USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1932 > Part 14
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A surface treatment with tar the full width of the used vehicular way was applied and dressed and a return from Dennis Street was built.
This project, upon the completion of the 7" gravel road and sidewalks, along with the drainage previously mentioned, adds considerably to the city- owned Capron Park which abuts the southerly side of the street. In its entirety the project constitutes a real improvement to the locality and it is to be hoped that these improvements may be extended in this neighborhood.
CURTIS AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
Under the contract with Frank P. Toner of North Attleboro which was awarded for the construction of the street after the City had carried out the drainage work as projected, there was a final payment clause which carried the payment into the early part of the current year. This final amounted to $217.56. In addition to this there was a small expenditure for stone products, a water charge and some small overhead items.
The City is to be congratulated in obtaining the remarkable dollar value from the funds expended on this work by utilizing advantageously conditions which would permit the favorable results accomplished. The administration has felt that further work in South Attleboro should be taken up with the balance available. Our deferred charges on this project, due to the contract, have been held to the irreducible minimum. It is indeed a pleasure to record this im- provement in view of the intense interest of the local habitants in this development.
ALLEN AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
Allen Avenue in South Attleboro was laid out by a vote of the Municipal Council on September 20, 1932, said layout being approved by the Mayor on September 26, 1932. This called for a street running from Washington Street to Brown Street, a distance of 1,389 linear feet, with fifty feet between street lines.
For several years the people in the South End have been anxious to see this street laid out. This department has felt and has recommended that the first thing to do in this locality was to lay out properly with line and grade adequate for the conditions of the locality, Brown Street between Washington Street and Robinson Avenue. This layout would serve as the backbone for a development in the locality of Allen Avenue and the other streets would complete the skeleton so that the City would have the advantage of symmetrical sub-divisions properly balanced from correct lines of origin. I have heard nobody sensibly question the common-sense of this development.
The layout of Allen Avenue carried with it no appropriation. However, at the same meeting, the sum of $2,500.00 was ordered transferred from the Curtis Avenue Account and this amount, with $1,500.00 from the Reserve Fund for Transfers, was set up as an Allen Avenue Construction Account. These two transfers were authorized at the meeting of the Council on September 20, 1932, and were approved by the Mayor on September 26, 1932. This amount, $4,000.00, was entirely inadequate, based upon the work to be done and the estimates given. Despite this fact the department went to work on the project with a will and utilized such portion of the funds as was possible for a payroll.
This work, calling for a considerable amount of drainage, excavation, a seven-inch gravel road full width between curb-lines and sidewalks graded with proper material, was not completed at the turn of the year.
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It is to be hoped arrangements will be made in 1933 to complete this work and it is to be similarly hoped the importance of settling the question of Brown Street will not be underestimated as a great deal of sound work can be done in this locality once they have decided upon Brown Street.
MERRITT PLACE RECONSTRUCTION
At a meeting of the Municipal Council held on October 18, 1932, Merritt Place was laid out. This layout was approved by the Mayor on October 26, 1932. A transfer from the Elmwood Avenue Construction Account in the amount of $450.00 was authorized to cover the work on this street at a meeting of the Council on November 15, 1932, said transfer being approved by the Mayor on November 22, 1932.
Merritt Place, two hundred and sixty-six feet long and twenty-five feet wide, is a special layout of a short dead-end street, running from the easterly side of North Main Street between Peck Street and the John Street intersection. Four trees were removed here and one hundred and fifty-seven cubic yards of excavation taken out. The curb was adjusted at North Main Street for a proper entrance. Welfare labor was utilized for the work as outlined, the amount of money available being totally inadequate for the results which were projected.
When the gravel refill is completed here to the extent of one hundred and twenty-three cubic yards, it is proposed in the coming year to finish the work on this street by rolling a light mixed top. It was necessary to replace the small and inadequate water line which was serving the several houses on this short street, said water line replacement amounting to two hundred and sixty-nine feet of 6" pipe. Services were reconnected.
LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION OF PAYSON, CLARENCE BALTIC AND FOURTEENTH STREETS
Under this account a tar surface treatment was given Fourteenth Street. Also a bituminous surface treatment was given Clarence Street. The grade on Clarence Street was filled out to support adequately the slope behind the sidewalk where needed.
For Payson Street, charges were handled for some of the stone products, also for sand for paving returns. Some small items of our overhead were also taken care of, as well as charges for operations.
CONSTRUCTION OF HAZEL STREET
For several years Hazel Street, between Maple and Orange Streets, has been the subject of much discussion concerning its acceptance. The petitioners finally agreed among themselves and with one another concerning the improve- ment and layout of Hazel Street so that on April 5, 1932, the city government voted the acceptance of this street, the Mayor approving said layout on April 11, 1932.
Closely allied with the street acceptance was the subject of drainage in the locality, the authorities' having omitted, when Mulberry, Martin and lower Orange Streets were constructed, to take into consideration the essential need for handling surface water to make drainage for the locality what it should be. It was with this in mind that the city government, in appropriating the sum of $8,500.00 for the Hazel Street project at a meeting held on April 12, 1932, pro- posed to remedy, not only the conditions local to Hazel Street within the limits of the acceptance, but also to handle the much-needed drainage in the locality which was not provided for heretofore.
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An easement was obtained to permit the entrance of a pipe line from the foot of Mulberry Street as accepted at Day Street across some marsh land to the Thacher Brook. This drain line was then carried up Mulberry Street, where side drains were extended through Maitin Street to the intersection with Orange Street and again through Martin Street to Maple Street. The main line was then extended through Mulberry Street from Martin to Hazel Street. From the intersection of Hazel and Mulberry Streets an intercepting drain line was extended through Hazel Street to Maple Street, across Maple Street and about halfway through the block of Hazel Street between Maple and Carpenter Streets, to relieve an annoying condition of long standing.
This line, with the head and buffer wall at the brook, was 21" corrugated coated iron pipe to a manhole at Day Street. From here 18" vitrified pipe con- tinues across Day Street to a combination catch basin on the southerly side of Mulberry Street and a 10" connection with catch basin on the northwesterly corner of Mulberry Street. This 18" line was carried through a manhole to a combination catch basin on the southerly side of Maitin Street at the southeast corner of Mulberry and Martin Streets. The crossing to the southwesterly side of Martin Street, due to structures already in the street which could not be changed, was a double-barrelled one, consisting of a pair of pipe-lines, one 10" and the other 15", both of standard vitrified pipe.
From this combination catch basin a 15" line was run through a manhole up to a combination catch basin on the southeasterly corner of Hazel and Mul- berry Streets. Catch basins were built at the other three corners at this inter- section, all with essential connections.
The intercepting drain was a 10" vitrified pipe line running to a combination basin at the southwest corner of Maple and Hazel Streets. Another combina- tion catch basin with the necessary connection was built at the northwest corner of Hazel and Maple Streets. The 10" line was then extended up to a pair of catch basins on opposite sides of Hazel Street about halfway in the block between Maple and Carpenter Streets.
The drainage line mentioned on Martin Street between Mulberry and Orange Streets was 10" vitrified pipe into a combination basin at the northwest corner of Orange Street and further connected to an additional basin on the southwest corner. The drainage line northerly on Martin Street to Maple Street was 10" vitrified pipe, running from the southwesterly corner of Maple Street and crossing to an additional basin on the northwesterly corner.
A foundation had to be excavated and laid out for the 21" pipe-line across the swamp, after which essential fill for covering and protection was taken care of. Advantage was taken of that season of the year which would permit construction to go forward advantageously owing to a low ground water level. Several boulders which required drilling and blasting were given the necessary treatment. With the drainage taken care of, the grading proceeded apace on Hazel Street. Six trees were cut down and the wood obtained, under orders from the Mayor's office, was left with those abuttors who were definitely in a position to utilize it to good advantage.
As the problem of the grading on Hazel Street was developed arrangements were made by the city government to cover an agreement made by them to pay the sum of $150.00 to Carl O. Anderson for damages, said amount covering his release. A further agreement was made with Mrs. Ethel Martin Peets which contained the clause "In further consideration that the said City construct a wall of a height necessary to retain the present embankment at no cost to the undersigned, the type to be decided by the undersigned." The record fails to indicate that the City signed this agreement. The only signers present on the paper in the hands of the City Clerk are Mrs. Peets and James A. Freeman as a witness. On April 5, 1932, the Municipal Council voted to award damages as follows :-
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"1. To Carl Anderson the sum of $150.00 in accordance with the terms of the signed release on file in the City Clerk's office.
ยท "2. To Ethel Martin Peets the City agrees to construct a wall of suffi- cient height to retain the present embankment." (Notice no money is provided for this work)
It was further necessary, with the work going on in the locality, particularly the drainage excavation to take cognizance of some very unsatisfactory conditions on the water service in this locality, based upon old practice of many years standing which was not conducive to making the best of facilities available for fire protection. This problem in the locality outlined herein merits your very worthy attention and should be progressively improved.
Round corners and graded gutters were set in conjunction with the work detailed at the intersections mentioned. A seven-inch gravel road was con- structed on Hazel Street after the grading was completed. This gravel road received tar surface treatments, after which attention was turned to the sidewalks. These were gravelled, graded, rolled and stone-dust treated. Arrangements were made so that deferred charges and the finishing up of odds and ends of the project could be taken care of in the coming year. This project, in conjunction with the improvements noted for Orange Street, makes one really feel positively cheerful concerning the ultimate development and improvements which we are all so anxious to see take place as needed on the East Side of our City.
CONSTRUCTION OF BUSHEE STREET
In Bushee Street work begun late in 1931 was continued below Hawthorne Street where the excavation was carried on. Gravelling was completed and tar applications made. In addition the gutter and sidewalk grading was carried out and gravel and dust placed on the sidewalks.
Terms were made under which the Lavigne property had a retaining wall and steps placed thereon. At the same time considerable blasting was done to remove some projecting boulders and ledge. Some loam was hauled to appease complaint from Messrs. Seeton, Johnson and Wiggin. This work was done in a spirit of fairness, rather than controvert the agreement.
Barn charges, truck and yard charges, stone and tar products and other materials used had to be taken care of as well as insurance. It may be noted that a great deal of welfare labor was utilized on this project to good advantage. This detail will show in other reports. The improvement of this highway is a wholesome one for the locality. Its completion will be a step in the right direction when and if the proper easements are obtained to control adequately the drainage from this and other streets in the locality. I believe this matter has had some study from the city government but I have heard of no final decision concerning it.
SIDEWALK CURBING FOR CAPRON PARK, HORTON FIELD AND SOUTH ATTLEBORO SCHOOL
A small balance in this account has been kept for the work as outlined. None of this money was expended during the current year because of the fact that despite repeated requests from this department, nothing has been done to settle up the conditions which would control drainage and safety to a considerable degree at the Newport Avenue schoolhouse site.
CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS-HAWTHORNE STREET
When Bushee Street was constructed and the Lavigne property had a re- taining wall and steps placed on the Bushee Street side, there was an unfinished
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job left on Hawthorne Street where in a previous year this street had been brought to its proper grade, leaving an embankment at the Lavigne property. A similar condition on Hawthorne Street existed at Dr. Lake's property, leaving the proper- ty line fence practically hanging in the air and the embankment in a condition unsatisfactory to the owner. The legal phase of the situation, insofar as the work was carried out to accommodate the grade layout, was quite strongly on the side of the City. A common sense and fair play view of the conditions, all circum- stances considered, warranted an opinion from the Mayor and city government. This matter was taken up with these officers and arrangements were made by a transfer of $350.00 from the account "Reserve Fund for Transfers" whereby the cost of construction of walls located on the properties of Lake and Lavigne would be covered. This was voted by the Municipal Council at a meeting of September 20, and was approved by the Mayor on September 26, 1932.
Considerable of the material was obtained by close watch on our other work so that cobble walls, excellently built, with the necessary steps, were thus ob- tained at a minimum cost. There are some deferred charges which cover our trucks and tools, etc., which will be taken up in the coming year. The City certainly lost none of its reputation for fairness in having this work carried out. The people being served have expressed themselves as delighted with the quality of the job delivered to them.
WATER STREET DRAIN
Our plans for current work during the year included a stone penetration job of resurfacing on Water Street, between Hodges Street and the Ten Mile River bridge. It was essential to protect the investment for this work that ade- quate drainage be placed. No funds were available under our maintenance account.
On recommendation of the department, the city government supplied the sum of $850.00 for materials and supervision. This appropriation, with welfare labor available, gave us the proper background to proceed with the surfacing job of Water Street as outlined. This drainage consisted of the laying of 683.3 feet of twelve-inch pipe and 27 feet of 10" connections, and the con- struction of one standard manhole and one standard catch basin, as well as three combination catch basins.
The $850.00 item was obtained by a transfer from the 1928 Sewer Extension Account to the Water Street Drain Account at a meeting held by the Municipal Council on June 21, 1932, this transfer being approved by the Mayor on June 27,1932.
On Water Street this drainage operates from the foot of the hill and adjacent to Kilby Street up to and including the Ten Mile River bridge approach on its southerly side.
SOUTH MAIN AND ORANGE STREET DRAIN
About ten years ago, after a considerable discussion, it was decided to adopt a part of a plan for drainage which concerned the lower East Side. A small portion of the drainage constructed was the corrugated pipe line running from the river through Clarence Street to South Main Street, thence extending a short way on South Main Street in both directions to accommodate catch basins in the sag present between Orange and Lamb Streets.
At the time this work was authorized the decision was made after the city government had complete possession of the facts concerning the East Side drainage and the costs for improving same. It was admitted at the time that an open
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ditch through the Lamb property was not desirable so that the small portion of the scheme constructed was put in with the idea of handling the situation at that location temporarily for ten years. Constantly extension of this project through South Main and Orange Streets, as far as Parker Street, had been recommended, but to no avail. This project was also favored at the start of the depression as one which would favorably employ unskilled labor.
Following considerable discussion, on April 12, 1932, the Municipal Council appropriated the sum of $3,700.00 to begin this project, said appropriation being approved by the Mayor on April 20, 1932. This work was operated as part of a job relief program and excellent progress and results were obtained. The line was carried in South Main Street to Orange Street, then pushed through the hill to a point just beyond Lafayette Street, whereupon $500.00 was transferred by a vote of the Municipal Council on July 5, 1932, from the 1928 Sewer Extension Account to the South Main and Orange Street Drain Account, thus permitting the work to go forward again a considerable distance. The bulk of the labor used for this part of the work was supplied by the Welfare Department.
This carried the work to a point just beyond Pine Street, with the designed catch basins, manholes and connections. Later on in the year advantage was taken in the interests of the taxpayers to utilize welfare help under our mainte- nance accounts and carry the project through to its key position at the inter- section of Parker and Orange Streets. This intersection, as well as that at the corner of South Main and Orange Streets, had carried a great rush of surface water, making it practically impassable during stormy weather. This drain con- struction relieves these conditions at once and the administration is planning to ease the flow at Orange and Parker Streets with catch basins and by running an intercepting line with basins up Parker Street to the corner of Mulberry Street, where there has been constant and considerable drainage trouble.
It is to be hoped that later a drain line extension can be carried along Orange Street to James Street and thence projected to cover essential adjacent street intersections on James Street. When the project is completed as designed it will certainly be a major improvement of great value to the locality it serves. Even with such part of it as is completed at present, dozens of the folks living in the locality have seen fit to compliment the department on the results obtained, as well as upon the excellent dollar value received in carrying out the work.
This drainage in three parts, carried out under the original appropriation, then under the transfer and later on under maintenance, can be listed as funda- mentally a permanent improvement. Construction having been completed, it permitted the laying of the improved street surface which is spoken of in this report on Orange Street, between South Main and Pine Streets. To appreciate the importance or magnitude of the operations already completed one should study the profile.
Beginning at an existing drain manhole in South Main Street at the head of Clarence Street a 24" vitrified pipe line was laid across the street to a manhole and thence carried up South Main Street to a manhole at the corner of Orange Street, from where it was carried to a manhole opposite Lafayette Street. From here the pipe size was reduced to 20". This pipe size was maintained along Orange Street through a manhole at the Pine Street intersection and a manhole in front of No. 29 Orange Street to a combination catch basin position on the southwesterly corner of Orange and Parker Streets.
On South Main Street opposite Clarence Street, a catch basin was changed over to connect with the new line. At South Main and Orange Streets two catch basins with connections were constructed, necessary circle corners and sidewalk improvements being taken care of. At Lafayette Street another pair of catch basins with connections was constructed. Here also circle corners, gutters ad- justments and necessary sidewalk improvements at the returns were completed. At the northeasteily corner of Pine Street a catch basin with connection was placed. Circle curb and gutter adjustment with sidewalk improvement was also completed.
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The pipe to finish the last few feet of the diain line to the intersection at Parker Street was on the ground and the work in process at the turn of the year. A further report will be made on the details covering the Orange and Parker Street intersection, the intercepting line to Mulberry Street and the basins at the Parker and Mulberry Street intersection in the coming year.
HOLDEN STREET RIVER BRIDGE
A small balance of $10.11 available under the Holden Street River Bridge Account was utilized in embankment work adjacent thereto.
EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY OPERATION
The scant balance available under this account was properly utilized against the emergency of washing out the wells at the Wading River supply. It will be remembered that the initial washing and cleaning out of the well-field was com- pleted by the B. F. Smith Company at a considerable cost in the year 1931. The appropriation for this work was handled through the office of the Mayor.
Our work in cleaning the fields this year improved appreciably the results obtainable from the Wading River source of supply. The improvement however can not be considered as a permanent one. This should be borne in mind in planning to make the supply available for the purpose for which is was con- constructed. While this source of supply has imposed innumerable burdens upon the department, there are times when there is no alternative but its use, even though at a relatively small degree and at a rate which, while not efficient, allows a minimum amount of complaint from our water-takers.
As has been before stated by this department, effort without stint or delay is recommended immediately to give to the City an opportunity to obtain a completely satisfactory water supply for its large investment in the Wading River project.
CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR STREET
The balance of $141.09 carried over for the Major Street Account was very scant to finish the work as was desired, so that while the surfacing and finish dressing were completed and an application of tar placed, we were unable, due to lack of funds in this account, to properly distribute overhead charges. The city government was informed to this effect. They took no action and the burden was of necessity absorbed in our maintenance accounts. Excellent results, satisfactory to the people in the locality, were obtained. Unless work of this kind stands on its merits, our equipment will ultimately become junk, due to the fact that funds are not provided to prevent it.
As was reported previously, the job could not have been accomplished without the aid of welfare labor which was assigned to the department for work.
CONSTRUCTION OF TYLER STREET
Tyler Street, a short street running southerly from South Main Street be- tween Thacher and Locust Streets, was laid out by a vote of the Municipal Council on July 5, 1932, which was approved by the Mayor on July 12, 1932. This layout was for a street 533.9 feet long and 45 feet wide. The street has two sidewalks, each seven feet wide. There are thirty-one feet in the vehicular way.
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