USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1931 > Part 11
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121
ANNUAL REPORT
Toward the end of the year the Municipal Council by a vote at a meeting held on December 15th transferred the sum of two hundred dollars from the Elmwood Avenue Sewer account to the construction of Major Street and in this way trucking and team charges were taken care of for the balance of the year, also charges covering supervision of the work.
CONSTRUCTION OF BUSHEE STREET
Originally and for years, Bushee Street, between County Street and Vern- dale Avenue, was a private way, taken care of under the personal supervision of the late Solon Bushee. Since his death intermittent agitation of interested property-owners has been present in endeavoring to have the city lay out the street.
This year, acting on a petition without date, from several of the residents and property-owners, an order was passed on October 9th and approved by the mayor on October 13th, laying out the street and providing for its improvement. The adjusted grade line as accepted made necessary the lowering of an existing water main pipe line for a part of the length of the layout and it was also necessary to adjust to the new profile and sections other water structures such as hydrants, gates, etc.
While this work was being carried on, grading was started and gravelling followed it up so that going into the mild winter a really sizeable improvement had been made which was of material benefit to the users of this new street.
A large part of the operations were taken care of by the use of labor assigned from the welfare department in much the same manner as on the Elmwood Avenue project. Permanent benefit has been obtained of course from this labor, a total of 2,918 welfare man hours having been utilized this year in the work. In the coming year finish grading and surface treatments, as well as the sidewalk dressing, will be necessary before we can finally consider the job finished. It is also likely that the city government will make a decision governing the Lavigne and probably other properties which may have been damaged by our grading work. I am under the impression, however, that many of the abuttors signed releases on this street before the order was written and it is therefore hoped that there will be reasonable limitations on the work required to care for the changed conditions.
This street is nine hundred and thirty-five feet long and the order as passed called for a width of forty feet. There were nine hundred and fifty cubic yards of excavation removed, six hundred and seventy cubic yards of fill and four hundred and eighty cubic yards of gravel.
PARK STREET RECONSTRUCTION
In December of the current year arrangements were made for the relocation and reconstruction of Park Street between Emory and Bishop Streets. It must be remembered that the intercepting drain for Emory Street had been started and was being carried forward and arrangements had been made by agreements with the following abuttors:
1. Bessie E. Aden
2. Cecil H. and Mary C. Lawrence
3. Ruth C. and Thomas W. Worrall
4. Joseph J. and Veronica A. Wright
5. Maynard F. and Susie B. Worrall
6. Cora N. Pawlosky
7. Elizabeth A. and James J. Gleeson
8. Bertha M. Gay
9. Samuel M. Stone and Walter A. Briggs, Trustees
10. John L. Dolan
11. Everett O. Dexter
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ANNNAL REPORT
12. Evelyn H. and Edward E. Chase
13. Mary Josephine Boyle
14. Alice Enos
15. Helen M. McBride
16. Edith M. and George A. Pettitt
17. George A. Pettitt
18. Rosina and Elizabeth Spettigue
19. Jane A. and Robert Bradley
20. Annie. M. Saart et al
21. Eric Palm
On December 1, 1931, the sum of $1,000.00 was provided to begin this work even though at that time it was recorded that a sizeable appropriation in the coming year would be positively necessary, not only to carry out the work agreed upon for abuttors. but to complete the actual road and drainage construction as designed.
Twenty dollars and eighty-eight cents of the forty-ffve dollars and sixty- eight cents expended under this account this year was for recording the land takings, while the small balance was utilized to cover tree removals, the wood from some going of course to the welfare department for use at the city farm. In this locality a great deal of the available wood was claimed by the several abuttors concerned.
Co-operation was received in our tree removals from the city forester's forces which had been enlarged by welfare help available.
It is hoped and expected that we will be able to carry on at least through some of the winter the detail work required by our agreements with the several abuttors.
CITY SURVEY
Ten finished plats which cover about thirteen hundred acres were delivered to the assessors during the year. Most of these were located in the high value section in the center of the city. This work was fitted into our program to advantageously balance our other co-ordinated efforts. Constantly the city survey work already accomplished is utilized in our other work. In addition to the plat work extensive surveys were undertaken.
In speaking and thinking of city survey notice must be given to the failure to budget the work completely at its inception, the responsibility for which does not rest with this department. However, notwithstanding this fact, I believe a standardization for permanent record of the uses to which this work might be put, not only in the Assessors' Department, but in other departments, would aid materially in planning if done by agreement with full knowledge of its cost so that the benefits as distributed when paid for would accrue as a constantly increasing municipal investment. A study along these lines is convincing as to the value obtained. This being recognized I feel sure the necessary funds should be provided. The work should be continued to completion and then kept up to date.
STREET LIGHTING
The problem of street lighting within our geographical confines is one which in my opinion has never had the free, open and intelligent discussion which I believe is warranted in any expenditure which amounted during the past year to $35,103.88.
There seems to be among our people a lack of understanding concerning essential differences between good lighting for the general public and lighting which confers special privileges to the few. Everybody favors good street lights properly placed on a public way whose benefits are such that there is no doubt
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ANNUAL REPOUT
of the investment value obtained by the public for the money expended. On the other hand there have been times when street lights have been ordered on private ways or in such positions that the public obtained practically no benefit there- from, thus forcing the conclusion that the true investment value of the money expended for the cost of this particular kind of light was greatly restricted, bearing in mind the public benefit.
It must also be borne in mind that it is practically no trouble for the city government to order a street light but once having been placed its removal is difficult and its annual cost can be considered as a fixture in the municipal budget.
Our street lighting bill in its completeness was $35,103.88 for the year 1931. Our highway maintenance and operation costs for the year totaled $47,287.51. Comparably it may be seen that the amount this city pays annually to the Attleboro Steam and Electric Company for street lighting has built itself up to a point where it became approximately seventy-five percent of the highway main- tenance and operation costs.
To my mind this is an unbearable ratio when it is understood the lights work on regulations and only at such times as the highways are used at their minimum. Much of the expenditure under highway maintenance and operation has permanently benefited, without additional charge, the public within our city, figuring a permanency period in excess of ten years.
Nothing of this sort can be said for the street lights, as they are charged for as used. It is because of these facts that this department has consistently urged an adequate reduction in our municipal street lighting bill. It is the understanding of the department that a committee was formed in the city govern- ment to study and report on a problem of obtaining the service of a municipal lighting plant. It can be truly said however that we in the department have not had available any report concerning either the activities or lack of them as recorded by the chairman of any such committee. I believe a record of a complete and detailed study of the problem should be obtained and filed for the benefit of our taxpayers.
WATER AND PUMPING-STATION DIVISIONS
The practical effect of the depression must be definitely recorded in summing up the maintenance and operations of the water and pumping-station divisions. It is primarily essential to note that for the revenue-earning branch of the depart- ment definite importance must be attached to the record indicating for the first time over an extended period of years a sizeable decrease in revenue.
It must further be noted that the decrease in revenue obtained despite the fact that sturdy efforts made to fight the depression and keep men employed were responsible for a highly developed list of accomplishments involving labor and expense. This is traced not only in the renewal domestic service accounts but also in our main line and special accounts.
Statistics accompanying the report indicate that new services placed de- creased to fifty-six one-inch, two one and one-half inch, three two-inch services, in addition to one six-inch, this latter being a fire service. It can properly be assumed that new building had slackened proportionately from these records.
To accommodate the new road improvement on North Main Street eight services were replaced, the charges for three of these being carried under the North Main Street special account, while the remaining five were carried under our regular service account.
Before the surfacing of Emory and Pine Streets, another section of our new work relief program, there were eighty-six service renewals and replacements which were taken care of under this regular water account. Other service re- placements in various localities in the city normal to our regular work consisted of forty-five one-inch, three one and one-half inch and two two-inch services. This work in the main is our usual work as stated. The detail recorded on this work is in our accompanying statistics.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The annual charges for new meters were reduced in excess of twenty percent indicating changed conditions. The stringent effort to make funds available for payroll in a progressive manner was reflected in the shop and barn account where practically every possible sacrifice to keep down expenses was made, our coal bill running to $135.99, an annual lighting charge amounting to about $64.16 while the telephone expenses for the year were covered by an expenditure of $136.54 and included the phone charges for all of our men on emergency call under the economical system we now have in vogue. In addition smaller miscellaneous charges under this account amounted to $46.96.
Similar procedure and care was put forth to maintain our buildings at the very lowest possible figure so that, while the expenditure of $161.67 is small when our property list and its age and conditions are considered, we feel that our efforts were successful for the current year. Continuation of this policy over too long a period of years, however, will result in an accumulation of work which will be out of proportion finally to the other usual charges.
Our maintenance material charges were also watched closely and kept down to the lowest possible ebb.
The tax item, covering our property not only in Attleboro, but in other towns where water works structures are located, is not within the control of this department, this year the figure amounting to $318.66. The same may be said of our insurance, the rate on our fire, compensation and contractors' liability policies being entirely outside the control of the department in its finality. In discussion however with insurance men it is with pride we can point to the fact that our department has maintained an excellent record from this angle in all of its operations.
To consumate adequately the duties which devolved upon us our Reo truck bought in December, 1928, our Dodge truck bought in May, 1929, our Ford dump truck bought in January, 1926, our first Ford runabout truck bought in June, 1929, and two other Ford runabouts of more recent date, one bought in December, 1929, and the other in December, 1930, were kept in excellent condi- tion so that the public reaped a definite advantage in their normal and emergency service and at a price which is comparable to any within my knoweldge.
Minor incidental charges amounting to $11.79 are noted and no expenditures of record for expenses within Massachusetts for securing information to improve department service, again indicating the rigid economy forced upon the depart- ment in the fight of the executive branch to remain within the budget.
Our current maintenance payroll amounting to $9,578.31, when the pipe- line mileage, service, equipment and our pumping-stations with the service obtained therefrom are considered, is a truly remarkable compliment to the efficiency of the personnel, and, all things being taken into consideration, will compare very favorably with the water departments of other communities or com- panies.
Under our main line maintenance account for the $2,853.84 expended thereon a vast amount of work was accomplished. Thirty-three hydrants were repaired in order to maintain our high service standard while in instances, as a favorable opportunity was presented, gates were cut in on these hydrants. Our new road work necessitated not only hydrant replacements, as at the corner of Pine and School Streets, and Pine and Pearl Streets, but also the relocation and in some cases the extension of these hydrants which would permit the fire service they were designed for. Attached hereto is a statistical list which will outline a great many of these details.
Our joint leaks on main lines were reasonably rare and allowed us to feel that the policy of constant alertness which is being impressed upon our employees is bring its own reward. The usual charges on equipment and small supplies used in our main line maintenance have been taken care of and the close of the year finds, out of the total expended, a very sizeable proportion which has been utilized not only for maintenance in the immediate present but permanently in the future.
125
ANNUAL REPORT
On Curtis Avenue, Bushee Street and Hawthorne Street, the water pipe lines were lowered to accommodate grading operations by the highway division. On Curtis Avenue the use of one hundred and thirty-one man hours from the welfare department was taken advantage of, while forty-four and one-half hours of this labor was utilized in the same manner on Bushee Street, namely the lowering of water mains. I believe the statistical record present will be enlighten- ing in enabling those interested enough to study it to grasp a direct knowledge of the scope of operations our men have dealt with.
Salient features having to do with the pumping of our water supply under existing conditions should be recorded herewith.
At no time has the engineer, Mr. J. J. Van Valkenburgh, delivered to this department a complete and final report which would properly equip us to assume charge of the new Wading River water supply. Continuous use of the supply is conclusive in the proof that major changes are essential if we are to obtain enough water for our daily comsumption from the Wading River. No time should be lost in protecting the city properly by taking such essential steps as may be required to positively insure an ample and satisfactory supply from the Wading River.
It should be positively recorded herein that since the need for operating the Wading River plant is essential in supporting our South Attleboro unit, owing to the present daily comsumption rate, the circumstances surrounding the troubles which have been present since this new system was cut in should be made public.
More particularly in the warmer months considerable dissatisfaction seems to arise, most of which is traceable to a rusty or powerful iron condition which exists first in one locality and then in another. Prior to the Wading River operation we had no comparable circumstances of this kind to deal with. Since the Wading River supply has come on it is clearly apparent that in spite of all the available adjustments which we in the department can make with the means at our command satisfactory service and supply is not present and will not be until all of the causes entering into the complaints have been recognized and remedied.
With the personnel available we have adjusted our pumping hours, carried out flushing in much greater amount than has been necessary heretofore, opened up and carried longer more bleeders than were permissible with the old supply and still with only the smaller pump operating have been unable to obtain the satisfaction which should definitely belong to the department, the consumer and the taxpayer for the price paid on the additional water supply at the Wading River.
It is not unusual to uncover in the pursuit and development of water for municipal purposes circumstances which may not have been apparent during the initial study. It is unusual however when engaged in work of this kind to omit facing facts, particularly when the ultimate results which may be obtained are so highly commendable from all fair angles of every interest enforced.
I urge and recommend positive action immediately from the responsible city government in taking such steps as will remove completely and without delay the causes for trouble from this new supply.
This department has never been in favor of the minimum charge for thirty thousand kilowatt hours which was set in the electrical power contract for this new water supply and developments since its daily use have been convincing of the correctness of our reasoning.
The bulk of the extra costs of our power bill which is included under "Fuel" is traceable to the Wading River operation.
As has been reported here before, the limits of the Seven-Mile plant in South Attleboro are definitely established and we know this plant cannot handle as of itself, the city water supply problem.
Charges for the old boilers and pumps, with the other charges incidental
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ANNUAL REPORT
to the operation of the South Attleboro station, were kept within very small limits. while at the Wading River, only such money as was positively necessary was expended. Close observation of the well-field at the Wading River brought out some interesting facts and the city government saw fit to have the existing wells washed out in an effort to retain capacity supply for the small pump. Even with this feature available and other facts correlative, it has been found necessary to prohibit the use of the larger pump at the Wading River station for reasons best explained in the well investigation report obtained by the city government.
In the water division, on the maintenance and operation along the lines and at the filter beds, 1,593 1-2 man hours of welfare labor were utilized after the assignment of these men took place.
The account for washing out the wells was expended under the jurisdiction of the mayor's office and is not included in our statistics.
Eight water services were put into use in North Attleboro in accordance with our agreement with that town.
MAIN LINE EXTENSION
During the course of the year an appropriation under the budget for $10,000.00 to cover main line extensions was increased by a transfer from the account "Reserve Fund for Transfers" by a vote of the Municipal Council on June 2nd in the amount of $2,500.00 and was further enlarged upon by a vote of the city government on August 4th by an appropriation of $7,500.00, so that the gross amount available for this type of work was $20,000.00. The classified costs, not including the complete overhead or other matters taken care of by special accounts for the work authorized and listed, amounted to $17,894.06. This work consisted of the laying of 3,505'-10" of six-inch water pipe, 3,917'-1" of eight-inch, 827'-10" of ten-inch and 59'-8" of twelve-inch water pipe, as detailed below.
Early in June, as stated before, the $2,500.00 transfer to this account to enlarge the scope of the work as projected was followed by an additional appro- priation of $7,500.00 which was primarily to insure the construction of a new eight-inch water main on Commonwealth Avenue. Our regular force used for this work was extended as far as possible to insure, up to a reasonable limit, as many jobs as possible. In the latter half of the year circumstances necessitated the placing of welfare men under conditions outlined by the city government, and without shrinking our own forces we were able to utilize 1,339 1-2 man hours from welfare labor which permitted building up the budget. A benefit which fails to show in our bookkeeping, because of the calendar system in use by the city, is apparent in the balance available at the end of the year because of the absorption without charge of crushed stone which was used after the pipe-laying for drainage purposes under special backfill conditions. This amounted in dollars and cents to approximately seventy-seven dollars.
Because of the elasticity permitted therefore by the welfare aid and ston charges and because it was necessary to insure our other accounts where no such privilege existed by having cash on hand the main line water account became an important cog for coverage which might be required at a moment's notice to take care of protection against winter conditions in the last month of the year.
It was evidently expected by the city government, and reasonably so in my opinion, that with the favorable December weather which we had, permitting us a balance and its availability for continuing main line water work, an oportunity would be present for carrying this balance over into 1932. The early 1932 council records I believe are convincing on this point. The city auditor ruled otherwise however, so that the record contained herein, while it is indicative only of im- mediate departmental activities, bears directly on the financial status and well- being of the city in the coming year .. A list is contained herein indicating the location and pipe-sizes of the extensions, improvements and replacements which were taken care of by the direct classified charges in the main line extension
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ANNUAL REPORT
account. It must be remembered that for valuation purposes all of the factors concerned should be included to insure fair valuation for important purposes of this city property.
On Bank Street, from just north of Bicknell Street, an eight-inch line was carried along to the river, thence westerly across the street, then with special construction across the Bungay River bridge, northerly by the cemetery to Tanager Road. This opened new possibilities to ease the force from the Wading River supply and to strengthen the hill section from a fire protection point of view by having connected from this extension on Bank Street a six-inch line through Tanager Road to North Main Street with hydrants and fixtures. This line having been completed, the reasonable gridiron scheme was followed by hooking up Bank Street from Tanager Road to Upland Road. Following a six-inch Lincoln Avenue extension, Blackburn Road was connected through to Lincoln Avenue, thus completing a loop from Payson Street.
As stated before, as soon as funds were made available, a new water line slightly in excess of two thousand feet was constructed in Commonwalth Avenue, the easterly part of this being a replacement of small pipe serving a few houses on the easterly end of the northerly side of the street. After moving beyond Richardson's barn, going westerly, this trench had considerable serious rock impediment, boulders in clay, with a botton below the normal water level and involving a brook crossing. Advantage was taken of this trenching to utilize in the road design as a stone drain some of this pipe-line trench. Thus a very material advantage in dollars and cents was gained by the city from our stone account. This account had been efficiently built up in spite of definitely reduced charges. Some of this material was supplied to the crushers due to co-ordination on our wall removal and rock excavation plans.
On Emory Street, running easterly from Morey Street, a short piece of four-inch line was replaced ahead of the street construction work. On Gardner Street the new ten-inch line carried down Pine Street was extended from Pine Street to clear and connect with the small lines in Gardner Street and Howard Avenue, eliminating temporarily the dead ends, with the idea in mind that promptly in the coming year this new ten-inch circuit would be connected up with Park Avenue, thus permitting the Makepeace group of buildings, where many workers, both male and female, are employed, additional security against property damage and loss of life from fire. Further extension should take place in this locality, particularly in Dunham Street without delay, as not only this group of manufacturing buildings, but all of the buildings adjacent thereto, are of wooden construction.
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