USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1915 > Part 7
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School Work.
With the hope of inducing children not yet card-holders to come to the library, and to encourage dilatory boy and girl borrowers to make real use of their library privileges, the librarian, with the approval of Superintendent Fales, began in October a series of visits to the schools. In a fifteen-minute talk to each school, some instruction about the library and the use of books is given, a story read or told, and application-blanks for library cards delivered
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to those never having had them. These visits have been justified by results. Registration has been increased and the number of children using the Chil- dren's Room augmented.
With the new year a renewal of the story hour at the library is also planned.
Instruction in the use of the library (including methods of finding books on the shelves, the best books to consult for reviews and criticisms, the use of Poole's Index, Readers' Guide, and the library card catalog) has been given to the Freshmen of the High School.
Work with the outlying schools is growing. Because pupils must now select their books from library catalogs and lists, the books they demand, though of appealing titles, are often wholly unsuited to their ages or needs. To settle this difficulty, with the new year books sent out to the schools will be selected by the library, through consultation of the best graded lists for boys and girls. Thus a small, well-selected library will be set up in each school-room and the boys and girls may select their books from examination of the books themselves.
One thing stands out plainly in the library's present work with children: the pressing need of new quarters for the Children's Room. The work with boys and girls has long outgrown the present room, and the increasing noise and confusion, which the child element necessarily causes, must often annoy readers in other parts of the library. The large room in the basement of the library would, when properly equipped, provide an excellent Children's Room, wholly suitable for the efficient work which is under present conditions impossible. The equipment of this room is an important step which the library should promptly take.
Branches.
1915 marks the beginning of organization of the High School library under the public library's direction. The present time finds the necessary discards made and classification and cataloging nearing completion. If, with the cooperation of the School Committee and High School faculty, the librarian's ideal for a High School library, equipped with attractive editions of up-to-date books, magazines of interest to the High School age, and numer - ous bulletin-boards, can be realized, an inestimable good to the High School will result.
The proposed branch at South Attleboro is still in an uncertain state, awaiting village approval.
Building.
Within the last few months, various changes affecting the appearance of the library exterior and interior have been effected. In response to many requests, a brass hand-rail has been erected on the front steps of the library, designed by Mr. Joseph E. Straker and executed by the Watson Company under his supervision, all as a gift to the library. Within, the card catalog has been moved to a more conspicuous and accessible position and electric lights installed above it. The swinging doors between the two inner refer- ence rooms have been removed to admit of more complete supervision and easier access. Increased lighting has been installed in the Reading Room. Both Reading Room and Children's Room have been made attractive with growing ferns.
Picture Collection.
1915 marks a new library departure in the formation and partial organ- ization of the Picture Collection. This includes pictorial material of many
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kinds and, in time, is bound to develop into a very important part of the library's work. At present, 2700 mounted, and over twice as many un- mounted, pictures are included in the Collection.
Exhibits ..
As an innovation the annual Christmas exhibit of books as gifts for chil- dren was this year displayed in the library foyer and has evidently awakened considerable interest in parents and friends of boys and girls. The library knows of seven books which were given to children on Christmas as a result of the exhibit and doubtless many suggestions were given through the dis- play, which we can only guess from the remarks of library patrons. The library finds this, with similar exhibits, only one of the many attempts of the modern library to "get the right book into the right hands" and as such should be repeated.
Lectures.
Library Hall was open during 1915 twice for lectures under the auspices of the Anti-Tuberculosis Society and on the first Monday of every month for the meeting of the Hospital Aid Association.
Advertising.
The publication in the Attleboro Sun of lists on topics of interest to different classes of people, for which the librarian is most grateful, has resulted in bringing to the library some who might not otherwise have come. "News letters" and lists of current accessions have been printed in the local papers. The list "Books Boys Like Best" with the Attleborough Public Library imprint was furnished to the Y. M. C. A. for free distribution. During December the experiment of sending to various people post-cards recommend- ing the best of the library's recent accessions has met with a certain amount of response, but time will prove the actual results of this new step.
Staff.
In August of 1915 the library lost in Miss Henry's resignation from the librarianship a competent and unusual leader. Her carefulness and capabi- lity is evidenced in the remarkable reference collection which she formed, in the well-organized routine which she planned, and in the general orderly condition of the library which she left. Miss Helen M. Claflin was elected by the Trustees to take her place and began her work in the library on Sept- ember 1.
In August, the new position of assistant librarian was created by the Trustees and Miss Helen Bliss, for many years a faithful and capable worker at the library and a graduate of Simmons College Library School Summer Course was chosen to fill it.
Since September two more names, those of Miss Laura Monnier and Miss Helen Lincoln, have been added to the regular substitute list, the staff remaining otherwise the same as in the preceding year.
Conclusion. ยท
The past year has been the busiest year of the library's existence. And yet we are agreed in the belief that the library is not helping all to whom it might be of great interest and even vital importance. The ideal which the modern library must place above every other motive is "Service". Equipped with a beautiful building, the Attleborough Public Library has an unusual
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opportunity to serve, if it will. And if, sometimes, beauty must in the na- ture of things give way to the higher thing, service, we believe we shall have gained the greater good.
The library's imperative need for the coming year is that it come more fully into its own, realize more completely its unlimited powers for good. In the Library Journal for August, 1915, I find the following words of Mr. Arthur Bostwick, librarian of the St. Louis Public Library: "Whereas a century ago (in libraries) there were simply stored books with no appliances to do anything but keep them safe, we now find in library buildings all sorts of devices to facilitate the quick and efficient use of the books both in the building and in the readers' homes, to-gether with other devices to stimulate a desire to use books among those who have not yet felt it; to train children to use and love books; to interest the public in things that will lead to the use of books." The modern public library is a thing of many phases and diverse interests, its keynote: helpfulness.
The ideal of the Attleborough Public Library during 1916 as held forth to the least apprentice will be that in the two words: for service.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. CHAFLIN, Librarian.
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PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
To His Honor the Mayor and the Municipal Council :-
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to submit herewith, the First Annual Report of the Public Works Department, of the City of Attleboro, for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1915.
This Department has the general care of all public highways, (streets and sidewalks) construction of new streets and sidewalks, street lighting, street sprinkling, street signs and house numbering, street cleaning, and all work connected with surface drainage; sewers, including filter beds; water system, including reservoir, filter beds, standpipe and Pumping Station, except the collection of water rates and other bills incident to the various departments; and general supervision over all engineering work which is done by the engineer of this department.
Owing to sickness, death and other causes, there have been several changes in this Department during the past year. The present organization is as follows: Samuel Dyer, Engineer; Robert Beverage, Foreman Water and Sewers; Lester Ainsworth, Foreman Highways.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE.
Contracts have been made for tar concrete, curbing, sewer and water pipe, coal for the Pumping Station, etc. Minimum rates and excess water bills, service connections, repairs, and other charges of the various depart- ments have been billed and delivered to the City Collector. Betterment assessments for sidewalks and curbing have been made for the Assessors.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
A careful survey, plans and estimates have been made for paving the Loop; detail plans for Deantown Road and Tiffany Street bridges; an accur- ate survey of the Rifle Range for the land court, together with a study and detail plans of the target butts; survey for the Duranleau Suit; a complete survey and plan of the City Poor Farm and bounds set at all the corners; and an investigation of the property lines of the West Street School lot.
Survey and investigation has also been made for the straightening of Mechanics Street; new bridges on Bank Street and Water Street; the widen- ing of South Main, Mill, and Union Streets; proposed surface drains and proposed water pipe extensions.
For the Committee on Streets, Bridges, and Lighting; surveys, plans, profiles and estimates have been made of Summer Street, Lexington Ave., Thirteenth Street, Fifth Street, Bank Street, and East Street.
This Department has also made a record of the new water pipe laid and valves placed; located, recorded, and inspected the new sewer connections, and superintended the construction of the surface drains on Wall Street, Dean Street, Fifth Street, and the Cummings Park drain.
Street lines and grades have been given abutters, upon request, and for the laying of curbing and tar walks, and for the construction of Bank Street and Pleasant Street paving.
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HIGHWAYS.
In the spring all the streets in the City were scraped, gutters cleaned, water ways opened and put in good shape for the summer travel. In like manner a large number of the streets were scraped in the fall.
Our object this year has been to get the main arteries leading out of the City in as good condition as possible. Working along these lines we have rebuilt, or repaired, Bank Street, Pleasant Street, North Main Street, Com- monwealth Ave., County Street, Thacher Street, South Ave., West Street, Newport Ave., South Main Street, Park Street to the Attleboro Sanitarium, West Street from North Main Street to North Ave., and one side of North Avenue to the City Line. This took care of all the main arteries lead- ing out of the City, with the exception of Park Street from Attleboro Sanitarium to Briggs Corner. This section we hope to improve the com- ing year.
BANK STREET.
Bank Street, from Park Street to the railroad crossing, was resurfaced with three and one-half inches of asphalt macadam, Texas asphalt being used as a binder. The existing surface of the road was first scarified to the depth of about five inches and this material taken away and used to rebuild adjacent streets. The soft places in the road, occasioned by trench exca- vations, were dug out and refilled with crushed stone and the whole surface of the road was given a thin coating of fresh stone and rolled to a smooth hard surface, after which a layer of sand was spread over the road to fill the voids. A layer of number one stone was then placed on the road and rolled to a depth of about three inches. This was penetrated with one and three-quarter gallons of Texas asphalt, by the hand pouring method, after which it was covered with a layer of number two stone. This was rolled until all the voids were filled, and after brooming off the surplus stone, with wire brooms, a seal coat of three-quarter gallons was applied by the above method. This was followed immediately with stone chips and rolled to a finished surface. The total cost of the work was seventy-four ($.74) cents per sq. yd., or a total of $2,214.20, local stone from the City crusher being used.
PLEASANT STREET.
Pleasant Street, from the Taunton Branch Bridge to Starkey Ave., was rebuilt with asphalt macadam, Standard Binder "B" and local stone being used.
This street was originally built with water bound macadam, but had worn so thin that in the rebuilding, it was found necessary to remove all that was left of the original road and build entirely new. The material removed was used, with good results, in improving adjacent streets.
The average thickness of this road is six inches, five inches on the sides and seven inches in the center, with a top surfacing similar to Bank Street. The cost of the road was one and 15-100 ($1.15) dollars per sq. yd., or a total cost of $4,853.63.
The following streets were improved with the material taken from Bank Street and Pleasant Street with some new material added for the surface; Bicknell Street; Hope Street westerly 450; Leroy Street; Sanford Street; Florence Street; Shaw Street, Shaw Ave., Horton Street; Brook Street; Falmouth Street to Holman Street; Parker Street; Park Avenue to East Street; James Street; Park Ave. to Pearl Street.
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MACADAM STREET RESURFACED.
South Main Street, Park Street to Mill Street, east side; Mill Street, Railroad Arch to Union Street; Union Street, Park Street to Capron Street; Capron Street; Pine Street, Park Street to Pearl Street; Emory Street, Brook Street 300' easterly; Park Street, Union to Pine; Dunham Street, Union to Pine; Wall Street, County Street to River Bridge.
GRAVEL STREETS REBUILT.
Union Street, Capron Street to Carpenter; South Main Street, Thacher Brook to Hebronville Bridge; Mechanics Street, Hodges Street to River Bridge; Thacher Street, County Street to Snell Street; South Ave., and West Streets, from Uhlig Farm to Orr's factory; and North Ave., easterly side, West Street to North Attleboro Line. A portion of North Main Street and Commonwealth Ave., and Bank Street, Railroad crossing to Bungay River Bridge; Forest Street, from Emory Street to Horton Street, were given a good coat of gravel. After rolling and finishing these streets, they were opened to the traffic for a short time and then given a coat of heavy asphalt oil, which in a large measure preserved their surfaces.
Two streets have been accepted as City ways, under the new City Ordi- nances whereby the abutters are required to bring the proposed street to within six inches of the finished grade.
SUMMER STREET.
Summer Street, from Mary Street easterly a distance of 370', was the first street accepted. This street was in such shape that the abutters were not required to expend any money. The material on the street was exca- vated to a depth of eight inches below finished grade and used as filling to widen the street to its full width. Eight inches of gravel was then placed on the road and given a thorough rolling, and about six inches of gravel was placed on the sidewalks. Total cost, $375.00.
FIFTH STREET.
Owing to the fact that there had been two grades used in developing this street, a compromise grade had to be established. The abutters were re- quired, and did spend a considerable sum of money, to grade this street to conform to the City Ordinances.
The location of this street, at the foot of a side hill, and the grade estab- lished, necessitated the construction of a surface drain nearly the whole length of the street, and the construction of nine catch basins. The outlet of this drain is through the land of Ellis Mattson, an easement for which was given to the City, and empties into the Wolfenden Drain. The road and walks were graded the whole length and given a coat of gravel. Curb- ing was set on the northerly side from County Street to Prospect Street, and on the easterly side of Prospect Street adjoining the High School prop- erty. Prospect Street was macadamed from Fifth Street northerly about 200'. This portion of the street is very steep and had it not been repaired would have washed badly. Total cost of work, $2,425.
OILING.
A total of 35.2 miles of streets have been oiled this year, divided as follows: Heavy Asphalt. 9.0 miles
Light Asphalt. 10.2
Tarvia "B" 3.6
Dustoline. 12.4 66
In addition 12.2 miles of street car track have been oiled with Dustoline.
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TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT.
In general, the equipment in this Department has nearly outlived its usefulness. The water wagon tanks are badly rotted so that only two of the four can be used at all; the boiler of the old steam roller has been retubed and other repairs made, and with some expense each year can be used for a few years longer; repairs are needed on the Crusher, and a considerable amount will have to be spent on the engine, or an electric motor installed; the road machines are all in poor shape. We have purchased this year one new road machine, one oil distributor wagon, two asphalt heating kettles, one gasoline trench pump, and one 6" centrifugal pump, the cost of these being apportioned to the Highway and Water Departments.
The Buffalo Pitts Scarifying Steam Roller, which the City rented in the fall with the option of purchase, is certainly a most valuable and econ- omical machine, and one it would be most unwise to try to do without, as the old roller will not stand up under rough hard work. With the new one it will be possible to improve several more miles of streets with the usual appropriation. I earnestly hope that the Council will see fit to purchase this machine.
BRIDGES.
The River Bridges are, with few exceptions, in very bad shape. The floor timbers and flooring are badly rotted, and it is only a question of a short time when they will all have to be rebuilt. The usual maintenance repairs have been made on the various bridges.
DEANTOWN BRIDGE.
This year Deantown Road bridge needed repairs and on investigation it was found that the floor timbers were so badly rotted and the abuttments so weak that it had to be rebuilt. One new concrete abutment was built and the other faced with concrete. Steel I beams were then placed, and by laying a few additional new planks we were enabled to use the old floor- ing, which will be good for a few years, after which a concrete floor should be laid, as the I beams were figured heavy enough to carry the additional load.
TIFFANY STREET BRIDGE.
This bridge was found to be in worse shape than Deantown Bridge, and was rebuilt by facing the old abutments with concrete and extending new abutments up stream eight feet. Steel I beams were then placed and in- cased in concrete. A reinforced concrete floor was placed on this bridge. Owing to the cold weather, only one-half of the floor was built, the remain- der will be finished as soon as the weather permits.
This bridge when completed will have a roadway eighteen feet wide and two sidewalks, each five feet wide.
Owing to the large amount of water we had to contend with, and the fact that one-half of the bridge had to be open for traffic at all times, this job dragged and added considerable to the expense of construction.
SIDEWALKS AND CURBING.
New tar concrete walks have been constructed this year, under contract with R. H. Jones, on the following streets:
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Howard Ave., easterly side, Park St. southerly 131 sq. yds.
Ellis St., easterly side, Olive St. northerly. 68
Maple St., southerly side, Maple St. to Pine St. 336
Hodges St., both sides, John St. to Elizabeth St.
293
Elizabeth St., southerly side, Hodges St. westerly 38 66
John St., southerly side, Hodges St. westerly.
55
66
Park St., resurfacing. 125
New Curbing has been set on the following streets: Park St., southerly side, South Main St. easterly 165 ft.
Jefferson St., north westerly side, Fifth St. to Third St. 735 66
Hodges St., both sides, John St. to Elizabeth St. 380
Elizabeth St., southerly side, Hodges St. easterly. 48 66
Maple St., southerly side, South Main St. to Lafayette St. 239
66 Prospect St., easterly side, Fifth St. northerly .. 301
Fifth St., northerly side, County St. to Prospect St.
360
BRICK CROSS WALKS ON CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS.
Crossing Sanford St. at North Main St. 66 Fifth St. at County St.
Sixth St. at County St.
Olive St. at County St.
Peck St. at Pleasant St.
Shaw St. at Pleasant St.
THACHER BROOK AND TEN MILE RIVER.
Thacher Brook from the Taunton Branch of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. to Maple Street and the Ten Mile River from the Sixth Street to about 300' northwesterly of County Street, have been cleaned this year and were found in a filthy condition. They are both, particularly Thacher Brook, evidently favorite places for dumping rubbish, and I would recommend that some action be taken to abate this nuisance.
STREET CLEANING.
Three street cleaning patrols have been maintained this year in the center of the City.
CATCH BASIN CLEANING.
The usual amount of work of cleaning and maintaining the Catch Basins in a sanitary condition has been done this year.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 31, 1915.
Total Appropriations
$60,025.00
Expenditures:
Administration.
$3,518.32
Sidewalks and Curbing
3,495.32
Dust Layer and Tar.
9,000.00
Signs, Clock and Numbering
112.45
Highway Maintenance:
Office and Engineering $158.96
Bridge Materials
1,363.38
Labor. 20,381.91
Teaming
6,764.57
66
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ANNUAL REPORT
Machinery and Tools.
3,766.45
Oil and Fuel.
1,075.19
Stone and Gravel.
2,887.09
Teams and Auto.
2,642.86
Repairs. .
1,518.91
Street Cleaning, Labor.
1,466.19
Care of Common, Labor
333.00
Insurance.
618.24
Incidentals
623.09
$43,599.84
$59,725.93
Unexpended Balance December 31, 1915
$299.07
Total Expenditures
$59,725.93
Total Revenue
Sidewalk Betterment. $58.39
Curbing Betterment. 364.45
Charges for material and labor
468.20
$891.04
Net Cost of Department for the year. $58,834.89
WATER DEPARTMENT.
In submitting to you a brief regime of this Department, I would call attention to the fact that all our expenses, both maintenance and construc- tion exclusive of the repairs on the Standpipe, have been kept well within our receipts. Thus the goal which the Water Commissioners diligently sought has actually been reached. In our recommendations for the coming year we have asked for only the amount which we estimate our receipts will cover,-this amount to include all maintenance expenses, together with the usual construction work which seems to average about one mile of main line extension and the required services and meters.
It is true that extensive construction work will be needed in the near future; but it is hoped that the City will find some means of financing it so that the Department debt will not again increase beyond that point where it can be maintained by the receipts from the supply of water.
PUMPING STATION AND COTTAGE.
The new Snow Pump is doing excellent service, and gives evidence of meeting in every way the expectations of the Board under whose direction it was installed. The cottage has been thoroughly repaired and at a mod- erate expense. All things pertaining to the Station, Cottage and grounds are in good condition, and present an appearance of efficiency and care.
STANDPIPE.
The repairs on the Standpipe, which were begun the latter part of 1914 were satisfactorily completed, and the work accepted by the Council Com- mittee on Water, Sewers, and Drains. There is no evidence of any defects in the waterproofing as yet, and more than a year has elapsed since that part of the work was done.
RESER VOIR.
There has been very little occasion for work at the Reservoir this year, with the exception of building anew one of the concrete abutments at the spillway which was found to be cracked and gradually but rapidly break- ing away.
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MAIN LINE.
It will be noticed from the following table that all main lines laid this year have been 6-inch pipe. The domestic supply which can be obtained from a 2-inch, or even smaller, pipe, is the first consideration; but fire pro- tection is essential, and that cannot be given with less than a 6-inch pipe. From our work this year it is evident that much of the small pipe, in the central part of the City especially, will very soon have to be replaced by larger pipe.
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