USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1925 > Part 9
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 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
The money expended on Newport Avenue from Highland Avenue to the State line was first, for the purpose of outlining the way with plowed furrows, and second, in widening out and graveling some parts of the road between Highland Avenue and Orr Street. Further steps were taken in eliminating some bad places along the line. This stretch of roadway in order to be placed where it belongs will require the ex- penditure of a very considerable sum of money. It was the intention of this department to expend about eight hundred dollars in the latter part of the year, which was available, but when the State engineers were ob- served in making a survey to be used in studying the taking over of the highway, it was decided unwise to spend the money without having full knowledge of the intention of the Highway Division, Department of Public Works, State of Massachusetts.
On Bishop Street, Brown Street and Clifton Street work already started in previous years was continued as the proper opportunity pre- sented itself ; the spring of the year being utilized to pick out places needing the most immediate attention. Lower County Street between Tiffany Street and County Square was worked from the material ob- tained from South Main Street in Hebronville. Dunham Street from the Speedway to Tappan Avenue, was reshaped and graveled, and received under another account its usual light oil treatment.
After the new 8-inch water main extension had been put in on Emory Street, it was found necessary to do some temporary light sur- facing to carry the roadway over the winter. Highland Avenue also received some attention particularly on the wash hill going towards the State line. James Street between School and East, and Jefferson Street between Fifth and Dennis were graveled and smoothed out at a light cost On Lindsey Street northerly from Railroad track; on Read Street, on the Speedway, and on Wilmarth Street considerable graveling was done with highly satisfactory results. Parts of Read Street were aided with material from South Main Street, in Hebronville, and it was also
118
ANNUAL REPORT
found advantageous to utilize some of this material in improving Phil- lips Street.
On Robinson Avenue, between Brown Street and Mendon Road, the surface being in very poor shape, owing to the construction work and necessary street excavations connected therewith, was worked upon by scarifying and shaping up and enriching the surface with gravel which was rolled down and treated. This was a temporary expedient as I noticed considerable use of this way calling for heavier construc- tion in the near future owing to the development going on in this local- ity. However, as it is probable that this way will be used as a detour when the long delayed improvement of the Pike between Highland Ave- nue and the State line is undertaken. I do not feel as though it would be good judgment to recommend at this time an expensive roadway for this street.
On North Main Street and Olive Street shoulder work was written off on this account as a charge for the materials used.
Other streets which were graveled to eliminate bad places are May Street, Payson Street, Pond Street, Short Street, Steere Street, Thacher Street, Union Road, and Water Street. At Union and East Streets, the proper basins having been constructed and corners rounded, penetration street returns were put in and charged to this account.
For use on Wall Street and South Main Street, some trap rock was purchased and stored against the usual heavy seasonal demand expected in the coming year.
A miscellaneous charge of labor, amounting to $66.22 and material amounting to $945.35 is written in this account and includes hay, grain, harness repairs, horse-shoeing charges, building and shed repairs, and paint, and some small distributed charges for our lesser Ford units; also some surplus asphalt which is always used in paint patching or rein- forcing joints where different types of surface meet.
Under the usual emergency sub-division we have written off the ac- cumulative charges caused by washouts, frost heaves, and other unfore- seen incidents which it seems to me should be reasonably placed here. This totals $668.31 and is slightly less than we had last year.
The troubles, as recorded, it will be noted occurred mostly on hill- sides or in swamps on Bacon Street, Brown Street, Robinson Avenue, Leedham Street, Lindsey Street, Smith Street and Bishop Street.
BRIDGES, FENCES AND CULVERTS
In the fore part of the year, the Thacher Street River bridge was protected on the slopes adjacent to the abutments by dumping adequate material to properly protect the highway adajacent to the bridge. The overpass at the railroad on Thacher Street was the cause of considera- ble bother which was finally ironed out with an excellent result, as far as the public is concerned. The railroad, having petitioned for and al- ways having taken care of the bridge for several years back, disputed their liability and held up the actual needed work on the structure. The records were looked up by the City Solicitor and Superintendent, and as a result of the Solicitor's work, the railroad forces were directed to re- place both of the sidewalks at the bridge, as well as the heavy floor stringers needing replacement, and the initial 3-inch plank for the ma- terial for deck with the proper guard rails for same. The city put down the two-inch wearing surface of hard pine, buying about 1800 feet. Some few pieces were returned to stock and counterbalanced the charges for nails and tar mopping. The additional 2-inch plank used was second- hand chestnut available from other work done in the past, and therefore not standing the city very much money. The bays with chestnut top are being observed for wear as matched up against the hard pine top.
119
ANNUAL REPORT
The expenditure required for the result obtained is indeed trifling, and it has been a relief to see this structure in reasonably safe condition once more. The dire need of taking proper care of the iron work with paint has been brought to the attention of the railroad officials.
A second major job performed under this account was the Holden Street river bridge renewal. An old wooden structure resting on mud sills was rehabilitated, so to speak. The mud sills were leveled up and protected with stone, diagonal bracing on the bents was replaced, and the capping properly put in order ; new stringers with different spacing were placed, and a new four-inch deck laid. The four-inch material to the extent of better than 4500 feet was taken from different sources available, the bulk being from bridge stock laid in the latter part of 1924. On top of this structure two guard rails were set, posts being clamped with angle iron to the bridge deck, and guard rails nailed on and painted. In the coming year we will undoubtedly treat the decking. The result for the expense recorded herein is indeed remarkable, and can only be understood when the study going into the structure is taken into consideration.
Olive Street overpass absorbed the largest single structure expendi- ture under this account. This may be readily understood when it is taken into consideration that the carriage way is 180 feet long and 21 3/10 feet wide. The replanking of this structure is something to be considered as an expense because it evolves entirely upon the city under the law. The department had men making tests throughout the differ- ent wooden members before the bridge was closed so that the renewal on the double wooden decking was found to be a positive necessity. In addition to this work, the railroad company replaced such stringers as were in bad shape, and also requested time to chip and paint the steel work on the girders and connecting members. This work was a positive and absolute necessity and though it delayed considerably the reopening of the bridge, the interests of public safety in its finality have been better served by this delay which the railroad utilized by putting a lot of work on the steel bridge members. In excess 20,000 feet of hard pine went into the structure and the price per thousand was mostly $65 00, delivered on the site of the work. The three-inch deck having been laid, it was mopped before the two-inch wearing surface was set, and the whole properly spiked. and guard rails put up. It will be good policy in the coming year to catch a time when the structure is dry and have some heavy bituminous material put on the surface to aid in waterproofing it. In addition to the lumber recorded as purchased for this structure, some few pieces available from other work were util- ized and the cost of the job was kept pared down to the bone. Bearing in mind this structure is a much-used narrow cross-town way, it can be readily appreciated that means should be developed, in conjunction with the railroad, to eliminate the cost of constantly replacing the decking. Letters have passed on this subject between your Superintendent and the railroad engineers, but there does not seem to be a tendency at this time on the part of the railroad officials to expend any money except for bare necessities. '
At Pearl Street and the Speedway, a cement slab was placed over Thacher Brook after the old abutments had been rebuilt to take the new work. This adds one more cement crossing to our record over the brook and places us one step nearer our ambition of eliminating all wooden structures as brook crossings.
On Dexter Street, an unaccepted way, there is a bridge structure, the deck of which must be maintained by the city, so I understand, in accordance with an old agreement. The city force's during the past year
120
ANNUAL REPORT
repaired this deck from the best culled material available. I believe this structure should have a concrete slab, and I so recommend.
The problem of guard fences with the universal use of motor cars is becoming an important item to consider because of our many railroad and bridge crossings, as well as numerous culverts. There is consider- able of this fence under the care of the department. Therefore, in addi- tion to the usual weathering, it must be borne in mind there are constant repairs needed owing to cars crashing through panel after panel of fence. Where renewals warrant it, we are using painted 2x6 rails, and it is probable in the near future we shall try out some wire guard now be- coming popular, but which is quite expensive. Replacement, painting, and repair work was done on Maple, Park, Holden, Hope, Thacher, Cliff, Mechanic, Lamb, Slater Streets and several other places.
To accommodate the widening near the Cranberry ponds on Brown Street, an old stone culvert was extended. A culvert on Union Road was also made safe; and some stumps were removed near the double barrel culvert on Newport Avenue. There was considerable general mainte- nance, in addition to the items mentioned above, in repairing approach fences, bridges, and culverts.
DRAINS MAINTENANCE
Under this account, owing to the rounding of the northeast corner of Railroad Avenue and Park Street, a catch basin was changed over and the blue stone top removed and a standard mouth cut into the ex- isting structure. On the easterly side of South Main Street, in Dodge- ville, just before approaching the mill yard gate, a small and aged basin collapsed and a new structure complete with throat stones and standard grating was constructed.
At the foot of Pearl Street near the Speedway, adjacent to the new cement slab bridge, each gutter was taken care of with a standard basin, the outfall, of course being connected with the brook, and it may be well to mention the sand catcher owing to the high ground water level is shallow in each case.
At the Olive Street river bridge crossing it was necessary to replace broken gratings. These were of special pattern and had to be specially made up. The labor charge is for the work in lighting the openings and obtaining the proper data for the patternmaker.
At Garden Street southerly from Manchester a pipe was found cross- ing our drain and it was necessary to take it up and properly realign the intersecting pipe lines at this point.
On South Avenue a collapsed basin on the car track side of the clay hill had to be rebuilt and reinforced. In addition to these repairs most of which have been made necessary by heavy trucking, it was found necessary to do some small mason jobs on several other old units. The major single item under this account is the usual twice a year cleaning of our basins enhanced by the necessity of keeping clear the basin tops and some additional work, of course, on our shallow sand catchers sub- ject to heavy wash.
TEN MILE RIVER
Thacher Brook and the Ten Mile River were taken care of with the usual cleaning. Thacher Brook needs constant attention because of the seeming complete disregard for keeping this water way clear which the department finds in youths and children. The workmen have fished everything from a large stone to an old touring car complete out of the brook. It seems to me strange indeed that our police officials fail to im- prove this condition. The Ten Mile River, in order to obtain a proper result, should be taken hold of as a major proposition, in my opinion,
121
ANNUAL REPORT
here in this community. The cleaning of this river should have a unan- imity of support from the owners of abutting manufacturing plants, and it has been our experience that some of the manufacturing plants own- ers are willing to aid in every way, while others seem to just talk about it
STREET SWEEPING
The street sweeping program was handled at a reduction over the previous year of a few hundred dollars due to many minor influences on the program. Mr. McCarthy, who has been in the employ of the City and Town for a number of years, was carried as long as it was reason- ably possible to keep him. He severed his connection with the payroll of this department on November 14, due to continued inability to appear owing to ill health. At the beginning of the year it was proposed by the Superintendent that this gentleman be considered for a pension, but no further details have been worked out up to this time. It may be well to remark at this time that a better co-ordination of other city agencies, including police health and fire inspection would eliminate, in my opinion, considerable light debris, such as wrapping paper, excelsior, etc., from our streets by having the material removed before accumulating and covered during the process.
STREET CLEANING
The amount expended under this item showed a very considerable reduction over the proceeding year. This was due to the special effort being made in curtailing our spring and fall endeavors wherever it was possible at all in order that funds saved might be considered as part of the price necessary to purchase a new caterpillar tractor unit for use in the highway division, not only in scraping our roads and shaping our sub-grade when resurfacing, but also as a snow unit. The need for this unit to aid the Cleveland was indeed very real, the disregarding of our recommendation for same by the Municipal Council to the contrary not- withstanding. I wish to further state at this time that the rapidity of the change in the conditions which face us at this time will in the com- ing year make at least one, and possibly two more small tractors highly essential in order that we may be allowed to stay within a reasonable expenditure where such units should be available for use. The exten- sion of our oiling program is in some degree responsible for the reduc- tion in our heavy scraping mileage, and in addition, the handling of Fall gutter dirt, mostly leaves, in conjunction with the weather during that period has some effect upon the gross expenditure. To cut any further than we have done would, in my opinion, be folly considering the least possible work which has to be done.
TRAFFIC PAINTING
The traffic painting, as desired by the police and ordered by the Mayor, was handled as conveniently as was possible, and a further re- turn upon our street marking machine was had by its use during the present year. Without question it is desirable to standardize with our markings wherever possible. Several high-grade samples of traffic paint have been tried, and there does not seem to be a great deal of difference in the wear obtained.
STREET PATCHING
The work for the year under this account has been distributed so that a great deal of ground was covered at a minimum cost. There was considerable paint patching done in the early spring which aided considerably in reducing our stone items. However, it must be remem-
122
ANNUAL REPORT
bered that the weather broke favorably for this arrangement, and the department results were aided thereby. The constantly increasing winter travel is bound to affect the future charges under this account because after rains or in icy weather requiring chains, the abrasive action of motor vehicles is particularly destructive. After charging off 320 tons of stone, as listed, and wiping out our accumulated charges, we have recorded an additional 400 tons utilized during the past year which must be considered as an additional credit in value against the plant deliver- ing it. We are continuing to use the tank on the Maynard Street lot for the storage of patch material advantageously. A light patrol truck to replace the present small International purchased in 1922, and used constantly on the highway was recommended and funds made available through the most rigid economy so that the efficiency of our patrol work might not suffer. The proposition, as you know, failed to receive the necessary support. Without question, however, the imperative need of this equipment will be appreciated in the coming year.
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE
Appended to this report under sidewalk maintenance is a list of the streets worked on, and the items include stone dust top, gravel repairs, tar work, and some small cement items. The major work performed under this contract was topping Thacher Brook in Brook Street between Emory and the northerly channel bend in Brook Street. This work was done in the latter part of the year, and was indeed a necessity, as during the inspection made prior to the decision on the work some of the planking and stringers being raised fell to pieces from white rot. The department has had a close eye on this sidewalk for some time, and it is indeed a relief to eliminate the responsibility of maintaining the old plank walk. I am sure that figured as an in- vestment, the expenditure recorded herein as applied against the yard- age obtained in the fact of conditions met, will be appreciated as money well spent. It was, of course, necessary during the operations to re- build some of the loose rubble retaining wall on the street side of the brook.
There is an item here for some sidewalk repair by Pearson which was done under the supervision of the department, and there is a large item chargeable against the operating units, such as truck and barn charges, which of course is proper, this plant being used to a great extent for the work performed. The labor charges considered are made up of our payroll accounts distributed under this sub-division.
331 linear feet of curb on Hodges Street, as well as 95 linear feet on John Street were reset in order that the proper balance in street sections for Hodges Street and intersection for John Street might be worked out prior to surfacing the highway.
SNOW AND ICE
The bulk of the expenditure which totals $2,719 87 was for storing, drying, salting, sand, and using it on icy sidewalks, when required; plowing and removing snow in the fore part of the year, and hand- ling our horse plow and other material charges to cover the prepared- ness required under the ordinances, and in addition that which is re- quired for the use of the State plow attached to our truck. In the fall of the year, after a continuous two years effort, the Massachusetts Highway division allowed us for the winter of 1925-1926 the plow for our Mack truck, and in addition a quad unit with a plow attached. (Quad unit-F. W. D. 1918 model). The usual conditions are attached, of course, to the use of this State equipment. No decision has been rendered by our governing bodies as to what will be expected in win-
123
ANNUAL REPORT
ter conditions which warrant the continuous use of highways. Some few years ago information was solicited by this department covering this point, and in spite of the fact that the snow and ice ordinance was recently gone over, nothing is mentioned in it covering highway plow- ing to satisfy the year round use of wheels. Efforts made by this department in this direction are a progressive growth due to the in- creasing aid we have obtained from the State of Massachusetts. There has been no recent municipal investment which would warrant writing highway clearing into the ordinances.
MACHINERY AND TOOLS
Under this account to replace a kettle which was junked we pur- chased a new heating unit for tar and asphalt, capacity 165 gallons, bought from Littleford Bros., of Cincinnati. Their units have been giving very satisfactory service. In addition the rebuilt crusher traded for the Farrell unit was designed to set at the Pumping Station pit in South Attleboro, and therefore the elevators, screens, pulleys, chains, boxes, gears, etc., to make the plant a going one at this location were purchased. The setting up and handling of the outfit will take place in the fore part of the coming year. Other small tools, as required, were purchased. In addition to these charges, will be noted labor and material to replace, repair, and keep in good shape for operation our necessary highway plant in its several parts.
CRUSHERS
The necessary jaws and fixtures to keep in operation our crush- ing plant at North Avenue, not amounting to much in gross, were handled under this account. In addition the old motor which for- merly ran the Farrell crusher plant, at Forest Street, was sent into the Westinghouse people and changed over and equipped to take its place as a driving unit at the Pumping Station plant, as contemplated. A roll of new belting was purchased and figured for use at either plant. The policy of having the same sizes throughout on both crusher plants, which will be in use in the coming year, was carried through and it is expected to be a sound investment. The old bins, screens, and guides, etc., of the plant at Forest Street were dismantled and what could be salvaged for use was laid one side to be taken to the Pumping Station for that plant setup.
STEAM ROLLERS, MAINTENANCE
The ancient heavy roller which is listed as a unit in the Highway Division was not practical to use. I can see no reason why this ark should occupy valuable space, and once more recommend that it be disposed of and a lighter, faster unit be obtained. Our maintenance roller with the scarifier on one wheel, purchased in 1915, performed all of the work in the city for this past season. It seems strange indeed to me with the age and wear and tear on the roller plant and equipment in our Highway Division that the proper replacement should be refused despite additional work being thrust upon the division. The business logic of this operation is not usual in construction firms who are progressively expanding. Upon tieing up the maintenance roller for the season, a new set of tubes were put into the boiler. The reason being that it was safer and more advantageous for the city to have positive tubular service where only one unit was to be available. In September we had an experience which put this unit out of com- mission and proved definitely the worth of our previous recommenda- tions as well as the tubing policy.
124
ANNUAL REPORT
AUTOMOBILES
The changes in makeup required during the overhauling, the over- hauling expense, as well as the replacement expense of parts on our Highway Division motors was charged up against this account. A large five ton truck was recommended, but failed to receive the proper endorsement, and therefore left our highway division with two large Macks, purchased early in 1921; a small International, purchased in 1922 ; and some relatively recent Ford units. It does not pay to allow all our motor equipment to grow old without a proper replacement and expansion policy to fit the conditions we face.
DUST LAYER AND TAR
The early season opened favorably for crowding time on our initial applications of road tar, cold application, and of 85% asphaltic oil, applied hot. In addition to this we used considerable 45% asphal- tic and 65% asphaltic road oil. The service we obtained was quite ex- cellent and all that could be well expected for the unit cost. In the latter part of the year there were of necessity some lean places which had to be taken care of. With the funds available there was no op- portunity to extend our oiling policy, as this department has recom- mended. The traffic to which our outside roads are now being sub- jected warrants, in my opinion, the use of road oil to aid in their main- tenance. With this in mind I feel sure our governing body will realize the necessity for extending street oiling to cover practically all of our highways that need it. It is true that this cannot all be handled in one year, but to delay now will ultimately mean a greater expenditure.
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.