USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1923 > Part 9
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There is a water main dead ending adjacent to the bridge in front of the Basket Shop. To accommodate this blow-off and surface drain- age, a catch basin connection to the river was made. The bridge deck was surfaced with stone and flushed with asphalt. Where possible, the remaining parts of the old crib in the river channel were taken out, and considerable cleaning up around the side was taken care of.
The final payment due the Engineering and Construction Company was properly handled, and an insurance charge against this structure written off. The structure now in service certainly fills a long felt want of the people in and about the "Farmers district."
BANK STREET BRIDGE.
On the southeasterly side of Bank Street, a dry wall was erected to temporarily retain the sidewalk until the proposed change of grade in the street between the grade crossing and the bridge has been worked up. With the material backing up the U abutments on this side, the need of keeping the fills upon the approaches built up until final settle-
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ment takes place should be appreciated. A stone and asphalt surface was put on the deck and the sidewalks and gutters improved to accommo- date present conditions.
It is my opinion that in conjunction with the drainage of the area south and east of this structure, a continuation of the improvements commenced in this district will hurry the proposed line and grade changes in the street.
Bills due and final payment for the contract and for service ren- dered by the Attleboro Steam and Electric Company, were taken care of, and an insurance charge written off against this structure. It is well to state at this time that the approaches will need some attention to cover settlement in the coming year.
DRAINS.
It was found necessary to replace the very small catch basin at the southwest corner of Carpenter and Pine Street to properly handle the conditions which existed there. On Garden Street, a mean condition faces this department in the drainage proposition as it exists at present. There is a pipe line from the foot of Manchester Street to the foot of the slope on Olive Street, which extends under Olive Street embank- ment and crosses the Manchester hay fields. Mrs. Manchester objected to a continuation of this outlet, and it is uncertain as to just how long she will allow the outfall on this property. In order to utilize this drainage line, which was badly clogged, two new manholes and two new catch basins were built, and the entire line freed of debris and flush cleaned. As a result, there has been perfect relief for the time being.
A basin with connection to Thacher Brook was built on the westerly side of South Main Street, just north of the brook crossing.
A systematic cleaning of the catch basins in the city at least twice during the year was successfully followed out, and as a result, the com- plaints are constantly reducing.
THACHER BROOK AND TEN MILE RIVER.
In the spring of the year and in the fall, a patrol was sent down the full length of Thacher Brook, from where the Cambridge Street drain empties to Dodgeville Pond, clearing away debris, fallen trees, etc. This task is a real investment, as so many of our streets are intercepted by the brook, which handles their drainage easily when it is properly open.
Some work was done on the Ten Mile River cleaning, and as a result, I will recommend that the attention of abutters and police be called to the necessity of protecting the slopes and channel of this stream from promiscuous dumping. I believe a permanent aid in keeping the channel clear can be obtained with an earnest effort from the people above mentioned.
CROSS WALKS-TRAFFIC PAINTING.
The cross walks and traffic painting, as outlined by the Superin- tendent, were handled under a contract price in the early spring by some young men owning a machine. Since that time, our local painters at the same unit price, have taken up the burden of maintaining same. This work calls for constant care, and each year will find it an increas- ing expense.
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BRIDGES, FENCES AND CULVERTS.
The primary need of replacing our old collapsing stone culverts for the public safety is appreciated, and a considerable start has been made during the past year. Four culverts were replaced on Lindsey Street, one on Deantown Road, one on May Street, one on Read Street, one on Richardson Avenue, a large equalizing culvert through the stone fill on Union Road, covering a very bad condition of long standing, and a study made for further replacements. Also on Wilmarth Street, an old wooden bridge in a very bad state of decay, so as to make it really dangerous, was replaced with a large double barrel culvert, which to my mind will save considerable money in its working and up-keep over a bridge struc- ture.
It is also appreciated that a constant replacement of the fences along the slopes leading to the bridges which pass over the railroad is needed. The recently established policy of a fence built of treated posts and two heavy rails, planed four sides, to take the noticeable white lead paint, is progressing satisfactorily.
It is also our ambition to so maintain these slopes that the chance for washouts will be reduced to a minimum, and our efforts have met with considerable success during the past year. From the maintenance funds, a concrete slab, where South Main Street crosses Thacher Brook, was built to replace the old timber beam structure. I consider this a real improvement.
Other repairs have been made on Olive Street bridge, Mendon Road, Lindsey Street, Hebron Foot bridge, Holden Street river crossing, Star- key Avenue, and several similar structures. As a matter of policy, it must be realized that the exceedingly large increase in the volume of traffic directly affects all of our bridge and culvert structures, and to facilitate in a safe manner the progress of this traffic, the changes in our fence maintenance have been adapted.
RESURFACING.
Because of the failure of the Boston Pike, between North Attle- boro and Highland Avenue, in the spring of the year, the exceptionally heavy freight truck traffic started to detour through Attleboro before our roads had dried out. Within an hour, the Superintendent had got in touch with His Honor, the Mayor, who immediately took active steps to prevent the total demolition of the highways being used on this detour. Commonwealth Avenue was posted and barricaded, and North Avenue with its unimproved surface was kept open for normal traffic within the limits posted. At one time there were seventeen heavy trucks bogged to the axle on Kilty Hill. Police officers were stationed at all of the main road inlets to the city, and any doubtful truck loads were weighed. At other places in the city, the intensely heavily loaded trucks broke through our surface, so that in view of what did happen, it is a fair deduction to state that the stringent measures taken to pro- tect the highway investment of our city without any question saved the tax payers a very considerable amount of money. For reasonable and necessary commodities, permits were issued, so that I believe there was no great suffering or inconvenience caused to any of our citizens. As a result of this spring destruction, there is, under the resurfacing account, an item of $1,419.57. Other emergency expenditures under this account. which total $114.71, were necessary because of small wash-outs caused by heavy rains.
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Bacon Street, in South Attleboro, was accepted from Washington Street to St. Jean Plat, but no work ever had been attempted between Allen Street and Washington Street, as far as I have been able to ascer- tain. A beginning was made in roughing out this highway-the clearing and some of the grubbing was completed, and a start made on the removal of the loam top soil.
Bliss Avenue in Hebronville has been recorded for a number of years as an impassable mud hole after a rain in the spring of the year. A properly constructed stretch of gravel with adequate base to handle the bad conditions was built here, and I believe it will give satisfactory year-round service to the people.
Cliff Street has had some of the attention given it from current funds which should have been taken care of, but for a mix-up in the vote record, in the year previous. A piece of light penetration was placed from the approach at the foot of the hill to the upper point of curvature on the first curve. The rest of the street was shaped, graveled, seasoned and oiled. This was as much as we could afford to do with the funds available. I am hoping for a continuation of our process as laid out.
Dunham Street, between George Street and Tappan Avenue, lacking drainage and having been in woeful condition for some time, was shaped up, graveled and oiled.
Emory Street and Forest Street should have an expensive founda- tion between the road surface and the clay which constitutes the sub- grade at present. Temporary steps to relieve the worst places in these highways were begun by strengthening the sub-grade, rolling same, and oiling it.
George Street likewise has a bad foundation, but it was greatly improved by similar treatment as that mentioned above.
Handy Street, a back road, which has not had even a proper out- lining for years, was taken in hand, and considering the few dollars spent, definite improvement was noticed after blasting and graveling of the rough spots had been completed.
Hazel Street, in the vicinity of the M. S. factory, went all to pieces, caused by heavy trucking in the spring. It was improved to the satis- faction of the abutters.
Highland Avenue fails annually on the red clay flat between Beard's house and Robinson Avenue. Previously this department has recom- mended for this main cross trunk road, fifty (50) feet of right of way, proper though expensive drainage, a good foundation and a stone sur- face. There is no question in my mind as to its advisability.
In extending, shaping up, and improving Linden Street, considerable work was done. There is still a chance to do considerable more work in this locality.
Lindsey Street, easterly from the railroad track, had a high crown and a bad foundation with collapsed stone culverts. Considerable improvement was effected in this stretch of road.
Maple Street, between Thacher Brook and Park Street, needs drain- age and adequate foundation. However, before any more expenditure outside of routine repair is warranted, the street line should be definitely recorded.
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A block of Martin Street was laid out, graveled and oiled.
North Main Street, from West Street to Upland Road, has in years past failed each spring, also it has been expensive to maintain because of the narrow width of surface thereon. This year, using our country rock crushed and graded as a base, and trap stone for a top course, a State specification penetration job was completed which totals about 2,100 square yards. This was built by the city forces entirely.
South Main Street, between Smith's driveway and the stone road on the first curve northerly, was resurfaced likewise with a country rock base and trap top penetrated. As a matter of record, I will state there should be catch basins and a surface water drain to relieve the really bad condition in the grade line sag along this piece of work. Ade- quate funds to properly construct this drainage were not available, yet the surface improvement was essential. As a result of these conditions, the best possible temporary means have been taken to relieve the condi- tions mentioned. In the late fall, with money available under this account, an effort was made to improve Atwell's curve between the cemetery and Thurber Avenue on South Main Street. The Mayor endeavored to have the Interstate siding moved southerly and placed on the outside of their track, so that the community might have the advan- tage of at least eighteen (18) feet of road surface by the cemetery. The Company was unable to obtain authority and funds for this change, therefore, including this improvement, about one thousand (1,000) yards of penetration similar to those mentioned above were started in the worst part of this washboard curve, and though the season was late, it is expected that with a seal in the coming year, a proper result will be recorded.
Oak Hill Avenue, between Thurber Avenue and Locust Street, had considerable of the rough gravel from the South Main Street work deposited thereon as a temporary improvement for what was really a bad condition .. In the last part of the season, about one thousand (1,000) feet of this distance was top graveled and seasoned, and a light coat of cold application tar applied. It is expected to continue improv- ing this highway in the coming year.
Prairie Avenue was accepted according to a plan and profile, and was roughly outlined as far as needed. There will be a stringent need to remove for the extension of this street a considerable amount of loam, which will probably be of value to the city either in the Park Department or on our overpass bridge approach slopes.
Robert Street was accepted and recorded and bounded, from Sixth Street through to Lexington Avenue, and some roughing out work was done between Sixth Street and Olive Street, and between Thirteenth Street and Lexington Avenue. It is expected to improve these sections further and make efforts to obtain drainage for the entire street in the coming year.
School Street, in a similar way to Hazel Street, failed in the spring under heavy traffic conditions, and a block of it adjacent to the factories was improved at as reasonable a cost as possible.
Thacher Street, between County Square and the railroad, was out- lined and surfaced ahead of a roller, with mixed patches, and a heavy coat of oil properly covered.
Brown Street, Clifton Street, Read Street, Richardson Avenue, West Street, upper Mechanic Street, Mendon Road, and Newport Avenue were improved temporarily in the worst places.
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For a short distance near the corner of Pleasant Street on Starkey Avenue, and Holden Street between Bank Street and North Main Street, were widened in surface in a manner adequate for the proper passing of two streams of traffic with a vehicle parked. The improve- ment was considerable for the money expended.
Kendall Avenue, between Starkey Avenue and Angell Street, was improved with some of the material taken off North Main Street.
Hawthorne Street was outlined and some blasted rock removed therefrom. To put this street in first-class condition will require a con- siderable expenditure. I believe that by improving it some each year, we can appease the residents and receive good value for the expenditure.
1921 BALANCE.
Carried over to be utilized in sealing the penetration work between Tiffany and West Streets on South Avenue, and also to clean up the odds and ends which go with a big job, there was a small balance of road construction money. A short piece of West Street between New- port Avenue and Read Street, which was about 550 feet long, was also improved with some of this money. However, it was necessary to finish up the job with a small amount from resurfacing. A width of twenty (20) feet was built on this piece of road, and a country rock base with a trap stone top was penetrated with asphalt. It is expected to seal this, as well as other penetrations, in the coming year.
In summing up the expenditure of the appropriation given us late in 1921, I feel sure that everywhere the money has been applied the city has received an extraordinary value, and it is a pleasure to state that wherever possible the funds were applied to a department payroll which covered the program that conditions made an absolute necessity. It is reasonable to believe that another year or two will find a further sys- tematic extension of our hard surfaced road an absolute necessity.
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE.
The problem of maintaining our tar concrete sidewalks in the con- dition which we would like to see them is very vexatious. This is par- ticularly true in places on the east side where they have been placed upon clay and have moved and cracked with every frost heave. Also in other sections of the city, where, numerous large trees in the sidewalk have upended whole slabs. I believe that most of our cement walks, as laid recently, are giving excellent satisfaction and service. Also within reason, our stone dust gravel walks are giving good service. To improve the sidewalk conditions, and particularly with the sidewalk maintenance, I believe that definite steps should be taken to remove within a certain distance of the center all of the trees which are causing, or are likely to cause, sidewalk or street trouble, so that the cement walks may be properly laid and expected to last. Also to take particular pains, even though at a slight additional expense, to obtain for the improved walk a proper foundation. I further believe that the continuation at as rapid a rate as possible of our curbing program is essentially a good thing for the city and particularly for the pedestrian. There is an itemized state- ment of the expenditures attached hereto.
You will notice that one outstanding major improvement was con- structed by having the concrete slab cover the Thacher Brook between Emory and Park Streets, where formerly a very unsatisfactory and expensive board walk had been constructed and maintained by the city.
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I believe this job might be used as a selling argument to eliminate the other two sections of board walk on Brook Street which are unsatisfac- tory from all ponits of view, i. e., to the man who uses them, as well as to the man who works on them, and the man who pays for them.
SIDEWALKS AND CURBING.
As soon as available after the season opened, the work started on James, Torrey, Holman and Washington Street was completed, and the betterments committed to the Municipal Council. From the available second-hand curb in the yard, the city forces put in a piece on Starkey Avenue and Pleasant Street, abutting the Pleasant Street school lot, for this there was no betterment assessed.
On Park Street, in front of the Dana Block, a special curb and granolithic walk was built by Pearson. This action was taken by direc- tion of the City Council, and no betterment assessed under their prop- erty taking vote.
A little work to retain the new sidewalk at Thacher Brook on South Main Street was also handled.
Circle curbing on Emory Street at Park, Sturdy, and Forest Streets, was purchased and set under another account, and also at Park and Brook, and Martin and Maple Streets. The city being the abutter on the two respective sidewalks at these intersections, of course, faces the full cost. Assessable curbing and granolithic walk and gutter was laid on John Street, and curb and gutter on Maple Street, while some curb was set in front of Goff's property in lower South Main Street, Hebron- ville, upon his petition. The gutter has not yet been laid out, and this assessment must remain until the work is completed.
DUST LAYER AND TAR.
The extension of the dust layer requirements, owing to the increase of vehicles using our highways, is very much needed. While it is true the recommendations of this department would include a considerable extension, it seems to be impossible to obtain funds adequate to prop- erly do the work we would like to cover in this particular line. The results obtained during the past year were exceptional for two reasons : first, the season was such that we did not lose many opportunities to operate-thus holding our unit cost down; and second, after the failure of our low man on bids to produce satisfactory results early in the sea- son, the Standard Oil Company of New York, and the Tar Products Company of Providence, gave this city remarkably good service, and allowed us to cover an enlarged area at a very reasonable price. I feel sure that the people on our back roads, both users and residents, will continue to insist upon having asphaltic oil to lay the dust on their highways at least for the season, and I feel that all of our citizens should be thinking of the necessity for meeting their demands.
STREET CLEANING.
Acting on the recommendation of the Mayor and Superintendent, a small Cleveland caterpillar tractor was purchased, and it has been uti- lized to great advantage in the spring and fall street cleaning. It is truly remarkable to notice the widening of back roads and proper gut- ter cuts that have been made possible by this machine. The personnel scraping with the tractor are very enthusiastic over the results obtained,
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and I think that perhaps as soon as the community can afford it, a sec- ond machine would be an investment.
In cleaning the gutters in the center, it is noticeable that the men are put to considerable inconvenience and delay by the fixed approaches to driveways not at a proper grade. Without any doubt, these which are blocked up either by dry leaves, snow ice, sticks, and other debris, are the direct cause in many instances of inconvenience to our citizens and damage to our highways. I believe that progressive steps should be taken to eliminate these conditions from the city.
It is noticeable in the fall cleaning that considerable expense is put upon the city by the leaf problem. I mention this in order that the citi- zen may stop and consider the proposition which faces us in several localities of having the trees too close together. Not only does it affect the street cleaning expenditure, but the shade and slow drying out directly affects the road construction and maintenance, and the roots in a number of cases interfere with our underground structures, sewers, drains, etc. The mention of these facts here will serve to introduce a practical view-point entertained by this department.
STREET SWEEPING.
In the past year, two regular street sweepers have been employed, and I can mention at this time that it was necessary to replace one of our old men, as for some reason not yet reported, he failed to appear for work.
The department has tried out some improved rubbish deposit cans with considerable success. There is still a chance for the merchants in the center to aid us in obtaining maximum public service from our rub- bish cans with a few kind words properly placed, and by pooling their own rubbish problems so that every man may have the same treatment at the same unit price.
STREET PATCHING.
Taking into consideration the tremendous increase in motor vehi- cles using our highways the year round, and the destructive action of the chains they use in slippery and icy weather, I consider that with the funds available, the patch work performed on our highways last year has been excellent.
I also feel that I should call to your attention the fact that unusu- ally heavy loaded vehicles are using our unimproved highways the year round, and the result is a widening of the range of our patch gangs. I believe that the normal wear from rubber tires in good weather can be reduced by extending our asphaltic oiling, but the general problem of improving the foundations of our unimproved highways still is to be met ; and I am suggesting the progressive elimination of some of the worst places in the city in order to reduce the money expended under the street patching account.
SNOW AND ICE.
In the first quarter of the year, there was a very considerable snow fall. A total of fifty (50) inches fell up to April 1st, and $5,938.99 . was spent in snow removal, snow equipment repairs and tools. The balance of the recorded amount, $396.97, was expended for maintenance of plows and gear and for a light fall or two in the last quarter of the year. There has not as yet been any definite decision recorded from the appropriating body as to the policy desired in maintaining our highways for wheeled travel following heavy snow.
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The department, through the assistance of the Mayor, obtained from the state a blade plow to be used on the larger of our Mack trucks. It has developed into one of the regular features used in snow removal, and has performed excellent service. There is no doubt, however, but what a single unit of this type, even though aided by the tractor we own, is not enough to properly cover our main arteries during a heavy fall of snow. This is one of the reasons why I believe in recommending another Bull-Dog Mack truck to aid the one which we now own and which has three years of hard service behind it.
The question of the amount of money to be expended on snow and ice is, of course, an elastic one, as nobody can foresee the exact magni- tude of the problem. I am convinced, however, that a connected effort to educate our citizens along the line of assisting whenever possible this department during heavy storms, would be an investment.
STEAM ROLLERS.
With the coal carried over from the previous year and our normal repair expense reduced to a minimum through the skill of our roller- man, I feel that the season can be considered a success from the steam roller point of view, bearing in mind the age and model of the equip- ment possessed by the city.
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