USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1926 > Part 9
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At Thurber Avenue a guard fence and planking on the overpass bridge were kept in repair.
On Union Road a heavy guard fence, with specially cut posts and second-hand bridge material, were set near the swamp to eliminate a really dangerous condition caused by the traffic increase along this high- way.
On West Street, between the Cemetery and Thacher Street, two cor- rugated galvanized iron culverts were set to replace stone culverts which had broken through.
On Wilmarth Street, over the double barreled culvert, a guard fence replacement of considerable length was handled adding to the protection given to users of this street.
In addition there are numerous details which came up during the year on our several bridge structures that have been lumped into gen- eral maintenance. With our existing increase in motor, truck and bus travel bridge and culvert conditions must continue to improve in order that the public may be properly protected.
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DRAINS
At South Main Street, adjacent to the Mill yard gate in Dodgeville, it was necessary to raise the catch basins on the river side of the street in order to accommodate the balancing of the road section for its im- provement under resurfacing.
At Park Street, between Wilmarth and Steere Streets, basins were constructed connecting with the drain pipe laid across the land of Mr. Johnson. This work was authorized by the Council and has been a very real improvement to the locality both for the highway and the street rail- way. The outfall will have to be imprpoved at slight expense perhaps in the coming year.
The usual routine of cleaning and maintaining our catch basins was gone through at an expense as has been noted. It is only fair to mention that in view of the seasons this figure has been less than may be expected in the future. Regularly, as the years roll by, there are necessary repairs to make on our drains and these running repairs, of course have been taken care of.
TEN MILE RIVER
The funds available for cleaning the Ten Mile River also included cleaning the full length of Thacher Brook from the Ten Mile River to the outfall of the Cambridge Street Drain. I feel that as a matter of defi- nite progress a continuous program should be laid out calling for an ex- tensive improvement distributed over a long period of years. For instance, on Thacher Brook, a covered channel, the type and design to be decided upon after study, should be carried from' Dunham Street toward the Ten Mile River, a piece of this work to be done each year. Again looking at the Ten Mile River from a similar angle, and bearing in mind the loosewalled channel in places through the city, one is forced to believe that a tight-walled channel with some sort of a paved bed would facilitate the cleaning of the river annually, and would aid materially in increasing the capacity through reduction of the coefficient now present owing to the condition of the existing channel. With the conditions as they have been changed at Dodgeville, I feel perhaps that this matter of stream control might well be taken up in the coming year.
TRAFFIC PAINTING
Several different kinds of paint were experimented with in marking out our traffic lines, and also an experiment covering the use of adhesive tape was tried out. The usual commercial brands of paint have been brought to the point where they give good satisfaction for the money invested. There seems to be a regular demand for constantly extending the zone of operations of our existing traffic lines and it is to be hoped that ultimately definite progress will be made in lessening the needs of the City by districts.
STREET SWEEPING AND STREET CLEANING
The two accounts, Street Sweeping and Street Cleaning, are consoli- dated to bring out the differentiation. The Street Sweeping includes the cost of taking care of the center, and has been handled hereotfore by regular street sweepers. This year, until the latter part of Septem-
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ber one regular sweeper was reinforced by our other help as the occasion warranted. This program met with fair success but is not, in my opinion as good as having two regular active patrolmen. In September, Donahue, the regular patrolman was incapacitated for further duty. The Fall debris demanded immediate attention so two patrolmen were put to work covering the job. Their efforts have been very successful and aided by a team and men from the regular highway outfit to cart away the storage piles and to empty the rubbish cans, they have given ex- cellent satisfaction, particularly to the people in the center. I feel that a force of less than two patrolmen fails to give the desired results under this account.
Under Street Cleaning gutters were hoed, where curbed, in the Fall and Spring or as occasion demanded once or twice in between the reg- ular periods. The outside roads were scraped and widened, and with the aid of our tractor equippment the cost for the results obtained was main- tained at a very low figure. It may be well to compare the expendi- tures under this account for the past year with those of 1920 to realize the progress that is being made in the face of a great increase in the use of our highways.
Having compared the sets of figures mentioned here it is well to pause for a moment and consider the needs of properly replacing our small tractor units at regular intervals.
STREET PATCHING
The expenditure under this account, bearing in mind the continued use of our roads during the twelve months period and remembering the regular increase in registration, particularly within fifty miles of Boston, is indeed very reasonable. As usual the account covers different kinds of repairs, bituminous, stone and gravel, as conditions are called for. The workmanship was maintained at a high level because the men en- gaged have now had excellent experience in the several kinds of patching which they are required to do. Below is a list of streets worked upon, showing the wide range of these operations. The International truck exchanged under authority granted by the Council the fore part of the year has been busily engaged in this work during a large portion of the time.
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE-SIDEWALKS AND CURBING
The original $4,000.00 appropriated under this account was used to the best possible advantage. Some positive benefit was obtained by having granolithic replace and improve tar walk which was condemned. The yardage on this job was measured by our engineers for payment and the city paid the regular fifty per cent. which has been in practice in some cases.
On North Main Street, between Sanford and Academy Streets, a sizable improvement was made which was taken care of under this ac- count. Besides this, the current work on gravel, stone dust, and tar pitch, and resetting curbing and gutters was carried out to the best advantage within the limits of the funds available. There is a positive need for continuing the policy of curbing and granolithic walks which have been in vogue now over a period covering several years. The needs of the community demand a constant extension of this policy.
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The usual procedure of placing granite curbing and granolithic side- walk under the Betterment Act in accordance with instructions received was maintained. The work proceeded as directed and was paid for in accordance with the measurements of the Engineers. The piece of granite curbing on Starkey Avenue laid late in the year was recorded as incompleted because of the settling down of winter so early. It is expected that this work will be completed immediately upon the opening of the coming Spring. There is a list accompanying the detail which follows in this report showing the streets worked on.
CRUSHERS AND ROLLERS
The maintenance and repair of our two crushing plants, one at North Avenue and the other at the Pumping Station gravel bank, were taken care of under the account headed Crushers. The largest item under material was for the special manganese jaws which had to be re- placed, and the wiring job which was done at the Pumping Station Bank. The crushing units, as for themselves, are standing up very well. At North Avenue, however, it has been necessary to use extreme care owing to the worn-out condition of the single phase motor which acts as power for the unit. The plant at the Pumping Station has been of material aid in allowing us intermediate sizes of stone for our work. The location of this plant in South Attleboro is also going to stand us in good stead with the great amount of work which will be required in coming years in the southerly end of the City.
As was noted in our last year's report, we have an antiquated gravel road roller which is of no value other than of junk. Our maintenance roller, more than ten years old, has been kept very busy during the past season, and I consider that on the basis of expenses charged against it that the operation of this unit has been a credit to the organization. I firmly believe that we should have a light, mobile unit for rolling, and have brought this matter to the attention of the higher authorities.
MACHINERY AND TOOLS
Under the Machinery and Tools account a Champion Snow Plow, ten-foot blade, was purchased to go with the new Mack truck. A Fordson tractor, to be used by different divisions of the department, was also purchased; attachments for same was distributed in cost as was deemed suitable. It would be well at this time to bear in mind that there is a difference between obtaining equiqment under the existing conditions when purchasing for the City and when purchasing for private account.
The balance of this account was expended for material and labor in overhauling and keeping in repair the tools and equipment. The minor detail was of course recorded and carried by the several jobs. There is an entire lack of allowance under this account for progressive replacement of several units which are wearing out rapidly. In my opinion, this is the wrong way to obtain the proper distribution through the years of the cost for keeping up our equipment.
AUTO MAINTENANCE
Two 1921 Mack trucks have been maintained constantly in service and of course had to be overhauled and re-tired to perform economically
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in the tasks assigned them. In addition three Ford trucks operated by the Department were taken care of for anything other than regular opera- ting charges. There is also a small sum charged off for special wheels for the Fordson tractor since this machine will be used to haul in any of our larger units which are disabled. By this method we save the taking from service of other large truck units. The efficiency of our motor units in the Highway division has been well maintained.
MAYNARD STREET LAND, INSURANCE, INCIDENTALS
The rent bill for Maynard Street land, used for storage of bituminous patch, has been paid.
Our insurance items, of course, covered compensation, liability and fire.
The telephone charges have been distributed in a manner satisfactory to the Auditor and as directed by the Mayor.
It is well to note the slight Incidental account required for last year.
DUST LAYER AND TAR
After having advertised for a season's supply, orders for road oils, binders, and tar products were placed where the best service could be obtained. The results for the season justified indeed the choice, as December 31st finds our highways in better shape than they were the previous year. The extension of oiling and bituminous treatment for our outside roads cannot be stressed too strongly. The benefits from this treatment are appreciated by every user as well as by the abutting prop- erty owners. This fact in itself, it seems to me, is sufficient reason for extending the bituminous treatment.
SNOW AND ICE
After the turn of the year, the city was visited by three exceptionally heavy snow storms close together giving rise to considerable discussion of policy covering the plowing of our highways and sidewalks during such times. It is only fair, I believe, to mention at this time that during the Fall of 1925 the Superintendent looked around New England in studying the problem as it would be presented to the public under present conditions. Some years ago information was requested by this Deparament covering the desires of our governing body in snow clearing and removal. No en- thusiasm to take hold of this problem was noted at that time. Since then in a prior report, your attention was called to the fact of a record of more closed cars being manufactured than open ones, and it was noted as an indication of the demand for the highways twelve months in the year. If my memory serves me correctly, our ordinance governing de- partmental activities during snow storms was recently looked over and amended but no mention was made of requirements deemed essential to the public welfare in opening highways. The State of Massachusetts. Highway Division, loaned us a four-wheel-drive truck with blade snow plow. In addition, our own Mack purchased early in 1921 of three and one-half ton capacity, was used with a second blade plow also loaned to us by the State. The equipment thus loaned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was primarily to clear the State highways within the limits of our City, the four-wheel-drive truck to apply to Washington
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Street in South Attleboro from Turner Street to the North Attleboro line, of distance of 2.7 miles, and a piece of State road running from Par- menter's switch to the Norton line on Pleasant Street. In order to have the South Attleboro job of any value to our citizens it is, of course, nec- necessary to maintain a road between the center of Attleboro and the pike via South Avenue, West Street, Newport Avenue and Highland Avenue, a distance of 4.6 miles. In order to keep the State highway on Pleasant Street clear, it is necessary to maintain a connecting route from the center to Parmenter's switch on Pleasant Street making a total to the Norton line of 2.2 miles.
In addition to these routes, which come first under the agreement in taking over the State equipment, it was deemed advisable to maintain a road from the center via North Main Street and Commonwealth Avenue to the North Attleboro Line, a distance of 2.3 miles, and from the center via South Main Street to the Seekonk line, appproximately 4.0 miles, making a total mileage on all these routes of 15.8 miles.
There are several open places where snow drifted along these routes and I believe a light portable snow fence would be of material aid in reducing the hazard of blockade if blade plows are to be used in hand- ling the work. At least three trips of our units are needed to take the snow from the rails and push it across the street far enough to clear for a storm following. This can be figured as the minimum in a light storm where truck plows are used, the maximum in a heavy northeast gale with snow extending over a long period is to start with the snow and continue until the routes are cleared. In this type of storm the work is much more than can be handled by the number of units mentioned. This fact governed the recommendations for additional equipment. It might be well to bear in mind that it is essential also to maintain our A. B. C. line and a road to Park Street past the Sturdy Hospital and down to the T-B Hospital. The very nature of the business carried on forces recognition of the primary importance of maintaining constant communi- cation by highway.
After two heavy storms close together in the forepart of the year, the Council voted to give the Department an additional heavy Mack truck, and a small tractor. A Fordson full crawler was purchased. Going into the forepart of the winter of 1926-27, therefore, in spite of the fact that snow began early in December the Department was in a much bet- ter position to handle the snow problem outlined. After the main routes were taken care of all of our side streets within striking distance were broken out rapidly.
The Cleveland tractor was overhauled by our own help and was used advantageously in breaking out our outside roads. It is hardly fair to expect to maintain this unit, considering its small price, over a long period of years. Snow work forces a more severe test upon machines than usual conditions and this should be borne in mind in writing off the value of small units.
May I remark that the demand of the public for clear roads, in spite of snow, approaches a roar during the actual snow period but dwindles to a whisper around tax time.
STREET LIGHTING
The charges for Street Lighting were handled in accordance with the schedule, and in the fore part of the year a full check-up of the units
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was made. In addition to the above the record of new lights was checked and accounted for.
SIGNS, CLOCKS AND NUMBERS
Signs as requested were placed. Mr. Josselyn of the Herrick Co. looked after the clock, and the light bills for this clock were taken care of, also such additional charges as were necessary. The Engineers, of course, took care of house numbers required.
RIFLE RANGE
The taxes were paid on the Rifle Range. Poles were cut and set, in accordance with the request of the Commander of Company I, and tar- get charges accumulated by Company I were paid also.
SEWER-OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
The charges under this account for the year 1926 are very close indeed to those of the previous year. Our Mr. Hojaboom, who has been in charge of the Sewer Beds for several years, resigned on Septem- ber 20th. He was replaced by Elbert F. Fink, who has had some experience in working with Mr. Hojaboom in years past. It is to be expected that he will handle the beds with the same interest as his predecessor. The task does not grow easier with the increase in the number of connections building up sewage which is filtered by a set of beds more than twelve years old. Attention required at the filtration beds in constantly increasing because of the handicap mentioned above.
Charges against this account are itemized in the accompanying statistical sheet.
A. B. C. STREET RAILWAY
The new owners of the Interstate Railway Company continued to operate our A. B. C. Street Railway under lines similar to those used in the past. There has not, at this time, been any rewriting of the agree- ment which formerly controlled this operation. It has been discussed. but I have no knowledge of any further detail being worked out.
The units in force are practically the same as those in use under the old regime. The receipts in fares, it will be noticed, have droppped about ten per cent., school tickets have increased very slightly, and the miscel- laneous income is slightly less than in 1925 so that the gross income is considerably less for 1926 than it was for the previous year, which completes the note of a continuous falling-off of income over a period of years.
The expenditures for operating have decreased slightly, but the main- tenance charges have increased so that the gross expenditures, instead of reducing with the income, have increased. Of course, there was con- siderable snow work during 1926, and all in all the road was kept open in an excellent manner in the face of these difficulties. Track work and overhead repairs have been taken care of in slightly greater degree than in the previous year. This of necessity, is a condition we must face because of the fact that a road purchased as junk in 1918, and operating continuously ever since without a major rehabilitation of its structures,
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cannot be expected to maintain a reducing charge against track and overhead.
The problem of transferring the feeders and trolley supports to a new J. O. pole line recently constructed has arisen but will be settled probably in the coming year as to who will finally pay this expense.
There is a positive lesson to be drawn from a study of income and expenditure, as applied to this street railway system, to anyone who has knowledge of its history prior to being junked by its former owners. The postponement of a decision as to the future of the road fails to solve the problem.
WATER DIVISION
It is well to call to your attention at this time the direct need of standardizing a proper form of vote for main line extensions. I also believe that the City Clerk should take such steps as are required to properly notify the petitioners requesting water as to the final dispo- sition of the petition. The detail covering guarantees and easements could, in my opinion, be handled to great advantage by the City Clerk's office.
You may notice that the new meters expenditure has not expanded in proportion to the recorded increase in services. Ground lost here will have to be made up. Establishment of a program governing and limiting fire service should be taken up by the governing body as soon as possible. A carload of pipe purchased toward the end of 1925 was paid for out of 1926 funds in accordance with a vote of the Municipal Council.
A back filling-attachment for a tractor owned by the Department was taken care of proportionately and this, with hand tools, main line supplies, hydrant barrels, tees, plugs, gates, bends, and a multitude of other things, totaled with the main line extensions listed below, makes up the account for Main Line.
Shop and barn expenditures, cover coal, light and telephone, besides the necessary apparatus and equipment essential to the upkeep of the plant in the rear of County Street.
Under Buildings, repair and paint, such work as was deemed posi- tively necessary was taken care of. It is a pleasure to record at this time that a new meter testing outfit was constructed on our premises by our own men at a substantial saving. The size and range of this di- vision increases annually, yet, in spite of this, our maintenance payroll becomes less.
In accordance with a well-established precedent, steps subject to proper instruction were taken to obtain a new Dodge truck. The one formerly operated was traded, of course. Undoubtedly the service ren- dered and results obtained are because of the direct efforts made to keep our motor equipment, the International, the Dodge and the Ford dump in excellent condition, always ready for use. It may be well to note that in excess of 1700 calls were answered covering the multitude of duties required from our small force.
It may be readily understood from the figures available that the bulk of our maintenance material for this year varied in proportion from that of the previous year. Our meter repair parts have been reduced in cost and number, and our other general maintenance items have been increased so that approximately our gross figure was maintained.
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By far the largest expenditure under Incidentals is for taxes, both for Attleboro and North Attleboro. I suggest that all of the taxes paid by the Department be consolidated into one account.
SERVICES
One hundred and eighteen 1-inch services were installed, totaling 5,367 feet during the past year. In addition five 11/2-inch services, totaling close to 600 feet, and three two-inch services totaling about 164 feet, as well as two 6-inch fire services, complete a very active program under this account for the year 1926.
The scope of this work can only be appreciated by those who have been familiar with the history of the divisional activities for the last twenty years. The figures are indeed a true index to the building de- velopment in this community.
There is also accompanying this report a list of water service re- placements. Our inspectors have been requested to report all definite needs as indicated by their inspections to avoid water damage to the taker and loss to the City. The policy is constantly decreasing the need for calling men out of bed. There seems to be, however, a definite tend toward having servce troubles on Saturday afternoons, holidays and Sundays. I believe that a co-operative spirit on the part of our property owners would aid materially in reducing these conditions to a minimum by making prompt reports of any weak fixtures our outside leaks noticed.
MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS
It is well to note that of the twenty-two items listed in detail sixteen are for work done in South Attleboro. Our activities for the year were extensive. The figure of 5,202 linear feet of 6-inch pipe laid compares favorably with work undertaken in previous years. The range in unit cost as noted in the statistical sheet accompanying may be readily under- stood by anyone familiar with the conditions. At Bacon Street, for in- stance, a tap was made from the main on the easterly side of Washington Street to a point just beyond the westerly street line of Washington Street at Bacon This is one step in placing crossings for the coming im- provement to the State highway. This was a short job which included expensive specials, therefore causing a high unit cost.
At Morris Avenue the work was ordered to accommodate some new houses. It took place very late in the season under winter conditions, and in addition to the difficulties mentioned, boulder hardpan and tree roots were encountered. The positive need of taking advantage of the profile clause in our regulations was clearly demonstrated by this work.
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