USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1932 > Part 13
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Conditions when a Wading River pump was being used were found to be better with the shift from midnight to 8 a. m. than at any other period. This will explain the lighting bill at this station in 1932, in the amount of $94.45. It should be borne in mind that this shift did not work all of the year and that this bill is not a criterion for a twelve-month period.
It must be understood that while oil was necessary for both stations a favor- able market for an excellent lubricating product was available during this year.
The matter of caring for our boilers must not be underestimated in its im- portance to the South Attleboro pumping-station maintenance. The boilers now in use are twenty-five years old (bought in 1907). When it is borne in mind that the pumps at this station are of considerable age, the Snow pump having been purchased in 1914 and the Barr pump, which is an auxiliary, carruing a date of 1899, the seriousness of considering replacements at South Attleboro will be understood. The problem presented by these facts should not be neglected. As soon as conditions improve locally, the control at this station of the pumping and power units should be brought up to date.
A minimum expenditure was made covering the cleaning of the water filter beds at South Attleboro, very excellent results being obtained. Most of the hand work was cared for by welfare help assigned to the department.
Under our economy instructions practically all of the items which should be properly done without delay were omitted in the care of our buildings, grounds and equipment. . This condition cannot last. It is insistent that the people remember the importance and necessity for the work which is expected from this end of the water department.
Light and telephone service was maintained only as was needed to carry on the job.
At the Wading River we have a major investment on which no time should be lost in obtaining good use, up to the capacity of the plant. This would re- lieve a constant threat against the comfort of our people and from the backs of our industries, as not only the domestic but the industrial and fire protection which would be present if we could obtain satisfaction from this plant would be very much worthwhile. It warrants no delay.
SEWERS-MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
The engineer employed by this department reports on request information that there are 33.58 miles of sewer mains and 4.60 miles of under-drains in the sewerage pipe system of this city for the year ending December 31, 1932.
He further reports a filtration area of 15.82 acres. Twenty new connections serving twenty additional buildings were added this year to our sanitary sewer system, for a total of 1,815 connections serving 2,027 buildings at the end of 1932.
This system has been in use practically nineteen years. Growth has been in accordance with conditions which normally affect a community of this kind. Repeatedly the department has made urgent recommendations concerning the upkeep of the system and filtration area so that always the job present to do in the sewer department would be taken care of adequately. Repeatedly, and for no good reason, these requests have been ignored. As a result our very much over-loaded filtration area is failing constantly to function. This failure is directly traceable to lack of funds to maintain and extend the area.
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In 1915, when there were only 844 connections reported on December 31, there was available for maintenance and operation an appropriation of $2,875.00. In 1916, with 933 connections reported on December 31, there was appropriated for maintenance and operation a sum of $2,800.00. These funds were provided when pre-war prices prevailed.
Entering 1932 there was appropriated in our budget a sum of $2,200.00 despite the fact that there were 1,795 connections serving 2,007 buildings, with connections additional for 1932 to be taken care of. Besides this, there was an eighteen year period of wear and tear and continuous service chargeable against this system so that it was not at all comparable in cleanliness at the start of 1932 to what we could have expected in 1916.
The depression once more shows in our records as there were only twenty new sewer connections placed serving twenty additional buildings. Facts out- lined above must be met squarely, regardless of bias or prejudice, if it is to be permitted that this department shall fulfill its obligations to our people, particular- ly in caring for such an important portion of our duties as the sewer system represents.
Spring and fall flushings were taken care of and blockades and other troubles handled as they arose, with the best means available. There were one hundred and sixty-one dead ends reported in 1932, some of them requiring more than twice a year treatment. It is commonly known that flushing is required, yet our plea for hose for this work continues to be ignored. The Fire Department in times like these has no hose available to condemn, some of which we have been in the habit of utilizing. You may readily understand liabliity increases when trying to use such material which, in good practice, would not be tolerated.
Welfare workers have been utilized to the maximum on our flushing and other sewer pipe-line maintenance. This help was also used to a great extent, and to good advantage, in cleaning our beds. However, to properly coordinate this labor, money must be provided for the extra supervision, trucking and hand tools needed.
A problem was presented the department when on November 10, 1932, it was reported to this office that a machine was stuck on Ellis Street, a private way. An investigation by our engineer disclosed the fact that there was a sewer connection failure probably at the junction of a connection in the main sewer. Upon further investigation our engineer advised that a sewer connection placed by Bertram Fales to the house at No. 27 Lamb Street on November 3, 1927, had failed, through lack of proper support.
The water from this failure unquestionably undermined the trunk sewer, causing further failure and carrying forward to a second Y failure on a connection into No. 17 Lamb Street. Mr. Fales was notified to this effect by our engineer and was advised to make the necessary repairs.
The task at hand was such, with the ground water conditions as they were, our engineer advised me, and Mr. Fales later confirmed this in person, that he (Fales) would abandon the work without having completed same. Immediately upon receipt of this knowledge steps were taken by the Superintendent to have the work properly completed, the work running through Saturday and Sunday, November 19th and 20th. This work was handled by the Engineering Service and Construction Company, whose bill was approved by our engineer.
The whole affair, covering the sewer connection failure, Mr. Fales' efforts and the bonding company which had covered Mr. Fales, was turned over in its entirety to our City Solicitor for such action as was essential and practical to recover expenses to which the City had been put. I am advised legal circum- stances are such that it might be necessary to spend more than the Engineering Service and Construction Company charges to collect. As far as this depart- ment is concerned therefore, the judgment of the City Solicitor has been followed.
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In order to pay for work positively necessary and in excess of funds allowable in the budget, a transfer of $275.00 to this account from the Elmwood Avenue Sewer Account was necessitated in the latter part of the year.
Pipe was purchased replacing stock used and charged against its proper account, the 1928 Sewer Extension Account, labor for storing it being included, this expenditure amounting to $48.82.
Later there was voted a short piece of sewer on Bishop Street, for which the pipe material was utilized and the work was permitted to be carried on through the transfer of $750.00 from the 1928 Sewer Extension Account. On November 30, 1932, the sum of .08 was refunded to the Bishop Street Sewer Account. There was a small balance remaining in this account at the close of the year amounting to $55.14 to be carried over to complete street repairs in 1933.
Under the Elmwood Avenue Sewer Account, in addition to the record above, there was expended a proper distribution of labor for overhead in a sum of $12.83 and deferred tire and compressor charges amounting to $35.88, making a total expenditure for this account of $48.71.
Following authorization of road work on Park Street, we had to extend slightly beyond the intersection of Bishop Street, the Park Street sewer for a distance of 265 linear feet in order to clear our drainage and highway construction . limits. On this work we had an expenditure of $368.16 within the year.
Practically all of these short extensions were carried out by labor taken from our Soldiers' Relief list and it is only fair at this time to commend the efforts of these men in giving excellent results and permitting a real saving.
In addition to the $750.00 transfer from the 1928 Sewer Extension Account to the Bishop Street Sewer Account, it should be noted there was a transfer of $850.00 for the drainage on Water Street which was essential prior to resurfacing same. There was also a transfer from this account of $500.00 to help out the South Main and Orange Street Drain Account.
With a total of only $2,475.00 expended and chargeable against the Sewer Account, Maintenance and Operation for this year, in face of the report as out- lined above, I deem it once more my duty to strongly urge the city government to take immediate steps to prevent a total failure of our sewer system by pro- viding funds required. Our costs for operation of this branch of the Public Works Department have no competition.
RIFLE RANGE
The sum of $150.00 was appropriated to carry out the work on the Rifle Range and practically all of it was expended. As is usual on this account, the sum of $13.84 was expended for taxes and $23.00 for range charges, in accordance with the law. The additional amount expended was for the improvement and care of the range itself. This work was turned over to unemployed members of the local company, operating through the company commander, so that the best results possible were obtained because of the direct interest of those participating. It is to be hoped the City will continue to support our Rifle Range project in adequate fashion.
CITY SURVEY
The work under City Survey was carried on by a draughtsman employed for a full year, with the exception of a five day field survey, in which an assistant was given the draught'sman, also a few welfare men.
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Assessors' plats No. 42 to No. 60 inclusive were completed covering areas in and about the following streets: Pleasant, Lindsey, Holden, North Main, Bank, West, Clifton, Deantown Road, County, Park, Maple, South Main and Thacher Streets. These record plats were turned over to the assessors for use in carrying out their regular assignments. In addition, a considerable amount of detail work was platted on the base map of the City and provisions made to continue the record plats.
It has been estimated the usual plat covers an area of about one hundred acres, so that about three square miles of our territory was added to what had already been turned in. Without any maximum expenditure this work as it continues, can be surely counted on to pay a continuous investment to the City, particularly if the relation between the new and old records is equated properly and the new plats already transferred are kept up to date. Work of this kind should not be permitted to lapse as this does not constitute economy, the value received therefrom being definitely an investment.
NORTH MAIN STREET AND COMMONWEALTH AVENUE WIDENING
Under North Main Street and Commonwealth Avenue Widening Account it should be noted that final payment was made Perini and Ampollini under the terms of their contract and as approved by the Commonwealth. This final payment amounted to $4,749.47 covering their work on North Main Street. Foi the surfacing work on Commonwealth Avenue the final payment of $1,556.19 was made to T. J. Quinn & Son, Inc.
Stone charges for the material used on the drainage on Commonwealth Avenue amounted to $14.70 on the east under-drain so-called, and $380.00 for the west drain. These charges were written off to cover material supplied by the City to itself. The Providence Fence Company was paid a total of $549.46 for completing the erection in place of 1,929 linear feet of guard fence on Common- wealth Avenue. This guard fence is of a type and kind standard throughout the Commonwealth.
Late in the year a seal coat of Barber material was sprayed on Common- wealth Avenue between North Main Street and the Attleboro-North Attleboro line, with peastone cover following, so that this surface may be expected to give wear in keeping with the sturdy road construction throughout. Carrying out the agreement with Mr. Richardson, the slopes on Commonwealth Avenue at his property were loamed and seeded down to his satisfaction. Mr. Richardson cooperated and did the sowing with material purchased by the City in conformance with his specifications.
Various charges, small in amount, which occur to cover the odds and ends on this kind of work were taken care of and properly recorded.
On North Main Street, with the understanding the road was to go to the North Attleboro line, the several stumps, from which the wood had been sal- vaged, were removed. The circle curb bought for Hazelwood Avenue was set, and in addition to this, two round corners were bought and set at the corner of Holden and North Main Streets. A curb inlet was also purchased, used and in- cluded in this work, this expenditure amounting to $87.85.
In conjunction with the agreements arrived at by the city government, there were trees planted and gardening work taken care of at D1. Holden's estate, this expenditure amounting to $130.00. At the property of E. B. Lewis an expenditure of $85.00 is noted for a similar job. Small deferred and miscellaneous unit charges were also included under this account.
Up until the time of this writing no word has been received covering the promise made by the chairman of the Board of Public. Works Commissioners for the Commonwealth concerning the carrying out of North Main Street to the
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Attleboro-North Attleboro boundary line. It seems out of the ordinary that the chairman should permit the delay or omission to perform this work which is present.
I am informed that on February 18, 1932 the Commonwealth paid the City against this North Main Street account $1,484.21 and that on March 11, same year, they paid $2,641.35, making a total payment in 1932 from the Common- wealth of $4.125.56. I am also informed that Bristol County paid the City on February 27, 1932, the sum of $1,484.21 and on March 9, 1932, a sum amounting to $2,641.34. The total payment from the Commonwealth in 1931 and 1932 amounted to $12,400.66, and Bristol County contributed an equal amount, so that the total money received as aid in this project amounted finally to $24,801.32
It should be borne in mind that this department has earnestly solicited such aid, which in this case is of a sizeable amount, since it was possible under the law as amended in 1925, to receive said aid for the City. Unquestionably it would be advantageous to the City to progressively work in conjunction with the State and County annually on a similar basis as outlined herein and I heartily recommend such a highway program.
This report does not include in its finality our deferred charges which await a final decision by the proper authorities on the limits of the work.
EMORY AND PINE STREET IMPROVEMENT
Where new Park Street bends and intercepts the southeast end of Emory Street, there had been for years a very bad drainage condition. With the new grade layout from Emory Street as built and new Park Street at Angell Park as built and the proposed extension beyond this point of Park Street, which was to be relocated, drainage, intercepting for Emory Street and serving practically the Park Street reconstruction as outlined herein, was carried out and completed very early in the year.
Notice of this work will also be seen in the Park Street Reconstruction re- port. Practically the bulk of the constructive work done under this account was for this intercepting drain and grading adjacent thereto on Emory Street.
Required expenditures were made which were properly chargeable to the Emory and Pine Street work for the proper maintenance and upkeep of our rollers, yard replacement of materials used, and truck repairs, as the proper time occurred. It was also necessary to pay a proportionate part of the final granolithic estimate to Robert MacDonald & Son, amounting to $83.29. Boiler inspections, insurance and other miscellaneous charges were also take care of, benefit having accrued to the work under this account.
LEROY STREET IMPROVEMENT
Carrying into the first part of the year, that portion of the Robert Mac- Donald & Son final estimate which was within the limits of this project was paid, guard fences in the different localities were purchased and set and payment was taken care of for the stone products which had been used from the City's stor- age. A piece of sidewalk was constructed in front of the Ingraham property on the easterly side of Bank Street by the City. Arrangements were made for loaming and seeding down the Horton-Angell lawn, the grade of which was changed in carrying out this work.
A few small miscellaneous truck charges were written off and a portion of an insurance bill cared for, with a few dollars allowable against our overhead, so that, for the money expended during 1932, a great number of the closing details having to do with this work were successfully handled.
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ANNUAL REPORT
1925-1927 STREET WIDENING LOAN
A favorable opportunity presenting itself and in accordance with orders at hand, the granolithic sidewalk fronting the Attleboro Gas Company property on Dunham Street was placed in conformance with the agreement covering land-taking on this street. The cost was a minimum one as the circumstances controlling the work were very favorable and results satisfactory.
PARK STREET RECONSTRUCTION
The work as initiated in December, 1931, under this account was carried through the opening of the current year, rock excavation and blasting taking place, stumps being removed and the drainage which had to do with Emory Street being extended into the lower end of the Park Street work. The necessary pipe line, catch basins and appurtenances were constructed without delay to properly handle the essential drainage of the work as proposed, intercepting the work already completed on Emory Street.
Highway bounds were sunk to properly mark the relocation limits. Arrange- ments for adjusting the hydrant structures were carried out and the water line location within the full limits of the job settled. Essential changes were made on such water services as required them to protect the life of the new road im- provement.
In the fore part of the year, in addition to the carry-over from the initial appropriation of $1,000.00 in 1931, $500.00 was appropriated for the Park Street work at a meeting on April 12, current year, which permitted the work to continue through the early part of the year. Arrangements were made when the work started to carry out the City's part of the agreements covering this project as made by the city government. Work slackened on this new development for want of funds, but was speeded up again late in June and carried through to completion, after $10,000.00 had been made available by a transfer from the Emory and Pine Street Improvement Account to this Park Street Reconstruction Account.
The excavation, grading and gravelling, where necessary on the subgrade to give a proper foundation, was completed without delay, the work being done while the road was under traffic, as the public paid practically no attention to the "Street Closed" and "Detour" signs.
Meantime, on the upper end of the work, catch basins, manholes, drain pipe-lines in Park Street, both sides of the Bishop Street intersection, were con- structed, the drain lines being carried through Bishop Street under the northerly sidewalk to empty into a brook just beyond and opposite Finberg Park.
A sizeable cobble-stone retaining wall with essential steps was placed in front of the Pettitt property, while a field-stone wall with steps was taken care of at the Bradley property. A low cobble-stone retaining wall with essential appurtenances was placed at the Spettigue property at No. 576 Park Street to the satisfaction of the owner.
A 7"' stone road, with an asphalt-penetration wearing surface, was built within the essential limits allocated for the work, having a return into Bishop Street. The overall length on the center line of the pavement is 2,190 linear feet, with a width between curb-lines of 32 linear feet, so that, with the return figured in, the total job runs into 7,975.3 square yards.
Sidewalk grading and gravelling was carried out and dust surface treatment placed where it was deemed necessary. In the interim a Betterment order took care of the curbing work done at the McBride place, such resetting of curb as was required on the opposite side of the street having been already completed.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The highway department equipment and rolling stock, with the force essen- tial for its proper handling and supervising from the highway department, had charge of the carrying out of the work, while the bulk of the common labor used was supplied by the Welfare Department. Doing work of this kind by hand, in accordance with instructions we had received, naturally slows up the elapsed time of a job. On the other hand, it can be noted with considerable satisfaction, that the unit costs, for the results obtained, are very reasonable, bearing in mind all of the circumstances connected with the work at hand.
At a meeting of the Municipal Council held on May 3, 1932, the following votes were passed, these being approved by the Mayor on May 16, 1932:
"1. Voted that the sum of $50.00 be paid Eric Palm, after properly signed releases are secured, this sum to be taken from Damages to Persons and Property.
"2. Voted that the following sums be taken from the account of Damages to Persons and Property, and paid to the following persons after properly signed agreements have been received in connection with the taking of land and other damages in the relocation of Park Street from Emory Street to Bishop Street :
1. To Bessie E. Aden, the sum of $150.00,
To Cora N. Pawlosky, the sum of $30.00,
To Hazel P. Fales, the sum of $1.00,
To Bertha M. Gay, the sum of $25.00,
To Joseph J. and Veronica A. Wright, the sum of $100.00,
To Ruth E. Thomas, the sum of $1.00,
To Geo. A. and Edith M. Pettitt, the sum of $25.00,
To Jane A. and Robert Bradley, the sum of $10.00,
To Jane E. Bradley, Mattie E. King and Ada H. Potter, the sum of $3.00,
Rosina and Elizabeth Spettigue, the sum of $25.00.
3. Voted that the signed release of Annie M. Saart, relative to land taken for the construction of Park Street, be accepted and placed on file."
At a later meeting of the Municipal Council held on May 17, the following vote was passed having to do with the Park Street improvement project, this vote having been approved by the Mayor on May 26, 1932:
"1. Voted that the sum of $50.00 be paid to Annie M. Saart et al, after properly signed release for land taken on Park Street is secured, this sum to be taken from Damages to Persons and Property."
These expenditures included for damages are not carried on the books of this department.
The work as carried out herein described, bearing in mind that the bulk of the labor used werein the main inside workers, can be considered as a very creditable showing. No magic operates to make green men skillful. Results are obtained only by very hard work on the part of the green help themselves, as well as on the part of the key men and supervisory forces engaged. A few mis- understandings must be ironed out to the satisfaction of abuttors, over which we anticipate no trouble, if both sides exhibit a spirit of fair play.
We have picked up some of our deferred charges to handle equipment, but there are numerous minor details which of necessity, not wanting to tie up the equipment, had to be carried into the coming year.
ELMWOOD AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
Early in the year the Elmwood Avenue construction work was taken up and carried along to completion. Some repair and overhaul charges were taken care
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of. The drainage work extension and pipe lines were completed. The side- walks were constructed, said construction consisting of grading, graveling and rolling. Stone dust treatments on the sidewalks were also carried out. De- ferred truck and equipment charges covering work chargeable against this project were taken care of, along with some overhead distribution.
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