USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1925 > Part 10
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INSURANCE, FREIGHT AND INCIDENTALS
In accordance with the rules governing the employees in this divi- sion, vacations were allowed for those men that rated it, at a total cost, as listed in the statistics below. The rent bill for the use of our tank along side the railroad on Maynard Street has been paid. The insurance expenditures, listed herein, cover insurance on buildings and compensation insurance on our maintenance payroll. The telephone charges listed herein are for service charges at the highway barn and for the highway patrolmen. Under highway incidentals there is an item for recording street layouts, betterment plans, etc.
SIGNS, CLOCK, NUMBERING, AND RIFLE RANGE
A number of new wooden signs were set at intersections on the east side and our policy of obtaining a few of permanent type was car- ried along in a small way. The City clock was cared for by Mr. Josselyn, of the G. H. Herrick Company, and small charges for light- ing and new lamps are listed. Numbering of houses was taken care of by our Engineer's office, upon receiving requests from persons in- terested. The taxes have been paid on the Rifle Range, and it is anticipated that in the coming year it may be necessary to have a size- able expenditure to improve this range.
LIGHTING
The first full year with the all night lighting is just past with a gross expenditure, as shown. Toward the end of the year new lights were added in group, in accordance with the Council vote, the Novem- ber billing showing thirty. It is well to note at the end of the year there was an increase between the bill rendered in November
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and that rendered in December due to a fund being set aside in order to insure the Attleboro Steam & Electric Company in their present controversial position with the Narragansett Company over the price of current under their operating contract. There is also a charge of $138.49, which was paid by the Auditor in June without notice to this department from the new lights account. £ The work for which this amount paid was the setting of iron trolley poles in the center, so that the large wooden poles being used in supporting the trolley wires could be removed.
SOUTH MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENT NO. 1
The title above covers the widening as proposed by the final vote of the Council covering South Main Street from the corner of the Murray Church on County Street around the corner and down as far as Capron's. The first item of great expense was the land damage paid to Morris Rudnic. This matter was not handled by the Public Works Department. Understanding this taking was completed, the excavation of the large stones and the loam material in the Sanford lot was carried out, and the fill properly set to take the proposed new sidewalk. An extremely large elm tree, which was in the way, was gotten rid of adjacent to the Elliot property, and a couple of smaller trees further down the street were also removed. This primary work having been done, the curb was reset on the new line, and, where neces- sary, the new curb set, as for instance in rounding the corner from County to South Main Street. Granolithic sidewalk was put in from the far corner of the Murray property, on County Street, around to the Fire Station property, on South Main Street. An existing catch basin was filled in and a new basin with connection was built.
This department approved a bill for some work which the Attle- boro Steam and Electric Company performed in changing over some fire alarm, a manhole adjacent to the South Main Street Headquarters. In addition to the changing of curbing, there were some water con- nections and gas connections into the old Elliot property that were cut
off. A gutter having been laid, after the curb was set, by the City men, and the sidewalk laid by Pearson, the existing pavement was matched up with a stone penetration carried from the beginning of the work on County Street to the Fire Station, putting this part of the project into use. Because of the ill health of both the Sheriff and Mrs. Briggs, it was decided to let the Briggs Hotel work go over into the coming year. This will be a proposition requiring the ex- penditure of considerable money, and when it is completed, the re- mainder of the work on this project can move ahead very speedily.
MOREY STREET IMPROVEMENT
Morey Street, heretofore having been in woeful shape because of the lack of effort during its primary construction to remove the founda- tion material which was not proper for a highway taking any sort of weighty traffic, upon the order being written for the improvement of this way between Park Street and Maynard Street, this department started at the beginning and obtained proper drainage, by laying pipe lines through the street to Park Street and down Park Street to Thacher Brook. The necessary catch basins and connections were also placed, and it is noted herein that in addition to the benefit to the Morey Street project, Howard Avenue and Park Avenue, as well as Park Street between Morey Street and Thacher Brook have been properly taken care of by the drainage system in passing. This will lighten the burden of improving Park Street between Pine Street and
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Thacher Brook at some future date. The curb already on Morey Street was reset and carried to the new sidewalk line; and new curb, as voted under the Betterment Act, was set, as well as the rounding of the intersecting corners at Falmouth, Holman, Morey and Park Streets.
A carrying gutter was laid and the changes considered proper at this time were handled in the water line within the limits of the work. The Telephone, Electric Light, and Gas Companies were given notice to handle any changes which they might propose to have in the next few years, and then work on the pavement was begun. Between May- nard and Holman Streets the foundation was not bad, but between Holman and Park Streets considerable excavation was necessary fol- lowed by filling of proper material for a base to take the stone road metal which was laid with a heavy base and a two inch top penetrated. The major portion of the task of improving this way has been com- pleted, but there are a few small details which may well go over into the coming year. A summary of the details will show about 510 linear feet of 18 inch, 560 linear feet of 15 inch, 419 linear feet of 12 inch Akron pipe line, making up the main drainage system. In addition there are 9 manholes, one combination manhole and catch basin, 12 catch basins, 13 throat stones, and 247 linear feet of 10 inch Akron pipe connections, so that in looking over the cost of this project, one must realize the value obtained for the expenditure, this work having been entirely done by the city forces.
Summarizing the curbing, it is to be noted that there was 675 linear feet of new curb set; 457 linear feet of old curb reset; 380 square yards of cobble gutter paved; 161.5 linear feet of round corners to ease inter- sections placed 8-2 foot returns set ; and 1980 square yards of pave- ment laid. It may be noted also that in addition to the troubles men- tioned covering the foundation for roadway, there was considerable de- tail worked out owing to the underground conditions existing at in- tersecting ways. As a matter to be recorded herein positive benefits of this improvement on a street one block east of Monument Square, or the Common, in the center of the city, will accrue to our citizens long after the initial surface has been worn out.
PARK STREET WIDENING
It is herein recorded that in accordance with a vote, as passed by the Municipal Council, a triangular land taking was made and recorded on the southerly side of Park Street at the northerly corner of the Dana property adjacent to the southerly side of the Savings and Loan prop- erty. This transaction did not pass through this department, and our record of expenditures, as listed under this heading, have been ob- tained from the City Auditor's office. In addition a plan covering this transaction is on file in our Engineer's office.
DUNHAM STREET IMPROVEMENT
Included under the 1925 highway improvement, as bonded, was the Dunham Street widening, the project covering Dunham Street between Union Street to and including the easterly intersection with Pine Street. His Honor, the Mayor, and some of the abutters owning small build- ings got together and these structures were removed from within the confines of the alignment as newly marked out. The drain going through Gardner Street was extended along the easterly sidewalk of Pine Street to Dunham Street, and the necessary manholes and catch basins were built to eliminate what has been one of the very worst conditions in the city during rainy periods, and in winter and spring
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with snow and ice on the ground, at the corner of Dunham and Fine Streets.
In doing this work, a manhole where the extension was started had to be rebuilt and one of the basins at Gardner Street was recon- structed, and a standard grating and throat stone set thereon. It will be necessary perhaps to reconstruct the other basin at Gardiner and Pine Streets in the coming year. The sewer connection from the Makepeace buildings on Pine Street had to be changed over entirely, and this project was handled so as to eliminate any bother or distur- bance of the industries in this building. Now, with the drainage taken care of as far as is possible, bearing in mind the controlled flow line of Thacher Brook, I believe that the much-used walk in front of the Makepeace group of buildings on Pine Street should be laid in cement with granolithic finish.
On the other end of the block being improved, an abandoned sewer now being used for a drain was extended to accomodate the territory in the vicinity of the Gas Company driveway. Also an adjustment on this line was made with its intersection at Union Street with another drain, so as to eliminate a condition which interfered with clearing blockades in the Dunham Street line.
Incidentally, the abutting property owners were instructed to go into the sewer by the Health Department, so as to eliminate any ex- cavations for these properties within the next five years. Water ser- vices, as far as could be foreseen, were also laid with the same idea in view. Telephone, Electric Light, and Gas Companies were re- quested to conform to the effort being made to eliminate future excava- tion over a period of five years within the improved way.
The curbing already in the street was reset to conform to the new line and additional curbing, as voted by the Council, was placed. This having been completed, granolithic sidewalk was started and the work carried on until the weather forced us to discontinue. Olof Pearson did this granolithic walk, as the contractor for the City.
In Pine Street, in order to get across a drain connection, it was found necessary to put some work on changing over the water main, and this was accomplished nicely by our Water Division. All of the preliminary work, which takes considerable time, having been com- pleted, as far as we were able to ascertain by the public service cor- porations within the limits of this improvement, the surfacing with a stone base and penetration wearing surface was put down. There were 1,373 square yards of this type of improvement, and at its com- pletion in connection with the other features, as outlined, a marked change for the better was noted by several of our citizens who con- stantly used this way and were able to keep in touch with the detailed progress of the work. The statistical charges and costs showing in this report will give an idea as to the good value obtained in our units for the money expended.
It is our understanding that the Gas Company contributed the land which was used on their side of the street, and as sort of a return a patent fence was built at the City's expense. In addition to the land, the Company was very courteous in the use of the property in their yard for storing our equipment and tools. It is expected that the granolithic sidewalks will be completed in the coming year and better- ments assessed, where voted.
In summarizing there were 336 linear feet of 12 inch and 116 lin- ear feet of 10 inch Akron drain and connections; six new catch basins and one rebuilt; two manholes; 594 linear feet of curb reset; 104 lin- ear feet of round corners; 195 square yards of cobble gutter; couple of returns reset; a new 8-inch water gate and 12 linear feet of 8-inch
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pipe with necessary specials in adjusting the water line; and granolithic sidewalk, as shown under the Pearson figure. All of this work warrants earnest observation when it is borne in mind the part taken in this and the other improvements by the City forces.
SOUTH MAIN STREET NO. 2 IMPROVEMENT
This work covers 6745 square yards of improved penetration type on South Main Street, at Hebronville, beginning in front of H. A. Smith's house and running to the Railroad bridge, and thence down to within a few feet of the City line. This was to replace a gravel road which under the heavy burden of traffic to which it was subjected was continuously failing beginning with the initial set of the frost in fall. The work was done in the fore part of the summer with the idea in mind of obtaining for this long stretch benefits to be derived from a
hot summer sun. The matter of drainage was handled as reasonably as possible, and culverts were put through the sidewalk connecting with the banks adjacent to Smith's pond on the northerly end. A
start was made at the southerly end of the work with the connections for a couple of leeching basins with an overflow to be constructed in the coming year running into the property of B. B. & R. Knight. The inlets for the pipe culverts were found to be in good shape, and it is expected, for the money expended. a sound investment has been made. Further work required was replacing a guard fence along the Rail- road inside of the street by Smith's pond, and also on the easterly side of the approaches to the Railroad bridge. Fence completed was 372 linear feet, with 2 x 6 rails painted, besides the 524 linear feet of 1 x 6 fence. The question of improving the sidewalks in a reasonable way will be taken up in the coming year as soon as the material and equip- ment becomes available, and it is expected when this work is completed, much benefit will be derived not only for the Hebronville citizens but for those of us who live further north.
The entire work was accomplished with our own forces, and while it is true taxed severely the solitary steam roller unit in conjunction with our other work, as laid out for this roller, by continuity of effort our operator was able to accomplish the program as designated. It is reasonable to suppose that this policy of improving South Main Street will be continued through the coming year, as it has been in the past several years, to carry out the policy of convenience which allows the use of a good highway to Pawtucket without being buffeted by the heavy traffic of the Providence Pike.
SIDEWALKS-SIDEWALKS AND CURBING
Intentions of this department in obtaining progressive action for our people in the upbuilding of better sidewalks continued through 1925 under the account of "sidewalks and curbing" by the construction of 2264 granolithic square yards. Contract price received, after adver- tising, was $2.40 per square yard-no change in the unit for 1924. It will be noticed in going through this report that several of our other accounts are carrying some additional yardage of granolithic. This
should be borne in mind in checking out the progress for the year. I know of no investment by the city which is appreciated to a higher degree by mothers and children, as well as by elderly folks, than an ex- penditure for improved granolithic walks. Olof Pearson, the con- tractor, did everything in his power to co-operate with our people, particularly retail merchants, so as to reduce the interference with their business to a minimum. Below there is a list showing the streets
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worked on and the square yards placed thereon chargeable against this account :
North Main Street 291.76 square yards
Sanford Street 278.89 square yards
Bank Street 139.02 square yards
Prospect Street 121.67 square yards
South Main Street 205 24 square yards
* County Street 362.71 square yards
Pearl and Pine Street
66.70 square yards
Third Street 106.53 square yards
Fourth Street 90.73 square yards
Dean Street
130.40 square yards
Oak Street
35.63 square yards
Pleasant Street
135.01 square yards
John Street
89.74 square yards
Pine Street
100.42 square yards
Peck Street
47.76 square yards
Dunham Street
58.00 square yards
N. W. Sector Union and Dunham St. 3.63 square yards
* $6.08 for reinforcement on County Street bridge sidewalk.
The 15% withholding clause in the Pearson contract, under this account, was paid, in accordance with the Council vote 1-19-26, from unexpended balances in the amount of $814.59 made up as listed in the accompanying statistics.
In addition to granolithic walks, 2,493 feet of granite curbing was laid on the streets, as listed in the accompanying statistics. The bulk of this work was done in the late fall, October, November and Decem- ber, by the city forces. It will he noticed that there is a difference, approximately nineteen (19) feet, between the straight curb set and the straight curb purchased. This difference is made up by pieces of granite curb, where we had to make proper fittings, which were taken from stock available in our yards. We also have recorded circle curb- ing which was made up of the corners rounded, as listed :
Park Street and Railroad Avenue
East and Union Streets 60.27 feet
Summer and Robert Streets
44.00 feet
Park Street and Park Avenue
26.49 feet
Park and Howard Avenue
21.94 feet
Lafayette and Mulberry Streets 21.98 feet
15.76 feet
The two foot returns itemized are for driveway corners. The curb bar item is for facing the outside corner of the walk on Brook Street. The small item chargeable as the city's half of the Kendall project on Peck Street is for work done by Pearson for Mrs. Gertrude E. Kendall, in agreement with this department, in front of the property she is making over on Peck Street. The miscellaneous items include the charges distributed for our motor operating plant, as well as barn charges. It is well to note that the curb set on Railroad Avenue re- placed that already in place in front of the Savings and Loan building, and was set on the new line widening the sidewalk, as had been de- cided on sometime since. It is expected that in the coming year when the work on the Savings and Loan building is completed, this sidewalk will have new granolithic to complete the job.
SEWER DIVISION MAINTENANCE
In spite of the additional connections during the past few years, the gross expenditure on sewer operation and maintenance has been
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kept approximately within the same reasonable limits. The policy of last year has been continued in taking care of the beds by alternating them after the usual spring cleaning, and an extraordinary effort was put in to handle them with a minimum expenditure, considering their age and the uses to which they are put. In the spring and fall a small gang and light truck took proper and adequate care of our dead ends by flushing and cleaning out fiber root blocks in localities where there has been trouble. The introduction of a new type of root cutter has been a material aid, and was so satisfactory on trial that another one was ordered for the use of our drain cleaning gang. In addition to current expenses, the tax bill for our filter bed property, in the Town of Seekonk, was taken care of. The sizeable number of entries into our relatively older parts of the system can be recorded as a continua- tion of a coordinated program by the Health Department, and this division to eliminate nuisances and clear up the pollution into the Ten Mile River. The continuity of this program augurs well for its ul- timate success. It must be said, however, that there are still some sources of pollution which have not been uncovered, and it is the belief of the writer that the Health officer, with his authority and forces, will continue to uncover sewerage entries into old existing drains from which such entries are prohibited.
I am firmly convinced that the situation covering South Attleboro for sewerage development should be taken in hand and a preliminary outline worked up when the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council find the time and money available. Otherwise, in spite of the recom- mendations of this division, we are apt to find a serious nuisance de- velon along the clay ridge in the vicinity of Robinson Avenue.
1924 SEWERS AND DRAINS CARRIED OVER
The 1924 Sewers and Drains program started late in the year of 1924 was pushed to completion in 1925. On Lexington Avenue where a sewer grade line runs opposite to the grade of the street to intercept County Street sewer, difficult conditions were presented as the con- struction developed. The coarse gravel with depth ran out and showed huge rock boulders all along the line of the trench. This combination of conditions while difficult presented an ideal job for winter work, and operations were carried out whenever the weather allowed right through the winter. The drilling and blasting required was handled in a proper and careful manner, and the cold weather aided in holding the gravel banks so as to sizeably reduce the labor and material required for sheeting. As soon as the pipe line was connected up and available, a number of the abutters made proper entry into this sewer line.
Charles M. Callahan, the contractor, working on the sanitary sewer through Water and West Streets, carried on his operations through the winter and into the spring, completing his pipe line and manhole work. The inspection of this job was under the direct attention of the City Engineer. Mr. Mawney, and such recommendations as he has made were carried out. The ground through which this line was con- structed presented many difficult conditions, as there was a tendency for the fine clay in places to loosen up with the release of pressure and it is also to be noted that there was a river crossing at Farmers bridge, and a brook crossing adjacent to John H. Nerney's to be taken care of. Some of the open manhole leaks were plugged by our forces and the charges deducted from estimates due Mr. Callahan. At the close of the year, the final figures on his estimate are being withheld until some of our local business men had a proper chance to clear their ac- counts for material supplied the contractor. In the latter part of the
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year, applications for entry to this line were rendered and several were made. It is to be expected that further entries will be made during the coming year, and steps will be taken to notify the Health officer as soon as the conditions warrant opening these streets.
During the winter, the work on the pipe line on Riverside Avenue and Short Street was carried on very rapidly with a considerable saving due to the aid in trenching which cold weather gave us in maintaining trench walls. After spring opened some connections were entered on Short Street, and relieved, as I understand it, conditions over which there has been considerable agitation and complaint for several years. On South Main Street, owing to the shortness of the pipe line and the construction of manhole, the proportionate unit cost is out of balance, so to speak. Deducting the manhole cost would give a correct unit for the actual pipe line work. This short extension laid was to elimi- nate another long standing complaint, and I consider that this money in this area was well spent in view of the conditions as they have been presented by the investigating committees.
WEST STREET DRAIN
On West Street a drain was constructed from the Ten Mile River westerly to intercept some basins built at the street intersection of Water with West. This was indeed a fine compact project, built reasonably by the City forces and is doing a work long desired by users of the highway adjacent to the location. In addition the lower man- hole on the drain constructed on West Street from a point close to the brook easterly to Brady's back lot line was completed by con- structing a manhole close to the brook and making entry through the brook culvert wall for an outfall from the whole system. Through His Honor, the Mayor, the Interstate Street Railway Company cleared up their part of a bad condition existing in front of the Schoolhouse on West Street, so that since the completion of this work there has been a considerable degree of satisfaction manifested by the residents of the vicinity over the results obtained.
On the Hodges Street drain some few small details were completed.
DUNHAM STREET DRAIN NO. 2
The title above is for the purpose of discriminating in mentioning the project which runs from Thacher Brook diagonally across Dun- ham Street at the Speedway, and under the northerly sidewalk of Dun- ham Street up to the hospital driveway, as against other drainage in connection with the Dunham Street improvement between Pine and Union Streets. The interests in charge of the Sturdy Memorial de- velopment, after funds had been raised for construction during the early part of the year, found it necessary to handle considerable drainage area within the hospital ground limits.
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