USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1932 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
STREET CLEANING
Our regular spring and fall cleaning operations were carried out, taking care of the gutters as retained or curbed, and scraping outside roads in such manner as was possible, bearing in mind all conditions present.
Without speaking disparagingly of the need of developing this work it should be noted that when a question of paying for water pumping-station fuel came up, this work was sacrificed to the extent of $500.00 for the more important account. It must also be borne in mind that our efforts under this account were further shrunk because of the funds amounting to $672.77 which were transferred to the Outside Relief Account of the Public Welfare Department. In fairness, however, to the problem at hand it must be stated that with the welfare labor available, we were able to do a great deal more work than could have been reasonably expected from the amount expended.
STREET PATCHING
Here again before proceeding further, we must call to your attention the fact that this account was called upon to contribute to the Outside Relief Account of the Public Welfare Department, the amount of $560.75. It must be borne in mind that proper highway patching calls for definite skill and training if the results are to be satisfactory from the standpoint of the highway user. Such being the case, these operations are not conducive to the use of welfare labor.
The full advantage for the year was taken of all conditions available under the account. The materials used as listed herein were spread practically over the entire city and in addition, a large tank of patch material, practically two- thirds full, which we carried into the beginning of the year, was used but not re- placed owing to lack of funds. With the constant cramping of expenditures available for highway maintenance because of the welfare drain on the com- munity, we must bear in mind the additional value of trained and skillful crews patching our highways practically twelve months of the year, there being no let- up in the winter as was formerly the case, due to present day traffic conditions.
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE
The bulk of our expenditures under this sub-division was for labor payroll. Besides the payroll carried by our department we had the advantage of sizeable aid from welfare help which was assigned to this kind of work.
On Bank Street, beyond our previous operations, sidewalks were graded and gravelled. Some trees were removed from the limits mentioned followed by stump removal, with paving being done to retain the gravel walks. This work was coordinated with the street surfacing.
On Holden Street, again in coordination with our street surfacing, grading and gravelling work was carried on between the river bridge and Hope Street within the sidewalk limits.
On Mendon Road, in the fore part of the year, similar coordination on the rough grading within the sidewalk limits took place to help out our road surfacing
134
ANNUAL REPORT
work, while on the easterly side from Washington Street, grubbing, grading and gravelling was carried out to balance up the street section.
On Robert Street excavation and grubbing took place on the sidewalks. Gravel walks were built to continue the improvement already initiated in previous years.
At Water Street again the accounts were coordinated so that sidewalk grading and grubbing took place. Also some dust and peastone as available was utilized behind that portion of the sidewalk retained by paving stone.
On Robinson Avenue, between Florence and Rex Avenues similar sidewalk improvement took place.
On County Street, between Lexington Avenue and County Square, rock excavation was carried on, after which the finish grading took place and a gravel sidewalk built.
At Irving Avenue in South Attleboro, in conjunction with our road improve- ment work, there was excavating and gravelling work done on the sidewalks with the same difficulties mentioned above to overcome.
On North Main Street, prior to sidewalk improvements, it was necessary to reset curb in gutters as the circumstances warranted. Again, further north on the westerly side of the street, it was necessary to grub out, grade and line up the gravel walk.
In Upland Road, coordinated with the road surfacing improvement, we again had grading, grubbing and gravelling on the sidewalks so that they ap- proximated alinement and grade as projected in the final section. Those side- walks retained by curb of course were given dust treatment.
In Leedham Street, where the cut section was narrow, considerable grading was done, the material being used to widen out and retain the sidewalk in the fill section as well.
Gravel was placed on the westerly side of Benefit Street between Leroy and Bicknell Streets. On Bacon Street in South Attleboro the high fill retaining the sidewalks was secured with material hauled for the embankments from Mendon Road excavation.
On Mulberry Street, grading and grubbing was carried on and continued into portions of Martin Street. At Benner Place and on Edgewood Avenue additional gravel was hauled to improve sidewalk conditions. It is to be hoped that in this locality, as times improve, the curb may be continued as it is a great advantage in this flat area.
On Claflin Street some work was done grubbing and gravelling sidewalks in conjunction with the road improvement. The work already started under this account should be continued, in my opinion.
On Dennis Street the improved drainage conditions were supported by the continuation of the gravel walk on the westerly side. Here once more, worthy work of this kind should be continued, with the hope that curbing improvements will follow and enhance the value of the gravel walks now in use.
On Foley Street it was found necessary to reset curb prior to placing im- proved walks.
On Palm Street additional gravel was placed on walks already outlined.
As has been stated before, if the plan could be supported with the funds essential, sidewalk work of this kind could be made to supply a valuable return for a regularly attending welfare group.
EQUIPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
Inspection, whether casual or thorough, is definite in bringing out the very splendid return obtained by the department on all of its equipment. Unquestion-
135
ANNUAL REPORT
ably, unless a definite policy of replacement is inaugurated without delay or special accounts are provided, the maintenance and operation charges for this equipment must rise if it is to be kept in service.
ROAD ROLLERS
A very low figure, out of proportion to its position under our highway main- tenance and operation, is included in the detailed expenditures listed in this report. for road rollers. This figure is made possible only because of the fact that a great deal of the work of these units was chargeable against special accounts which in fairness absorbed their proportion of the costs spoken of.
AUTO MAINTENANCE
Once again the department welcomes comparison with the figure included herein for our highway auto maintenance. Cognizance should be taken of the conditions responsible for this showing. Knowledge should be obtained con- cerning the details of the units making up our fleet, and in fairness to the com- munity, arrangements should be made to prohibit any impairment of the valuable results gleaned from our motor equipment in coming years.
INSURANCE
There is a drop in the highway insurance account from the previous year which is traceable in some degree to the use of welfare labor. This labor is not included on our payroll and therefore pays no premium on our workmen's com- pensation or public liability policies.
One half of the insurance for the Ford pick-up car used by our engineers is included under this account, as well as the policies covering our rollers, equip- ment highway charges, etc. As has been stated heretofore, the fleet fire policies covering our highway equipment is not handled through this department.
BRIDGES, FENCES AND CULVERTS
Special efforts were made to keep to the irreducible minimum this account for the year so that benefit thus derived could be made immediately useful for the administration in its effort to obtain public welfare funds.
Reenforcing steel was bought with the idea of working toward widening the Seven-Mile River bridge at West Street while prices were low.
Repairs were made on guard fences at Wilmaith and West Streets, Washing- ton Street bridge, Tiffany Street, Thurber Avenue, Thachei Street at the railroad bridge, South Main Street at Hebronville, Starkey Avenue, Read Street, Olive Street, Mendon Road at the railroad bridge, Mechanics Street, Lindsey Street, Holden Street, Dunham Street, Deantown Road, County Street, Colvin Street, Cliff Street and Brook Street. Culverts were extended or improved on Bacon Street (head-wall construction), Brown Street, (h. w. const.), Highland Avenue, Leedham Street (h. w. const.), Lindsey, Pond, Read and Smith Streets.
Material was bought while liaison was sought with the New Haven railroad company for repairs on Olive Street bridge.
Small repairs were made on bridges at Knight Avenue, Cliff and Dexter Streets, while general expenditures covering the inspections, repair and mainten- ance of our dozen of structures was taken care of.
Improvement on these structures of the kind outlined herein should be de- layed no longer and the program should be positive in its execution, the cost of which must be met of course. It is an investment in public safety and public convenience.
136
ANNUAL REPORT
VACATIONS
In the highway division, because of the extended reach of the personnel, due to the need for supervision to cover our very far-flung operations, and living within the law, the expenditure chargeable to Vacations was $692.53. Our men were exceedingly fair in cooperating to take their time as was most advantageous for the department operations. I feel sure I express the general sentiment of the city government in making known the appreciation for this cooperation.
SIGNS, CLOCK AND NUMBERS
I believe in and have recommended that progressive improvement be made in properly setting up adequate street signs for the benefit of our citizens and of the public. I find that nobody disagrees with the idea. I find that universally folks appreciate the real benefit this scheme, if carried out properly would create for the community. Yet, in spite of these facts, no funds have been provided to make a beginning toward really doing the job.
When our Signs, Clock and Numbers account has had removed therefrom the practically fixed charges for the care of the city clock and usual charges for street numbers, which we must take care of in accordance with our ordinances, you can appreciate I am sure how small the amount is which is left available for street signs. During the current stress I am sure you will further appreciate the necessity which controlled disposition of these funds.
RENT-MAYNARD STREET LAND
The usual rental was paid to cover the use of the lot on Maynard Street where our large storage tank for road materials rests. In addition, advantage has been taken of this location for dead storage of some road materials as it became con- venient.
CRUSHERS
This year the crushing plant and equipment on West Street in South Attle- boro had an expenditure of $6.37 for labor and $14.34 for material. At North Avenue it was positively necessary, in taking care of the plant, to expend for material the sum of $49.75 and for labor $20.93.
These figures are directly indicative of the policy forced by circumstances upon the department in allocating funds. These expenditures, of course, are the irreducible minimum. Both of these plants have turned out a great deal of work since their installation. Both of them are well worn out. There should be considerable money expended upon each of them to put it in the working condition desired. This work should be carried out on these plants all the way through from the power to the final bin-chute.
Ingenious use was made even of material which had outworn its original purpose. Running expenses of course and usual repairs incident thereto were taken care of under our Stone account.
Carrying out the stringent policy of the administration, a transfer was made to the Outside Relief account of the Public Welfare department with some of the funds under the account amounting to $208.61.
I recommend that the necessary funds be provided to completely overhaul and place in excellent condition each of our stone crushing plants without further delay.
137
ANNUAL REPORT
TEN MILE RIVER AND THACHER BROOK
In the spring of the year, in April, the debris was cleaned from the Thacher Brook. Following this work, the channel was widened, so that the year has passed with practically no complaints from this locality. Most of the effort, which has been larger this year than usual, came from properly supervised welfare help. Advantage was taken of some expert labor to chink up the retaining walls where the brook has been covered between the Sweeney angle point and Park Street.
At points in the Ten Mile River where this department could connect responsibility, cleaning was done in the month of July.
There were occasions where, during heavy rains or thaws, after the police had been notified concerning the removal of flash-boards at the Dodgeville dam, our inspection indicated an increase necessary in the waterway. To obtain it by taking out boards, we had to use our own men with the permission of the Dodgeville mill management. Actions of this kind gave essential benefits, considerable in size, to the community commercially and in saving property damage from flooded areas. In some cases the impairment of payrolls was prevented.
A central control is necessary for the Ten Mile River and as the abuttors are practically all private business concerns, steps to obtain this control should be taken immediately. Having settled on the authority, complete power should be given for the protection of all concerned.
ROAD OIL AND TAR
Necessity forced us to adopt adjustments in the road oil and tar program which could not have been foreseen. Pressure from the administration as it sought to meet the relief conditions brought on by circumstances outside of its con- trol, influenced directly action under this account. A very comprehensive survey in great detail was made of the street conditions and all of those treatments taken care of which would warrant the expenditure and aid in removing further main- tenance charges expected under patching. This survey was used to base our de- cisions upon and in this way we were permitted to level off other sub-division expenditures, thus taking care of, from this and other highway accounts, the job of making possible our allotment of the final relief bills.
It was with considerable reluctance that the department relinquished some planned treatments, but as these are grave times from a standpoint of city government, some satisfaction was gleaned from the knowledge that the depart- ment was able to be of more than usual service in sustaining our municipal structure.
Of course a great deal of aid was had from the labor side by the use of help from the welfare department. However, in utilizing hand labor to cover our surface treatments, green help presents a very difficult problem in obtaining the desired results in this particular kind of work. Considerable credit for doing as well as the record indicates must go to those experienced men working in our highway department, who so courageously struggled along striving for good work under all handicaps.
Material prices were of course very reasonable and cannot be expected to remain at the 1932 low levels. It is to be hoped that the work under this particu- lar sub-division will be developed in the coming years and will keep abreast of improvements which are continuously coming forth in this line.
The accompanying statistical record indicates road oil and tar expenditures, while elsewhere in the report may be found interesting details showing conclusive- ly the financial support given the administration.
138
ANNUAL REPORT
SNOW AND ICE
How many people in the City can appreciate that during the winter season of the year 1932 an expenditure of $2,867. 19 took care of the removal of snow and ice? How many are there who stop to think that all of the sidewalk plows and gear have to be taken care of, properly maintained and put away, that for the City's horse-drawn equipment animals have to be provided and for those horses operating out of the highway barn, harnesses, feed, shoes and proper care cannot be omitted?
In addition to this, our streets were thoroughly plowed out with our truck plow equipment. Drains were opened and such sanding and salting as was deemed advisable, bearing in mind the expense, was taken care of. These latter items are not included as necessities under the law and it is only a few years ago that no such service was provided anywhere in the snow belt in general, and in Attleboro in particular.
What is there about city equipment used in this kind of work that makes people think it should last forever, in spite of the tough service conditions it is used under? When one figures the road and sidewalk mileage cared for in the snow and ice season by the department and balances this against the expenditure mentioned above, an index concerning the efforts of the department may be had which cannot be controverted by any wild criticism braying from a stray source, the control of which indicates no desire for the truth.
While it is true welfare labor was used in aiding in snow removal, it must be remembered that we have not had available any coordinated effort which would put this help into service continuously to handle properly this kind of work. The foundation of handling a storm should be properly carried out and it requires a competent and trained personnel. It further requires equipment which must be in first-class condition unless failure is to be expected at a critical time. This city should acknowledge the facts and definitely take care of the maintenance and replacement of its snow equipment, or else publicly notify the community of any neglect to do so with the reasons therefor. It is true that commercial savings can be brought about by good service in the winter season from our depart- ment. Yet, it is no novelty to see storms overcome even the power of the federal government. I recommend that provision be made and funds provided to over- haul, renew and replace such parts of our equipment as is antiquated or in any way unfit for hard winter service, so that we may reasonably expect a fair chance to do a real job when the snow season arrives.
I further believe and recommend that any bus company franchises before the city government, as has been stated before, should have stipulated snow plow- ing arrangements by these heavy vehicles in use on our main routes.
We were fortunate that in the winter season spoken of, only one snow-storm of any size took place in the late part of the year. The bulk of the work was in the first quarter of the year. The car track problem affects directly work of this kind.
Under this account it may be noted that to completely equip for snow service the new Chevrolet truck purchased by the department and mentioned elsewhere in the report, a Meyers type of snow plow, built purposely for these small trucks, was purchased, the special lift equipment, allowing one-man operation, being chargeable as part of the New Equipment account.
SIDEWALKS AND CURBING
For the first time within the knowledge of the writer, the Sidewalks and Curbing account became part of the highway maintenance and operation section of the budget.
139
ANNUAL REPORT
Such granolithic work as was authorized was carried on by our supervisory forces and equipment, with the aid of help assigned to this department from the Welfare department. Our lowest unit was used for a betterment basis.
Work as ordered for curbing betterments was also properly taken care of in its completeness. In addition to this, a great many corners were rounded, this work being put through as a public convenience and one which can be carried on even though the season be poor for usual curb work. 4
Statistics covering the granolithic and curbing work are attached as part of this report.
INCIDENTALS
Under Incidentals the recording of a deed on Bridge Street which covered some land given to the City by James H. Leedham, Jr., may be noted. Also, small charges picked up in handling some of the Red Cross goods for the Welfare department are included hereunder. An unusual item under this account covers aid given the Police Department in the search for the revolver used in the murder of Patrolman Edward Gobin, said search taking place on January 21.
NEW EQUIPMENT
Under this account there was purchased a 1933 one and one-half ton chassis and cab, dual type Chevrolet, for which an excellent dump type Heil hoist and body was obtained. There is also included under this account an expenditure for the hydraulic lift for a small snow-plow unit to go with the new truck.
STREET LIGHTING
In 1931 the City's street lighting bill amounted to $35,103.88. Under the economic conditions existing, with the shrinkage in funds available for high- way expenditures, this amount was proportionally excessive. Negotiations were taken up with the Attleboro Steam and Electric Company, through the Mayor, and beginning April 1, 1932, a sizeable cut in the lighting bill took place. Twenty fifty c.p. lights which had cost $20.00 annually were reduced to $16 50 twelve hundred and thirteen 60. c. p. lights took the same reduction, from $20.00 to $16.50, fifty-seven 1000 c. p. lights were reduced to $90.00 from $92.00, while twenty-nine 1000 c. p. lights were reduced to $120.00 from $136.00. The 50 c. p. lights were replaced with 60 c. p. lights and one 60 c. p. light was raised to 250 c. p., effective as of February 1, 1932.
The Street Lighting bill for the month of December, 1931, was $2,947.97. The lighting bill for January, 1932, was $2,954.63. The bill for April, 1932, amounted to $2,553.12, indicating the sensible saving from the time the cut took effect on April 1, 1932. In spite of these facts there was provided in the initial budget for this department only $30,000.00, which was voted at a meeting of the Municipal Council held on April 12, 1932. The practice of adding lights at the end of the year shows the difference between December, 1931 and January, 1932.
On September 30, 1932, the department notified the government of an estimated requirement for $1,849.49 additional for the Street Lighting account, on the basis of our knowledge at that time. With the notice on the need for the additional money were recommendations that steps be taken for a further saving on our street lighting bill, either by authorized reductions in the number of hours which the part-time White-way lights burned, or by reductions in the number of lights burning all night. Please note these recommendations included shortening the hours and not removing any of the lights during that part of the evening in which the service would benefit our people.
140
ANNUAL REPORT
At a meeting of October 4, 1932, $45.00 additional was voted from the Reserve Fund for Transfers to the Street Lighting account, in accordance with the recommendation of the Mayor. This recommendation from the Mayor was in response to Vote No. 2 of the Municipal Council at a meeting of September 20th, which was transmitted to the Mayor from the City Clerk and which read as follows:
"Voted that the Mayor be requested to recommend a transfer of $45.00 to cover the installation of eleven 60 c. p. lights in different sections of the City, and one 1000 c. p. light at Corner of Union and Capion Streets.'
Our next record, taken as Vote No. 1 transmitted to the Mayor by the City Clerk and voted at a meeting of the Municipal Council held on October 4, 1932, is quoted herein:
"Voted that the Mayor be requested to have installed the following lights:
1-60 c. p. light on pole No. 5108-Dunham Street. 1-60 c. p. light on pole No. 7200-Commonwealth Avenue.
2-60 c. p. lights-poles No. 4446-4448-Tyler Street. 1-60 c. p. light on pole No. 3774-Hebron Avenue. 1-60 c. p. light at corner of Brown Street and Mendon Road. 1-60 c. p. light at Carrier Avenue and Brown Street.
2-60 c. p. lights at equally divided distances between Robinson Avenue and Carrier Avenue on Brown Street, and 1-60 c. p. light on pole No. 4996 on Carpenter Street.'
Please note this makes a total of ten 60 c. p. lights, rather than the eleven spoken of in the record as initiated for this particular transaction. No mention is made of the 1000 c. p. light to replace present light at Union and Capron Streets.
It should further be noted that the City Clerk should be instructed to trans- mit records of this kind in their entirety to this department to properly protect our action in checking and approving the monthly street lighting bill. Efficiency demands at least this cooperation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.