USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1938 > Part 13
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The problems relating to the High School addition have been completed, altho it involved numerous conferences, and a hurried trip to Washington, D. C.
The Nurses' Home Addition at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital has also provisionally been legally accepted by the Federal Government, and is awaiting allocation of funds.
Pending in the courts of this County at the present time are the cases of
Kearns vs. City of Attleboro-a defect in sidewalk case.
Pelletier vs. City of Attleboro-a sidewalk case.
Attleboro Savings Bank vs. City of Attleboro-a land damage case.
There are also several other claims which have not yet been settled and which are on the docket of the Claims Committee of the Municipal Council. They include the matters of
Eleanor Halliley vs. City of Attleboro (settled).
Edna Cournoyer vs. City of Attleboro (settled).
Edith Wilson vs. City of Attleboro (leave to withdraw).
All three arose from alleged defects in sidewalks due in most part to the hurricane of September 21.
There also has been a review of the ordinances of the City of Attleboro with a view to eliminate all ordinances which have become obsolete and to amend those which have become in part inconsistent with or overlapping State enactments.
I recommend again this year that the City take advantage of the splendid law library that it now possesses by adding thereto a set of Massachusetts' Digest, a set of the Annotated Laws of Mass. and a good set of Municipal Corpora- tion law. In that manner the City will bring to date what it now has and make it useful and available to all officials needing such information.
Sincerely,
Henri G. Proulx, City Solicitor.
Robert W. Mawney Superintendent of Public Works
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Public Works Department
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
FOR THE YEAR
1938
200
ANNUAL REPORT
Department of Public Works
To His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable Municipal Council,
Gentlemen:
I hereby respectfully submit the twenty-fourth annual report of the Public Works Department of the City of Attleboro, Massachusetts, for the year ending December 31, 1938.
In the past year a most extensive construction program was carried on, in- cluding many types of public works. The various projects have been operated with City forces, W. P. A. forces and under Chapter 90 contract.
One of the most notable projects was the reconstruction of rural roads. Various sections of roadways in all parts of the city were improved and it is recommended that the project be continued in the coming year. A total of 10.5 miles of roads were reconstructed, 3,400 feet of drain pipe installed and 30 drain structures built. The Chapter 90 contract completed a section of roadway on Thacher Street from South Avenue to County Square. This road had been a source of constant maintenance for years. The extensive projects which were begun during the year for the extension of water mains and which are continuing through the winter are of vital importance to the community and the cost of same ultimately earned. There were many other projects under construction during the year and though they are not specifically mentioned here they are collectively and individually necessary for progressive public service.
One of the outstanding events of the year for this community was the hurri- cane in September. This department was immediately confronted with the tremendous task of cleaning, within several hours, the debris from our streets in order to make them passable. It is estimated that 7,000 trees were destroyed in the City of Attleboro in an area adjacent to the highways and in the parks. Every resource at our command, of man-power and equipment, was mobilized at the beginning of the storm to clear the streets and before nightfall of the following day practically all public streets were passable. The work continued with W. P. A. and City forces and will be continued next year to repair the remainder of the damage caused by the storm.
In addition to the new construction the regular maintenance work was performed to the best advantage. Although maintenance work is not as spec- tacular as new construction, the work of properly and efficiently caring for the improvements we possess is of utmost financial importance to the community.
I have recommendations and more detailed discussions of our work in the following pages applicable to the various divisions of the Public Works Depart- ment.
In conclusion I wish to express my full appreciation to the executive branche s of our Municipal government and every employee of this department.
Respectfully submitted, R. W. Mawney,
Superintendent of Public Works.
201
ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHWAY DIVISION
During the first part of the year we had three heavy snow storms which required every facility of this department to combat. With the ever growing demand for well plowed and sanded streets and walks within a few hours after a storm, it is only reasonable that this department have at its disposal modern and adequate equipment for snow removal. The real need of this department is for efficient, mechanized equipment for sidewalk plowing. If the city is to be responsible for this work, only dependable equipment should be used and the method of plowing sidewalks with horse and plow does not satisfy these conditions.
A comparison of costs for mechanized sidewalk plowing and horse-drawn plowing illustrates the advisability of purchasing power-driven units. The cost of maintaining horses for plowing amounts to at least $750.00 per year; the cost of a new power driven unit is $400.00. Conservatively speaking, one of the power-driven units could take care of the work handled by two horse-drawn plows. A point which is of great importance to us is the ease and speed of transporting one of the power-driven units to any part of the city, also, a horse-drawn plow can only work a limited time in a stretch, the power-driven unit can be used for an unlimited time. These comparisons are features which cannot be overlooked, also the costs of new units may be spread over a period of years.
A major project for the year was the improvement and reconstruction of roads in the outlying districts. For years many of these roadways, or sections of them, have been hazardous to the increasing traffic. In general the roads are narrow with sharp curves and irregular grades. To remedy these conditions as much as possible the construction has consisted of widening the present travelled way as much as six feet on each side. Curves have been widened and lengthened and in sections where drainage or poor grade conditions existed the roadways were filled to give straight grades and improved drainage. Also where the old pave- ment was in poor condition the entire width of the roadway was resurfaced. Unquestionably, this work is not only a distinct improvement for the present time, but it is also laying the foundation for an excellent road system for the future in our outlying districts. This is a W. P. A. project.
The reconstruction of Thacher Street from South Avenue to County Street was completed under a Chapter 90 contract with Charles Capone of Roslindale, Mass., as contractor. The new pavement is thirty feet wide of 7-inch stone penetration macadam pavement. Necessary drainage construction was also in- cluded in the contract.
Considerable surface drainage construction was completed in various parts of the city. The construction of a re-enforced concrete box culvert to replace the so-called "Wolfenden" open drain eliminated an undesirable condition. This type of construction was selected to eliminate the purchase of high-cost pipe and use to the utmost the available W. P. A. labor. A sanitary sewer was constructed on a portion of Mary Street.
A condition which had been the topic of discussion for several years was the lack of street signs. After much investigation of various types it was finally decided to obtain signs made with a wood backing and an aluminum front with black, raised letters. Five hundred of the signs were purchased and placed.
Previous to June of this year the pipe used for surface drainage had always been purchased. After visiting municipalities making concrete pipe, it was finally decided to purchase ten-inch and twelve-inch pipe forms, and with welfare labor endeavor to make our own pipe. After a short trial period the venture proved very successful and it was decided to send several pieces of pipe to the Brown University testing laboratory to determine the strength of the pipe for comparison with the A. S. T. M. standards for this pipe. The results of the tests were gratifying, proving the project to be entirely successful and effecting
202
ANNUAL REPORT
material savings to the city. A W. P. A. project was subsequently submitted for the making of concrete pipe and in due course of time the project was approved and the manufacture of the pipe begun, using W. P. A. labor. This project will run throughout the winter with plans being made for possible expansion of this work to include fifteen-inch pipe.
The W. P. A. project for the construction of granolithic sidewalks and the placing of granite curbing was begun in the early part of the year as soon as the weather permitted, and in the latter part of July the original project which began in 1936 was completed. This work, however, was not halted but continued under a new project which had been drawn up when it was realized that many who had not applied for this work under the original project desired to be in- cluded for this betterment. In the latter part of November the work was halted due to cold weather. As soon as weather permits in the spring the project will be put into operation. The response by the public for this work has been more enthusiastic than was ever anticipated. Without any doubt this is one of the best and most popular projects which we have and every effort should be made to pro- mote it.
Again I would like to stress the necessity for a larger amount for maintenance of the surface drains. We have approximately 625 catch basins in the city which require cleaning twice a year. Allotting a minimum of $4.00 for each basin the cost amounts to $2,500.00 per year. This does not include miscellaneous work which must be done on pipe lines. The surface drainage system is our insurance against flooded streets and property and should be properly maintained.
During the year several new pieces of equipment were purchased for the highway department. They are as follows: one three-yard Mack truck; one International two-yard truck and one Willys pick-up truck.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Equipment
Below is listed the new equipment which I recommend to be purchased to replace old equipment or as additions to our present equipment to facilitate construction.
1. Bulldozer-This is an auxiliary unit for attachment to a tractor for use in grading operations, eliminating hand grading and reducing construction time.
2. One twelve-ton Gasoline Roller to replace the Steam Roller which is twenty-three years old. The maintenance cost for the steam is large and the machine is obsolete. The gasoline powered roller is being reconditioned and it is anticipated that several years of service can be obtained before the machine should be replaced.
3. One small Tandem Roller for use in patching and sidewalk work. This machine would be a valuable additional unit for use in new construction and in maintenance work. Very often it is either inadvisable or impossible to use the heavy rollers in construction work, however, the use of a small Tandem Roller would result in better construction and more economical operations.
4. Mechanical Rotary Sweeper-This unit, which is not expensive to purchase and very economical in upkeep, is the only modern and economical type of machine to use in sweeping and cleaning streets. The area of the city which could be covered by this method would be very much greater than by the present hand sweeping routine. From an economical standpoint the cost per mile of street would be only a fraction of the present cost. The time for cleaning per mile of street would also be very much smaller than at the present time.
203
ANNUAL REPORT
5. Trench Hoe-This unit, which replaces the regular digging bucket on the power shovel, enables us to use the power shovel in digging trenches. The advantage of this method over hand-digging is unquestionable. Construction time could be reduced enormously on all projects, particularly where other con- struction must wait until the trench work is completed.
6. Road Drag-This piece of equipment would be used on all of our road construction work for the shaping of the road surface. It is an inexpensive ma- chine and would be of much assistance in a vital phase of the construction.
7. Screening Plant-The average amount spent by this department per year for sand and crushed stone from outside sources is $3,500.00. The cost of a screening plant for producing our own supply of sand and stone would be ap- proximately $1,500.00. It is significant from a study of these figures that a saving could be effected here by producing our own screened sand and stone in addition to shortening hauling distances. The sand and stone is used on the various types of construction, principally roads and sidewalks; in the winter large quantities are used for sanding our streets, therefore the quantities of materi- al used will not vary any appreciable amount from year to year.
8. Three portable sidewalk plowing units. I have already dealt with this subject in this report and wish only to emphasize the importance of obtaining mechanized equipment for this work rather than hiring privately owned horses which is the present procedure. The recommended plows have been demonstrated here in average snow depths and the results were entirely satisfactory.
9. 30-Ton Trailer-We do not possess a trailer for the transporting of our power shovel to and from the various jobs. At the present time we have to hire one from a North Attleboro concern and, although they have been very co- operative, it results in loss of time and unnecessary expense. The difficulties which we experienced during the clean-up of the hurricane damage, when it was practically impossible to hire a trailer, with the resulting loss of three days work at a crucial time is indicative of the disadvantages of not owning our own. The use for which a trailer of this kind would be available is not limited to merely the transportation of the shovel, as it could be used to transport other equipment and for hauling heavy loads.
Improvements
With the repair division and the motorized equipment of the Highway Department now housed at the Wall Street garage I recommend that plans be formulated for an addition to the present brick garage to house the Water Depart- ment and its equipment. The present quarters are inadequate and lacking necessary facilities Studies for such an addition have been prepared by our engineering department.
Again I wish to repeat my recommendation for the repair, if possible, or the replacement of the elevated trunk line sewer in Hebronville. This conduit has an inside diameter of 30 inches and together with its supporting structure is constructed of re-enforced concrete. Considerable trouble has been experienced due to leakage at the expansion joints of the pipe. These joints have been re- paired temporarily. The necessity for permanent repairs, or replacement, is of vital importance for the functioning of the sewer system of the city.
Distributed throughout the city there are approximately four miles of guard fence constructed entirely of wood. Most of this is in poor condition due to the fact that the posts are old and have become rotted, and as a protection are there- fore of little value. The wooden type of fence is expensive to maintain, other types require less maintenance yet provide much greater protection. I recom- ment the replacement of the present wooden fence with a fence constructed of standard concrete posts and steel cables. This is the type which the State of Massachusetts uses extensively along its highways. We have an approved
204
ANNUAL REPORT
project for the construction of the concrete posts by W. P. A. labor and a project for erecting the fence could be obtained, thereby cutting the cost of this con- struction to a minimum. Because this fence is placed along our public highways bounded by railroad approach slopes, roadway slopes and water courses, it is imperative for the safety of the public that adequate and substantial protection be provided.
We have, also, an approved project for the construction of concrete gutter drains for use in the outlying districts to conduct the surface drainage off the roadway. Because of the prohibitive costs we are unable to construct the usual surface drainage structures and pipe lines to drain the roadways in our rural sections. To disregard surface drainage entirely on these roads results only in undesirable road conditions and high maintenance costs. It thus becomes necessary to remove as much of the surface water as possible with a minimum of expenditure for the necessary structures.
Following are shown charts and tables pertaining to the highway department.
H-SIDEWALKS AND CURBING Granolithic Sidewalks and Granite Curb By City Forces
Location
Str. Curb 2-ft. Cor.
Circle Curb Gren. Walks Lin. Ft.
Highland Street.
Pleasant Street.
22.15
Payson Street
84.52
Twelfth Street.
22.00
Totals
128.67
69.33
W. P. A. SIDEWALKS AND CURBING PROJECT
Location
Str. Curb Lin. Ft.
2-ft. Cor.
Circle Curb. Gran. Walk Lin. Ft.
Sq. Yds.
Angell Street.
69.70
11.00
53.40
Ashton Road.
82.10
4
9.22
204.53
Bank Street.
2
12.57
136.10
Benefit Street.
114.40
6
Beacon Street ..
Blackburn Road
275.50
4
Claflin Street .
114.50
2
49.80
County Street.
Dean Street
10
294.25
Dennis Street
207.60
5
579.50
Dunham Street
81.80
Eldridge Street.
131.70
2
185.85
Elizabeth Street.
182.92
Emory Street.
32.60
Falmouth Street
2
43.45
First Street.
97.60
2
11.00
71.30
Fourth Street.
111.44
Grove Street.
248.56
Highland Street
214.28
Hodges Street.
481.02
11.00
202.51
Foley Street.
39.41
132.94
Lin. Ft.
Sq. Yds. 69.33
205
ANNUAL REPORT
Hope Street
99.75
3
Jackson Street.
41.35
Jefferson Street.
2
57.20
John Street.
663.57
Lincoln Avenue
745.23
Linden Street.
191.39
Mary Street.
129.70
2
11.00
108.52
Morey Street .
232.60
4
Olive Street .
196.40
6
564.54
Park Street.
1414.10
35
1282.78
Park Avenue.
50.70
Parker Street.
60.50
40.50
Peck Street
6
12.46
144.28
Perrin Street.
4
11.00
105.60
Pine Street.
2
418.23
Pleasant Street.
4
215.30
Prairie Avenue.
85.70
2
71.70
Prospect Street .
127.90
8
11.00
289.37
Prince Street.
342.23
6
53.50
Robert Street.
343.00
8
477.56
Ruggles Street.
98.60
2
546.60
Second Street.
4
235.28
Sixth Street.
180.46
Solomon Street
642.75
18
21.83
410.47
South Avenue.
256.90
4
South Main Street.
1
12.46
333.14
Sturdy Street.
92.90
3
149.40
Summer Street
11.00
344.53
Third Street
2
259.82
Thirteenth Street .
100.00
65.60
Twelfth Street.
234.60
8
211.93
Wall Street
378.13
Totals.
5550.73
179
199.04
11998.33
STREET LIGHTING Number and Kind of Lights in use January 1 1938
Kind
Number
Cost
1000 C. P.
92
$94.00 each
Sunset to 11.30 p. m.
1000 C. P.
33
16.00 each
11 :30 p. m. to sunrise
250 C. P.
5
45.00 each
All night lights
100 C. P.
45
22.00 each
All night lights
60 C. P.
1188
16.50 each
All night lights
60 C. P.
20
16.50 each
All night lights under railroad arches
Traffic Blinkers 3 28.00 each
Street Lights Placed during 1938
60 Candle Power
Date
Placed
Street Benefit Street
Date Placed April 13
Street
April 8
April 8
Dexter Street
Corner Chestnut and Cedar Streets
24 hour flashing service
School Street
6
69.49
Newport Avenue.
206
ANNUAL REPORT
April 8
Dexter Street
April 13
Carpenter Street
April 8
Pine Road
Dec. 1
Cumberland Avenue
April 8 Pine Road
Dec. 1
Kendall Avenue
April 8
Prince Street
Dec. 1
Newport Avenue
April 8
Ashton Road
Dec. 2
Jefferson Street
April 8
Blackbourne Road
Dec. 2
Mary Street
April 8
Dorchester Avenue
Dec. 5
Sadler Street
April 8
Corner Allen and Chartier Streets
Dec. 7
Tyler Street
April 8
Collins Street
Dec. 7
Intervale Avenue
April 8
Elmwood Avenue
Dec. 7 Richardson Avenue
April 13
Cherry Street
Dec. 8
Washburn Road, Corner Sherman Street
Number and Kind of Lights in use December 31, 1938
Kind
Number
Cost
1000 C. P.
92
$94.00 each
Sunset to 11:30 p. m.
1000 C. P.
33
16.00 each
11:30 p. m. to sunrise
250 C. P.
5
45.00 each
All night lights
100 C. P.
45
22.00 each All night lights
60 C. P.
1215
16.50 each
All night lights
60 C. P.
20
16.50 each
All night lights
under railroad arches
Traffic Blinkers 3
28.00 each
24 hour flashing service
SEWERS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Caretaker at Beds
$1,355.71
Maintenance and Improvement of Beds
Labor.
$268.33
Material
52.24
320.57
Insurance
97.70
Taxes
Town of Seekonk
67.50
City of Pawtucket.
14.21
81.71
Maintenance and Operation of Sewer System
Labor ..
254.58
City of Attleboro-Water Charge.
100.00
Material
. 14
354.72
$2,210.41
SEWER CONNECTIONS
Total connections January 1, 1938 1892
Buildings served. ... 2104
Connections added during 1938. . . 19
19
Total 1911
2123
April 13
Cherry Street
Dec. 5
Sixth Street
207
ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Comparison of Itemized Expenditures for
1920
1936
1937
1938
Resurfacing
$ 13,850.45
$ 1,458.76
$ 6,918.71
$ 5,090.64
Drains Maintenance.
1,556.53
1,732.09
1,996.26
1,858.32
Street Sweeping.
2,611.32
790.30
939.19
796.61
Street Patching
9,572.84
6,004.33
4,305.45
3,887.03
Street Cleaning
7,998.46
1,412.92
2,438.31
1,679.93
Sidewalk Maintenance. . .
5,142.73
442.65
938.80
731.04
Equipment, Maintenance and Repair.
651.04
426.52
191.48
Road Rollers
1,757.95
226.81
853.89
563.66
Highway Auto Maint.
726.70
75.12
286.49
917.55
Road Oil and Tar.
22,188.37
5,383.86
2,217.54
2,052.15
Culverts.
608.04
487.86
1,123.60
1,341. 66
Crushers
185.42
218.94
362.62
529.89
Ten Mile River & Thacher Brook
711.26
29.42
44.65
66.58
Insurance
2,062.41
915.99
1,590.49
724.13
Rent, Maynard St. Land
69.60
69.60
Vacations.
393.28
425.60
544.68
384.17
Signs, Clock & Numbers.
344.00
145.28
344.04
279.51
Incidentals.
60.32
48.35
39.65
Snow and Ice.
11,073.23
5,405.80
2,647.71
7,311.24
Unexpended Balance of
1919 Appropriation. ...
19,981.13
Deferred Barn, Stone & Gravel Charges.
955.95
Crosswalks.
222.11
Care of Common.
335.85
Express, Freight, etc.
349.65
$102,697.28
$ 25,936.69
$ 28,027.30
$ 28,445.24
*
432.93
* 208.21
$ 25,503.76
$ 27,819.09
New Equipment .
3,665.80
5,998.39
6,000.00
6,000.00
(Listed as Machinery, Tools, etc., 1920)
$106,363.08 $ 31,502.15 $ 33,819.09
$ 34,445.24
*Highway Maintenance accounts used for City's Contribution to W. P. A.
** These totals exlcude Sidewalks and Curbing.
WATER DIVISION
Throughout the year extensive work was done in extending our water mains in various parts of the city. Every facility of the water department was operated to capacity and large forces of W. P. A. workers were employed in the construc- tion. Unquestionably this type of project is one which is a definite, permanent asset to our water supply system. Extensions of our supply system will also furnish an incentive for development of areas thus improved. In the latter part of the year an ambitious program for extensions got underway with a proposed total of seven miles of new water main installations. This work will be spread over the various sections of the city. In this project it is proposed to replace
Bridges, Fences and
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ANNUAL REPORT
several thousand feet of six-inch water pipe with larger sizes and investigations are being made by this department to have this six-inch pipe completely recondi- tioned so that it may be used for subsequent installation. As this six-inch pipe is standard cast iron pipe, it can be used for new extensions without any expectant decrease in length of life.
The new equipment purchased for the water department for the past year consisted of a new International truck chassis and a special body for carrying the necessary tools, equipment and materials for new construction and emergency work. This piece of equipment is a distinct improvement over the former truck used for this purpose.
Recommendations: There are many recommendations which I could make relative to needed construction and facilities for our water system; however, I shall limit myself to making only such suggestions which I believe are important enough to warrant serious consideration and study now, with definite action on them in the near future.
In 1937 the standpipe had its outer covering of brick removed from the top to a point approximately fifty feet down where it was capped with concrete. This was done as a temporary measure due to large sections of the brick covering falling down. I recommend that a study be made and plans formulated for the water-proofing of the inside of the tank and the removal of the remainder of the outside wall to be followed by a complete reconditioning of the outside of the tank itself. Because the standpipe is the reservoir for the daily water supply to the community, nothing should be left undone to insure a steady, ample supply at the lowest possible cost, so again I recommend the consideration of constructing a second standpipe which could lower operating costs and reduce to a minumum the possibility of emergency pumping should the present standpipe be closed for any reason.
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