USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1921 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
The conditions mentioned above have, as you know. many causes not the least of which was the late war and the radical changes in the last ten years taking place in the actual conditions which the public works have to meet. Having focused your attention upon the general conditions which the department faces, it is only fair to say that a gen- oral survey should begin immediately which will inclose all of the physical features pertinent to the growth and welfare of the commun- ity : also not a moment should be spared until a proper place, absolutely fireproof. is obtained to hold all of the records which are in charge of this department. This city has been blessed during the year with very excellent weather for the work and an abundance of labor which ere- ated a high efficiency.
BRIDGES.
The city has a real serious problem to keep its bridges abreast of the needs of the times, a bridge being the controlling feature which gov- orns the ability of traffic to use a highway. Here in Attleboro with the rivers and railroads to take into consideration the problem is a big one. This year the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, despite their poor financial condition, put a new top on the Dodgeville bridge and reinforced the stringers. They also put a new top on the bridge ou Washington Street at Pleasant View, and on the Newport Avenue structure. The city put a new deck and sidewalk on the bridge at Hebronville and had the railroad set some new angle irons to support the floor system. Not long after the writer took office in this city a horse put his foot through the Mechanic Street bridge and inspection showed that the structure existing there was unsafe. The street was ordered closed and the proposition of replacing the old structures with new concrete steel bridges was gone into thoroughly. plans drawn. the design accepted, and the money voted in a short time. The work was advertised and the contract for the concrete and steel construction was awarded to T. F. McGovern Company of Southbridge. The city forces handled the widening, drainage, and other details. Also the sand and stone used by the MeGovern Company' was purchased from the city, this plan being followed because it allowed our citizens more work around the crusher and sand bank. Simpson Bros. Corp. put an asphalt mixed top on the two structures. T. F. McGovern Company
93
ANNUAL REPORT
hegan work on August 2. 1921, and the street was open for traffic Octo- ber 16. 1921.
A motor trnek went through the planking on the Deantown Road bridge and without having the street closed a new deck of fonr inch (4") hard pine was set. Repairs were made on the Olive Street ap- proaches and structure. Bank Street bridge was examined and con- demned and temporary repairs made, and also soundings taken to gov- orn the design of the new structure to replace the existing one. Numerous small bridges of fifteen feet (15') or less were repaired as the needs demanded.
The policy of replacing many of onr existing structures as soon as possible with permanent ones is withont question a good one to estab- lish. A number of important structures now being carried on steel members need a couple of coats of red lead. It is hoped that progress will be made each year on permanent replacement.
DRAINS.
Because of the topography. the city of Attleboro is handicapped for future development unless adequate steps are taken to cover compre- hensively the drainage problem which faces us. During the past year five (5) of the old small manholes failed and had to be replaced, and continuous effort was made to obtain the maximum benefit from the existing drains and in some cases was successful. i. e .. under Peck Street arch. Recommendations have been made for the permanent im- provement of the following districts which are really in dire need of drainage relief : Pleasant Street in the vicinity of Cambridge Street. Peck Street at Peck Avenue, South Main Street. Third Street hill. Hodges Street, and West Street, and a study for South Attleboro in- provement.
The drifts. mnd. and rubbish and silt were taken away on at least two occasions from the channels of the Thacher Brook and the Ten Mile river.
CROSSWALKS-TRAFFIC LINES.
With the arrival of streets of hard surface I wish to be recorded as opposed to a crosswalk of different material. I do feel that the traffic lines as laid ont in the past year are valuable as an asset for traffic control and should be amplified and continued.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE.
Whereas the number of employees for this past season on highway and water work has been larger than ever before recorded. the office forces of the department have extended their efforts and without having been increased have handled adequately the increased detail. Specifi- cations have been written, contracts advertised and let on road work. bridge work. road oils, aufomobiles, and several other things purchased by this office. On a falling market the telephone bill has been away above the usual for this office but it has been an investment in service and saving. All of the detailed clerical work for the entire water works has passed through this office also, and it is only fair to state that the ambition of the personnel is to give satisfaction to all with whom they deal.
ENGINEERING DIVISION.
Mr. R. W. Mawney has been in the charge of the engineering de- partment, as city engineer for the past year, and since April his force
04
ANNUAL REPORT
has had considerable to do. It is well to remember that the efforts of this department are handicapped greatly by lack of proper data to base the projections upon the work. With an area such as we have. there is no question that a Ford touring car should be purchased to increase the efficiency of the engineers in covering ground: and there is also immediate need of a proper fireproof vault to protect what records the city does possess which are in charge of the engineer. Many details con- nected with this office cannot be realized unless close touch is kept with it.
HIGHWAY DIVISION.
With the change in traffic conditions in the last ten years and the realization of the importance of the good roads movement, the records of the city of Attleboro for improvement since the war show conclu- sively that the community has a right to be very proud of its efforts. It is hard to measure the value of the investment at this time, but in- questionably any lagging in the progress would be felt by all of the citizens.
The R. H. Newell Company, of Uxbridge. had a small piece on South Main Street to complete which was duly taken care of early in the season. The work was carried out as per agreement between Mr. Newell and Mr. Goodale.
On Pleasant Street the lawns of several abutters were adjusted to the new grade in a manner satisfactory to them.
The appropriation carried over for Cliff and Hodges Streets was used for laying the curb, bounds, surfacing. and draining Hodges Street to the bridge. and the same treatment for Cliff Street except that the finished surface was not applied-the reason for this being that when Mechanic Street was closed to traffic. Cliff Street became the main detour and it was not deemed advisable to continue operations there until Mechanic Street was reopened. Surveys to cover the new grade. drainage, and details for the 1921 construction to include Monument Square, Pleasant Street to the railroad arch. Railroad Avenue, Mill Street. County Square. South Avenue, and West Street, as well as a small piece of North Main Street were completed and revised in April, and the work advertised. The contract was awarded to Simpson Bros. Corporation to put in their "Simasco" pavement complete in place at $2.10 per square yard, and the additional nuit prices for other work, such as extra fill on low spots. shoulder work, resetting surface struc- tures, ground development, etc.
A trade was made between the railroad company and the city for the improvement in the vicinity of the station on the west bound track. a total of one hundred seventy-five (175) square yards of paving.
The work was started August 8, 1921. and was pushed as rapidly as possible with a minimum interference with traffic. The city forees ably assisted in consummating the season's work. The results are there for all to see. About 23,000 square yards were completed.
In maintaining our extensive highway system. a continuous effort was rewarded by minimum complaint. The itemized expenditures shown with this report will give the correct idea of the extensive field the high- way division has to cover. The buildings, appurtenances, and apparatus of this division needed overhanling and repair and it is expected that during the winter season a great deal of this work can be taken care of.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
STREET CLEANING.
The idea of spring and fall seraping and gutter cleaning is funda- mental in road maintenance. With the many miles of highways in the city. the funds available did not allow the proper treatment of the entire mileage. The heaviest traveled ways, however, were taken care of with good results. A Clectrac tractor to handle road machines in this work was demonstrated and as soon as the city can afford one. I would recom- mend the purchase of one of these machines.
A sizeable number of our citizens co-operated in a splendid spirit of fairness in clearing the gutters of any boards which they had there that might obstruct the flow of the gutters. There are a few, who despite repeated requests, seemed to find themselves utterly unable to co-operate.
STREET SWEEPING.
The two regular street sweepers employed the year around have Leen reinforced during the summer season by other assistants whenever needed. I believe that the merchants in the center could aid materially if they would, in improving the appearance of the downtown streets from the standpoint of cleanliness. A little vigilance and the right spirit would be of excellent value.
STREET PATCHING.
With an increase of approximately sixty per cent. in the ownership of rubber tired vehicles in this city. and with the increased use of our trunk roads by outsiders, street patching has resolved itself into a major account under highway maintenance. I believe firmly that after the concentrated effort in the spring, a patrol system should be estab- lished allowing the responsibility for poor work to be definitely placed and giving the regular patrol a chance to increase their ability in road repair by continuous experience and observation.
SIDEWALKS-MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
The sidewalk problem in the city is of great importance because of the increased rapidly moving traffic on our streets. It seems to me the development spread over a term of years to cover sidewalk improvement in the different districts would be a splendid thing.
Ilis Honor, the Mayor, and the Superintendent of Public Works, aided by Mr. Dean and the State board, obtained a mighty good trade in placing a sidewalk on the westerly side of Washington Street from the blacksmith shop to Mendon Road. It is to be hoped that we can continue the sidewalks along this main thoroughfare.
SNOW AND ICE.
It seems to me the question as to whether or not this city will enter into what is now a generally accepted practice of having their streets, as well as their walks, plowed in order that traffic might be maintained is an important one. An expression as to whether or not this is desir- able in this city would be appreciated. Then having definitely settled what is wanted. adequate steps can be taken to obtain the needed machinery.
MACHINERY AND TOOLS.
Besides the plant and tools required normally. the highway division obtained from their appropriation a new loader which has given splen- flid service and which is still in shape to continue, and a new motor
96
ANNUAL REPORT
which has been utilized to run the ancient plant at Forest Street. It is the ambition of the department to gradually build up the plant and equipment which will allow the best results to be obtained with a mini- mum expenditure.
CRUSHERS.
More tons of stone have passed through our ancient crushers dur- ing 1921 than ever before. The machines are not economical and a new installation should be considered. The high freight rate on stone was the governing condition which allowed us to operate at a profit.
STEAM ROLLERS.
A new rollerman, a native of our city. was hired to replace a man who was found unfit to handle the responsible care with the city's in- vestment in rollers. As soon as conditions warrant, I would recommend that we obtain an eight- or ten-ton tandem roller.
AUTOMOBILES.
The two Mack trucks purchased for the highway division were in continuous service from the date of purchase until Christmas of this year and were of remarkable assistance in a multitude of ways cover- ing varied work required of them. There is not the slightest question that they are indeed a splendid investment.
An advantageous trade was made with Mr. Capron in turning over the Superintendent's old Dodge car for a Studebaker "Special Six."
DUST LAYER AND TAR.
Since it is impossible to put permanent pavements everywhere. the importance of treating our gravel roads is paramount. The ambition of the highway division in this respect is to have the tar and asphalt applications of the heavy material covered immediately after the dis- tributor has passed. All work done since August was handled success- fully in this way. thanks to the bucket loader and Mack trucks. Nothing but asphaltic oil has been purchased as dust layer for the city hy the writer. While this may for the moment be a little worse on the pedestrian than the non-asphaltic oil. the low intial cost and greater benefit derived therefrom would seem to warrant this choice.
LIGHTING.
There have been a series of unusual storms at different periods during the year which were a severe drag on the lighting company, but I feel that the company is to be congratulated for their really prompt efforts to give the city service.
SEWER DIVISION.
Outside of the trouble we are having with expansion joints where the trunk line sewer crosses the river in Hebronville, the conditions of the system are about normal. An effort has been made to keep the maintenance charges down the past year, but it is desirable to do a more thorough job in graveling the filter beds in the near future.
The department must have some hose for flushing in the coming year. Conditions warrant a different assessment for any future con- struction involving additions to the present system. A new weir should he set and a leaky roof and coat of paint taken care of on the structure at the beds.
97
ANNUAL REPORT
WATER DIVISION.
Additional filtration area for the water supply to the city is an im- perative necessity. The Barr unit at the Pumping Station should be replaced, studies in connection with this replacement are now in pro- gress. Mr. Cook, chief engineer at the station, has exhibited excellent skill and keen interest in the problems which he has had to face. It is well to bear in mind that the wells in use are now overtaxed fifty per cent. and this involves the use of an additional pump to fill the beds, and in that way tends to raise appreciably the unit cost per gallon of water pumped to the system.
The coal problem in the past year was considered for quality and from the standpoint of having a supply on hand ample to cover any emergencies for the year 1921.
The maintenance forces were called upon on several occasions to handle troublesome main line breaks as well as numerous smaller ones. This force was expanded to properly care for the additions and replace- ments for the year.
The meter forces and blacksmiths have been kept busy in their various capacities and at this time are contributing from their knowl- edge of actual conditions to a new districting system of following up bad conditions as they exist. I expect continuous improvement in handling these conditions.
The inventory of the material on hand available for emergencies shows us to be in better shape going into the new year than we have been for some time.
The old White truck was advantageously turned in, in trade, and replaced with a new Reo : likewise the old Dodge truck for a new Dodge.
From the records available showing the number of calls and com- plaints to which this division has to respond. I am positive that a light Ford truck in addition to the machines they now possess would prove to he a very excellent investment.
The Pleasant Street replacement includes a number of special fit- tings and new hydrants and gates as well as actual pipe mentioned. Wide advertising allowed us to buy three hundred dollars under the market.
Deantown Road presented a mean condition as the extension there had to cross a long stretch of swampy ground.
Brown Street addition went in rapidly, the only difficulty being the necessity for shooting a few boulders.
A. B. C. STREET RAILWAY.
The A. B. C. Street Railway being old and dilapidated requires con- stant attention.
In closing I want to say that there is always something to do, that the developments are keenly interesting, and that the support accorded the department from His Honor. the Mayor. the Municipal Council. and a very large percentage of the population is deeply appreciated. Just complaints we solicit as they aid our ambition to improve. The fact that a very few people are always ready to complain is also in our favor because it assists in keeping us on a high mark.
Attached hereto are some of the statistics connected with the opera- tions of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
J. O. TABER. JR .. Superintendent Public Works.
98
ANNUAL REPORT
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES
HIGHWAY DIVISION.
1920 Construction.
Pleasant Street-Adjusting lawns to
new grade
$468.72
South Main Street.
Newell contract $3.478.40
Preparing base and
structure for top ( in compliance with Newell agreement ) 1.139.90 4.618.30
$5.087.02 Cliff Street Construction (includes Hodges Street ).
Drains complete, curbing. round corners. surfacing. sidewalk, oiling. etc .... 6.221.62
Thirteenth Street Construction-Side- walks and bound stones 273.10
South Main Street drain. 20.61
1921 Construction.
Monument Square and Pleasant Street. Simpson Bros. Corp. contract. .. . $10.183.87
Resetting and straight- ening curbing. man-
holes, removing
gutters. drains. track basins, and catch basins 1.4442.92
Track revision 993.25
Paving blocks 273.70
$12.893.74
Railroad Avenue.
*Simpson Bros. Corp.
contract. . . $2.969.17
Setting curbing. catch
basins, manholes. drains and miscel-
laneous.
2,066.99
$5.036.16
North Main Street.
*Simpson Bros. Corp.
contract. . $202 56
Resetting curbing and
gutters. 110.93
Paving blocks 10.20
323.69
Mill Street.
*Simpson Bros. Corp. contract. .
$2.224.23
Resetting curbing 3.77
Paving blocks
458.18
2.686.18
99
ANNUAL REPORT
County Square.
* Simpson Bros. Corp.
307.46 contract. . $307.46
County Street Detour- labor, drilling and blasting rocks ..... 72.19
72.19
South Avenue.
*Simpson Bros. Corp.
contract.
$9.602.47
Grading.
138.06
Drain. labor and ma-
terial. . 2.037.39
11.777.92
West Street.
*Simpson Bros. Corp.
contract $11.712 75
Shoulders, curbing, cul-
vert and sidewalk.
1.208.33
*Items listed under Simpson Bros. contract represent 85% of cost- 15% having been retained 60 days after completion of contract. as of 1/1/22.
Benefit Street $846.51
Hazel Street
142.08
Sanford Street 124.50
North Main and John Street Corner 41.70
36.09
Bank and Holden Street Corner.
North Main and Peck Street Corner (in- cludes catch basin and hydrant change ).
199.21
1921 General Construction.
Stone.
$2,284.02
Drains.
195.75
Miscellaneous curbing.
round corners, etc.
736.58
Detours.
341.26
Rollers.
291.12
Refining asphalt
855.99
Miscellaneous.
1.117.93 5.822.65 $53.231.16
Highland Avenue and Washington Street Relocation. .
1.861.16
Mechanic Street Bridge.
T. F. McGovern Co. con- tract. $9,341.87
Simpson Bros. Corp. con- tract. 2" top. .
420.00
Grubbing and filling
1.188.25
Surfacing.
493.17
Inspector
116.67
Sand and stone.
1.815.25
Drain and sewer
1.708.56
Steel and iron.
1.346.64
Water changes and inci-
dental expense
428.48
.
16,858.89
100
ANNUAL REPORT
Resurfacing.
Alder Street
$105.49
Allen Street
19.60
Bacon Street
137.60
Benefit Street
1,146.99
Bishop Street
18.75
Bourne Avenue
171.56
Claflin Street
337.02
County Street
150.35
Elizabeth Street
371.49
Fourth Street
19.61
Hebronville. .
230.12
Highland Avenue
306.78
Hope Street
2.478.12
John Street
316.90
King Street
170.21
Knight Avenue
234.65
Leedham Street
7.60
Lindsey Street
46.62
Locust Street
143.87
Mann Street
31.60
Maple Street
21.48
Mendon Avenue
21.40
Newport Avenue
60.00
Oak Hill Avenue.
661.28
Peck Street
11.17
Pike Avenue
502.65
Read Street
106.31
Richardson Avenue
532.07
Robinson Avenue
34.60
South Main Street, Dodgeville.
863.66
Steere Street
694.58
Thacher Street
139.59
Thurber Avenue
433.45
Tiffany Street
78.46
Turner Street
92.40
Water Street
1.169.24
West Street
839.69
Wilmarth Street
54.73
Miscellaneous and General.
Labor.
$88.10
Material.
538.04
$626.14 $13.187.83
Bridges.
Bank Street-Repairs and sounding
$113.81
Deantown Road-New deck
105.58
Hebron-New angles, deck.
789.47
Olive Street-Repairs on structure and approaches. .
90.64
General Repair-Labor and material
(smaller structures 15' or less).
361.00
$1.460.50
Drains.
Cleaning Catch Basins
Labor. .
$1.169.88
Material.
149.62
1.319.50
.
101
ANNUAL REPORT
Dean and Perrin Streets-Rebuilding catch basin
82.03
Holman and Brook Streets-Rebuilding catch basin Horton Street-Rebuilding catch basin.
94.98
134.19
Mendon Avenue-Relaying drain.
95.20
Miscellaneous repairs-labor and ma- terial.
770.35
2.496.25
Ten Mile River.
Labor. .
$218.57
Material.
53.25
271.82
Crosswalks-Traffic Lines.
Labor.
$56.25
Material.
41.04
Street Cleaning.
Gutters and Scraping.
Labor. .
$3.879.66
Material.
159.69
Outside roads-Labor
2,540.17
$6.579.52
Street Sweeping.
Labor.
$2.023.21
Material.
42.00
Street Patching.
Adamsdale Road
$16.40
Allen Street
37.74
Bacon Street
61.45
Bridge Street
156.49
Brown Street
331.17
Cumberland Avenue
32.80
Highland Avenue
281.92
Leedham Street
274.06
Locust Street
73.10
May Street
157.60
Mendon Road
255.18
Newport Avenue
192.07
Oak Hill Avenue
315.56
Philip Street
200.68
Read Street
69.08
Robinson Avenue
30.80
South Avenue
353.47
South Main Street-Dodgeville.
736.81
Thurber Avenue
148.17
Tiffany Street
126.80
Turner Street
183.33
Washington Street Bridge
12.00
West Street
32.30
West Carpenter Street.
11.40
General :
Labor.
$2.882.39
Material.
1.194.18
5,076.57 9,166.95
97.29
$4.039.35
2.065.21
102
ANNUAL REPORT
Sidewalks, Maintenance and Repair.
Bacon Street
$78.95
Bank Street
5.41
Benefit Street
1.25
Brook Street
147.82
Brown Street
435.28
County Street
187.35
Elizabeth Street
27.13
First Street
12.00
Franklin Street
61.43
Garden Street .
158.55
Hayward Street
4.11
Highland Street
60.98
Highland Avenue
121.00
Hodges Street
9.52
Hope Street
5.05
James Street
10.01
John Street
6.36
King Street
12.50
Lexington Avenue
232.57
Maple Street
8.10
Mechanic Street
17.79
Newport Avenue
19.90
North Avenue
11.77
North Main Street.
343.14
Oak Street
4.11
Olive Street
26.35
Parker Street
10.00
Pleasant Street
30.82
Pond Street
116.15
School Street
7.23
Second Street
60.99
South Main Street -- Dodgeville
186.53
South Main Street-Hebronville
( in-
cluding bridge )
664.72
Starkey Avenue
19.84
Thacher Street
314.11
Third Street
150.09
Wall Street
3.75
Washington Street
187.45
Water Street
108.34
West Street
4.12
West Carpenter Street
62.00
Miscellaneous :
Labor. .
$476.63
Material.
1.035.19
1.511.82
$5.446.39
Snow and Ice.
Last season
$2.538.56
This season
192.30
2,730.86
Machinery and Tools.
Keeping tools in repair-labor
$500.62
New equipment
1.853.70
Small tools and equipment ..
243.20
Miscellaneous repairs and maintenance
402.48
material.
3.000.00
103
ANNUAL REPORT
Crushers.
Repairs, maintenance material. power. lighting, etc. 1.150.00
Rollers.
Labor-Maintenance. $566.96
Miscellaneous maintenance and repair material.
1.877.11
Portable boiler-repair material. 80.93
2.025.00
Automobiles.
New automobiles
10.901.99
Operating expense-for general main- tenance.
774.48
Insurance, Freight and Incidentals.
Vacations.
$554.72
Rent. Maynard Street land
69.60
Insurance.
2.471.36
Rifle range-Taxes
12.48
Freight and express
126.16
Telephone
50.51
Oil for lighting
20.65
Miscellaneous.
100.65
$3.406.13
$148,313.78
Sidewalks and Curbing.
Bank Street
$36.21
C'arpenter Street
938.24
Elizabeth Street
85.65
North Main Street-Bottomley
143.48
Olive Street
523.49
Prospect Street
60.50
Sadler's Corner
435.86
Miscellaneous material
2944.59
2.518.02
Dust Layer and Tar.
Street Sprinkling
$1.001.92
Oil and Tar:
Material.
$8.965.58
Labor.
2.063.87
11.029.45
Sand for Oiling :
Material.
$34.20
Labor.
$08.65
$42.85
Miscellaneous.
181.88
Lighting.
Contract.
$20.684.31
New lights
105.11
13.056.10
20.789.42
104
ANNUAL REPORT
Wall Street catch basin.
$166.62
Investigating water level-Dodgeville Pond. 3.60
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.