USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1934 > Part 17
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The expenditure under the street cleaning sub-division of our highway maintenance and operation account for the year 1934 was $1,970.80.
Compare this expenditure to that during the year 1920 which amounted to $7,998.46, even though a more difficult task was performed during the current year.
Here again, by taking advantage of conditions present for the maximum benefit to our city and its tax-payers, this result was obtained. Opportunity is present when funds are available to do more work under this account. This work, to obtain the maximum advantage therefrom, should have coupled with it a definite and fixed program of weed-killing and brush-cutting by the City Forester's department, so that at least some of the benefits obtained might have a per- manency not present up to this time in spite of prior departmental recommenda- tions along these lines.
Here again lack of equipment, both new and replacements, owing to no funds being provided, hinders departmental efforts, making doubly hard our task of obtaining the results we have delivered. Positive recommendation for essential equipment has been made by this department on many occasions and has never had the support it deserves, sufficient to obtain said equipment. It is to be hoped the city government will remedy the condition for the public benefit.
STREET PATCHING
Depression periods bring to most of our minds the idea of patching wherever possible. Our highways seem to be no exception to this general psychology. With public funds available in the community our school expenditures have been rather well maintained. This also seems to be true for the essential public safety departments, fire and police, except for pay cuts in these departments. Yet the highway department, covering roadways which of necessity children use going to school, which police need to do their work and without which your fire depart- ment becomes impotent in emergencies, seems to have taken, counter to its importance to the community, the top hole on depression psychology and has gone to patching.
In this city the fallacy of this policy was directly proven as in the early days of the municipality, especially during war time, the patching policy finally carried the city into concentrated expensive highway construction expenditures, the analysis of which show some units in cost which are unsatisfactory.
Present also to hinder our patching is the sual highway department problem of worn-out equipment and the need for using unskilled help, over which the usual powers permitting results desired in industry, are not present within the department jurisdiction. It seems too bad the people who complain regularly because there is no change cannot appreciate the facts present in our work of patching on the highway. I am certain if they would only realize that most of this untrained help suffers as severely from the traffic hazards and dangers while engaged in working, as they do from the physical strain and tortures owing to lack of training, and knowledge, some complaints would be turned into sound admiration for the courage of a great many of those men who really are trying to be independent and feel that they have earned their way.
Full advantage has been taken of every opportunity to reduce the money expended under this sub-division. Our record of materials used demonstrates sensibly a high efficiency in management which has paid in the year 1934, a remarkable dividend to our taxpayers. The intricacies of a correct analysis of this expenditure, because of factors not normal, seems to have hampered the desire
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of a few stray loud-speakers to ascertain the truth, while most of our people without knowing it, compliment us highly by taking for granted all of the very splendid results obtained when measuring actual financial expenditures against said results.
Definitely, positively and without delay, the importance of equipping our highway department and properly placing the equipment and plant at our high- way yard should be decisively settled upon, while aid funds may be obtained to help out and thus permit us to be advantageously situated when this part of our highway maintenance and depression conditions move on and normal times return.
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE
How few people remember that immediately after the employment of the writer on this job in Attleboro he began a movement to obtain sidewalks on state highways, said walks to be paid for by the Commonwealth and to be included in the initial cost of construction of said highways.
Few people remember the success obtained and the engineering reasons advanced to obtain it, when the gravel sidewalk on the easterly side of Washington Street was extended, replaced and constructed years ago by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Today, fourteen years later, we find that practically all of our public approves of and desires the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to do just exactly these things, in the interests of public safety on high-speed state highways made so by modern pavement construction sponsored by the above-mentioned Commonwealth. Thoroughly first-class work of this kind would eliminate in Attleboro physical danger to the pedestrian's person and primary rights on the state highway. It would be of incomparable benefit in establishing a definite policy so that improved walks would be the rule rather than the exception allowing sensible advantages to be obtained from sidewalk maintenance expenditures.
This community, in spite of departmental recommendations, just cannot seem to concentrate enough on a sidewalk maintenance improvement program to give our people that desired kind and mileage of sidewalk which I feel they deserve, especially under present-day circumstances and conditions.
The relatively few dollars spent cover a great number of miles on gravel, dust, tar and concrete sidewalks, as well as resetting granite curbing and gutter paving. Of necessity, with the small amount of funds available, our projects allowable have been so limited as to prevent the starting of several which we know to be worthy. The idea seems to be that in keeping our budget down sacrifice should be made in this direction.
Analysis of the 1934 work under the account cannot be made, unless in addition to this record consideration is given to C. W. A. and E. R. A. sidewalk replacement allowed on tar walks, within which were public service duct-line trench patches at least ten years old.
Sufficient reason of course had to be advanced with the Federal authorities before they would approve this kind of work. In the normal part of the year for it we were not allowed to take up projects of this type on the basis that it would tend to reduce regular work and usual expenditures to be expected from the City itself. This interpretation has been subjected to several changes since and many walks have been placed. This account should involve a fixed policy and the public should be educated to the benefits of such a policy, so that they would completely understand it and have reasonable assurance there would be no discrimination.
I urge and recommend that the money to be expended on sidewalk main- tenance and improvement annually be increased to a size and amount com- mensurate with the community funds available and the positive public im- portance of this kind of work, bearing in mind the need for immediate improve-
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ment. Expenditures as recorded for the year 1934 reach into every section of the city and include the city's contribution for an E. R. A. effort on a sizeable gravel sidewalk project covering material, equipment, plant and supervising labor.
Included in the report is a list of streets upon which work was done chargeable to the account, forcing knowledge that on those not carrying an E. R. A. designa- tion, the money was very thinly spread, when it was made to cover proportionate charges of gasoline, automobile, cement, tools, compressor charges, proportionate costs on hay, straw, grain, telephone, harnesses, pieces of curb and several other smaller items. Though our expenditure is small, results reflecting to our credit on the problem here are really sizeable and important.
EQUIPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
Arrangements were made when our work was outlined for the year to over- haul and bring up to general good condition all of our highway equipment but the continued expansion of E. R. A. projects for which this department has assumed responsible supervision prevented carrying out the work.
The facts are that the E. R. A. allotment practically doubled and every bit of equipment available was of necessity used on nearly every good working day. As a result the equipment was in use and repairs were made only when absolutely required. A great deal of our overhauling had to be sacrificed in the interests of keeping all of the men over whom we had supervision busy, due to the fact that funds were not available to obtain the new equipment desirable to properly equip the projects which the City accepted and which the government insisted should be carried out forthwith.
Once again the contribution of the department from funds within its budget under this account was a factor of far more importance than bookkeeping will show, as the extra work which the equipment handled, while not paid for by practical and complete replacements during the year, will have to be reckoned with in the life of the equipment involved and in its replacement and adjustment expenditure.
ROAD ROLLERS
Our eighteen year old steam roller was busily engaged whenever and where- ever possible in carrying out department and E. R. A. work. Its maintenance was kept at a minimum, due not only to the necessity for employing it on so many working days, but to prevent loss of earnings on the rental basis with credits allowed us by the government, a bookkeeping transaction of importance running into a sizeable amount in favor of the City on highway projects submitted.
The same may be said of our gasoline roller. It must be noted that like all machinery, even though the best of care is taken of it, this heavy duty highway equipment is bound to wear out. The city government is advised at this time that replacements and expansion in the number of units of this type of equipment should be taken care of. Our special accounts carried such expense as was per- missible in the operating costs of the units in question.
HIGHWAY AUTO MAINTENANCE
Comparatively, our people should realize the progress that has been made in changing over highway department mobile equipment since 1921 in April, when the writer began his service with this department.
At that time we had two pair of horses to draw an old double cart and a second-hand Western dump wagon. In addition we had two single horses drawing two old single carts, backed up with an old Maxwell truck of doubtful performance and capacity.
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In that year of 1921 two Mack dump trucks were purchased, one an AC model and the other an AB model. Continuously and up to the present time, these trucks have been in service. Since that time the Mack fleet has expanded to six trucks, another AC truck being purchased in 1926, one in 1928 and still another in 1930. A BG Mack was also purchased in the year 1930.
Our horse-drawn units vanished as the horses died. Truck units mentioned were acquired even though we kept constantly reducing our annual highway maintenance expenditures and always stayed within our budget allowances.
In addition, small Chevrolet trucks were obtained-one in 1929, two in 1930 and one in 1932.
A model AA Ford dump truck was obtained in 1929 and is still in service.
In 1931, our engineering work being spread due to depression circumstances and welfare labor, a Model A Ford pick-up was obtained for our engineers.
When C. W. A. work started in 1933 arrangements were made, within our budget figures, to purchase a Ford hydraulic dump truck and a Ford pick-up truck. In addition, from funds available, E. R. A. work necessitating additional City contributions found answer in the purchase of a new Ford truck dump in the latter part of the year 1934.
Besides the equipment noted above we have in service, carrying an Ingersoll- Rand compressor, a Model T Ford truck chassis obtained in 1925.
In addition to these units the Fordson full crawler tractor purchased in 1926 and a second full crawler tractor purchased in 1927, after working practically all of these years through 1934, were found to be practically worn out. It was decided to make one reasonably good tractor out of these two old Fordson full crawlers, thus eliminating the No. 1 crawler tractor unit from our property list. We have a wheel tractor formerly used with a backfiller arrangement purchased in 1926. The gap in our tractor equipment was made up by a new Fordson full crawler unit purchased late in 1934.
Only because of its importance as compared to the amount of $535.97 which is recorded as being expended for highway auto maintenance have I gone into such detail with this list. Common sense would indicate that insofar as we were compelled to work all of these units without cessation for the full year a very material investment return to the City should be taken into consideration in ob- serving our operations. The very small amount of money expended under the high- way auto maintenance account definitely indicates first, that most all of our work as carried on has or will stand on its own feet in caring for the motor equipment utilized and secondly-that the pressure of our very intensive operations, wide- spread and far-flung as they were throughout the City, necessitated getting along with as little repair work and overhauling as was possible for the moment, thus delaying a great deal of overhauling, repairing and painting which must be done to properly keep the fleet in condition.
The alternative, of course, is the progressive policy suggested before by this department of maintaining an intelligent replacement program which, up to now, has been totally ignored by the city government.
ROAD OIL AND TAR
Comparatively and over an extended period of years the money available under the Road Oil and Tar account was considerably shrunk for the year 1934, in spite of the fact that our road mileage had increased.
Expenditures for operating must be matched against benefits obtained when necessity compelled provision for the City's contribution on projects. Especially is this true when it is borne in mind that the projects mentioned herein were accepted by the City, without having provided any funds for their contribution which would allow the organization of the work and the carrying out of it to completion.
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Thus control of the Road Oil and Tar account far from being normal for the year was forced by circumstances outside the control of the department to be handled as an adjusting factor of serious importance in keeping some of our E. R. A. work going. The intricacies and importance of the problem our people never seem to find interest in. The benefits obtained after great study they see, appreciate for a moment and promptly forget. The record, therefore, is of great importance, particularly as it permits no successful challenge to the results obtained from the dollars available from whatever source possible for the carry- ing out of permanent improvements on an investment basis. The set-up, with the coordinations available at the several different seasons of the year, supports the normal distribution of labor and materials in the general account.
Far greater yardage was obtained than is indicated by our labor item when it is borne in mind we purchased 7,232 gallons of Tarvia B, 860 gallons of No. 4 oil, 20,160 gallons of No. 6 oil and 12,900 gallons of cut-back asphalt, utilizing for cover about 800 cubic yards of sand and approximately 105 cubic yards of peastone. The price on sand had practically doubled due to the code, the legality of which was doubtful, yet which no one seemed to want to break. It will be seen that difficulty prevailed in budgeting this account. The price of the oils also had an increase over previous years, while the tar held to about its previous quotation.
Truck, horse, barn, deferred and other charges are included in our general account.
Without doubt, carrying our outlying roads for thirteen years after having them dressed has been quite a job, particularly in view of our constantly shrinking funds available and in the light of the ever increasing weights and amount of traffic they have been subjected to. Substantially extensive programs should be developed to scarify, widen and extend better gravel surfaces with treatment on these roads. As they exist, in spite of the wear they have had, they have been a splendid investment and deserve on their earnings the improvements mentioned. Rarely indeed do we have complaints on our outside roads. With improved conditions in the City we should reasonably expect the improvements recommended.
BRIDGES, FENCES AND CULVERTS
Full advantage was taken of the fact, in keeping at the lowest possible expenditure on our bridges, fences and culverts, of the very excellent work which had been done in the previous years.
This minimum 1934 expenditure cannot on the face of it be maintained, bearing in mind the number of river and railroad bridges, culverts, guard fences and other structures included for maintenance under the account labeled Bridges, Fences and Culverts. Only the barest maintenance work which had to be done was performed so that such funds as were available could be contributed toward the City's part of the expanding E. R. A. accounts.
Small culvert repairs were made on Baltic Street. Small bridge and guard fence repairs were made on County and Cliff Streets. At Cumberland Avenue and between the Cranberry ponds blockaded culverts were cleaned out, while some of the old Garden Street box culvert, long since abandoned, was filled in where it had collapsed. On a great many other streets as included in the list given herein fence repairs, most of which were minor, and current maintenance, were given care, while our bridges were kept safe and passable.
The larger items of expenditure included late in the year were for purchases of material for a 20" culvert on Pleasant Street, a 20" and 24" culvert on Read Street and an 18" culvert on Slater Street near the Norton line. Excessively severe winter weather prevented the completion of all of the culvert work for which material was bought late in the year. The market is in an upward swing on material of this kind and the purchase was a doubly sound investment for the City.
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Essential foot-bridge repairs were taken care of at the Hebronville overpass, while our general account cared for apportioned expenses controlled by regular inspection and maintenance properly chargeable hereunder. No reason has ever been given for ignoring the need for widening our overpass approaches and placing thereon, with sufficient shoulder clearance, guard fences of a permanent nature. This recommendation has been made by the department on countless occasions. I believe it should be started and progressively continued. Bridges have hampered with a throat restriction artery traffic on several of our highways. These conditions should be remedied at least in part each year.
CRUSHERS
The diversity of our work enabled us to obtain a real benefit under our crushers account. The labor item was very low, amounting to $74.44, while the materials expenditure amounted to $1,425.44. This was in excess of the amount originally projected on the work-sheets but advantage was taken with Federal funds for the labor to completely repair and paint our bins at South Attleboro, also to overhaul and repair platform, bins and other fixtures at North Avenue. Consistent use was made of both plants whenever opportunity offered in keeping our gravel banks cleaned up for a maximum use, particularly in winter, when advantageous employment of labor, without the heavy expense of materials, reacted beneficially for this city in keeping local lists busy improving outlying roads and sidewalks. Our storage piles of material grew, due to the practical benefit of our crushing plants in times like these. This proved to be a very sound investment, operated on a cohesive plan and reaped material benefits for our local tax-payers.
TEN MILE RIVER AND THACHER BROOK
Expenditures were kept down to practically the lowest ebb on record, due to the fact that the Federal government allowed us a brook project which was of great temporary benefit to the whole east side, while the benefits of the C. C. C. work on the river were still present. It seems too bad that serious thought and constructive progressive planning, with a small part being completed each year, is not undertaken to successfully cope with the problems present in considering the presence, care and benefits of these two streams.
INSURANCE
Departmental efficiency, bearing in mind all of the circumstances and conditions which affect our outside work, has been maintained to that point where the unbiased records of our compensation and liability rates of insurance are considerably better than in other localities in the Commonwealth, I have been creditably informed.
The recurring conversation one hears at intervals concerning consolidation of all of the fire insurance for City property, long since recommended by this department, pops up now and again with no record of any results at hand.
RENT-MAYNARD STREET LAND
The usual rental of $69.60 was paid for the lot we rent on Maynard Street, upon which is located our elevated storage tank to use for asphaltic material. The lot was used for storage of square and cobble paving stone and other bulk supplies.
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VACATIONS
The vacations legally due to those of our men employed in the highway division were taken care of up to the point where it was possible, without hamper- ing the work at hand, either by losing the experienced men or increasing costs. We were not able to completely take care of time due these men. There has been no complaint from this personnel, as the writer acting under instructions received from the Mayor, expects to see that all of the time off due our men is granted to them.
SIGNS, CLOCK AND NUMBERS
Continuously for the last dozen years this department has desired and recommended a progressive improvement in marking properly all of the accepted streets within the City limits with proper street signs of considerable permanency. Consistently the city government has ignored the policy as recommended by the simple expedient of neglecting to provide for the improvement desired. It is not strange therefore that regularly at intervals, when the matter of street signs comes to public attention, there is a stir to find out why an improvement in street signs in this city has failed to materialize. A few facts are noted and the matter continues to simmer without solution.
During the year 1934 a very advantageous expenditure, even though small, was obtained in connection with our street sign work. Sixty replacements and two hundred and two new street signs were taken care of at a total cost of $176.50. These signs were painted on wooden blanks, which were then made fast to poles or trees conveniently located. Of the amount mentioned the sum of $69.75, while paid for labor, was used in taking care of city bills overdue. It was fortun- ate from the standpoint of the results obtained that such coordination was possible as it has benefited a sign-painter, the public and the City Collector's office. It is not be be expected that there will be recurrence of the circumstances which made this arrangement possible.
The problem of supplying house numbers was simplified considerably by the drastic reduction in applications because of limited building operations.
The City clock charges for $128.98 are eloquent in that they are less than in some previous years. This job of maintenance continues to be taken care of by Mr. William Josselyn in an excellent manner.
The record of achievement under the Signs, Clock and Numbers account is unparallelled in this city when costs are taken into account.
INCIDENTALS
The highway division Incidentals account, in addition to caring for a few minor expenditures, handled essential charges for the Attleboro "Clean-up" week of April 28th, when the city government decided this department would pick up rubbish on a schedule in the several different wards, neglecting at the same time to provide any funds for the purpose.
Immediate expenditures had to be made, while delayed or overhead charges will of necessity be postponed or transferred.
SNOW AND ICE
Few people in the city pay sufficient attention to the actual facts concerning snow and ice expenditures. Few people realize the problem present when it snows heavily in Attleboro, with its area approximating twenty-eight square miles. Few people take the time to think that practically everybody wants his
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