USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1926 > Part 8
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3256
9313
12569
May
244
45
43
955
4
152
173
174
418
154
227
282
2871
8259
11130
June
224
37
68
1207
8
248
185
225
375
208
351
227
3363
9209
12572
July
233
48
50
716
16
95
122
123
228
68
235
143
2177
7463
9540
August
247
47
27
506
8
62
123
89
160
60
200
78
1607
6745
8352
September
267
36
47
601
12
101
149
192
258
105
192
125
2085
6447
8532
October
298
68
76
769
12
163
227
252
466
207
299
350
3187
8261
11448
November
305
76
96
1123
11
216
284
291
541
294
359
430
4026
8931
12957
December
266
53
77
1384
9
187
220
218
404
225
267
243
3553
8730
12283
Totals
3199
694
786 11713 119
1969
2461
2633
4929
2085
3147
3226 36961 101588
138549
Pictures circulated 1335
ANNUAL REPORT
103
ANNUAL REPORT
Department of Public Works
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Honorable Municipal Council:
Gentlemen:
Respectfully submitted below is the twelfth Annual Report of the Public Works Department of the city of Attleboro for the year ending December 31, 1926. This has been the fourth year in which this Depart- ment has operated with the Honorable George A. Sweeney, third mayor of Attleboro. As a result of the December election the coming year will find the Honorable Fred E. Briggs at the helm. This year is the final year of the second term of the writer as Superintendent of Public Works. The conditions which the Department faced and the activities in which it engaged are extraordinary considering circumstances, the limited personnel, and the remarkable weather range during the included period of this report.
The highways, in spite of an ever increasing growth of motor ve- hicles and particularly of truck and bus traffic, have been improved and maintained in a manner to warrant the commendation of our public.
The sewer system has had a few small extensions constructed by the City forces, and an unusually low operating and maintenance figure for the plant as it exists, considering the total investment, has been re- corded.
The Water Division has been subjected to considerable strain by the devious growth affecting this sort of plant and system. Besides the usual replacements and an expected main line extension program, the Lincoln School development forced a change-over of a ten-inch main line feed for the section south of the school.
The work on the new dam at Mirimichi has been completed and in- formation is being gathered covering a coupling together of the two sources of suuply. The Filter Beds at the Pumping Station deserve keen study covering a necessary expenditure to insure a continued use of this plant if only, in years to come, on an auxiliary basis. The main- tenance of our current rates and the upkeep of our plant, with conditions as they exist, are a credit to the Department.
The A. B. C. Street Railway has continued to be a source of con- siderable trouble owing to the physical conditions and lack of major im- provements which have been previously requested .
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE
The auditing system in use during 1926 was responsible for a very large amount of additional, detailed work in the Department office. The force was increased by the employment of Miss I. King on April 26, 1926. The necessary additional furnishings to take care of the young lady were purchased with funds provided. Mrs. Florence E. Kendall who has been in the employ of the Department at the office since 1914 terminated her services therein on December 31, 1926. She resigned in order to become secretary to the incoming mayor. It is expected that the vacancy
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ANNUAL REPORT
caused thereby will be filled during the coming year. Mrs. Kendall's long service and familiarity with routine and detail will, of course, be greatly missed.
There has been some talk of a different make-up of our budget ac- counts more in line with recommendations of the Acting Auditor of Ac- counts for the Commonwealth than has been the case in the past. I believe that added elasticity is an advantage to be gained from the change as outlined if the system as developed has the sincere co-op- eration of all parties concerned. I believe that after trying the proposed new system for a year any kinks that arise might be ironed out so that in its finality a permanent improvement in the office routine will be recorded.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
During the past year the force consisting of R. W. Mawney, As- sistant Engineer, senior grade, Russell Tennant, Instrumentman, and Ernest Doyle, Rodman, were carried full time. When necessary they were aided by laborers and truck-men from other divisions. When op- portunity was found favorable, some outside work was handled under the jurisdiction of this division on City Survey by the successors of Mr. Westcott of North Attleboro. The results obtained from this source were curtailed considerably by the early snowfall, forcing the field-party indoors. It may be recorded that in the course of its routine work our regular force has been able to make up valuable detail toward the City Survey. I understant from the Engineer in charge that street surveys for the public benefit were made on North Main Street at Sheffield's, South Main Street near the Dodgeville Mill, Highland Avenue, Mendon Road, Curtis Avenue, Orr Street in South Attleboro, and Dennis Street for a new grade profile. In ad- dition James Street, Pearl to Carpenter, Brown Street, Washington to the State line, Park Street, South Main to Union, have had such survey work performed as has been ordered. Fifty-six granite highway monv .- ments have also been placed during the past year.
During the summer Walter P. Thurber, a man with some engineering training, was employed to help out our regular force. Lines and grades for different work such as culvert replacement, Oak Street Drain, Park Street Drain through Johnson's, and road work requiring it, were handled by this division. Among the road jobs might be mentioned Wall Street, South Main Street in three different places and Park Street between Pine and the Speedway. The Water Extensions were measured up and where needed were laid out. Sewer extensions were taken care of, computations being made by our Engineer's office and the record of connections and detail connected therewith have been recorded by this branch of the Department.
In addition to the duties mentioned, we have worked in conjunction with the state on several matters which come up from time to time. Curbing grades were set and records kept in proper form and estimates on sidewalk contracts were also properly distributed and plan- ned. Each year we may feel sure progress is being made toward proper- ly co-ordinating the entire City for the purpose of survey and record.
In the latter part of the year additional vault space was taken over in the cellar of the building occupied by this Department. At that time it was thought probable that some of this vault space could be used to
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ANNUAL REPORT
house and keep safe valuable records and plans now kept in the drafting room.
1925 BONDED IMPROVEMENT
The balance carried over under the 1925 Highway Bonded Improve- ment shows $2,418.57 as having been expended. South Main Street No. 1, the widening in the center, was practically brought to a stop while the legal phases of the vote governing this widening were gone into by the Mayor and Council. A small item for temporary sidewalk repairs due to a change of curbing on the work already performed shows against this account.
The second South Main Street work, that done through Hebronville, a penetration road, was sealed and fine trap stone wearing surface rolled into the seal coat. In addition some gravel sidewalks which needed attention were taken care of as reasonably as could be expected. At this time the desirability of standardizing on some sort of an improve- ment over gravel, at a lesser cost than granolithic, for sidewalk material in the outside districts was discussed.
On Morey Street the work was properly sealed and in addition granolithic sidewalk which was voted and placed, and the walk at inter- sections was also handled. Some small charges which belong to the absorption for overhead were written off.
Dunham Street within the improved area was sealed, and Pearson received payment for measured yardage of granolithic walk laid at the unit cost of the year. It is my understanding that there are still claims to be settled before the work further progresses to final and ultimate completion on Dunham and Morey Streets as well as at South Main Street No. 1. Perhaps the lawyers will advise us when we may proceed.
1924 SEWERS AND DRAINS CARRIED OVER
From the balance brought over from the 1924 Sewers and Drains account it was found necessary to pay for the iron pipe at the street crossing of Dunham Street No. 2 at the Speedway. Incidentally it was necessary to put up a stone retaining wall to protect this pipe outfall. Mr. Callahan's contract for Water and West Streets was settled, the City's end being handled by the City Solicitor, the late Judge Brady.
From the 1924 Sewers and Drains account a matter of $90.80 was ex- pended toward the Kendall Avenue sewer, written off as a material charge and including the cost of some brick for manholes as well as some overhead charges.
The general charges for the accounts mentioned immediately above include the construction of a proper basin at Carpenter and Parker Streets with a connection to a central drain manhole located as men- tioned. There was also a charge written off for recording plans and pay- ment has been made for the gathering and printing of data for sewer assessments as voted by the Municippal Council.
The one cent balance on Emory Street Drain was written off.
At Mechanics Street almost opposite Third Street a sidewalk box culvert had been placed some time since with permission from Mr. C. L. Watson. The gutter above on Mechanics Street being unpaved and con- siderable of the sidewalk being uncurbed, it was found that material was
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ANNUAL REPORT
being deposited in the river channel in such volume as to affect the power of the water wheel at the Watson Company plant. The company went to great expense to clean this channel out during the past year and the City, taking advantage of the lowered ground water level, con- structed a large catch basin paying particular attention to a sand catcher and outfall connecting with the river and replacing the box culvert without carrying shoal building material.
From funds carried over on the Upland Road Sewer two small ex- tensions were taken care of and a large portion of a third, Kendall Ave- nue, was also paid for. The Goff Street Sewer of ninety-seven linear feet was started and finished during the fore part of the year. At Clarence Street a private way, the Council investigated and voted a sewer ex- tension after proper signatures had been obtained, and this Department upon the deposit of same at the City Clerk's office proceeded with this work. On Kendall Avenue a change-over of the buildings owned by Gertrude Kendall necessitated a short sewer extension of approximately three hundred and seventy linear feet which was duly constructed by the City forces along lines similar to the two mentioned above. There- fore, it will be seen that a total of seven hundred and twenty-seven linear feet of eight-inch sanitary sewer lines were laid out as described, Goff Street and Kendall Avenue being public ways, and Clarence Street a private way.
OAK STREET DRAIN
In accordance with instructions given by His Honor, the Mayor, after he had approved the vote by the Municipal Council for the con- struction of a drain on Oak Street, work was started on Nevember 8th. The work was carried through so that all the advantages of the drain were obtained before the close of the year. There are, however, still granite round corners to be set and paving approaches to basins to be put in, as well as some grading to be done between Benefit Street and the river. When this work is completed, the sidewalk and gutter line and grade will be trimmed off to properly dress up the work as out- lined in the Engineer's scheme.
RESURFACING
Under this account it is well to call to your attention the major operations such as Park Street, between Pine and the Speedway; Wall Street from County to meet the previously penetrated road; South Main Street in Dodgeville; Mendon Road, Lindsey Street and West Street.
It is highly satisfactory to announce that the outline of the program for the section of Mendon Road being worked on is making good prog- ress.
On Lindsey Street, between the railroad and the North Attleboro line, excellent work has been done, following up the previous year's ac- complishment, so that a good surface the full length of Lindsey Street will be the rule if properly maintained during twelve months of the year.
Similar progress has been made in keeping a long gravel road such as West Street in shape.
These last three streets had sizable amounts of work done on them: the others mentioned are detailed below, and in addition it is well to call to your attention at this time the list following showing the streets
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ANNUAL REPORT
worked on and proving conclusively the constant extension of the efforts of the Department to the so-called outside roads.
SOUTH MAIN STREET
The bulk of main road motor travel originating in Attleboro is southerly toward Pawtucket and Providence. Proof of the weight of this traffic has been definitely established by traffic census, and shows in the design by the State increasing the pavement width from Highland Avenue along Washington Street to the State line. Our people in At- tleboro, having full knowledge of the congested condition of the Provi- dence Pike, have made great use of the so-called East Line down South Main Street through Hebronville and Seekonk to Pawtucket and Provi- dence as a matter of convenience and safety.
As has been noted in prior reports, South Main Street has been worked on each year by constructing stone penetration sections as the old gravel failed beyond repair. This year a piece of road reaching from the end of the stone penetration at the Cemetery switch in Dodgeville up to the Railroad and through the village of Dodgeville to the Mill Yard gate, in excess of forty-one hundred linear feet, was definitely in need of replacement. The rapidly and constantly increasing travel on the road, of course, warranted stone construction. Uncertainty as to what would finally happen in Dodgeville between the schoolhouse and the Mill was reason enough to pause on any great expenditure for this part of the road. However, the balance was deemed worthy of a good stone job, and the necessary recommendation for additional funds to carry out this work was made by this Department and sent forward through the Mayor.
The extra $5,000 needed was not granted, and the task of putting the road in usable condition through this bad stretch had to be undertaken with whatever funds were available. From the Mill yard gate southerly for about eight hundred fifty (850) feet the road section was considerably out of balance and showed a great surplus of material. This section was excavated, the road balanced, drainage taken care of, and a new stone penetration surface put down on a State specification stone base. From this point southerly to the Railroad, the Dodgeville gravel blanket being in woeful shape, was scarified and a considerable amount of material ex- cavated, the road reshaped and surfaced with an oil filler and blanket. the material excavated was used on County Street Hill, Locust Street and Tiffany Street between County Street and South Avenue. The stretch is about 1390 linear feet.
Crossing the bridge a short few hundred feet of road was found to be in condition fit to salvage, and it was therefore taken care of with a surface treatment after patching and rolling. From a point just north- erly of Tiffany Street intersection down to the end of a new piece of stone road to the Cemetery, a treatment was used similar to that men- tioned through the village. As has been usual on this street, a couple of old gravel resurface applications were excavated to get down to the proper profile grade, as shown by the sewer manholes. These have been covered up for years. The material from this excavation was used on County Street Hill, Tiffany Street, and on South Main Street between the rails to increase the usable width of highway from Thacher Brook to the Cemetery switch. From the Railroad Bridge to the end of this gravel resurface treatment is a total distance of about 1405 linear feet, leaving about 330 linear feet adjacent to the Cemetery switch where,
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ANNUAL REPORT
owing to the conditions, a stone penetration on a base similar to that described above was constructed. When it is borne in mind that ap- proximately 4300 square yards of gravel road was brought to grade, re- shaped, and surface treated, and that 2325 square yards of asphalt pen- etration surface replaced some of our old gravel, and that 895 square yards of gravel surface was salvaged within the 4100 linear feet men- tioned, and at a price as tabulated in this report, a true measure of the co-ordination and effort put into the job can be gleaned.
WALL AND SCHOOL STREETS
The condition of Wall Street from Rogers' Garage to County Street, and from South Main Street to the recently constructed piece of pene- tration, was such that resurfacing was deemed necessary. As you know, the growing traffic on Wall Street has become quite dense due to the de- sire to avoid being tied up in the center. The position of this connecting artery as well as its curvature warranted stone penetration. You will recall that already charged off last year was some top stone for use in this work. In May both of these pieces mentioned were built. When completed, there was about seven hundred and eighty (780) square yards of improved pavement to add to the list of accomplishments. Appre- ciation of this improvement seems to be general. Statistics showing its cost may be noted in the detailed sheets which follow. There was no waste of the material excavated from this work, as it was used on School Street between Hazel Street and Thacher Brook to widen out, reshape, and resurface at this location. A filler coat of oil was then applied followed by No. 6 oil, making a nice improvement for this part of School Street.
PARK STREET-MARTIN, MULBERRY AND PINE STREETS
In making up our figures for the year, it was expected that we would be able to improve the surface on Park Street from Pine Street to a point between Tappan Avenue and George Street. However, as the resurfacing funds were cut considerably, it was necessary to shorten up the Park Street work to end at the Speedway. The old surface was highly crowned and badly pitted, making it very unsatisfactory for the considerable traffic using it. The drainage scheme on the Morey Street improvements were such as to allow for proper returns, and drainage on Park Street between Pine Street and Thacher Brook; there- fore, the resurfacing work on this piece is adequately protected with proper drainage. A total of 3,184 square yards of the pavement, includ- ing the street returns, was put in. I think the Department should receive considerable attention in its desire to extend this type of pavement in the coming year at least as far as Cyril Angell Park.
In passing, it is well to remark that the seemingly great number of square yards for the linear feet of new surface is due to the considerable width between gutters of this thoroughfare. The material excavated in this work was put to further good use in surfacing Martin Street between Maple and Mulberry; and Mulberry Street between James and Day Streets. In addition to the above work, material was deposited be tween the car tracks on Pine Street from Park Street to Maple Street. The Streets having been rolled and treated with oil, improved con- siderably the usable width of Pine Street, and aided in relieving, par-
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ANNUAL REPORT
tlcularly at peak periods, a rapidly growing traffic congestion on Pine Street.
Martin Street, within the limits mentioned above, was scarified, large rocks taken from the surface, one or two of which were blasted. and proper gutter lines cut with the scraper and tractor. After this, the roadway was shaped, the sidewalks graded, the Park Street excavation utilized for wearing surface, and the whole block considerably improved by having the highway rolled and oiled with two applications.
A similar job was done on Mulberry Street within the limits men- tioned so that in this locality real improvement can be noticed to high- way users. I feel that it is only proper at this time to call your attention to the drainage needs of this section so that our maintenance charges in and about the locality will be a reducing figure.
BRIDGES, FENCES AND CULVERTS
The operations under this account during the past year have been quite widely distributed. Under the general account for fences, for in- stances, material was purchased and treated, the two-inch fence rails receiving a priming, the fence posts being strippped and dipped and the 1 x 6 material being salvaged or stored according to whether it was new or second hand. Under the fence items, therefore, it will be noticed that a labor charge only is carried as the material necessary for main- taining and protecting our culverts and bridges by guard fences came from the general stock pile.
On Bacon Street a few new panels of experimental fence were placed over the sidewalk culverts in the sag appproaches between the ponds.
At Bank Street the appproaches were dressed with gravel to over- come the settlement. Some of the expense was charged to the Bank Street Bridge.
At Cliff Street a few planks were replaced on the deck and the retaining wall return was reinforced with some old curb.
On Clifton Street there was an old loose stone passage, perhaps a cattle pass which was not recognized in the highway description, therefore, in order to avoid any further expense of maintenance this was properly eliminated.
On County Street a culvert was purchased which will be placed in the coming year, perhaps, to take care of a sag at the end of the No. 6 oil. In addition the guard fence at the river bridge was painted and the slopes of same repaired. A few panels of fence were repaired at the culvert just before the County Street rise.
On Handy Street an old culvert was extended and the slopes filled to take care of the new guard fence at both ends of same.
Such replacements in the stair treads and across the platform of the foot bridge over the railroad at Hebronville as were needed have been taken care of.
On Holden Street river bridge the new deck was treated with a squegee coat of tar and the guard fence painted, the slopes being taken care of as well as possible with surplus material.
At Lamb Street, close to the embankment adjacent to the river bridge, a coat of white paint was put on those panels of the guard fence which seemed to need it most.
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ANNUAL REPORT
On Lindsey Street some deck planks were replaced in the overpass bridge, and several panels of guard fence was repaired.
At Mendon Road a new two-inch wearing top was placed upon the original three-inch deck after the same had been put in first class con- dition. Whatever work wes necessary on the guard fence was also done.
On Newport Avenue at the double-barreled culvert an extension on the downstream side of the wall was taken care of with stock stone and a headwall set, after which the roadway was widened by filling to im- prove this controlling point.
On Olive Street between the river bridge and the railroad bridge some new panels of guard fence were constructed and painted. The iron work on the river bridge was scraped and given a coat of linseed oil and red lead. The work was not entirely finished when the weather forced its abandonment. It is our intention to complete same in the coming year.
A guard fence was erected on Park Street between Emory Street and Finberg Park on the westerly side.
At Pike Avenue a new two-inch top was put on the old three-inch deck after same had been placed in first class condition. Such fence panels as warranted it were repaired.
On Read Street at the river bridge the decking was spiked and the guard fence improved, while further along an old stone culvert was ex- tended and a guard fence set.
At Smith Street an old stone culvert was repaired and extended and a guard fence built.
On Starkey Avenue, at the railroad overpass, a two-inch wearing surface was placed on the present three-inch deck which had been brought up to first class condition.
It is perhaps well to note at this time that the increase in loads using these bridges which have been double decked justify the additional plank- ing. It is hoped that we will be able to continue in the coming year the double decking of some of our other structures.
At Thacher Street a new eighteen-inch corrugated, galvanized iron culvert was placed to eliminate a dangerous condition caused by the collapse of an old stone culvert.
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