USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1936 > Part 12
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During the year we have used to the best advantage the Federal relief labor allotted to this department. Various types of construction were included in the projects operated, such as pavement, drainage, water line and general grading construction. In every case the projects undertaken and completed have been necessary and desirable improvements. In general this department has been well satisfied with the work performed under the Federal relief projects, realizing the various difficulties which are inherent with this type of work.
In the following paragraphs I will take up separately the various divisions of the Public Works Department, their activities and recommendations for each.
In conclusion I wish to express full appreciation to His Honor, the Mayor, Members of the City Council and to every employee of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
R. W. Mawney, Superintendent Public Works.
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ANNUAL REPORT
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
The personnel of this division consists of an office force of four clerks. To enumerate and describe the many duties and work of this department would not only be difficult, but involved and lengthy. However, a few moments study of the departmental organization chart would convince the reader of the efficiency of this department in handling the vast amount of office work in connection with the various divisions of the Public Works Department.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division has worked with an increasing effort during the year to keep abreast with the engineering work in both field and office which the numerous Federal relief projects and regular city projects constantly require. In addition to the projects there is routine work which must be constantly attended to, design work, cost estimates and cost records. During the year more than an average number of new street layouts and studies have been made, necessitating both office and field work. The above is merely an outline of the duties of the engineers; however a more detailed account would be lengthy due to the tech- nicalities and varying conditions which each type of work and individual project presents.
This department is still lacking sufficient vault space for the increasing number of plans. For several years now this unfavorable condition has existed, and I strongly recommend additional vault space at the earliest time so that we may properly and adequately file the plans and relieve the congestion in the engineer's office and in our present vault which we share with other departments.
CITY SURVEY
In July after a study of the desirability of extending the replatting of the city which was begun some years ago, we added to our engineering force three men who during the summer did extensive field work in preparation for making new plats. In the early fall two men were retained to continue the field work and during the winter months they were active in the office computing and draft- ing plat cards. Up to the end of the year these men have completed twelve new plat cards, in addition to having on hand considerable data for additional cards.
I recommend that this work be continued as it is my opinion that the saving to the city will more than offset any expenditure for this work.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
In this division is conducted a large portion of the activities of the depart- ment. With the addition of the Federal relief projects to the regular city main- tenance work, the force has been worked to the utmost of its capacity without impairment of service.
At this time I wish to go into greater detail concerning my recommendations for new work and new equipment under the Highway division. First, I wish to make clear that at the present time they are, in my opinion, the most desirable and necessary improvements or additions; secondly, I realize the difficulty in attaining the completion or addition of them all in the ensuing year. However, they are the major problems at hand and should be realized as quickly as possible for the benefit and profit of our community.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Improvements
We have in the city approximately one hundred miles of roadway. A considerable portion of this is in outlying districts and at the present time they are sadly in need of resurfacing. For this reason I urgently recommend that money be made available to enable this department to progressively carry on this work to its completion within a reasonable time to prevent, in the future, the necessity of a large appropriation overburdening both the public and this department. In addition to the general resurfacing of these rural roads it is necessary that shoulders be built of gravel and treated with a bituminous material to protect the public using the roads and conserve the existing pavements. This work should not be neglected.
Oak Hill Avenue from Thurber Avenue to the Seekonk line should be recon- structed in the near future. High maintenance cost coupled with increasing traffic on this road makes it both practical and advisable. It would not be necessary to construct an expensive pavement of the heavy duty type, as a lighter type would fill the requirements.
Fighland Avenue from Washington Street to the Cumberland line not only requires resurfacing, but proper drainage. It is heavily travelled, and in some seasons hardly passable at certain points. The drainage problem will require considerable study for two pertinent reasons: first, due to a condition of per- colating surface water, and secondly, the difficulty in providing an outlet for the drainage system. Any improvement on a pavement structure involving an appreciable expenditure must take into consideration the drainage problem. The time has come when serious consideration of this improvement should not be postponed.
Lower County Street from County Square southerly to the Pawtucket line, particularly at one point, has been practically impassable at various times. Considerable time and money have been spent both from city funds and through Federal relief projects to improve this roadway, and during the summer under city funds and with material salvaged from the County Street and North Main Street old pavement, approximately six-tenths of a mile was rebuilt at a small cost. Up to the end of the year this portion of the road has remained in an excellent condition. In view of the possibilities of this road as a supplementary route into Rhode Island, and its present load of traffic, I recommend a program of progressive construction for this road to be completed as soon as possible.
An important feature in public improvements in any community is the construction of proper and adequate sidewalk facilities. A good deal of the responsibility lies with the property owner, as under our Ordinances the abuttor applies for granolithic walks and granite curbing to the city authorities which, if granted, the entire cost of said construction is divided equally between property owner and city. Today we too often construct excellent road pavements and the sidewalks are not improved; we do not provide equal facilities for both pedes- trians and vehicular traffic to the detriment of appearance and general use of the highway. During the early fall of the year an extensive W. P. A. granolithic sidewalks and curbing project was begun, and considerable progress made up to the end of the year. in the spring of 1937 this project will again open up and work will be continued through the summer to its completion. I want to stress not only the importance but admirable qualities of this type of work as a public improvement. Through this project the abuttors were able to obtain these improvements at one-half the usual cost. At the present time we have consider- able amount of old tar walk which is in poor condition, and an effort should be made to replace it with modern construction.
Consideration of more of this work under a Federal relief project, should they continue, or through regular city channels would be commendable.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Along Thacher Street from County Square to its intersection with South Avenue, construction of proper drainage facilities should be considered for com- pletion at an early date. This improvement would be a natural supplement to the new construction in this locality, in addition to its being a necessary part of roadway reconstruction along the portion of Thacher Street mentioned.
The recommendations I have made perhaps seem to cover more improve- ments than could be made within a reasonable time and within a reasonable expenditure. I am of the opinion that all of these conditions could be met providing we had at our disposal the proper equipment, and my following recom- mendations for additional equipment are made with the view in mind of reducing unit construction costs to such an extent that improvements impossible to achieve by using hand labor with the funds available, could by modern methods with new equipment be attained. As I have stated previously, the first cost would seem high, but when apportioned over the life of the equipment and the amount of work accomplished, the cost would soon be absorbed by the savings effected. Again I wish to say that I believe it is our only alternative in satisfying the increasing demands for improvements within the limited funds available. Following are my recommendations for the additional equipment necessary :
1. Shovel of five-eighths or three-quarter yard capacity. We have the supporting equipment necessary for this item. It is absolutely necessary to obtain this item if lower construction costs are to be achieved.
2. Mechanical loader for use in snow removal and loading materials in yard or gravel banks.
3. Three sidewalk plow and tractor units for sidewalk plowing. During the year we have purchased one unit complete, and we rebuilt an old tractor and purchased a plow for same. With the two present units and three new additional units, the old method of horse and plow for sidewalk use will be elimi- nated. Actually we have no choice in this matter as it is practically impossible to obtain the horses necessary to do the work of plowing. As the public demand for better plowed sidewalks is increasing, this investment would be sound.
4. Mixing machine for mixing bituminous patch in maintenance work.
5. Bulldozer unit for attachment to tractor. This unit is very valuable as an aid in grading operations.
6. Road Rollers-Every year considerable money is spent for maintenance of our old rollers. At present we have one steam roller twenty-one years old, and one gasoline roller eight years old. The steam roller should be replaced at the earliest possible time as the cost of maintaining is becoming increasingly excessive. The need for a small tandem roller for maintenance work on patching and sidewalk work is becoming constantly greater and provisions for its purchase should be made in the near future.
7. Mechanical Rotary Sweeper-for use in street sweeping.
8. Light Trucks-In keeping with the general practice of renewing certain equipment each year, I recommend that two light trucks be purchased during 1937 for the highway department. This should be carried out to prevent exces- sive purchases in following years.
Road Oil and Tar
With an increasing number of roadways being built each year it becomes necessary to add continuously to the mileage which requires treatment with bituminous materials. In order to properly care for the paved roads which we have, this account should be increased annually to protect the investment which
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ANNUAL REPORT
the community has made in new construction. The ordinary pavement requires a treatment approximately every three years. At present this account is not sufficient for this maintenance which is a detriment to our roadway system. Tabulations of expenditures for the year under this account follows:
Road Oil and Tar
Item
Labor
Total
Oil, Tar and Sand
$ 877.76
Material $4,321.39 184.71
$5,199.15 184.71
General.
Total
$ 877.76
$4,505.10
$5,383.86
Resurfacing
The money made available under this account is hardly enough for placing cold patch in the holes that constantly appear. It has reached a state on some of our roads that nothing but the patches remain, and that reconstruction is absolutely necessary.
A constructive program should be followed in taking care of a certain mileage each year.
The expenditures for the year under this account are as follows:
Resurfacing
Item
Total
Resurfacing
663.16
Resurfacing (repairing frost-heaves, wash-outs, etc.)
400.14
South Main Street-"Emergency" 7/9/36 (clearing trees and debris due to electrical storm)
269.28
General.
126.18
Total
$1,458.76
Drains
To have an efficient drainage system it is necessary that each year every catch basin be cleaned as this prevents clogging or slow run-off of the water. During the year every catch basin throughout the city was cleaned, a large part of the labor being obtained from the welfare rolls to accomplish this task. The fact remains, however, that funds allotted for our drain maintenance is in- sufficient.
At various locations there are undesirable conditions existing which could be remedied at a small individual cost, and construction of which I would recom- mend at an early date. Below is a listing of these and the work required.
At the corner of School and Union Streets there should be constructed one catch basin with a connecting pipe line to existing drainage. The cost of this construction would be $150.00.
Beginning at Atwood Street running along James Street, crossing Park Avenue and running to an angle point on Parker Street, the construction of this extension would eliminate undesirable conditions now existing due to no
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ANNUAL REPORT
provisions for drainage. The proposed drainage would include construction of one manhole, three catch basins, and 300 feet of pipe at a cost of $900.00.
Beginning on Benefit Street from present drainage system and running up Benefit Street to the north side of Bicknell Street, the construction would consist of one catch basin, and 250 feet of 10-inch pipe at a cost of $500.00.
The expenditures for the year for this account is as follows:
Drains Maintenance
Item
Labor
Material
Total
Falmouth Street
48.11
$ 1.20
$ 49.31
Curtis Avenue.
31.80
31.80
Olive Street.
58.24
48.10
106.34
Robinson Avenue
101.93
1.80
103.73
Thacher Street. .
80.94
80.94
Drain and Basin Repair
88.65
35.46
124.11
Cleaning Catch Basins
1,125.28
110.58
1,235.86
Total
$1,534.95
$ 197.14
$1,732.09
Street Patching
The amount of patching of road pavements which should be done is much greater than the amount permissible under the allotment granted for this work. Approached from a standpoint other than financial, we find that the necessity for patching could be eliminated to a large extent through proper bituminous treatment of our roadways at certain intervals, and by treating shoulders with a bituminous material. It would be more agreeable to this department and more profitable to the community to allot a larger amount for Road Oil and Tar, than increasing amounts for road patching. Our efforts should be exerted towards the elimination of the cause of excessive patching; not only would this give us a more desirable roadway, but it would protect investments made in a road system.
Street Patching (Bituminous and Gravel) Labor and Material Account
117.33 Tons No. 2 Stone and 76.0 Tons Peastone.
$
224.07
11,055 gallons Asphalt Patch. 1,160.80
150 gallons Asphalt Binder "C" 17.25
3060 gallons Bitumuls H. R. M.
344.87
250 gallons Bitumuls X. R. M.
28.18
100 gallons Tarvia K. P.
12.25
10.3 tons Type E No. 1 Hot Topping
76.71
Truck and horse operating charges
371.58
Miscellaneous-Sand, gravel and small items. 332.84
Labor-Mixing, placing, handling material
3,435.78
Total.
$6,004.33
Street Sweeping
Previous to the last several years a much larger amount was usually ap- propriated for this account than for during the present year. Consequently
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ANNUAL REPORT
the area covered had to be reduced substantially. With the allotment available everything was done to accomplish the maximum work.
I wish to repeat a recommendation made above, that the city purchase a mechanical rotary sweeper with an operator employed for full time. This would enable us to extend tremendously the area covered and the frequency of sweeping. The result of insufficient sweeping of streets results in an increasing cost of maintenance for drains due to debris being swept into the catch basins and lines. In view of these facts, the cost of mechanical sweeping would in a short time be earned through decreased maintenance costs.
Street Sweeping Labor and Material Account
Labor 730.77 59.53 $ 790.30 Material.
Street Cleaning
Every year it is necessary for this department to send crews out to run grader blades along our roadways where no curb exists, because of material being washed from the sides into the gutter. It is necessary to remove this excess material which accumulates in the gutter to allow proper surface drainage along the road. If this were not done, considerable damage would result from the water standing on the pavement thereby undermining and breaking up our pavements. Again we could eliminate a considerable portion of this work, if, as I have recommended, the shoulders of our rural roads were treated with a bituminous material at specified intervals. Other benefits than the above would also be realized.
Street Cleaning Labor and Material Account
Labor Material
$1,291.20 121.72
$1,412.92
Sidewalks and Curbing and Sidewalk Maintenance
During the early fall of the year we started the W. P. A. project for con- struction of granolithic sidewalks and placing granite curbing. The project calls for approximately 13,000 square yards of walks and 6000 feet of new curbing. When completed this project will represent a major improvement to the com- munity. Should the Federal aid for projects continue, I recommend that another project be inaugurated.
In addition to the W. P. A. constructed sidewalks and curbing we had a considerable amount of sidewalks and curbing placed under the regular assess- ment procedure by city forces.
The allotment for maintenance was used mainly for the reconditioning of gravel walks. Every year it is necessary to regrade and place material on gravel walks which have been washed out. Occassionally it is necessary to replace small sections of granolithic walks which for some reason have been
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ANNUAL REPORT
damaged. When the mileage of sidewalks which require maintenance is com- pared to the amount allotted, it will be seen that little intensive work could be done in the maintenance of the sidewalks.
Sidewalk Maintenance
Labor.
Material
341.28 101.37 $ 442.65
Sidewalks and Curbing
Labor
$ 675.40
Material:
Curbing-Round Corners
$ 16.39
Recording assessments.
9.17
Cement.
304.69
Sand, gravel and stone
23.89
Miscellaneous
84.79
438.93 $1,114.33
Granolithic Sidewalks- Location
Walks and Drives Square Yards
County Street
325.35
Falmouth Street
33.54
Second Street.
226.74
South Main Street.
68.37
654.00
W. P. A. Sidewalks and Curbing Project
Location
Str. Curb 2-ft. Gran. Walks Material Lin. Feet Cor. Sq Yds. Cost
Labor Cost
Dunham Street
224.70
6 270.89
Hazel Street.
94.10
James Street.
51.00
Lamb Street
100.70
4
Maple Street
165.55
4
Martin Street.
39.60
Orange Street
231.95
4 613.02
Park Street.
85.50
172.13
Parker Street.
100.15
4
School Street .
105.50
4
Shaw Avenue.
81.20
2
County Street
88.60
Fourth Street.
South Main Street
136.36
Totals
1279.95
28
1629.91
$2906.60
$577.74
Total Cost.
$3484.34
348.91
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ANNUAL REPORT
Bridges, Fences and Culverts
We have six main line railroad bridges in addition to our numerous other river bridges, which require constant maintenance such as new deck planking, painting and miscellaneous items. It is poor economy to allow this work to go unattended as it usually leads to more extensive repairs as well as being a hazard to public safety. Several railroad bridges at the present time require new deck planking and practically all of our bridges need painting. Recently we began a study of the possibilities of using a bituminous material which is obtained in sheets which are placed over the wood planking and subsequently treated with a bituminous material and sand. We believe this method would reduce maintenance costs considerably and result in a more desirable surface. Bridges represent large investments and maintenance should not be neglected. If properly main- tained each year, they could be kept in excellent condition, and the cost would be small through this systematic procedure.
Throughout the city there are approximately eight miles of guard fence constructed of wooden posts and rail which require attention by this department. Guard fences are erected at points where various hazards exist for the purpose of protecting those using our highways. Guard fences such as we have, strictly speaking, do not protect the public to the extent which they should. Any impact, except a slight one, would quickly demolish the fence and consequently give only slight or no protection at all. After a complete study of present condi- tions and the advantages of a different type of construction, this department conferred with the city authorities with the result that estimates are to be made and a project submitted to the W. P. A. authorities to make a complete replace- ment of our present guard fences with a type to be constructed of concrete posts and cables.
The protection afforded the users of our highways would be equal to that of any locality. The maintenance costs would be less than that required at the present time.
I recommend that the replacement be made immediately upon the accept- ance by the W. P. A. of this project. This improvement is perhaps seldom thought of, but it is vitally important when occasion for its protection arises.
During the year various culverts of stone construction were replaced by modern pipe line construction. At the present time the culverts are in good condition and with a reasonable amount for maintenance, little trouble is an- ticipated.
Bridges, Fences and Culverts
Item
Labor Cost
Material Cost $ 72.38
Total Cost
Guard Fence repair and maintenance . .
69.54
$141.92
Culvert extensions, replacements and headwalls.
27.57
3.40
30.97
Bridge repair
67.17
213.91
281.08
General account.
27.17
6.72
33.89
Total
$191.45
$296.41
$487.86
Snow and Ice Removal
With quicker and more complete service demanded by the public today, this department has endeavored to obtain new equipment and rebuild present equipment in an effort to modernize our resources to obtain efficient results.
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ANNUAL REPORT
With our present equipment and the additional equipment I have recommended we will have at our disposal a well balanced force to handle this problem.
Snow and Ice
Labor $3,893.95 Material 1,511.85 $5,405.80
Signs, Clock and Numbers
This work has been carried on satisfactorily with the funds available. Mr. Josselyn of the Herrick Company has cared for the city clock in an efficient manner.
Signs, Clock and Numbers
Signs-new signs, erection, etc. $ 1.09
144.19 $ 145.28 Clock.
Equipment-Maintenance and Repair
This is a general account for maintaining the equipment of the Highway Department. However, the expenditures shown under this heading do not represent the true amount expended for this work. The amount appropriated was much too small; therefore, the remaining portion of actual costs had to be charged against accounts on which the trucks were used. I would suggest that sufficient funds to cover the entire cost of this work be appropriated to show a true total under this heading for the year. In the interests of economy and convenience, the department is endeavoring to build up a reasonable repair shop with an experienced mechanic to maintain its large fleet of equipment, rather than send out the equipment to various service stations for repairs which con- stantly demand attention.
Equipment-Maintenance and Repair
Labor Material
$ 464.66 186.38 $ 651.04
Road Rollers
As mentioned in my above recommendations, the present roller equipment consisting of one steam roller twenty-one years old, and one gasoline roller eight years old, require increasing amounts for maintenance and provisions should be made to replace both in the near future. The replacements would be for the best interests of the city.
Road Rollers
Labor
152.90
Material
73.91
$ 226.81
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ANNUAL REPORT
Crushers
We have two crushing plants, one located on North Avenue near Hayward Field, and the other on West Street near the pumping station, which require maintenance. At the present time both are in good condition and have done a great deal of work during the year. As we had a large amount of road work during the year, the services of the crushers have been indispensable. In the near future it would be advantageous to rebuilt the bin structure at the North Avenue crusher to compare with the one at West Street.
Crushers
Labor $ 77.91 141.03 $ 218.94 Material
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