USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1897 > Part 2
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Although the work on this street is not completed, it is in fair condition for the ordinary requirements of such a thoroughfare, and no large expenditure will be required to perfect it in the future. A very good sidewalk has been constructed on Carpenter street, which we considered de- . manded after grading the street. The more important pieces of road construction for the past year, we have briefly described in order that the people may have some conception of the magnitude of the work of our Highway Department, but aside from the larger pieces of work de- scribed there are many localities where small repairs have been made which could not be enumerated in this report, and in addition to what has been described there has been more than ordinary repairs made during the past year on the following village streets :
South Main street,
Emory street,
Park
Falmouth "
Pine
Mowry
Holman
Leroy
Bank . .
County
Maple
Hazel
Angell
Forest
Horton
Orange ..
Park avenue,
Starkey avenue.
23
ANNUAL REPORT.
In the North Division 7378 loads of gravel have been carted for road construction, and 2000 loads of crushed stone, 187 loads of ashes carted from Dodgeville and Farmersville, 400 loads of material removed from street gutters, and 200 loads taken from catch basins.
No new bridge construction has been made during the past year but we realize the dilapidated condition of the two bridges on Mechanics street, and in the near future quite an important expenditure must be made there.
The bridge on Bank street has been newly covered with hard pine plank, and so thoroughly repaired as to warrant the belief that no extensive repairs will be de- manded there for several years to come. The bridges on Holden, Tiffany and Maple streets have also received new covering during the year.
The culvert across the old Deanville road and the Deanville bridge have received quite extensive repairs, and the bridge on Wilmarth street has been strengthened by minor repairs.
Sidewalks.
We believe the custom of appropriating a stated amount for sidewalk construction under the "betterment law" from year to year should be continued.
The demand which our Highway Department makes upon us under existing conditions seeins so imperitive that unless a specific appropriation is made for sidewalks it is not probable this portion of street repairing would receive the care and attention which we now have cause to be proud of. During the year just closed 2600 feet of curbing has been set on several of our village streets, but the larger
24
ANNUAL REPORT.
part of our expenditure in this department was on the east side of Pine street, and in connection with our work. there the Interstate Street Railroad Co. graded their track and paved the gutter between their track and the curbing thereby making a great improvement in the appearance of that street.
The sidewalk was constructed, the entire length from Park to Carpenter street, of good material which has been covered with a cinder dressing which we believe will remain in good condition for years to come.
E. S. HORTON,
SUPT. OF STREETS.
St. Jean Baptiste Plat.
A large portion of the children who attend the Tur- ner Street Schools reside in a neighborhood known as the "St. Jean Baptiste Plat," and the avenue through which they reached the school house led across the tracks of a branch of the N. Y. N. H & H. railroad, near the build- ings of the Standard Oil Co.
About the last of September the railroad authorities closed up the crossing at that point, as there was no legal "right of way " there. By reason of the action of the railroad company in the matter, the scholars who had for- merly availed themselves of this crossing were obliged to go through Valley Falls, R. I., to reach the school house by any public avenue of travel, and the School Committee have been compelled to furnish transportation for the scholars from that section to and from that school. We present herewith a diagram of the location, giving the streets as they exist there, and " Cranberry Pond " which
TURNER SCHOOL HOUSE LOT 9T.
BACON ST
WASHINGTON ST.
WESTMINSTER AY.
LONSDALE AV.
1
I
SCOTT ST
SKETCH SHOWING PROPOSED STREET SITUATED AT SO. ATTLEBORO MASS. SCALE 80FEET - I INCH. F.TWESTCOTT C.E. NOV. /897
RR LOCATION
LORD ST.
--
POND ST.
25
ANNUAL REPORT.
is between the village and the school house, also giving the line of a proposed street.
After considerable consideration of the existing condi- tions there, we have arrived at the conclusion that the most feasible plan to relieve the situation would be the construction of a new street running in a straight line across the pond, from that somewhat isolated village, to Lonsdale Avenue, a distance of about half a mile, where connection can be made through Bacon to Washington street, or through Westminster Avenue to Turner street.
The line of roadway suggested would run through a section of land belonging to the Carpenter estate, its en- tire lengthi, after crossing the pond, and we are informed that the proprietors would make no demand for the land so appropriated.
The estimated expense of the construction of such a road is between four and five thousand dollars.
Guide Boards.
There has been no addition to the number of Guide Boards erected during the past year, and we know of 110 localities where any are at present demanded.
Quite a number of our public ways have received names which have been denoted by markers, and on sev- eral streets which have long been known by names, mark- ers have been conspicuously posted. .
The following street markers have been posted during the past year :
Bridge Street 2
Orange Street 3
County
3
Pleasant
2
Church
2
Park 66
7
26
ANNUAL REPORT.
Forest
Street
2
Pike Avenue 5
Fuller
Avenue I
Richardson " 2
George Street I
Steere Street
3
Knight
Avenue 3
South Main " 8
Maple
Street I
Stead
:
Martin
2
Thurber
2
Mulberry ..
I
Wilmarth
1
Webber Street 2
We take occasion to repeat the request made in for- mer reports, that persons living outside the village limits report to the Selectmen such names as they would propose for streets or roads in their respective localities, to the end that all streets or roads in the town may receive a name to be recorded in the office of the Town Clerk.
Thacher Brook Drain.
The continuation of this drain has been carried forward during the past year as far as the appropriations would al- low, running north from Park street through the land of Mr. James H. Sturdy.
The work under this appropriation for 1897 consisted of the construction of about 185 feet of the drain, excav- ated and properly walled on both sides, with about twenty- five feet north of the crossing of Park street covered in a substantial manner, with stone and masonry, supported by iron beams.
The entire length from the south side of Park street has been thoroughly paved on the bottom as far as the work of construction has been carried during the year.
The town has now a right of way through the land of J. H. Sturdy and the Holman estates, as far north as Fal-
27
ANNUAL REPORT.
inouth street, said way is 40 feet wide and properly located to be made available for a public street whenever it is de- manded.
Being thoroughly convinced of the utility of this en- terprise, we recommend a continuation of our former ap- propriation for this work.
Carpenter Street Drain.
At the last annual meeting the town voted to lay a drain through Carpenter street from South Main to Parker street.
The work has been performed there by thie construc- tion of the proposed drain in a thorough manner, with stone capped catch basins with "man holes " and covers and the necessary auxiliaries at the several corners of Par- ker and Pine streets which have been protected with curb- ing. This drain will satisfactorily relieve a section of ter- ritory covering about eighteen acres near the school house at the corner of Parker and Carpenter streets from a large accumulation of surface water after heavy rain falls, and at the same time furnish an outlet for the drainage of the in- tersecting streets.
South Main and Pine Streets Sewers.
At the last meeting of the town, held on the sixth day of March 1897, acting under Article 48 of the warrant for said meeting the town voted to construct a sewer through a portion of Pine street and appropriated the sum
28
ANNUAL REPORT
of $600 for that purpose and under Article 54 of the war- rant the town voted to construct a sewer through a portion of South Main street and to furnish the apparatus neces- sary for pumping the sewage of the County Street sewer into the proposed sewer on South Main street at its inter- section with the sewer on County street, and made an ap- propriation of four thousand dollars ($4000) for that pur- pose.
A few days after this action by the town an inquiry was received by the Selectmen from the State Board of Health regarding the intention of the town in the matter, and in answer to this inquiry the Chairman of the Select- men with W. J. Luther, C. E., visited the Engineer of the State Board of Health, agreeable to an appointment at his office in Boston.
The State Board of Health being possessed of all the facts connected with our present sewage disposal, called the attention of the Selectmen to a provision of the law of 1886 providing that no town should construct sewers which should terminate in a public stream unless plans of the same had been presented to the State Board of Health for their approval. As a result of this conference with the State Board of Health we learned that they would object to any increase of sewage being deposited in the Ten Mile River, therefore until some other termination of our pres- ent sewage disposal was devised, they would not give their approval to any extension of our lines of sewers.
Realizing our peculiar situation in the matter of sew- age disposal they were disposed to be as considerate as their duty would permit and render any assistance in their power to relieve us from our present dilema; but we were admonished to take immediate action towards a change of sewage deposit for the Town of Attleborough.
29
ANNUAL REPORT.
At the suggestion of the State Board of Health we accordingly filled out a printed form of application to that Board for advice upon this matter.
We advised with W. J. Luther, C. E., and instructed him to make surveys to determine the utility of securing a proper sewage disposal for the town under a more econom- ical system than the one contemplated in the report of a former committee on this subject. Realizing the fact that the business portion of the town is already provided with sewers which convey both sewage and storm water, we have endeavored to devise some way by which, for the immediate future at least, these sewers might be retained as a part of the sewerage system, while the sewage would be discharged upon filter beds instead of into the Ten Mile River as at present.
It will be seen from the report of the State Board of Health herewith appended, that while the location selected for the filter beds meets with the approval of that Board, yet they do not approve of the use of the present sewers but advise, "That sewers for conveying sewage only, be constructed to receive the sewage which is now discharged into the existing storm water sewers."
Any system of sewage for the town other than the present arrangement of discharging into the Ten Mile River will require the pumping of all the sewage, which involves a very considerable annual expense.
If to this be added the laying of new sewers in place of those now in use it will be seen that any change from the present arrangement involves an outlay of a large amount of money.
We respectfully submit the matter for your considera- tion.
30
ANNUAL REPORT
OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. STATE HOUSE.
BOSTON, January 27, 1898.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Attleborough :
GENTLEMEN :
The State Board of Health received from you, June 25, 1897, an application for advice with reference to a proposed system of sewerage and sewage disposal for the town of Attleborough. in which you refer to a report and plans made by engineers employed by the town, which you submitted with the application.
The plan first proposed provided for disposing of the sewage from the present sewers in Union and County streets, by pumping the dry weather flow of the County street sewer into the Union street sewer and extending the latter sewer to a tract of low land having an area of about ten acres in the vicinity of the Ten Mile River near Tif- fany street, upon which area it was proposed to dispose of this sewage by filtration. Upon an examination of this land, however, it was found that the soil consisted of a deep layer of loam and subsoil, beneath which the mate- rial was a very fine sand, so that the disposal of any con- siderale quantity of sewage upon this area would be im- practicable and a further plan was then prepared and sub- mitted to the Board on January 1, 1898. By this plan it is proposed to collect the sewage from the Union street and County street sewers, together with other sewage from the district, at a location between the railroad and the river about opposite the end of Manchester street, and to pump the dry weather flow to a proposed filtration area in the vicinity of Tiffany street, adjoining the area already re- ferred to, but situated at a higher elevation.
31
ANNUAL REPORT.
The works now proposed are intended to form a part of a general system of sewerage for the town of Attlebor- ough. One of the essential features of this system is the collection of the sewage from several proposed sewer dis- tricts in the town, by means of sewers converging at the lowest point in each district, from which it is to be pumped into a force main leading to the proposed filtration area near Tiffany street. It is proposed in the beginning to pump only the dry weather flow of the sewers row built, which drain an area which will form a part of District No. I of the proposed plan, to the proposed filtration area, al- lowing the excess of flow of mingled sewage and water at times of rains or thaws to discharge into the river. It is also proposed at first to provide only a limited pump- ing capacity but to construct a force main having a diani- eter of twelve inches which is large enough to provide for removing a much larger quantity of sewage than the dry weather flow of the present sewers, which is thought to be about 150,000 gallons per day, though it is understood that the dry weather flow has not been definitely determined.
The Board has examined the proposed plans and has caused an examination of the land, which it is proposed to use for filtration purposes, to be made by one of its engi- neers and finds that it is well adapted to the purpose, both in its location and in the character of the soil, which is ex- cellent for the disposal of sewage by intermittent filtration, and that the area is of such size as to be capable of provid- ing for the disposal of the sewage of Attleborough for many years in the future.
The rate at which you propose to pump sewage through the force main appears to be so small that deposits are likely to occur in the pipe and cause serious trouble, nor does it appear to be feasible to secure a greater velo-
32
ANNUAL REPORT.
city through the pipe at any time for flushing purposes. It is very desirable that such a change be made in the plan as will avoid this difficulty.
With regard to the other features of the proposed plan, no details have been submitted showing the proposed method of construction and operation of the force miain, storage reservoirs, ejector or pumping stations, or other es- sential features, nor have plans been submitted showing the proposed systems of street sewers.
The present sewers, as already stated, receive both sewage and storm water from a large district and it is pro- posed to pump only the dry weather flow of these sewers, allowing the excess at times of storms and thaws to dis- charge into the stream. This is a very objectionable fea- ture of the proposed plan, since if this plan is used a con- siderable quantity of sewage will still be discharged into the stream in times of storms and thaws, and in order to be sure of pumping the maximum dry weather flow of the sewage at all times and avoiding the discharge of sewage under ordinary conditions into the stream, it will be ne- cessary at other times to pump considerable quantities of storm water thus increasing the cost of pumping. More- over, the disposal of the mingled sewage and storm water will require a larger area of filter beds than will be required if sewage only is discharged upon them and there would be more difficulty in disposing of the sewage upon the beds, especially in cold weather when its temperature is reduced by the admission of storm water.
The information furnished as to the method of con- struction and operation of the proposed system of sewerage for the town of Attleborough is not sufficient to enable the Board to advise as to whether this plan is the most eco- nomical and otherwise appropriate for the town of Attle-
33
ANNUAL REPORT.
borough to adopt. In the opinion of the Board, however. it is very desirable that, whatever plan be adopted, the storm water be kept separate from the sewage in making future extensions, and that sewers for conveying sewage only be constructed to receive the sewage which is now discharged into the existing storm water sewers.
The Board would advise that, before constructing par- tial works as proposed, the whole matter be given further consideration in order that the most feasible and economi- cal plan may be selected, having in view both the present needs and probable future requirements of the town in the matter of sewerage, drainage and sewerage disposal.
By order of the Board, SAMUEL W. ABBOTT, SECRETARY.
34
ANNUAL REPORT.
List of Names Liable to be Drawn to Serve as Jurors
FOR 1898.
Adams, Charles A.
Painter.
Allen, George W.
Farmer.
Alger, Walter E.
Jeweler.
Alger, Isaac Jr.
Farmer.
Atwell, Charles L.
Turner.
Allen, George A.
Jeweler.
Alfred, George H.
Enameler.
Bowen, William
Jeweler.
Briggs, Stephen A.
Gentleman.
Bliss, Edward
Civil Engineer.
Bliss, Oliver P.
Jeweler.
Bliss, Ernest M.
Jeweler.
Bunker, Isaac L.
Belt-Maker.
Briggs, Edward E.
Jeweler.
Briggs, Louis M.
Clerk.
Bradford, Soranus S.
Jeweler.
Barney, Alban S.
Farmer.
Bullock, Bradford
Jeweler.
Barnes, Charles L.
Real Estate Broker.
Bicknell, George F.
Broker.
Chase, Edward E. Jeweler.
Crooker, Charles B. Farmer.
Cooper, Alvin N.
Farmer.
35
ANNUAL REPORT.
Cobb, Edwin E.
Jeweler.
Coffin, Reuben
Caufy, Edward
Carpenter. Gentleman.
Cummings, Edgar A.
Jeweler.
Chatterton, Alfred H.
Jeweler.
Chadwick, Lurad H.
Carpenter.
Chamberlain, Joshua A.
Jeweler.
Dunham, George O.
Jeweler. Butcher.
Dean, Ellis M.
Draper, Charles T.
Jeweler.
Dexter, Everett O,
Mason.
Dexter, Horace L.
Jeweler.
Douglass, Charles L.
Jeweler.
Eldredge, Walter F.
Clerk.
Enbom, Julius R.
Bicycle Dealer.
Enbom, Henry A.
Jeweler.
Eddy, Albert A.
Jeweler.
Forsythe. Charles E.
Farmer.
Foster, William E.
Contractor.
Ford, John W.
Caterer.
Frink, Edward H.
Harness Maker.
Gay, Frank E. Goe, George F.
Farmer.
Carpenter.
Getchel, Cyrus
Carpenter.
Goff, William N.
Insurance. -
Gilmore, Ernest D.
Jeweler.
Haynes, William T.
Salesman.
Hamlin, Walter M. Printer.
Hopwood, James T. Jeweler.
36
ANNUAL REPORT.
Hodges, William M.
Jeweler.
Hawkins, David P.
Jeweler.
Harris, Robert E.
Jeweler.
Hayward, Henry L.
Book-keeper.
Ingraham, Albert S.
Jeweler.
Ide, George F.
Farmer.
Jones, Hiram J.
Jeweler.
Knight, Abner M.
Jeweler.
King, Walter L.
Jeweler.
Lord, Henry A.
Farmer.
Lyon, Augustine
Trader.
Lee, Eugene B.
Jeweler.
Lawson, Fred M.
Jeweler.
Mowry, Mortimer H.
Mason.
Mathewson, Frank W.
Jeweler.
Mott, Edgar E.
Jeweler.
Macomber, Albert R.
Electrician.
Nye, Fred C.
Jeweler.
Newell, Olney P.
Plater.
Norwood, William
Jeweler.
Nolan, Thomas F.
Clerk.
Orr, Charles F.
Knitter.
Overton, Frank W.
Jeweler.
Parmenter, Caleb E. Farmer.
Parmenter, Arthur W.
Farmer.
Pierce, Edwin S.
Jeweler.
Perry, Herbert L.
Hardware Dealer.
Powers, Frank C. Chaser.
Robbins, Fred N.
Jeweler.
37
ANNUAL REPORT.
Read, Henry C., Jr.
Farmer.
Rounds, Herbert B.
Robinson, Richard O. Stanley, Lyman M.
Jeweler. Painter. Undertaker.
Smith, Frank E. Jeweler.
Smith, Samuel W.
Jeweler.
Smith, Laban P.
Farmer.
Smith, William W.
Stone Cutter.
Smith, Granville S.
Gentleman.
Shaw, Aaron W.
Sweet, Frank A. Skinner, Eugene M.
Jeweler. Civil Engineer. Watchman.
Towne, George L.
Farmer.
Tucker, Almon H.
Mason.
Tingley, Leon H.
Farmer.
Thayer, Oscar S.
Farmer.
Torrey, Fred L.
Jeweler.
Wetherell, Arthur H.
Jeweler.
Wilmarth, Fred B. Jeweler.
Wheelock, Henry H.
Jeweler.
Woodward, Arthur S. Jeweler.
Winsor, Albert W. Salesman.
Wetherell, Wilbur R. Jeweler.
Wells, Jason L. Publisher.
ACCOUNT OF SELECTMEN.
STATEMENT. CURRENT AND INCIDENTAL DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation,
$10,000 00
Armory Rent,
200 00
Licenses, Court Fees,
209 75
317 63
$10,727 38
Bills approved,
Balance unexpended,
$10,571 44 . 155 94 -$10,727 38
INCIDENTALS.
Salaries,
$3,582 64
Patrol Service,
1,102 00
Armory Expense, 791 73
Printing and Stationery,
786 24
Rent of Town Offices, Gas and Janitor, 508 43
Consulting Engineer, (R. R Com.) 414 95
Consulting Engineer, (Sewer Com.) 151 40
Surveying and Plans, 440 33 Court Fees,
579 36
-
40
ANNUAL REPORT.
Assessors Plans,
200 00
Births, Deaths and Marriages,
219 70
Expense of Collecting Taxes,
85 76
Expense of Lock Up,
72 70
Numbering Houses,
46 80
Expense of Telephone,
26 00
Dog Officer,
25 00
Election Expenses,
289 99
Other Incidentals,
1,404 35
-$10,727 38
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Appropriation,
$10,000 00
Turner Street Drain, 300 00
Entering Sewers,
265 50
Crushed Stone,
9 00
Road Scraper, (use of)
30 00
Stone Bounds,
25 00
$10,626 50
Amount expended,
$10,554 26
Balance unexpended,
72 24
$10,626 50
SIDEWALKS.
Appropriation,
$2,000 00
Curbing paid for by abutters,
227 48
Amount due for curbing,
70 20
Betterment Assessments,
539 75
$2,837 43
Amount expended,
$2,286 82
Balance,
550 61
$2,837 43 --
-
41
ANNUAL REPORT.
STREET LIGHTING.
Appropriation,
$5,075 00
Bills approved,
$5,003 00
Balance unexpended,
72 00
$5,075 00
STREET SPRINKLING.
Appropriation,
$1,000 00
Labor of men and horses,
$922 31
Incidentals and repairs,
51 29
Balance unexpended,
26 40
-$ 1,000 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation,
$4,000 00
Salaries,
$2,407 50
Use of horses, (L. Taylor)
335 00
Gas Bills,
169 83
Telephone,
75 00
Incidental and repairs,
955 59
Balance unexpended,
57 08
$4,000 00
CARPENTER STREET DRAIN.
Appropriation, .
$2,000 00
Drain Pipe,
$457 77
Stone,
108 81
Freight,
IOI 87
Iron Work,
76 12
7
12
ANNUAL, REPORT.
Contract,
697 43
Surveying,
12 75
Balance unexpended,
567 25
$2,000 00
THACHER BROOK DRAIN.
Appropriation,
$1,000 00
Material and Labor,
$753 46
Iron Beams,
64 62
Surveying
15 50
Balance unexpended,
166 42
-- $ 1,000 00
CLEARING OF TEN MILE RIVER.
Appropriation,
$100 00
Labor,
70 59
Balance unexpended,
29 41
$100 00
Amount Expended for Soldiers' Relief
Under the Provisions of Chapter 447, Acts of 1890, and 237, Acts of 1893.
Appropriation,
$3,000 00
Charles H. Allison,
$ 99 40
George H. Alfred,
104 40
Mary E. Atkinson,
129 00
Mrs. H. Brown, 7 00
Maria E. Bishop,
48 00
43
ANNUAL REPORT,
Nancy Bradford,
80.00
Edwin Brackett,
93 26
James Branaghan,
4 00
John Campbell,
:04 00
Martin Donnelly,
149 13
John Green,
68 25
George H. Hatten,
151 15
Robert Hoffman,
104 00
Michael Hyland,
58 17
John H. Kimball,
208 00
Ernest Meyers,
14 00
Charles Martin,
6 00
Edward A. Morse,
28 00
Orian F. Monroe,
28 00
*George Randall,
45 00
Wm. S. Richmond,
73 15
Thomas Stafford,
161 95
Nancy Tucker,
30 00
Otis Vickery,
115 12
$1,909 08 .
1,090 92
Due from other towns,
297 00
Balance,
$1,387 92
* Deceased.
Military Aid. One-half paid by the State.
Appropriation, $300 00
44
ANNUAL REPORT:
Daniel K. Franklin,
120 00
Ernest Meyers,
144 00
John A. Pond,
10 00
Wm. S. Richmond,
120 00
Edward A. Morse,
80 00
$474 00
Due from the State,
. 235 00
$239 00
Balance,
61 00
STATE AID. Paid by the State.
Charles H. Allison,
$60 00
George E. Baker,
48 00
Maria E. Bishop,
48 00
Nancy Bradford,
48 00
Martha Bullock,
48 00
William Caswell,
36 00
Sarah Caswell,
48 00
Sarah C. Chipman,
48 00
Mary H. Christian,
42 00
Sarah D. Dean,
48 00
Elizabeth Fleet,
48 00
Thomasena F. Freeman,
48 00
Mary Greene,
24 00
Mary A. Griffin,
48 00
45
ANNUAL REPORT.
Adelaide E. Hall,
48 00
Maria Hamlin,
48 00
Isaac N. Johnson,
72 00
Mary E. Kingman,
24 00
Margaret Lyons,
24 00
Charlotte M. Southwick,
48 00
*George Smith,
46 00
Abbie R. Thayer,
48 00
Emeline Wilmarth,
24 00
Jarvis N. B. White,
48 00
*Samuel B. Holmes,
36 00
Eleanor E. Swift,
28 00
Emily Rollins,
20 00
Emma M. Randall,
4 00
Daniel L. Hathaway,
6 00
*Deceased.
$1,166 00 .
Soldiers' Burial.
Paid by State.
Samuel B. Holmes,
$35 00
George Smith,
35 00
$70 00
NIGHT PATROL.
Regular Service at $2.00 per night, $1,074 00 Special Service, 28 00
Dog Officer, 25 00
$1,127 00
.
46
ANNUAL REPORT.
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