USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1927 > Part 8
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The bridges which we have force us to meet a constantly changing set of conditions because of the ebb and flow of our current highway traffic. It must be borne in mind while considering our bridge situation that highway improvement invites traffic to different roads which were not much used before improvement. The response to this invitation
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is prompt and therefore having responded to the public demand for im- proved highways and inviting by this improvement a superior burden for these highways it seems to me only reasonable that our governing body should take hold of our bridge problem and by this I mean bridges, fences and culverts, in a major way and after outlining a definite con- structive policy should maintain same to the ultimate goal of perfection desired.
STREET CLEANING AND SWEEPING
The central part of the city has been kept clean by two full-time sweepers. Their efforts are hardly noticeable to our public when thinking of their operations. They get out very early in the morn- ing and have the city practically cleaned up by daylight. Their worth may be judged by the fact that this Department has received no complaint from our merchants or our public during the past year. The material removed from the center is handled out of the Union Street yard by whatever vehicles are available to work economically.
The Street Cleaning Account was lower than can be expected nomi- nally because of the fact that circumstances forced us to forego consider- able of our outside fali scraping. Under this account the spring and fall curb and gutter cleaning was paid for and handled adequately. It is to be hoped that the reduction over a period of eight years under this account will be appreciated. Improved results also should be noted and some credit given and charges written off, against the tractors used.
STREET PATCHING
The extension of our black roads and the increase in the use not only of these but of our other highways is placing a continually heavier load upon the street patching branch of the Department work. The figures accompanying this report while definite to a degree cannot show the highly skilled effort experienced men have put into this work to ob- tain results satisifactory to the supervising officers. Several compliments have been handed to the men engaged in our patching work by visitors from outside communities. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the worth of the personnel who now engage in street patching in spite of the fact that it annually becomes more hazardous. In the course of a year these men reach practically every highway within the city limits.
DRAINS MAINTENANCE
The usual routine of cleaning and maintaining the drainage system as it exists was handled at a minimum expense. It is only fair to note our statistical record which indicates the cross gutter to improve a condition at Bourne Avenue, also a repair on the East Street drain. In addition to the above, a manhole was raised on Hodges Street. Gutter line and grade adjustments were made on Park Street near Emory and on South Main Street opposite the Dodgeville Mill yard gate, and a broken light iron covering was changed over at South Main Street near Monroe's. Numerous small jobs were also taken care of. The gross ex- penditure under this account, considering the spread which it covers, is remarkably low.
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In addition to the above, a drainage program of improvement in- cluding a drain on Pearl Street running from Thacher Brook through Pearl Street to Parker Street and from Pearl Street through James to Atwood Street was executed. This system has three basins at Pearl and Hazel Streets, three at James and Pearl Streets and three at Parker and Pearl Streets, besides basins at Atwood and James Streets. The work was executed by the highway forces and the drain was promptly put into service after being started. It is essential to note that repairs will have to be made on the sidewalks which were dug up and the street returns will also have to be put in this coming Spring. Upon the com- pletion of the street returns and the sealing it is expected that this project can be considered completed and of inestimable value to a great number of people in the factory and residential district which it serves.
On School Street a similar project had long been desired and was voted and constructed during the past year. This drain runs from Thacher Brook with Basins at Hazel and School Streets, across James Street with basins at the intersections, up to Parker Street, its terminus, with basins. The round corners and approaches to the basins have been set, but the sidewalks and street returns as in Pearl Street drain have been allowed to take winter settlement and will be completed in the spring of the coming year.
Under New Drains there is a general account which is accruable during the progress of consolidating several jobs and cannot be ap- portioned to each until the completion of the project.
TEN MILE RIVER AND THACHER BROOK
The Ten Mile River cleaning was interfered with considerably due to high water, but in the fore part of the year the Dodgeville Bleachery used the water down to a very low level and consistent improvement was made at a minimum of expenditure.
At regular intervals patrols were put out on Thacher Brook to clean obstructions out of the channel. This year rubber boots and equipment used in this work were on hand charged to other accounts and were utilized in cleaning the Brook. It is not always possible to take ad- vantage of the conditions which favored this account this year.
TRAFFIC PAINTING
Several changes were outlined in accordance with studies made of the traffic conditions in the community by the Mayor and Municipal Council. Traffic is a never-ending subject, and in my opinion should have a definite and positive basis for the general scheme as outlined. Having once settled upon the advantages to be gained by the plan ac- ceptable, it should be maintained with a very positive minimum of change. Changes in traffic regulations once established make for chaos and inconvenience to a great number of our citizens and friends from other communities and are therefore to be avoided.
SIDEWALKS
There has been a considerable improvement made in placing curb and granolithic sidewalks during the current year and the accompanying
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list shows the disposition of the curbing, this work having been done (both granite curb and gutters) by the city forces. Olof Pearson placed the granolithic walks paid for under the sidewalks and curbing account in accordance with the orders as executed by the Municipal Council. Measurements have been made and submitted, and payments approved upon figures made up by the engineering branch.
A number of corners at street intersections were rounded, in addition to those mentioned under Drains, for the public convenience. Good sidewalks seem to be appreciated by everybody and I sincerely hope that ample funds will be appropriated annually to constantly expand upon those we now have. The granite curbing is of inestimable value in re- taining sidewalks and allowing a proper flow line to be worked out for the handling of surface water. These reasons demand the consideration of our responsible authorities.
Besides our new work as outlined herein the maintenance of our granite, tar, and other types of walks was taken care of as is shown under our normal procedure. I believe that the problem of sidewalks in South Attleboro, due to traffic conditions and the need for taking care of our pedestrians, particularly children, should be taken up as a matter for definite consideration to positively improve conditions as they exist. .
MACHINERY AND TOOLS
The crushers at North Avenue and South Attleboro were worked to good advantage and were maintained without any undue expense.
Several of our smaller units used around the yard also can be listed as having performed satisfactorily.
Under New Equipment a Fordson full crawler unit was bought and is to be used in conjunction with a Sargent plow designed especially for this unit.
Our single maintenance road roller unit under the expert guidance of our operator performed in a satisfactory manner. As one unit it has its limitations. We should have a smaller, modern, tandem roller, gas driven, so that it may go anywhere in the city, and in addition a modern large roller unit to replace that one which we have in service and which is more than twelve years old. The figures on road rollers show a small amount expended, first, because the repairs were kept as low as possible, and second, because we found it unnecessary to purchase coal in bulk as we used considerable that was left over from the previous year.
Our motor trucks show a small maintenance figure which perhaps is not a true index of the conditions which we have met with this equip- ment. It may be said that in several instances some of the work which could have been done in 1927 had to be stretched into the spring of 1928 to keep in service these units. Some expensive tire charges for our large trucks were stretched rather than place new tires where they would be cut and destroyed by use with chains. It is a problem that called for close study and careful observation with special treatment to make the policy effective.
INSURANCE AND INCIDENTALS
Expenditures for insurance which includes the usual policies were about as usual.
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At Maynard Street a usual charge has been paid for rental of land for tank storage and giving us railroad siding facilities.
The Vacation item under Highways has been taken care of as out- lined in the figures and we have had a very small Incidentals account when considered against the gross expenditures.
ROAD OIL AND TAR
Under Road Oil and Tar several kinds of road oil, binders and tar products were placed where the best results could be expected from them bearing in mind a full knowledge of the conditions which they were planned to improve. The policy of the Department in its expansion, as has been mentioned before in this report, is to aim for a complete road mileage which has been treated to make comfortable its use by those of our people who see fit either through necessity or otherwise to pass over same. Bituminous products, a great portion of which will be paid for under this account, seem to give the best practical results for the minimum of expense; therefore, it is not reasonable to expect that we can afford to forego the benefits derived from these treatments.
The weather interfered greatly with the proposed fall program for reenforcing our lighter roads.
SNOW AND ICE
The problem of keeping the highways open twelve months of the year places a grave responsibility on the Department during a snow period. However, this responsibility is definitely limited where the governing body neglects to obtain for the Department the implements which it considers essential for the maintenance of the highways during the severest storms.
During the past year such snow as we have had was handled prompt- ly and without too much trouble. In the fore part of the year the State owned unit which had been in use by the City for the past few seasons was used to good advantage in conjunction with our other trucks and tractors. During the summer there seems to have been an adjustment in the policy of the Commonwealth so that no unit was given to the city by the State P. W. D. for use during the winter. Inquiry elicited the infor- mation that the Commonwealth now has laid out routes which they were to keep open and that they would not be able to loan any motive power or plows to our City. It is well to record at this time, however, that no ar- rangements have been made to plow the State Highway between its be- gining at Parmenter's switch and the Norton town line. I strongly urge that all interested parties exert whatever pressure is possible to assure the use of this highway during the winter months by having it included under the state program for plowing.
The total funds expended under this account for the results ob- tained show up very favorably. Besides plowing our highways, however, we must not forget that our sidewalk plows have to be operated over all of our highways, and in some places off the highway to accommo- date children who must go to school. No new units have been purchased recently for this sidewalk work. Several of those now in service will have to be repaired and some will have to be rebuilt. I mention this so
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that this work may be anticipated. The gross item is of course uncertain and its very uncertainty leads me to urge the enlistment of the heavy motor busses now in use on several of the main routes in the service of keeping clear the roads they use by plowing snow with blade plows. When it is borne in mind that the transportation companies formerly conducted and maintained their railroads without expense to the City. I feel that it is not asking too much from them at this time to contribute on behalf of the bus lines a reasonable share of the cost, either in money or service, of snow removal. This perhaps could be more properly ap- plied to the roads which they use with their busses and toward which they contribute nothing for highway maintenance. It is true that the equipment and plant is taxed but not for a special highway purpose. They receive a multitude of benefits from the taxes they pay.
SIGNS, CLOCK AND NUMBERS
New signs were posted in a few places but in my opinion more money should be utilized for this purpose and different sections of the City should be completely equipped, divisions being made geographically so as to rotate the supply of street signs for all of our people.
Some important repairs were required besides the usual expenditures on the City Clock. During the course of these repairs it was deemed necessary to gild the hands and numerals of the clock and the net re- sult may be recorded as an appreciated improvement.
Our engineers, in accordance with the usual custom took care of the street numbering under this item.
OAK STREET DRAIN
Circle curb and paved gutters to properly protect and lead to catch basins on Oak Street drain were placed. In addition to this, a distribu- tion of overhead showed an allotment to be carried by this project, and this was written off.
To the northwest of Benefit Street the scheme of drainage included a proper grading of the highway surface allowing that portion of the street to be adequately taken care of. In carrying out this work it was necessary to do considerable excavating of unsatisfactory material and in addition gravel was placed to take care of the shaping and wearing surface of the highway. After the filled ground making up this part of Oak Street has taken a permanent set it is expected that a finished surface will be placed.
1924 SEWERS AND DRAINS
At Angell Park a condition existed which required drainage relief. The Park Commissioners, some of the City Council members, His Honor, the Mayor, and Superintendent of Public Works visited the location and decided upon the best means of obtaining the desired result at a reason- able cost. A basin and connections were constructed on old Park Street and the gutters properly paved each side of the basin so that the water would easily flow into same relieving the cause of constant complaint emanating fron the abutters of old Park Street.
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At Mendon Road easterly from Washington Street a sag in the high- way was made worse by the new grade line of the improved Boston- Providence pike at this point. The matter was taken up on several occasions by the Department with the State authorities and finally with the backing of the Mayor arrangements were made to handle this sag on Mendon Road to the State Highway to a manhole left for proper con- nection to allow an outlet for surface water which had been accumulating and giving trouble. The work was taken care of by Council procedure and executed promptly at a reasonable cost.
At South Main Street in Dodgeville a sidewalk culvert was blocked by new owners of property who wanted to use the land into which the culvert drained. Proper action by the Council directed the construction of a compact scheme for relieving the conditions local to this point in the highway. Mr. Calef, who had been handling some of the old Knight property for sale in this vicinity, very kindly presented the City with a proper easement and the work as proposed was executed with satisfaction to all concerned.
A portion of an insurance policy which had covered several items was charged off against Kendall Avenue Sewer.
This record completes the expenditures which were charged off during the current year against 1924 Sewers and Drains.
1925-27 STREET WIDENING LOAN
Our new Mayor took hold of this project promptly upon entering office and ironed out legal difficulties which had been interfering with progress on the plan of South Main Street widening. Upon receipt of the notice from the proper authorities that the legal difficulties were being eliminated work proceeded so that with the exception of the Briggs Hotel and the Fire Station apron the widening is pretty well completed and in service. The engineers are working out a scheme of procedure to properly handle the Briggs Hotel problem and it is expected that in the coming summer the project will be completed.
STREET LIGHTING
It should be noted that under Street Lighting this year the gross ex- penditure is less than last year. This is due to the reduction which was to be expected in view of the recent decision governing same ren- dered by the Court. Our citizens should bear in mind that a street light once set cannot be figured on its cost per year. It becomes a definite expense over an unmentionable period and the ultimate cost to the tax- payers of lighting extensions should be figured on the facts as they are. I would appreciate having the Council look into some adjustment of our present light position to increase the benefit obtainable without increas- ing the number of lights.
I believe it is only fair to mention at this time that trees with heavy foliage are something we can all appreciate in the day-time but at night heavy foliage upsets the dispersion calculation of street lights. This problem of course, taking all the factors into consideration, is a con- stantly changing one.
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I believe that whereas Dunham Street between Pine Street and Union Streets has been definitely improved, it should be properly il- luminated at night so as to induce pedestrians as well as motorists to use this highway going from our east side. Anybody using Pine Street at night between Park and Dunham Streets will appreciate the reasons for the suggestion as recorded.
SEWER-OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
The expense of keeping our filter beds in operation is practically ยท identical with 1926. The maintenance charges for the sewer system, which of course cannot be forseen exactly, were slightly reduced over last year. The insurance charge was slightly less, while the town of Seekonk taxes showed a slight increase. Details are shown in the ac- companying statistics.
SEWER EXTENSIONS
On Robert Street in order that the street surface between Lexington Avenue and Twelfth Street might be taken care of, and because of the desire for a sewer to accommodate property within these limits, and because it seemed the logical time to work out a sewer development here in conjunction with that of Twelfth Street, the construction of an exten- sion in Robert Street between Twelfth Street and Lexington Avenue was completed. This project of course was executed after going through the usual form for sewer extensions and consists of 991.8 linear feet of lateral sewer in two parts running from dead ends at the summit at Fourteenth Street, first to Twelfth Street and second to Lexington Aven- ue.
On Twelfth Street in response to a petition an extension was granted running northwest from Robert Street. This structure consists of 200 linear feet of 8 in. vitrified sewer pipe line placed to accommodate the property in the block. This work as outlined above in the locality of Twelfth and Robert Streets stimulated the demand for sewers and the question of extending a sewer in a southeasterly direction from Robert on Twelfth Street has been looked into and it is expected that this work will go forward in a very short time.
The sewer as outlined for Park Street was held up because of the high ground water level and shows only a small material charge.
Material was purchased and charged off to Starkey Avenue Sewer to cover a sewer extension from an existing dead end to accommodate the new plant owned by the American Reenforced Paper Company. Every- thing being ready, it is expected that this work will be completed at once after the turn of the year as the exceptional conditions governing the project warrant this limited extension immediately.
NORTH AVENUE SEWER
This project was begun upon the continued insistence from the Health Department and in response to a petition which included, as I understand it, residents from North Avenue. The extension as outlined runs from West Street to Deantown Road and will consist of 796 linear feet of 12 inch sewer pipe.
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The items charged off this year are minor charges but a contract has been awarded Rocco Germaine and was in full swing during the latter part of the year. The estimates for this work not having been com- pleted it is only reasonable that the coming year will show the charges completely. High water was one reason for holding off on the start of this project.
WATER DIVISION
The past year has been extraordinary in that by far the largest amount of work recorded since we have been a City was performed by . this division, most of it being essentially of a permanent nature consti- tutes an excellent investment and will continue to give a return over a very considerable period.
The maintenance payroll item was kept to an absolute minimum and two features should be noted: First, the foreman, George E. Mac- donald, resigned to take effect on short notice in the last part of the year. Second, our hydrant tester and handy man was ill for a very large part of the year. The trained personnel in this division being limited in a community of this size, the public will perhaps realize the consistent and extensive effort which went into the work recorded in the statistics at- tached. This work being done by the City and the employees under- standing that they will have to maintain these lines after they are put into service have given the community an excellent grade of workman- ship at a minimum of cost. As was forecast in last year's report our ex- penditure for new meters rose. The number of replacements and new services is an index to part of this expenditure, while a large and ex- pensive meter was purchased to have on hand to checkmate conditions which one usually meets in water works practice with some kinds of industry.
SERVICES
There were 105 new services installed, a few of these being larger than 1-inch, the usual size. Further details can be obtained from the ac- companying statistics. In addition it was necessary to honor two re- quests for fire service. These are indeed expensive where taps have to be made from large mains calling for tapping sleeve and gate of major size.
The policy of inspection to obtain the best results for all parties con- cerned, the water taker as well as the City, has been continued and I feel that complaints on service are rapidly approaching the irreducible min- imum.
MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS
His Honor, the Mayor, bulked several departmental recommendations for main line extensions and finding that the Fire Department in addition to the Public Works Department advocated these improvements, submit- ted a program which was passed. The major portion of this program has been accomplished and reasons for the failure to complete the program are definite. After the program had been set, the Honorable Council con- tinued to vote other extensions so that it was necessary to weigh sev- eral factors to establish an order of precedence in the main line extension
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work. Because of the unknown element of what extensions will be voted through the full period of the year adjustments in the program have to be made to meet these conditions.
Failure of interested parties to complete necessary papers has some times delayed the work and caused a shifting about of funds to cover the failures.
An expensive proposition calling for considerable thought was forced upon us by the State highway project on Washington Street between Highland Avenue and the Pawtucket line. Extensions and crossings were laid out giving an outline which was projected to satisfy the immediate demands of the future. Experience proves conclusively that develop- ments on a highway of this sort are not always usual and therefore plans should be worked up from the outline as constructed so that all of the new developments in that locality can be adequately taken care of. In some instances the units were very high because of the concentrated and expensive fittings and labor. At the crossing just below 1000 Wash- ington Street our men ran into an old stone culvert which was the cause of grave inconvenience and considerable expense. The position of an existing telephone duct line and the type and kind of crossing re- quired in view of the structures in the way also contributed to raise the unit cost of the work as required to accommodate changed conditions due to the cement highway.
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