USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1924 > Part 12
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SEWER DIVISION.
The gross expenditure, as will be noticed, covering sewer maintenance during the past year is practically the same as in 1923. The inspector at the beds has a charge which is about the same. The cleaning of beds including removing of material was very slightly reduced, but the flushing labor charge was slightly increased. Our insurance renewal policies were brought down while the taxes paid the Town of Seekonk on this property increased slightly. Also there was a slight increase in our miscellaneous articles so that our total, as recorded, is within a few dollars of the figure for 1923.
Acting on the advice of the State inspector, a further change of policy was adopted in the last half of the year at the filter beds when the program covering rotation of the complete set was put into force. It is probably to be expected after ten years of use that this rotation will improve our filter process under the handicap mentioned above. A very definitely strenuous effort to compel entry into the sanitary sewer of property owners who were connected with the Ten Mile River has been quite effective, and as a result we have had eighty-four new connections serving ninety-two buildings made during the past year. This is almost twice as many as we had in 1923. There will without doubt be a continuation of this program in the coming year. While it is true that it interferes ma- terially with maintaining the surface of the streets, in which the con- nections have to be put, there is not the slightest doubt as to the ultimate public benefit derived from insisting upon these connections.
It is no doubt time to consider the future development of a sanitary sewer in South Attleboro, a constantly growing section, and I feel that this project should be looked into at once. It was indeed a revelation to find a sizeable extension program, as mentioned earlier in this report, covering the most pressing demands for sewer service in different parts of our city included in our current program. It is to be hoped that this develop- ment will continue until all of the reasonable demands which can be made upon our system are satisfied.
WATER DIVISION.
The continuity of effort by the personnel in this division towards extending the life of our present system through splendid care and con- servation has been well maintained during the past year. It is interesting to note that our annual total of gallons pumped was approximately three million less than had been pumped in 1923. Our daily average was 1,070,295 gallons against 1,079,860 gallons for 1923. This reduction has been in the face of one of the worst droughts in our local history, and also in the face of the largest year we have had measured by the number of new services installed and old ones replaced. The drought is mentioned at this particular time because of course you will understand that in time of drought peak loads are usually required from water plants.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The efforts of the Chief Engineer at the Station, Mr. George Cook, were recognized beginning January 1, by the Mayor. Other expenses at the station which changed favorably included the annual coal bill, and it was indeed a treat during the past year to buy good soft coal at a reason- able price. The outside efforts in behalf of our plant extension have been ably taken care of by the Mayor and Water Committee of the Muni- cipal Council working in conjunction with Mr. J. J. Van Valkenburgh, consulting engineer. There have been times when we in this department were able to be of some slight service and it has always been a pleasure to do whatever was possible.
The continuous and rapid growth accompanied by a steady demand for water from the south end of the city, warrants a coordinated program in my opinion from our municipal authorities. I recommend that this be covered in a practical way to accommodate our extensions to a wholesome plan distributed over a period of years. The solid benefits of our Pito- meter water waste survey were in my opinion responsible for a consider- able share of our success in passing through the past dry year. The definite facts gleaned from this survey allowed alert concentration of effort which resulted in the figures spoken of above.
There isn't the slightest doubt in my mind but what it would be good business for our municipal authorities to promulgate such orders as are required to insure the speeedy payment of all of our debt on the present water plant, primarily of course the proper valuation and system of assessments in conjunction with a lay-out of carrying charges would be required in the face of the large proposed expenditures. In the near future it seems to me that a community of our size should consider well the proper balancing into a safe relative position a revenue department owned and controlled by the city.
It is to be noticed that the past year and the year 1923 were away below the average in rainfall, therefore it is to be expected that with two consecutive dry years, such as wehave just passed through, an accurate test of the capacity of our plant has indeed with the present load been recorded. These conditions also were favorable to ascertaining important facts on the water shed being studied for additions to our present equip- ment.
MAIN LINE.
In Bicknell Street material for excavation being loose boulder gravel close to three hundred feet of 6" pipe were laid connecting dead ends. On Jackson Street between Fourth and Dennis Street approximately six hundred feet of 6" pipe replaced a very small service pipe, and also allowed us to go through the cold weather without incapacitating service to several families through freezing, which trouble they had been bothered with heretofore. A hydrant was placed in the middle of the block and proper gates cut in so that considerable satisfaction has been given to the people served, as well as to the fire department and water division. At Water Street the dead end which had to be constantly flushed at the river bridge was connected to another 6" line on West Street, and gives added assurance of positive supply for domestic and fire use in the Farmers section. It is indeed a worthy improvement and saves a considerable volume of water wasted heretofore in flushing. On Brown Street, Fenton Avenue, Gardner Ave., Hall Ave., Jessie Ave., Newport Ave., Simpson Ave., Washington Street, and Orr Street in South Attleboro, petitions for water extensions were granted and the construction and installation of the main and services was properly taken care of by this division. On Locust
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ANNUAL REPORT
Street, Mary Street, and Payson Street further extensions, duly author- ized, were constructed to accomodate petitioners who had complied with stipulations in the ordinance.
On Bank Street close to Holden Street to accomodate a new house and garage an 8" main was laid. This start being governed as a part of a proposed future artery to feed this growing hill section. A second 8" extension was constructed from the dead end on School Street under Thacher brook across the Speedway where a service was connected and a hydrant installed for the benefit of a new industry just starting here in Attleboro, the Panelon Underwear Company factory building.
In passing it might be said that French cast iron pipe came into the market in the fall and it is perhaps, in the face of prices we have been paying for cast iron pipe in late years, a good thing for the trade, It is to be hoped that the price of cast iron pipe will become less so that a re- duction in our costs per foot may start as is proper at the foundry. It is further well to bear in mind in looking over our units covering main line construction that all of the known factors are considered, and the prices made for our guarantee figures are fair prices to use in adding to the valuation of our system.
SERVICES.
In conjunction with our usual service installations. it might be fair to note a slight reduction in the unit price for the year. The eighty-three 1" services laid, as has been stated. set a new figure for our city in recent years and it is expected and hoped that these additions will continue. Besides this normal growth, there was a replacement at the Robinson building of a 11/2" service, and another 2" service into their No. 1 building was con- nected so that the industries resident thereto may have proper and ade- quate service.
L. G. Balfour Company, owning the Blake building on South Main Street, also had a larger installation, i. e., a 2" to replace their existing service for reasons similar to those mentioned just above.
On Knight Avenue on the B. B. & R. Knight property a temporary replacement was put in to cover a group of little buildings such as had been in use for a very considerable number of years. The uncertainty govern- ing the disposal of this property and an unwillingness to impose at this time any burdens that could be avoided upon this property controlled this temporary repair. Without any question a study of the two groups of mill properties, one in Hebronville, and the other in Dodgeville, will be taken up when definite information is obtained as to what can be con- sidered a final disposition as to ownership for all of these buildings.
SHOP AND BARN.
The largest item under this account for the Water department is a coal figure of $386.74 which includes the winter supply of hard coal for heating, as well as the blacksmith's soft coal. In addition, running expenses of light, telephone, and towels take up the balance except for a miscellaneous item of $128.49 which includes die stock and fittings, emery wheel, and a wiring job to conform to the law, and current expend- itures such as are needed constantly in operating a plant of this kind.
It seems strange that whereas the Water division operates as a revenue division of a city department, that the Police department, utilizing the barn of the Water division as headquarters for housing their patrol and
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ANNUAL REPORT
other machines and motor cycles, is not assessed any of the expense in its upkeep and maintenance. It would be only reasonable in my opinion that they should pay the lowest charge for the twenty-four hour service they obtain, which would be an actual proportionate share per vehicle housed of the costs entering into this maintenance and operation.
METERS.
The persistent effort toward checking up unusual features connected with our water service has been going on during the past year, and as a result of these reports conditions, some of which originated years ago and are contrary to the existing rules and ordinances, have been improved. It is also to be noted at this time that during the past few years there has been a constant improvement from our meter readers and inspectors as is shown by a reduction in the complaints we hear during the payment on our water bills. In years past this division seems to liave had in use meters from numerous manufacturers. Some of these types of meter do not seem to be up to the performance required, as recorded under test by our employees, and therefore as they wear out it has not seemed reasonable to have them replaced. The matter has been studied and our labor and material item has been balanced against the proper service to be expected from a repaired meter governed on our experience, and balanced against the age of the meter and the cost of replacement for a new meter.
The general movement covering the past few years of keeping our replacements to a minimum with the idea of eliminating our machines that are expensive to maintain has practically ended, and this year the expenditures under this account have jumped. First, to accommodate the great amount of new business; and second, to cover renewals made necess- ary by the junking of ancient meters which were not assets to this division. The complaint card record shows a total of 1310 reports recorded and answered, with such work as required having been completed. It is well to bear in mind the numerous positive factors such as age, electrolysis, corrosion, etc., which entered into our normal woes in this maintenance. It is also well to remember that several of these factors are not within the control of this department.
I wish to further call to your attention that out of this great number of responses, the amount of night work, owing to our policy of following up inspector's reports, has been marvelously reduced demonstrating clearly the value of our follow-up policy, as inaugurated a few years ago.
WATER-AUTOMOBILES.
The 1921 Reo truck was exchanged, and with $1100 additional, an International speed truck of a ton and a quarter capacity was obtained. This trade in purchase was consummated in May. It is well to bear in mind this date on figuring the first four months of the year when the major portion of our abnormal automobile expenses were contracted for. In addition to this item, the expenses for our trucks, covering oil and gasoline, totals a very sizeable figure because as can be seen by the record of work mentioned above considerable mileage is necessary. The chassis of a Ford ton truck was also paid for from this account and the body, as you will recall, came from a highway account. The joint use of this light truck under pressure of summer business by the two divisions has been found to be advantageous, and in the winter time as an auxiliary has aided greatly in the taking up of scattered small jobs. The registration, adver- tising for bids, repairs, tires, and labor in the general looking after the machines takes up the rest of our account.
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ANNUAL REPORT
INSURANCE.
Under this item there is liability and compensation insurance for our payroll, for the general run of our maintenance accounts; liability and property damage insurance on our International and Dodge trucks; and insurance covering fire for barn, shed, and contents, and also for the Pumping Station buildings and their equipment. It is only through balancing work that our compensation was kept within the limits we carried on this account.
BUILDINGS REPAIR AND PAINT.
The shop and barn main building at the site to the rear of Snell's on County Street has had a new roof of a guaranteed paper put on by our own labor, and in addition considerable painting was done inside where needed. The overload and impact from moving vehicles to which this structure has been subjected has certainly raised havoc with the probable life that could have been obtained from this building had the original idea for which it was designed been maintained. It is highly desirable that a one story structure to house the shop working quarters and store house, and other required space for this division, be constructed at once on our consolidation site at Forest Street. Delay, as we have mentioned, in this consolidation, is expensive to the city.
At the Pumping Station there were some very necessary house repairs and a paper roof for the garage to be considered, while in the building housing the pumps there was some roof repairs, window replacements, and other current expenditures which are to be expected in buildings as old as those at Orr's Pond. We have also included an item here marked standpipe, which was for an inspection of our gate house and structure at the head of Snell Street. Another amount included for repairs at this same location was required because of the vandalism of some of our young men here in town who maliciously took great pains to destroy windows, screens, copper fastened hatches, and other appurtenances on these structures. This matter has been reported to the police, and I have been informed they have taken it up with the parents of the young men con- cerned. The investigator has been assured that there will be no further repetition of these acts. Incidentally "No Trepass" signs have been set adjacent to the standpipe and the police have been requested to make such efforts as are required to protect the city's property.
WATER MAINTENANCE MATERIAL AND INCIDENTALS
Of course the bulk of this item is for 1" and 2" service pipe, tools, including hand tools and wrenches, couplings and sleeves, meter repair parts and other material which is necessary to the functioning of the division.
Under incidentals, the taxes for our property controlled by the water division in the Town of North Attleboro amounting to $99.52 were paid. Taxes to the City of Attleboro for the ice house property amounting to $70.80 were also included, water bookkeeping sheets, printing, and other items which do not properly belong elsewhere were included to make up the total, as shown in the accompanying statistics.
At the Pumping Station we purchased about 681 tons, more or less, of New River coal at an average price of about $7.34, which includes trimming and haul. This is figured for tons of two thousand pounds. It will be noted that considerable of this coal was delivered, for less than the figure used above. On this market, the city supplied the trimmers.
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ANNUAL REPORT
For the Snow pump, which once more has carried practically the full year's work, the items for valve springs, packing, graphite paint, etc., are shown and also at the Pumping Station we have a light and telephone bill which approximated the usual charge. The usual cleaning out and in- spection of the boilers was taken up and in addition a rewiring of the boiler room for electric lights was deemed advisable in order to avoid potential fire risks which might arise.' The water filter beds were given two cleanings and in addition it was required in February of 1924 that our laborers cut the ice on the beds so that our rotor could operate efficiently. The care of the grounds at the Station was maintained at the irreducable mini- mum.
The Chief Engineer having complained early in the year of the service the chimney at the Station was giving, the Cornell Construction Company (steeple jacks) inspected the site and made some recommenda- tions. On the work to cover the recommendations quotations were solicited from other firms and considerable money was saved by awarding the work to the Berry Company.
The Water division is to be congratulated on maintaining its revenue in the face of a reduction in consumption which has taken place in spite of an unusually large annual growth. The efficiency of the division is being directed toward increasing supply, reducing consumption, and extending the limit of funds available for writing off the debt against our present plant in production for a favorable introduction to the contemplated ex- pansion.
Among other things, the Municipal Council has asked for a recom- mendation covering Rex Avenue, a platted street adjacent to the Washing- ton Street school in South Attleboro. I believe that the acceptance of this street should be governed in direct accordance with our ordinance covering street layout.
The importance of adquate development and extension of our sewer system and filtration plant cannot be stressed too strongly, and I recom- mend that a report be obtained covering in detail our future requirements, as mentioned herein for a period of twenty years.
In balancing the several accounts of this department for the final annual statement, where overdrafts are taken care of in some units by sur- plus in others, I believe that the Superintendent should be present and active in the final decision covering the placements mentioned, and I so recommend.
The past year has supplied more than a fair opportunity for testing our organization and I wish therefore to extend my sincere thanks to His Honor, the Mayor, the Municipal Council, and all of the employees who have contributed materially to the success of this department.
Respectfully yours,
J. O. TABER, JR.
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ANNUAL REPORT
EXPENDITURES 1924-PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Charges to December 31, 1924.
General Administration.
Superintendent's Salary
$3,800.00 .
Engineer's Salary, Asst. Eng.
and Rodman ..
5.856.59
Clerical Labor.
2,394.58
Engineering Supplies .
209.30
Office Supplies.
203.22
Insurance, Repairs, etc.
1,222.33
Rent, Light and Telephone
886.65
City Survey
1,018.37
$15,591.04
Highway Department.
Resurfacing
$19,498.17
Bridges
2,952.11
Drains.
2,020.90
Ten Mile River.
110.65
Traffic Painting
158.43
Street Sweeping
2,004.43
Street Cleaning
5,108.77
Street Patching
8,121.55
Sidewalks, Maintenance.
3.956.74
Snow and Ice.
3,769.36
Machinery and Tools.
1,989.29
Crushers.
1,167.29
Rollers
717.94
Maintenance of Autos.
1,209.48
Insurance.
1,788.39
Rent, Maynard St. Land.
69.60
Vacations.
585.45
Express, Freight, etc.
39.45
$55,268.00
Sidewalks & Curbing *11,270.59
Dust Layer and Tar.
12,399.57
Incidentals. .
37.82
Bank and Water St. Bridges.
236.96
Cambridge St. Drain
798.77
South Main St. Drain
250.39
Emory St. Drain.
32.60
Replacing Cement & Concrete Sidewalks
4,157.29
Dunham St. Bridge.
302.21
Lighting.
23,946.49
Signs, Clock, & Numbering
386.02
Rifle Range
109.84
Garage.
6.378.48
1924 Sewers & Drains.
14,919.47
Sewer Department.
Filter Beds.
$2,627.10
Repair and care of sewers. 402.34
$3,029.44
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ANNUAL REPORT
Water Department.
Shop and Barn.
698.83
New Meters.
2,131.19
Services.
5,036.99
Main Line.
14,278.54
Maintenance Payroll
10,499.21
Teams and Autos.
2,704.03
Insurance ..
801.20
Maintenance Material.
1,742.63
Incidentals. .
293.25
Buildings, repair and paint.
506.40
$38,692.27
Pumping Station.
Coal.
$5,000.00
Payroll-Engineers.
7,574.81
Oil. .
182.88
Snow Pump.
81.97
Barr Pump.
None
Light and Telephone
144.29
Repairing Boilers ..
200.64
Cleaning Filter Beds.
235.26
Care of Grounds and Beds
20.71
Incidentals. .
241.76
Repairs to Chimney.
451.50
$14,133.82
A. B. C. St. Ry. Maintenance
$3,964.29
Totals.
$205,905.36
*$1,144.38 to be held for final payment when due. (Contracted for and work completed by O. Pearson). This amount will be taken care of in the appropriations of 1925.
Resurfacing.
Bacon Street
$321.31
Bank Street.
130.20
Bishop Street
1,028.36
Brown Street.
65.07
Clifton Street.
137.14
Commonwealth Avenue.
29.92
County Street.
16.45
Forest and Emory Streets.
301.08
Handy Street. .
86.15
Hawthorn Street.
8.72
Hayward Street.
760.37
Hodges Street .
37.07
James Street.
10.19
Lindsey Street
153.06
Mann Street.
113.61
Mechanic Street
179.55
Mendon Road.
241.35
Newport Avenue.
2,894.79
North Main Street.
20.00
Oak Hill Avenue No. 1
$632.10
Oak Hill Avenue No. 2
1,103.82
Park Street.
133.91
Pike Avenue.
233.67
Prairie Avenue.
81.47
Read Street.
137.59
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ANNUAL REPORT
Richardson Avenue
$111.25
Robert Street. .
66.96
South Main Street No. 1.
3,729.31
South Main Street No. 2
1,904.03
Steere Street.
270.37
Thacher Street.
98.88
Thurber Avenue
522.36
Tiffany Street
163.19
Twelfth Street.
54.16
Wall Street.
826.79
West Street.
494.38
Wilmarth, Slater and Smith Streets.
76.06
Wilmarth Street.
267.84
Wolfenden Street.
34.41
Sealing 1923 work.
58.57
The above amounts include labor and material.
Miscellaneous
Labor.
$138.08
Material
1,121.73
$1,259.81
$18,795.32
Emergency. (Under Resurfacing Account.)
Miscellaneous, washouts, caused by heavy rains, and frost heaves.
$628.50
Material.
74.35
$702.85
BRIDGES, CULVERTS AND FENCES.
Bridges over Thacher Brook.
School St.
Material
$103.52 138.13
Labor.
$241.65
Dunham St.
Material.
$134.94
Labor
167.27
302.21
Miscellaneous Bridge Repairs.
Material
$766.65
Labor.
160.07
Newport Avenue Culverts.
Material.
38.10
Labor.
172.21
New Fences.
Lamb Street, 254 feet
Olive Street, 681 feet
Starkey Ave., 983 feet
Thacher St., 372 feet
Material.
$581.59
Labor
507.57
$1,089.16
Guard Railing May St.,
Labor
$16.85
926.72
210.31
Labor
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ANNUAL REPORT
Miscellaneous Fence Repairs.
Material.
275.52
Labor
191.90
$467.42
$3,254.32
Drain Maintenance.
Park and Brook Streets ....
Labor.
$177.37
Material.
279.62
Robert Street
Labor
99.90
Material.
109.40
209.30
Drain and basin repair-labor.
32.30
Miscellaneous-repairing buildings, carts, etc.
234.75
Miscellaneous material.
344.55
Cleaning Catch basins, etc.
Ten Mile River ...
110.65
Crosswalks.
Traffic Painting
Material
$72.63
Labor.
85.80
$158.43
Street Cleaning.
Gutters and Scraping
Material
$1,303.06
Labor. 2,671.35
$3974.41
Outside Roads-Labor
1,134.36
5,108.77
Street Sweeping.
Material 35.96
Labor
1,968.47
2,004.43
STREET PATCHING (Bituminous and Gravel). Material and Labor Account.
150 T. Pea Stone @ $2.50. 41.5 T. Pea Stone @ $2.80.
184.333 T. No. 2 Stone @ $2.00. 29.231 T. 12" Trap Stone @ $2.90. 8.5 T. Stone @ $2.10 ... 191 Gals. Binder "B" @ $.10. 150 Gals. Binder "B" @ $.125.
$962.50
3,082 gals. K. P. @ $.145.
4,520 gals. K. P. @ $.175.
1,290 gals. K. P. @ $.185
(Truck charge to replace barrels $35.00)
(Credit for 21 barrels returned $21.00) .... 1,528.39
Truck and Horse Operating charges. 574.72
Miscellaneous-sand, gravel, and small items 206.97
$3,272.58
$1,277.89 743.01
$456.99
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ANNUAL REPORT
Labor.
Mixing, placing, handling material, etc. 4,848.97
Total
$8,121.55
STREET PATCHING (Bituminous and Gravel)
List of Street worked on:
Adamsdale Ave. Allen
Hodges
Peck
Holden
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