USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930 > Part 10
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EMORY AND PINE STREET IMPROVEMENT
On October 24th the Mayor approved a vote of the Municipal Council covering a prior recommendation of his appropriating $50,000.00 to meet the cost of reconstructing Emory and Pine Streets. $10,000.00 is made available from free cash and $40,000.00 is to be raised by bonds. Our engineers have been engaged in studying the problem and in working out water main replacements essential to fire protection for the localities covered. We also bought twelve circle corners for Pine Street and five for Emory Street, expecting, should the winter season be open, to take care of setting this work.
There is a great deal of preliminary work not only in reconstructing larger water line section but in replacing gas services, checking up on sewer connections, placing gates for hydrants, public service pole changes, removals and relocations, and tree eliminations, etc. Altogether this amounts to considerable detail to be handled before the actual surface of the streets will really be laid. The bulk of this work will be taken care of in the coming year.
EDGEWOOD AVENUE, HOWARD AVENUE, FISHER AVENUE AND BENNER PLACE CONSTRUCTION
On July 7th we received from the City Clerk notice of an appropriation for $4,900.00 to cover work outlined in the relocation of Fisher Avenue and the location and layout of Edgewood Avenue, Howard Avenue and Benner Place. Howard Avenue was later changed by the Municipal Council to Quintin Avenue, running from Benner Place across Edgewood Avenue to Washington Street.
On Fisher Avenue, with work starting August 5th, our forces removed six fair-sized trees. These trees were logged and the wood carried to the City Farm to be utilized under the direction of Mr. Hardy, being cut up for needy people. After excavation started a considerable amount of loam was removed to Capron Park where it could be used for the public benefit. The work then was carried on with hand labor where possible to the point where the new layout was graded, gravelled and tar-treated. The expenditures thereon are listed on our
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statistical sheet. This account was of great benefit in maintaining employment and the gift of the land by Mr. Calef making possible the new width is appreciated.
On October 18th work was started with hand labor, in response to a call to alleviate unemployment with funds available, on Edgewood Avenue excavation. This work in conjunction with some on Benner Place and Howard Avenue was estimated conservatively with the idea in mind that it would make a proper, speedy shovel job and only the serious conditions faced by the administration permitted a change in the execution of the work. No immediate relief is in sight so that work on the three streets mentioned was carried along even after the frost set. An effort to accommodate the unit price was made in profitably caring for disposition of excavated material.
The embankments at Mendon Road overpass and at Bacon Street between the two ponds were widened extensively with this material. A number of loads of subsoil and loam were placed at the Lincoln School lot to aid in grading same and on the last trip to the garage our big trucks carried loam to Capron Park. Our preliminary effort was to excavate for an eighteen or twenty foot width, poor material to be removed and then to place our gravel course to insure elimina- tion of conditions complained about for years by residents. On the fundamental principles as laid down work was carried to and through the beginning of the new year with considerable success. In the coming year advantage will be taken of the South Attleboro location to utilize people living in the vicinity for laborers.
LAYOUT OF JAMES STREET
A petition without date for the layout of James Street between Maple and Carpenter Streets was reported to the Street Committee on February 4, 1930, they in turn referring it to this Department for report. At a meeting of February 18th the departmental report was delivered to the Council and then to the Committee on Streets. A hearing was held on this project on March 4th. On May 12th instructions were received requesting an estimate of the cost of carrying out the work on James Street. Before making up this estimate we were advised slope easements had been obtained from abuttors. On the 16th of May a memorandum of estimate was transmitted to the Mayor. This esti- mate was made to cover the project in hand independent of any other. The Superintendent co-ordinated work on this project with other matters at hand so that a sizeable saving on the estimate was made available. The Mayor was advised to this effect and at the meeting of August 5th recommended that $1800.00 be appropriated for the layout of James Street whereupon this amount was made available for the layout of James Street within limits mentioned and notice was given this Department on August 11, 1930.
The sewer manholes were raised to grade and the work was started on the sizeable fill carrying the work on in such a way that traffic using the street aided substantially in compressing same. The excavated material was utilized from our different trench work, from the contractor on the Park Street Sewer, our surface work on South Main Street, and from our drainage and surface work on Maple Street.
The top gravel course for the roadway section was material from the Park Street bank. This was rolled and set but not treated. The roadway was open to use with the expectation that the job would be completed in the Spring after the grade had an opportunity during the Winter and Spring to take a final posi- tion. Construction in this block is a great convenience to folks on the East Side.
Circle curb was set at Carpenter Street and at Maple Street. Gravel, brick, cement, and a small portion of our truck and horse charges were taken care of along with labor under this account this year.
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HOLDEN STREET RIVER BRIDGE
For years the timber bridge crossing the Bungay River at Holden Street has been a control point on vehicular loads using this very convenient cross town thoroughfare to get from the North Main Street section to the Pleasant Street section in the City. Several years ago the old structure was replaced with a military type bridge which has given very excellent service up to the limit of its type. Several recommendations in the past for a permanent concrete structure were not adopted.
This year on August 5, 1930, the City Government saw fit to appropriate $8,500.00 on a recommendation of the Mayor for an adequate concrete structure on Holden Street across the Bungay River. Plans and specifications were drawn by this Department and the job was advertised. The Engineering Service and Construction Company was a low bidder on a unit basis as outlined in our con- tract. This Company was investigated and found to have performed work highly satisfactory to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Rhode Island, and several communities in Vermont. It is well to bear in mind, also, that they had previously done bridge work satisfactory to our own Engineer here in Attleboro.
Promptly upon receiving the contract for this work the Engineering Ser- vice & Construction Company started work on September 12, 1930, and diligently carried it out so that on October 21, 1930, the concrete structure had been com- pleted. The hold-back clause for the final payment was in force until our Engi- neer with the contractor's representative had examined the structure in detail and accepted same.
In the meantime the public was using the structure and the City was con- structing a set of drainage basins and curb approaches to make the same effective. There were four catch basins with connections and outfall pipes emptying into the river on the down stream side of the bridge. Practically 77.17 linear feet of curb and gutter were placed in conjunction with the drainage mentioned. While it is true at present only a six-inch water line exists on Holden Street, the plans on this bridge structure included a twelve-inch pipe crossing which was placed allowing for purposed future development.
It is expected the bridge drainage scheme will be extended to adequately care for that portion of Holden Street as far as Bank Street. Some filling and grading essential to quick use of the structure was taken care of by the Depart- ment in conjunction with other work. In the coming year it is expected the road profile can be corrected so that fast moving traffic will have completely available the essential advantages required at a stream crossing such as this.
LEROY STREET IMPROVEMENT
After the Municipal Council had voted $8,500.00 on August 16, 1929, toward the Leroy Street Improvement, the City Government moved along lines ex- plained in our 1929 report. I believe the Street Committee of the Municipal Council spent the fore part of the current year negotiating with the different abutting owners in order that they might come to an amicable agreement before passing the necessary orders for the street line and grade changes. This Depart- ment co-operated by supplying the engineering data as requested by the Com- mittee members.
Our understanding is that the City Solicitor and the Street Committee Chairman had plans ironing out difficulties in this locality and I understand these were agreed to officially by the Municipal Council except that the damages recommended J. L. Kelley were cut from $2,200.00 to $1,500.00 by this Body.
On the 27th of August we received from the City Clerk the following order:
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You are hereby notified that at a meeting of the Municipal Council holden August 5, 1930, the following votes were passed :-
10. Voted to adopt the order, as amended, as follows :-
After a public hearing held upon due notice to all persons interested, it is adjudged that public necessity and convenience require the relocation, widening and re-grading of a portion of Bank Street, Leroy Street and Bicknell Street as shown on a plan and profile entitled "City of Attleboro, Mass., plan and profile of Bank Street Improvement, October 15, 1929", which plan is on file in the office of the City Engineer of said Attleboro, and
It is ordered that Bank Street, Leroy Street and Bicknell Street be relocated, widened and re-graded in accordance with said plan and profile thereof, entitled "City of Attleboro, Mass., plan and profile of Bank Street improvement, October 15, 1929", which is on file in the office of the City Engineer of said Attleboro, which plan and profile is made a part of this order and in accordance with the boundaries and measurements of the way as follows: " -- (For complete description, see Road Book.)
"It is further ordered that the parcel of land lying between the old location of Bank Street and the new location thereof as shown on said plan in accordance with the aforesaid description be taken as follows:
1. A parcel of land belonging to the Interstate Street Railway Company lying on the easterly side of Bank Street between land of Helen Gibbs and land of Albert S. Ingraham as shown on said plan.
2. A parcel of land belonging to Albert S. Ingraham lying on the easterly side of Bank Street between land of the Interstate Street Railway Company and Leroy Street as shown on said plan.
3. A parcel of land belonging to Lester P. and Elsie A. Brown lying on the easterly side of said Bank Street between Leroy Street and Bicknell Street as shown on said plan.
4. A parcel of land belonging to the Interstate Street Railway Company lying on the westerly side of said Bank Street between land of J. L. Sweet and land of Joseph L. Kelley.
5. A parcel of land belonging to Joseph L. Kelley lying on the westerly side of said Bank Street between land of the Interstate Street Railway Company and land of Clifford E. and Mary E. Pierce.
6. A parcel of land belonging to Clifford E. and Mary E. Pierce lying on the Westerly side of said Bank Street, between land of Joseph L. Kelley and land of Albert S. Ingraham.
7. A parcel of land belonging to Albert S. Ingraham lying on the Westerly side of said Bank Street between land of Clifford E. and Mary E. Pierce and other land of said Albert S. Ingraham.
The trees on said parcels of land and the structures affixed thereto are not included in this taking and a period of ten days from the date of this order is allowed the owners to remove the same.
The interest taken in said parcels of land is all the interest that is required for a Town way.
The purpose for which said parcels of land are taken is for the relocation, widening and re-grading of said Bank Street.
No betterments are assessed.
Damages are awarded as follows :-
To Joseph L. Kelley in the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars.
To Lester P. and Elsie A. Brown in the sum of Six Hundred Dollars.
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To Clifford E. and Mary E. Pierce in the sum of One Hundred Dollars.
No other damages are awarded.
Said street is hereby relocated and altered and the grade thereof established in accordance with said plan and profile.
Following this order directing the street layout and making the takings listed, we were informed from the City Clerk's Office on the 17th of October as follows:
You are hereby notified that at a meeting of the Municipal Council holden October 7, 1930, the following votes were passed :-
2. Voted that the following work be done for the abuttors in connection with the relocation, widening and re-grading of a portion of Bank, Leroy and Bicknell Streets :-
Alice B. Crook-Construction of a retaining wall along the front of her property.
Charles F. and Ella P. Bennett-Construction of a retaining wall, and lawn graded to the base of the trees now standing. Driveway put in and graded to the level of the lawn.
Lester Brown-Construction of a retaining wall, and driveway to the garage. Horton-Angell Co .- Grading of the lawn back from street about 35 feet, sloping towards catch basin to be put in lower part of the lawn. Any other grading necessary to put place in as good condition as at present.
Clifford E. and Mary E. Pierce-Construction of a retaining wall on the front, and two walks from street to house; and the construction of a driveway. Also, a stone retaining wall between the land owned by Mr. Pierce and that owned by Mr. Joseph L. Kelley.
Joseph L. Kelley-Grading of that lot to the street level.
A. S. Ingraham-On the lot at the corner of Bank and Leroy Streets, construction of a retaining wall on both sides with driveways into each of the three lots, and the replacement of three trees. Also, replacement of fence on new line. On other lot on Bank Street, retaining wall of Pierce continued to within fifteen feet South of first building, leaving a driveway. Graded to next driveway south of next building.
Driveway with wings at that point, and retaining wall from point opposite Bicknell Street to twelve feet north side of that building and graded from this point to the river. Move granite blocks back on to lot beside small building and grade so that this building can be used.
It may be noted that no appropriations were voted with the above orders. This matter was taken up with the Mayor who advised the utilization of the funds available and future appropriations sufficient to cover the work proposed which we were ordered to do.
With this in mind power shovel work was advertised on November 6, 1930, and bids were opened on closing date, November 12th, when the proposal of J. J. McHale & Sons was accepted at a unit price of 35c covering excavation and disposal of same within limits set by our Engineer.
Our men removed and salvaged cobble stones and removed and stored most of the curb in place. On November 28th McHale placed a shovel and on December 4th completed excavation totalling 2747.2 yards. Immediately the shovel was through it was planned to utilize this project in maintaining em- ployment as far as the available funds would allow it with the expectation of obtaining means to complete all of the work laid out by the City Government.
In addition to the work outlined eleven trees were removed and a 24-inch drain was started, the first part of which was corrugated pipe reinforced
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with cement. After carrying this line to the sidewalk from the river the founda- tion was found to be correct and vitrified pipe was laid to the corner of Bicknell Street. From here the section changed to 20-inch drain and was carried to Leroy Street, all of this with the necessary basins and manholes. An 18-inch line stub was headed into Leroy Street with the ultimate expectation of having the line built through as planned.
While this work was being carried out the first retaining wall was set on the westerly side of Bank Street as per instructions. Completing this, walls were constructed on the easterly side of the street beginning with the property nearest to the railroad owned by Mr. Ingraham and progress was made in chang- ing over the water services and sewer connections.
A multitude of details which go with a job of this kind were taken care of and our primary objective was always to keep as many of our local help employed as could be conveniently handled on the work as laid out ,bearing in mind the need for keeping within reasonable limits our unit costs .This was accomplished and the work was in full swing in spite of the winter season as the year turned. Further work will be reported later.
PLEASANT STREET IMPROVEMENT
On the tenth day of June, 1930, work was started on Pleasant Street just northerly from the City Coal Company where the N. T. A. tracks started into the middle of the street, with the idea of completing street railway elimination. It was necessary to construct Pleasant Street its full width from curb to curb up to the railroad overpass bridge where an excellent piece of road tailoring was carried out as far as the angle point at Monument Square by the common. This work was done under traffic and considering the facts that no material was wasted and the low unit costs it can be definitely proved that the City has indeed obtained an investment in its organized scheme of eliminating the N. T. A. railroad tracks. This Massachusetts standard penetration type of surface has blended well with our other pavement and is giving definite satisfaction to our highway users.
Some curb correction was required on this work, the job in total running into approximately 9,600 square yards of pavement, covering the work from Monument Square to the State Road.
On November 4, 1930, the sum of $2,500 was transferred to the account of New Equipment to aid in paying for a new A C Mack truck. Upon completion of the work as outlined general charges were picked up and properly cared for.
LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION OF PAYSON STREET, CLARENCE, BALTIC, AND FOURTEENTH STREETS
Acting on petitions received for acceptance of the streets named above in 1929, the Municipal Council after a hearing, voted layouts November 12th and appropriated $4,000.00 for construction purposes. Of this amount on the improvement noted, the 1929 report records $593.92 as being expended on Payson and Clarence Streets.
Early in the current year, Fourteenth, Clarence, Baltic and Payson Streets were graded, rolled and given a coat of tar. On Baltic Street it was found necessary to construct a catch basin to properly handle drainage conditions which were giving annoyance to a number of people in that locality. On Payson Street two connecting large seepage basins were built and set so as to ultimately become part of a drainage scheme which will care for that entire locality, on the Fuller & Barrowman plat.
On Fourteenth Street the foundation was corrected by excavating material of poor character and a first-class gravel road, treated with tar, was constructed with gravel walks.
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On Clarence Street the grading was carried out the full width where the houses were after the dead-end water blow-off had been shifted slightly. The entire length of the street was put in excellent condition, tar treated with gravel walks.
In the coming year and after the gravel sidewalks have packed to some extent we hope to place a stone-dust top on all of these walks unless improvements are authorized under the Betterment Act.
SOUTH MAIN STREET DRAIN ADDITION
On South Main Street between the cemetery and Tiffany Street arrange- ments were made to have the car tracks removed and the existing gravel surface replaced with a proper stone road. Before this work could proceed essential drainage was recommended and funds were authorized by the City Government for this work to go on. 509 ft. of -12inch vitrified pipe was laid with the necessary 10-inch connections.
Included in this work were the essential manholes and a pair of catch basins to handle a grade line sag taking care of considerable quick run-off. The work started from an existing drain which discharges into the swamp back of the cemetery and upon completion the surfacing was carried on, drainage for which was adequately handled by this work.
SPECIAL BRIDGE CHARGES
Retaining wall work and material used in drainage facilities as well as truck rental were taken care of under the Thacher Brook Bridge Account which is for the structure at the brook crossing at Maple Street.
A small amount of gravel was hauled and paid for at the Bank Street bridge structure to care for approach settlement. Throat stones to retain sidewalk approaches at the sag where new basins on an additional drainage system were located were bought.
1928 HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
The balance available to complete this work was utilized as was designed under the sub-division statistically reported herein.
The gravel surfacing on Mendon Road previously mentioned was shaped and received a tar treatment. On Robinson Avenue where shovel cutting had been completed last year, and gravel placed roughing out the road section, the work of surfacing was completed in the forepart of the year. The full section was scarified and shaped; additional gravel was hauled in and after a proper section was obtained, tar treatments were used to complete the portion of the road which had already been roughed out as previously noted.
At the special catch basin already built at Hebron Avenue the granite was set and paving completed at a small charge. At the intersection of Knight Avenue, Webber Avenue and Bridge Street there were, in addition to work already reported on the drainage project, new basins constructed with essential connections. Elimination of cross gutters at this location has been particularly satisfactory.
This improvement has been appreciated particularly by local people. Paving was completed around the new basins at the intersection of Brown Street and Mendon Road. At Pearl Street, corner of Union Street, a new catch basin with connection was constructed as soon as the public service companies changed over their pole structures to allow this work to proceed. At the northwest
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corner of Union and Capron Streets a similar improvement was constructed and circle curb previously purchased was placed, agreeably easing this corner on the north side. These last two catch basins mentioned were allocated quite some time since but their construction was delayed owing to the inability of public service corporations to make the essential changes required to alow the work to proceed.
On the easterly side of Robinson Avenue near Highland Avenue a wire boundary fence used to enclose a grazing field owned by Mr. Monast was replaced in as good condition as it was found prior to our excavation.
Gravel walks were placed on Robinson Avenue along the new work and in some places where the roadway had been previously cut out to the full section. Some low places were backed up on the sidewalks on Mendon Road to protect work already performed. At the corner of Pearl and Union Streets a quadrant of granolithic was taken care of and similar work of greater yardage was done to accommodate the new basin built on Union Street.
Covering the substance of work, proportionate truck and general charges have been set off to complete this account.
CLOSED ACCOUNTS
Cambridge Street Drain-The Cambridge Street balance of 57c was closed out on repair for one of our 1921 Mack trucks.
Oak Street Drain-A balance of $9.79 on the Oak Street drain was closed out in a similar manner.
1924 Sewers and Drains-Under 1924 Sewers and Drains some ten-inch pipe was purchased replacing stock used on this account. This material in the amount of $23.29 was used to connect the new basin on Baltic Street with the drainage system already in use and connected to the State trunk line on Washing- ton Street southerly from Mendon Road.
Removing N. T. A. Rails-The balance of $96.59 brought forward for removal of the N. T. A. rails was absorbed by equipment and truck charges covering this work.
Biltmore Street Construction-The Biltmore Street account was carried into this year to the extent of $99.06. Completing the sidewalk gravelling, general repair charges at the highway yard and a distribution covering the use of trucks on this work absorbed the balance.
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