USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1931 > Part 10
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Wall work as projected was completed along by Brown's and Bennett's on the northerly side of Leroy Street, the necessary steps being constructed for entrance to the houses, curb alignment on the improved street layout being completed with accessibility to driveways provided so that when the warm weather came, our underground structure changes, extensions, improvements and replacements, also our super-structures, walls, steps, etc., as designed, were completed in Leroy Street ready for street surfacing.
On Bank Street the heavier wall work was carried out as nearly as possible in accordance with the arrangements set forth in the order, except for phases which this department could not control, as for instance, the party wall mentioned at Kelley's and grading outlined for Kelley's, suit having been entered in this case, as I understand it. I further understand suit was also entered, after our work was well under way, by the owners of the Brown property and also by the owners of the Pierce property.
Excellent co-operation has been received from the other abuttors so that it has been a pleasure indeed to extend ourselves to be fair with these people in giving them the results which we believe they should fairly have.
With the passing of winter the walls, drains and other available work having been brought into position, thus permitting further progress, steps were taken so that a water main extension was carried beyond the limits of this work across the river and northerly beyond the Bungay River bridge approach, a project which was being worked in conjunction with this improvement.
When this work was out of the way, the season having advanced to good weather, the subgrading and road construction on Leroy, Bank and Bicknell Streets within the limits of this project, proceeded apace and was carried on very economically by utilizing every facility the department had at hand, thus limit- ing total costs, and allowing us to complete some of our own charges on this work, carry forward some grading work, construct a drain at the Horton and Angell property and complete resetting curb as well as making a beginning on replacing the improved walks at Bennett's, Levis' and Crook's on Leroy Street.
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To further carry on the work as proposed it was necessary to obtain an appropriation for $2,000.00, which was voted at a meeting of July 7th, 1931, allow- the work projected to proceed.
Full advantage was taken in some of the grading for abuttors in the use of gravelling material available from other work, thus aiding in keeping down costs. It should be borne in mind that there are places on work of this kind where the full advantage on the grading of a winter such as we had should not be lost.
With full knowledge of the circumstances entering into this work and feeling justified that the public convenience has been adequately cared for, the depart- ment is in hopes of clearing up some of the odds and ends which remain to com- plete the satisfaction of the interested abuttors. It is hoped that the Kelly suit will be settled in the near future and thus pave the way for clearing up other matters pending in this line. Without doubt, in the coming year this project can be wholly cleaned up.
An interesting summary of the work already done is included in the accom- panying report. The sum of $2,820.92 was carried into 1931 from funds avail- able, which, with the appropriations listed, made available for the work a total of $9,820.92, of which the sum of $9,345.35 was expended during the current year.
While the bulk of the work done this year on this project was going on it was operating on the basis of a job relief and was prior to the extraordinary welfare development under which this department worked so many men in cooperation with our other departments after the first half of the year had passed. For this work only eighty-eight man hours of welfare help were thus placed. Despite the seasons and handicap from inexperienced help, the cost of this work is still well within the estimated figures.
EMORY AND PINE STREET IMPROVEMENT
The detail as outlined in the 1930 report having been brought well under way, early in the current year operations for the construction of Emory Street were started, being stepped up after the underground structures and public utilities companies had cleared the work block by block.
The A. B. C. street railway, formerly owned by the city but turned over to the Interstate Street Railway Company a few years back, was removed from Emory Street within the limits of the work by the above mentioned company on demand after request from this department.
Practically all of the curbing on the street was reset and the pavement from gutters was culled, some to be used again as paving stone and some to be used again as crushed stone. Promptly following the initiation of this work, addi- tional drainage as outlined was constructed in the locality of Torrey Street and the existing structures as they needed it were overhauled and put in first-class condi- tion. Besides this, a drain intercepting, on the southeast end of the street, surface water from Park Street, was designed and construction started to eliminate at once the unsatisfactory condition at the intersection of Park with Emory Street. This drain not only is an intercepting drain for the Emory Street project, but immediately construction starts on the Park Street relocation, becomes a very valuable part of this work as well.
Besides the water main replacement and extensions in this street and the forty-eight water services which were gone over and taken care of, the Attleboro Gas Light Company was requested to make such improvements as would leave the street clear for at least five years. The Attleboro Steam and Electric Com- pany, as well as the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, also received notice to clear the way so that they would not interfere with the street
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surface after it was once constructed. Sewer connections under examination by our engineers were also considered; thus wherever possible, steps were taken to protect the investment on this street improvement.
It must be recorded here that subgrade on Emory Street was for the most part very difficult material to handle so that for the unit cost recorded we have indeed obtained a worthy result.
Of course the highway division forces doing this work were enlarged by local help put to work at the regular rate and being organized into a gang of men who not only were competent, after training, to give a good day's work, but seemed to enjoy doing so. Constant care and attention is, as you know, re- quired on work of this kind, and particularly in a built-up locality such as Emory Street is. It is a pleasure to record, however, that most of the public directly interested, residents of the street and property-owners, co-operated excellently. It is a further pleasure to note that promptly the street surfacing was completed and we had started to repair some of the tar sidewalks which were not in good condition at all, a great many people in this section who were able to, petitioned for improved cement sidewalks, and thus helped, even though at some personal sacrifice, to raise the tone of the appearance of the street.
At the easterly end of the street where there were no curbing the grading work carried us to the street outlines and gravel sidewalks with stone dust treat- ment were constructed, in addition to the penetration stone road surface job which was placed under state specifications as far as the actual road metal went. The foundation conditions mentioned above required special treatment in a great many of the blocks so that to obtain a satisfactory result was not simple. Many people familiar with the wave-trace effect of the old curbing, now re- lined, have seen fit to compliment the department by the improvement at hand.
A summary which clearly encompasses the work performed is at hand in this report.
Progressively as the organization came toward the completion of Emory Street they were stepped along into Pine Street. In this work the timing was planned in the different blocks with the hope that minimum disturbance would be done to business. Several interested business men were interviewed as the work went along so that liaison once begun could be maintained.
While our water main additions and replacements were being carried, our service tests being made and our hydrants were being changed, gated or improved as required, the city forester, working with us, removed trees and stumps which were not deemed fit to remain in the street. The gas, electric light and telephone companies were each given notice to protect themselves by taking proper care of all structures in the way which might need work done on them within five years.
Before entering Pine Street to begin our road work this department repeatedly urged the Interstate Street Railway Company to hasten the rail removal in the street. It should be recorded here that on Pine Street the street-car rails were heavy girder type and of course not so easily handled as lighter rail structures. I have always felt that the co-operation received from the railway company, on propositions as important to the public convenience as the Pine Street im- provement was, should have been more spontaneous and energetic. I believe the circumstances warrant this opinion in regard to a going public service corpora- tion despite handicaps ever present in depression times.
Our engineers investigated the sewer connections in this locality and progress on the work, including its numerous details, was carried on excellently until a problem at School Street, having to do with whether or not trees in the street between the curbs should be removed, held up the program. This department recommended and requested action on this matter in ample time to have it settled. The work was delayed and the public inconvenienced pending decision. Costs, of course, combined with the public safety, control the action of this department and it is with a great deal of regret that we report hazards forced upon our drain maintenance and permanent structures by maple roots seem to
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be unreasonable. In view of existing conditions removal would have been an investment, bearing in mind the position of the maples in question, in the street between the curbs, without any protection being supplied against them to proper- ly take care of users of the vehicular way.
Practically all of the curb on Pine Street, as on Emory Street, was reset and new round corners placed where needed. Paving stones also underwent the same culling as on Emory Street and for similar reasons. The drainage problem was developed at Mulberry and Pine Streets by building the necessary basins and carrying the pipe line down the northerly gutter of Mulberry Street to inter- cept the Lafayette Street drain. At Maple Street we had already improved conditions with an extension from the Lafayette Street drain in a previous year. Repairs and replacements were made in some of the structures at Carpenter Street and also at East Street. At School Street, immediately decision was available, new drainage was constructed intercepting the School Street drain at Parker Street and being carried down into position on the northerly side of the street as designed. At Pearl Street we had already improved our drainage and also at Dunham street. At Gardner Street changes were necessary to im- prove an existing system and steps were taken to ascertain whether or not an intersection and return, with the essential drainage, would be considered at the proposed location on the new street at the Elks' property from Union Street to Pine Street. No information on this matter being available from the responsible authorities the work proceded without any further arrangements concerning this drainage being made.
The problem of foundation for road metal on Pine Street was considerably different than we met in Emory Street. In most of the blocks we found it to be quite sandy and not easy to tie down so that the existing road top was used and proved to be extremely valuable in tying together the sand base. The surfacing full width on Pine Street seems to have made a great deal of difference in its use and here again we met the spirit of local pride which exhibited itself in the numerous petitions presented for improved sidewalks. Wherever possible, of course, as in front of public buildings, this department co-operated to the full to obtain the worthy results which the residents and property-owners desired by taking advantage of the unusually low price, which our sidewalk contractor Robert MacDonald and Son of Pawtucket, R. I., made to place cement sidewalks.
Included in this report may be found a summary of the work done and the expenditures recorded within the year. It must be understood of course that when work of this kind is performed by a city department there are different charges, particularly covering transportation, insurance and other overhead accounts which can only be taken care of as they arise and therefore must have provisions made to meet them.
After this improvement was well under way and the program for welfare groups was in effect 1045 1-2 man hours were utilized from this source on the intercepting drain at Park Street, also at the School, Maple and Torrey Street drains and on some sidewalk jobs.
EDGEWOOD AVENUE, QUINTIN AVENUE, FISHER AVENUE AND BENNER PLACE CONSTRUCTION
The balance of $2,588.64 carried over under this account was utilized to keep men employed on grading, and surfacing and take care of truck and team charges so that this work, aided by a transfer from the Layout of James Street account, voted July 21, 1931, in the amount of $125.00, could be completed. The curbing petitions, upon being honored by the city government, were taken care of and where placed, it added not only to the appearance of the work, but allowed the sidewalks in front of the property served to be dressed off. The work on the three streets, Edgewood Avenue, Quintin Avenue and Benner Place, amounted to a sizeable project in its completeness and within the funds available, was of material service in aiding umenployment. Material advantage was also
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gained in completing the project from the use of 1164 man hours of welfare help, most of which was recruited from South Attleboro in accordance with the plan developed.
LAYOUT OF JAMES STREET ACCOUNT
The layout of James Street, authorized in August, 1930, was started in the late part of that year and work was started to construct and complete in a manner satisfactory as planned this connecting link between Carpenter and Maple Streets. The bulk of the grading was practically completed in the year 1930. Deferred charges covering truck repairs, coal for the roller, garage and yard charges, were assimilated within the limits of the job and taken care of during the current year. Besides this, of course, the grading was continued, gravel sidewalks were treated with stone dust and granite round corners were set at the end of the block. Also an additional treatment of tar was spread.
The expenditures current during this year which covered all of the details listed above and slope and property protection amounted to $637.17. This work cleaned up the job for all practical purposes and permitted a transfer of $125.00 voted July 21, 1931, to be made from the Layout of James Street account to the Construction of Avenues account. It is our understanding this money was for the purpose of completing work on Edgewood Avenue, Quintin Avenue and Benner Place.
HOLDEN STREET RIVER BRIDGE
On February 9, 1931, the Engineering Service and Construction Company was paid a final payment of $938.14, their work having been completed and inspected, examined and approved by our engineer after the time interval stip- ulated elapsed.
Of the $8,500.00 appropriated for the bridge work, including drainage which was essential and approaches this company received the sum of $5,999.25. The necessary gravel fills projected were made from the bridge and given time to settle after the designed drainage structures adjacent to the bridge were com- pleted by this department. In September twelve hundred and five square yards of improved Massachusetts standard bituminous macadam was placed westerly from the structure. The easterly approach was much shorter due to the topo- graphy and had a total of five hundred and sixty-six square yards of pavement which was completed with the usual miscellaneous details.
This project in its completeness under the account recorded is to my mind a very substantial improvement obtained at an extremely reasonable cost. Many of our public leaders and property owners have so expressed themselves. Deferred charges to the amount of $10.11 will balance the account in the coming year.
The cost of the designed water improvements which kept pace with our work can be noted.under the water department accounts. In connection with the work done under this account the gas company was instructed to take such essential means as they would require to protect their sub-structures.
On the grading work done at this location the valuable aid of the welfare help was again intelligently used as may be seen by the 788 1-2 man hours worked by this force.
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS
Pleasant Street Improvement-Deferred charges on fence and yard struct ures amounting to $19.36 were taken care of under the Pleasant Street Improve- ment account.
Sidewalk Curbing for Capron Park, Horton Field and South Attleboro School -Engineering and highway building charges amounting to $14.14 were taken care of under the account labelled Sidewalk Curbing for Capron Park, Horton Field and South Attleboro School.
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LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION OF PAYSON, FOURTEENTH, BALTIC AND CLARENCE STREETS
Under the account to cover the construction of Payson, Fourteenth, Baltic and Clarence Streets during the year 1930 we obtained full construction and surfacing, but the tar treatments, while started, were not completed. Also in places there were sidewalk work and other minor work to be taken care of. Besides this, charges for the department equipment as in its maintenance, repair and improvement have been deferred in part to the coming year with final treatments to be completed in season.
The sum of $476.39 was expended as classified in the accompanying statistics on these projects as mentioned. Prior to this year a total of $3,248.66 was expended on work accomplished.
For the current year $151.82 was expended on Payson Street sidewalk work, also a sum of $95.19 for roadway treatments, while for the full account, our truck, road roller, coal, yard, garage and shed charges were absorbed in the amount of $229.38.
BANK AND WATER STREET BRIDGES
There was available under this account at the beginning of the current year a sum of $467.63. The conditions at Bank Street on the northerly side where settlement seems to be constant warranted the use of labor, not only to correct the conditions existing preparatory to the highway improvement, but to gainfully employ help as permitted in the early part of the year for which the labor expendi- ture amounted to $374.57. A material expenditure, mostly for gravel fill and gasoline used in hauling, with a few incidentals charges amounted to a sum of $48.37. In November the balance available under this account and amounting to $44.69 was used in a similar manner to balance with gravel fill a Water Street approach. Late in the year, prior to the highway improvement on Bank Street, it was necessary to set a few pieces of curbing; thus the maximum benefit was obtained with funds available on work as designed balancing the account.
ELMWOOD AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
The preliminary work as requested having been provided by this department for the city government, which entertained a petition without date for the ac- ceptance of this street, was followed by an order of acceptance at a council meeting held on July 7th, which was approved by the mayor on July 13th. This was followed by a vote of the council on July 21st providing the sum of $4,000.00 for the construction of the street in question. This vote of the council was approved by the mayor on July 28th, and provided for the layout and construc- tion of Elmwood Avenue as a public way.
After the sewer work as outlined herein was completed and the house con- nections had been made, operations were started and completed which provided for the surface water drainage as designed. This drain consisted of 408 linear feet of twelve-inch pipe, 200 linear feet of ten-inch pipe and four combination catch basins and manholes.
The order as passed provided for a layout of this street forty feet wide. Two sidewalks seven feet wide each came out of this width.
In conjunction with and following in its proper sequence the drainage work on this street, grading was started and carried along at a consistent pace, after which the road was gravelled and rolled. Sidewalks were dressed, graded and outlined and the street was really in excellent condition without blanket treat- ment at the close of the year. In the coming year of course it will be necessary to work in and complete finish dressing on the sidewalks and the surface treatments on the used vehicular way.
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It may be recorded here that material saving was made in dollars and cents by utilizing on all of this construction work as available a total of 1,951 1-2 welfare man hours. The grade of this work may be truly measured as efficient when it is understood that even though it were written off at the regular rate the work would still be well within the estimated cost. This computation still holds fast bearing in mind the need for the expenditures in the fore part of the coming year which must also include other charges that are usual in such work.
The surfacing here will have completed an excellent improvement in the locality of Capron Park where the city water service, sanitary sewer, drainage and road construction have been combined, within a reasonably short space of time, to round out a real high-grade residental section in our city.
CURTIS AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
An order was passed by the Municipal Council on July 21st, 1931, for the sum of $5,400.00 to be used for the construction of Curtis Avenue, including the drainage as planned. Arrangements were made with the Commonwealth to handle this drainage as delivered through basins and pipes to their existing system at Washington Street on the northwesterly corner of the intersection.
The project took its place on the calendar in position for construction during the current year. The circumstances controlling this project were such that from an engineering standpoint in was considered feasible to do this work later in the year than other work pending. The work taking place in the latter part of the year was of material benefit as far as the drainage construction went in supplying work for our personnel. Most of the men engaged were residents of South Attleboro and while working there were saved transportation charges. On this project only ten and one-half man hours of welfare labor were used and it should be recorded at this time that it was quite evident in South Attleboro the situation had not reached its peak from a welfare labor standpoint.
With our part of the work well under way, a contract was advertised on November 2, 1931, to include the grading, surface treatments and a retaining wall as planned and was awarded to the low bidder, Frank P. Toner of North Attleboro, who, without delay moved on to the job and expeditiously carried it through to a successful conclusion at a very low figure. The withholding clause in the contract does not allow the final payment on this contract to be made until early in the coming year. This should be borne in mind, as well as the need for final sidewalk grading, dressing and an additional surface treatment. Cost statistics on the work as outlined accompany this report.
Close supervision was maintained throughout the construction by the placing of an engineer inspector who was present at all times during the life of the contract. The placing of stone bounds and other miscellaneous details which go with the work of course have been taken care of. Deferred charges accrued will be handled in the coming year and other small charges will be cleaned up.
CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR STREET
Petitions, one without date and the other dated November 4, 1930, came in on Major Street between James and Martin Streets for a layout forty feet wide for a distance of five hundred and eighty-three linear feet.
This project, while it carried a small appropriation of two hundred dollars in conjunction with the order, was made possible only through the very material aid received from the welfare department. Here again, as on Elmwood Avenue and Bushee Street, a permanent improvement was thus made possible. A total of 793 welfare man hours were used in the grading and gravelling work and before the season closed the street was in very excellent shape and highly satisfactory to the residents. In the early spring, of course, finish dressing for sidewalks and blanket tar treatments in the used vehicular way will be taken care of when the proper preparations have been completed.
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