsored a bill in the last session of the Legislature to provide a pedestrian overpass at the stadium.


2. Glen Street Playground (Memorial Park)


Early in the spring a second Little League diamond was laid out at the far side of Memorial Park. The Board of Alder- men approved the addition of 32,449 square feet of vacant land to the park, with 25,896 square feet taken by eminent domain and 6,553 square feet already the property of the City under tax title.


A backstop was erected to protect neighboring houses. 50 H-beam posts were installed to keep automobiles out of the playing areas. Two old foundations were removed from below the grade of the field.


3. Munroe Street Playground


A new tot lot was constructed on Munroe Street opposite the Prospect Hill Tower. Bids were first advertised in May, but rejected as too high. We subsequently advertised the heavy retaining wall and the chain link fence separately and the re-


227


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


mainder of the work was done in conjunction with the rest of the city projects.


The drainage and hot top is set up so that the playground will serve as a first class skating rink, in the winter.


4. Lexington Avenue


A vacant lot of 13,597 square feet was acquired by the city from the Boston and Maine Railroad in September for develop- ment as a playground. It is located on Lexington Avenue opposite Hancock Street.


5. Skehan and Hanson Streets


In October, Joseph and Louis Puppo, donated 3,600 square feet of land at the corner of Skehan and Hanson Streets, to the City for development as a tot lot to be named in memory of Charles A. "Peewee" Palmacci.


6. Caesar Marchi Playground


As part of a site restoration project in connection with their water tunnel construction work on Ash Avenue, in the rear of the Healey School, the Metropolitan District Commission ex- panded the Caesar Marchi playground for the city. The project created a playground four times the original size for a total area of 80,000 square feet. Work was completed before the re-opening of school in September.


7. Lincoln Park and Conway Park Playgrounds


Contract for furnishing 500-seat portable bleachers in both Conway and Lincoln Park playgrounds was awarded to the low bidder and the work was completed in June. The bleachers have concrete foundations.


A hot top walk was laid down in Conway Playground. At Lincoln Park a floor was laid in the metal storage building and the water service to the wading pool was excavated and re- placed.


8. Shaw Playground (Western)


Shaw playground, which contains a Little League Field, was regraded and raked several times to rid it of stones. In the


228


ANNUAL REPORTS


spring approximately 400 feet of drainage was laid across the field. A bubbler pit, three catch basins, and three manholes were constructed along with other work at the school discussed under "School Buildings."


9. More Fields


The Housing Authority now has a softball diamond and a basketball court in the rear of the Mystic Avenue Project and it is expected that the MDC will complete its improvements at Foss Park now that the widening of McGrath Highway is com- pleted. These also are integrated in the local recreation program. The City also graded one of the diamonds at Foss Park to permit use this year.


10. Other Park and Playground Work


All ball fields in the City were dragged, graded and raked free of stones; all were treated with calcium chloride to control dust; and necessary fence and backstop repairs were made. New park and player benches were installed and existing ones repaired. Football goals were erected on all playgrounds in the fall.


A sandbox was constructed at the Cutler School; retaining walls repaired at Woods and Dickerman playgrounds; extensive repairs made to board tracks and jumping pits at the rear of the high school gymnasium; a new bubbler and drain was built in Hoyt-Sullivan playground; and a broken drain was repaired at Woods playground.


Annuals were planted in the cemeteries for Memorial Day; and four trees were planted on the High School grounds.


11. Ice Skating


There was good skating in January and February. The ice was cleared immediately after each snow storm so that they could be used as much as possible.


In response to a request of the Board of Aldermen, arrange- ments were made with the Police Department to keep hockey players and younger children in separate rinks at Trum Field and Lincoln Park.


229


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


There are now seven good skating areas in the City: Dilboy, Trum, Lincoln Park, Glen St., Conway playground, Albion St., and Munroe St.


G. TIDE GATES


Another move which greatly benefited the City while sav- ing it considerable expense was the installation by the MDC of new tide gates for the Mystic River. After much persuasion by us, the MDC agreed to include the work in its contract for the widening of McGrath Highway and the new gates were in- stalled last spring.


The MDC also constructed a metal grille at the outlet in the Mystic River below Wellington Bridge. The moves were aimed at eliminating tidal backflow from the river.


II. PARKING AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS A. OFFSTREET PARKING


The firm of Parking Associates of Boston was engaged to study the problem of offstreet parking in both Davis Square and Union Square. Following are summaries of their recom- mendations:


1. Davis Square


It points out that accessibility of parking spaces and reduc- tion of congestion are as important as adequate parking space.


The firm performed a traffic study, which showed that week day traffic before 9 A.M. and between 4 and 6 P.M. is basically through traffic, while the local demand is heaviest Friday night and Saturday. It points out at length that cruising for parking and through traffic is in conflict and that during mid-morning and mid-afternoon all sidewalk meters are used, but that the offstreet lots are far below capacity.


The report's recommendations are three-fold:


1. A ban on parking on Highland Avenue and Elm Street from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.


2. A wider display of Park and Shop signs leading to Davis Square's offstreet parking facilities.


230


ANNUAL REPORTS


3. Expansion of the present Herbert-Day Street offstreet parking lot to Chester Street. The latter move would establish 77 new spaces in 31,147 square feet that has a total assessed valuation of $57,700.00.


2. Union Square


Following is a summary of the firm's report on Union Square:


The report states that parking is so lacking in Union Square that shopping by car in the retail and business district of the square is impractical. This condition is hurting real estate, causing vacancies, and deteriorating the City's tax structure. Parking facilities would attract new business, which in turn would bring about improvements and increased values in ex- isting real estate.


There are varied demands for parking within the square, which the report lists as follows: patron type short-term parking; all-day parking for manufacturing and business; pro- fessional with varied demands; churches needing week-end parking; schools with demands for all-day and short term; roominghouses needing overnight parking; and residences de- prived of parking by these other demands.


The solution recommended by the parking firm is a belt- plan of medium-sized lots as follows: Bow St., between Wesley Park and Walnut Street, 120 cars for short term; Stone Avenue to Bonner Avenue, 200 cars with temporary all-day parking, free overnight and Sunday parking, as well as short term; Somerville Avenue, Hawkins Street, Lake Street, 200 cars for business and nearby residential parking; Webster Avenue and Newton Street, 180 cars, service for stores, business, church, professional offices; and Bow Street, Somerville Avenue, Ger- rior Square, 150 cars, exclusively all-day facility.


The proposal would have them constructed over a period of a few years in the order listed. Stone Avenue playground would be moved to Bonner Avenue.


B. TRAFFIC


Since as Commissioner of Public Works, I am chairman of the Traffic Commission, this office also serves as the center for activities, conferences, and studies of the commission.


23


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


During the past year eight surveys were conducted on questions of one-way streets, with a total of 924 questionnaires mailed to residents.


III. ROUTINE WORK OF DIVISIONS


A. BUILDING DIVISION


The Building Division has completed an amazing number of repair and maintenance assignments on our schools and public buildings as already detailed. In addition it is called upon unnumbered times during the year to set up chairs and deliver chairs to the various auditoriums and public halls. It handles the setting up of polling places, erection of the band- stand, and preparing of buildings for many school and civic functions. The building division office and inspectors handle items ranging from condemnation of hazardous property to the rental of public buildings and the issuance of permits.


Total number of building permits issued was 442 with declared estimated valuation of $3,529,015, including seven units of new residential construction valued at $645,500, and eight pieces of new commercial construction valued at $1,380,000.00. The remainder of the permits were for re- modelling of residential and commercial structures.


Following are a few tabulations for the year 1959:


Plumbing Permits Issued


528


Gas Permits Issued


1290


Elevator Permits


196


Elevator Licenses Issued


401


Certificates of Occupancy


16


Plumbing and Gas Inspections


1890


Plumbing Complaints


132


Building Inspections Performed


890


Building Complaints Investigated


127


Buildings Demolished


28


Dwelling Units Lost by Demolition


21


Additional Dwelling Units


113


B. ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS DIVISION


The Electric Lines and Lights Division carried out its work of care and inspection of traffic lights and signals, police and fire alarm systems, parking meters, field lighting, electrical


232


ANNUAL REPORTS


inspections, testing of all alarm systems - all on a 24-hour basis. This division covers all fires of two alarms or more and carefully checks condition of electrical wiring following floods, fires or accidents.


Installation of a new fire alarm system in the Brickbottom Redevelopment project continued during 1959, utilizing in many instances pipe lines laid by the utility companies. Neces- sary duct, cable, pedestals and castings were set out for the installation of five new fire alarm boxes and two new police signal boxes, including two combination police and fire cast- ings on Chestnut Street and Joy Street. New fire alarm boxes were installed at McGrath Highway and Poplar Street; Joy Street and Poplar Street; Chestnut Street near Fitchburg Street, Linwood Street near Washington Street. The final fire alarm box and police signel boxes are scheduled to be installed shortly.


A new fire alarm box was also installed on Capen Court, near Capen Street, at the New Housing Project for Elderly Persons.


A total of 3,400 feet of New fire alarm cable, including 1,320 feet of 8 conductor cable for the Urban Redevelopment project, was installed. Other locations were as follows: 565 feet of 4-pair at Bolton Street and Hamilton Road; 685 feet of 5-pair, Mystic Avenue and Fellsway East; 120 feet of 6-con- ductor at Pearl and Dana Streets; 460 feet of 8-pair in Pearl Street, Wesley Street and Franklin Street; and 250 feet of 4-pair in Teele Square.


Two new Eagle traffic signal controllers replaced signals 25 years old at Highland Avenue and Central Street and Summer Street at Cedar Street.


A total of 300 feet of 12-conductor, 12 gauge, 600 volt Anhydrous cable was replaced at various intersections, replac- ing old defective cable.


A total of 31 new street lights were installed during the year.


Electrical Permits Issued 1,448


Permits Issued Boston Edison 445


This division also cares for and collects from the parking meters, maintains signs and striping of meter stalls in the park- ing lots, and generally cares for the maintenance of the parking operation.


MONTHLY PARKING METER RECEIPTS FOR TEN YEARS


Month


1950


1951


1952


1953


1954


1955


1956


1957


1958


1959


January


$2,503.76


$2,142.39


$2,280.06


$2,662.03


$2,448.91


$2,899.07


$2,860.92


$2,856.37


$3,274.82


$3,312.15


February


2,227.45


1,951.99


2,973.31


2,849.32


2,907.25


2,866.39


2,860.83


3,979.77


2,644.91


2,639.38


March


2,948.81


3,057.60


3,042.07


3,391.83


3,702.63


3,265.36


2,356.54


4,021.44


3,490.61


3,715.69


April


2,860.16


2,862.95


3,442.08


3,518.19


3,470.63


3,387.61


3,727.41


4,765.56


3,847.84


3,820.23


May


3,087.45


3,217.52


3,550.73


3,281.14


3,219.79


3,592.26


4,013.08


4,888.75


4,085.71


3,975.31


June


2,817.02


3,217.56


3,482.56


3,699.08


3,681.32


3,902.86


3,401.40


4,344.65


3,805.56


3,812.71


July


2,817.02


3,029.19


3,482.56


3,305.82


3,435.26


3,300.85


3,751.38


4,647.58


3,881.29


4,034.08


August


3,358.06


3,382.30


3,214.43


3,401.62


3,307.23


3,728.29


3,657.36


4,378.87


3,437.12


3,692.38


September


2,986.55


2,923.65


3,497.95


3,561.89


3,518.57


3,661.07


3,185.05


4,289.10


3,798.63


4,097.73


October


2,915.45


3,166.63


3,635.78


3,318.91


3,319.75


3,602.97


3,794.61


4,649.24


3,912.50


3,999.19


November


3,217.63


3,032.11


3,166.26


3,602.28


3,416.58


3,606.52


3,532.37


3,721.47


3,189.13


3,826.69


December


2,939.29


2,907.25


3,840.20


3,881.45


3,297.31


3,760.83


4,271.99


4,361.75


3,690.91


4,266.77


TOTALS


$35,993.10 $34,891.14 $39,552.69 $40,473.56 $39,725.23


$41,574.08 $41,413.44 $50,904.25 $43,059.03 $45,192.31


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


233


GRAPH OF ANNUAL TOTALS, PARKING METER RECEIPTS, SINCE THEIR BEGINNING


$ 50,000


48,000


46,000


44,000


42,000


40.000


38.000


36,000


34.000


32,000


1949


1950


1951


1952


1953


1954


1955


1956


1957


1958 1959


234


ANNUAL REPORTS


235


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


Following are a few tabulations for the year 1959:


Parking Meters Installed 3


Parking Meters Repaired 1096


Parking Meters Removed 3


Meters Damaged in Accidents


34


Meters Damaged by Vandalism 75


Locks Repaired 57


New Concrete Bases Set


56


Meters in Service


1025


C. ENGINEERING DIVISION


The Engineering Division performed its usual duties of snow removal; cleaning of catch basins and storm drains; emer- gency 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, of which the last few items have already been discussed in detail. The Engineering Office is instrumen- tal in developing and perfecting plans; in preparing detailed drawings and specifications for bids and construction projects including surveys, layouts, grades, lines, inspection, drawings and plans for all types of City activities.


The Division carried out the various routine cleaning pro- grams, including the annual manhole inspection and cleaning and the regular cleaning of catch basins. This year we removed thousands of broken hula hoops which had caused many sewer stoppages. Every manhole with an opening in the cover had one or more hoops under it.


A considerable amount of time was spent on snow plowing and removal, as well as sanding streets and sidewalks.


The sustained cold weather last winter froze the ground to a three foot depth and caused an unusually large number of water leaks. The deep frost, however, slowed down all excava- tions and backfilling.


A contractor was hired to repair a water leak under the MDC sidewalk on the bridge approach at 35 McGrath Highway. An Edison Company conduit had eaten away the six-inch water main by electrolysis. The utility company is being billed by the Contractor for the repair work.


The Sacramento Street underpass was painted and pointed after new drainage work had been completed. Repairs were made to the iron guard rail and handrails.


236


ANNUAL REPORTS


A collapsed storm drain was repaired on Sycamore Street at the railroad bridge.


It was necessary to excavate over 20 feet to repair a sewer chimney at Mossland Street. A manhole was built over the chimney to facilitate servicing the three houses connected to the chimney.


Approximately 50 feet of 15-inch brick sewer which had collapsed on Bonair Street was repaired and a manhole was constructed.


A bad sewer blockage was freed on Mystic Avenue at Fellsway West; and a catch basin drain was laid across Powder House Blvd., from Burnham Street. Three catch basin drains were repaired.


The aid of the water division was secured in pumping out a sewer in Union Square one night in October to recover some keys for a sailor, who had lost them when picking up his wife at the laundry. The keys included the only one to his car and the keys to the radar room of his ship. Following are a few tabulations of the work in 1959:


A total of 18 new catch basins were constructed, seven of them on Chapter 90 streets. Locations are as follows: 10 and 11 Crocker Street; 19 Tower Street; three on Capen Court; four at the Western Junior High School; 18 Tower Street, after the removal of a "Stein" garbage bucket type catch basin; 27 Heath Street; five on Morrison Avenue; and Willow Avenue at Hawthorne Street.


Ten catch basins were remodelled, including one at the Northeastern Junior High School and two at Lincoln Park; 17 catch basins were repaired, including one on Vinal Avenue at the Southern Junior High School.


New manholes were constructed on Bonair Street at Royce Place; Mossland Street; Bonair Street; two at the Western Junior High School and one at the Northeastern; Powder House Blvd., opposite Burnham Street; and Rush Street near Flint Street.


One manhole was repaired; five were raised; manhole rings and covers were replaced on three; manhole rings and covers replaced with new castings on four; and manhole rings and


237


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


covers were replaced and a special new casting put on one on Somerville Avenue at Belmont Street where every heavy storm blew off the cover.


D. HIGHWAY DIVISION


Our Highway Division has performed its regular duties of snow plowing, sanding, scraping, street sweeping, street clean- ing, tree removal, tree trimming, tree spraying, street and sidewalk repair, edgestone repairs, construction of new drive- ways, painting center lines, cross-walks, silhouettes and warn- ing signs, painting street and traffic signs, and removal of dead animals. In addition it assisted the other departments, removed Christmas trees from the squares, and set and maintained sand boxes throughout the City.


Following are a few tabulations for the year 1959:


Sandboxes Put Out 45


Hot Top Set on Walks at 1,159 Locations


Cement Set on Walks at 128 Locations


New Driveways Constructed


59


Permits to Occupy Sidewalks


132


Permits for Street and Sidewalk Openings


261


New Street Signs Put Up 172


Traffic Regulatory Signs


136


Dead Animals Removed


766


Over 70 tree stumps had been removed by the Highway and Engineering Divisions before the purchase of the Eager Beaver Stump Cutter. Use of the Eager Beaver eliminated the need for excavation when removing tree stumps and eliminated ad- jacent sidewalk and property damage caused by the pulling up of the roots.


E. SANITARY DIVISION


Rubbish and paper is trucked in City owned vehicles to a dump in Medford operated by the Mystic Disposal Corporation as per contract which expires December 31, 1960.


Garbage is collected by a private contractor who furnishes trucks and drivers on a contract which expires April 1, 1961. The City furnishes collectors.


Clean up week was held in June this year, which was also the first year of the operation of the decal-fee system of col-


238


ANNUAL REPORTS


lections from business and commercial establishments. Ap- proximately $30,000.00 was collected during 1959; and a total of 822 decals were issued. Renewal applications were sent out for 1960 decals.


COLLECTIONS OF ASHES AND REFUSE


Loads


Yards


Tons


January


1289


19,657


2938


February


1040


16,540


2600


March


1144


18,304


2860


April


1144


18,304


2860


May


1092


17,472


2730


June


990


15,840


2475


July


966


15,456


2415


August


756


12,096


1890


September


924


14,784


2310


October


924


14,784


2310


November


910


14,560


2275


December


1341


20,281


2990


COLLECTION OF PAPER


Yards


Tons


January


6072


425


February


5280


370


March


5544


389


April


5808


407


May


5808


407


June


4032


263


July


4416


268


August


4032


263


September


5808


407


October


5872


426


November


5280


370


December


6072


425


F. WATER DIVISION


Our Water Division performed its usual duties of main- raining the water system, including repair of leaks, thawing of pipes, repair of hydrants, repair of water 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 major construction programs of all types and operates on a 24-hour basis.


239


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT


Included in their accomplishments are the following:


Number of New Meters Installed


2,978


Number of Meters Repaired 118


Number of Nipples Replaced 10


Leaks Excavated and Repaired 421


Number of Hydrants Replaced With New


3


Number of Hydrants Repaired


23


Number of Hydrants Relocated


1


Main Gates Repaired and Repacked


45


Gate Boxes Cleaned 48


Hydrant Guards Installed


21


IV. MISCELLANEOUS


A. STATE HIGHWAYS


We have for some time attended meetings with the Mayor and other greater Boston officials on the matter of proposed routes of Highways through Somerville. With so many of the City's future plans vitally affected by possible routes, it has been necessary to keep in close touch with all progress. This was made easier when we were appointed to the Technical Committee on the Inner belt this year. The committee is com- posed of representatives of cities affected.


It is our hope that land taking in Somerville will be kept to a minimum and that some restitution can be made to the City for tax losses.


B. SONIC BOOMS


In response to requests and comments of residents we made several inquiries to the Air Force on the possibility of changing maneuvers of the jet planes to water or mountain areas.




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