USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1941 > Part 14
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174
ANNUAL REPORT
tion of the athletic field, the first operation under this project being the con- tinuance of the filling operations on the athletic field area, up to subgrade, with subsoil. The completion of this operation required approximately 8,000 cubic yards of material. The designs called for the construction of an under drainage system and a water supply system covering the entire area of the athletic field. Upon the completion of the sub-grading operations the drainage and water systems were constructed. The drainage system consisted of the installation of 766 feet of 12" V. C. pipe, 155 feet of 10" V. C. pipe, 2,250 feet of 4" perforated V. C. pipe. also the construction of six catch-basins and one manhole. The water supply system consisted of the placing of 1,052 feet of 2" copper pipe, 680 feet of 2" copper pipe, 375 feet of 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant and miscellaneous valves and fittings.
Concrete steps with rubble stone sidewalls were constructed from the school entrance to the playing field. The steps are fifteen feet wide and the length of the construction is forty-two feet. Another set of steps were constructed from Mechanic Street to the playing field and these are ten feet wide and the con- struction is ten feet long. The sidewalls in each case are 18" wide and about 18" above the finished lawn grade. After the above construction had been com- pleted. the entire area, approximately 22,700 square yards, was covered with six inches of peat moss; this was followed with the loam spread over the peat moss at a depth of not less than six inches, a total of approximately 3,800 cubic yards of loam being used in this operation. All loam, subsoil and common fill were secured from various city owned properties.
While the final grading operations were under way walks were being con- structed of a pre-mixed bituminous material similar to that which was used in the improvement of the streets in the center of the city. The walks were constructed ten feet wide. One walk begins at Mechanic Street, running along the edge of the athletic field toward the school; another walk from Hodges Street connects with the above walk; a third section was constructed from the entrance of the school to the steps leading onto the playing field. This section of walk is fifteen feet wide; all walks are two and one-half inches thick and a total of 7,713 square feet was constructed.
Under a private contract a chain link fence five feet high was placed between the school property and the property abutting Hodges Street. The total length of fence placed is 676 feet.
It was late in the fall when the spreading of the loam over the field area was completed and it was deemed advisable to refrain from doing any extensive seeding work. The lack of rain for weeks during the early fall had prevented us from undertaking any seeding of areas which had been loamed earlier. Before any fertilizer is spread or any seeding is done samples will be taken of the loam and analyses made to determine the correct combinations of fertilizers for the best results.
As soon as the weather permits in the spring of 1942, the seeding of the entire athletic field area will proceed. Simultaneously planting of shrubs, ever- greens and trees will also be done. This work will complete the construction of the athletic field.
It is my recommendation that no one be allowed to use this field for at least a period of three years. This is to allow the seeded area to produce a sod heavy enough to withstand the hard usage it will undoubtedly receive.
2. Watson Avenue, Riverband Road and Mechanic Street. In conjunction with the construction of the new school and its athletic field the plans included: (1) The acceptance by the City and the improvement of Watson Avenue; (2) The acceptance and construction of an entirely new street, called Riverbank Road, running between Watson Avenue and Mechanic Street and; (3) The re- onstruction of Mechanic Street between Hodges Street and Riverb ank Road. c
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ANNUAL REPORT
Watson Avenue was accepted by the city from Hodges Street 750 feet westerly. The pavement was constructed of gravel, treated with bituminons material. Through the cooperation of the abuttors on this street it was possible to place granite curbing and granolithic sidewalks on the southerly side of the street between Hodges Street and Riverbank Road; also on a large portion of the northerly side of the street.
Riverbank Road was constructed in an entirely new location and repre- sented a major construction project. The street is 1,150 feet long, 750 feet of this was through low land requiring 6,200 cubic yards of material for fill. A total of 4,100 square yards of bituminous treated gravel pavement was con- structed. Surface drainage pipe lines and structures placed were as follows: 221 feet of 15" V. C. pipe, 332 feet of 12" V. C. pipe, 170 feet of 10" V. C. pipe, ten catch basins and one manhole. Sidewalks and granite curbing were placed on the easterly side of Riverbank Road from Watson Avenue 453 feet southerly. The sidewalk was constructed of pre-mixed bituminous macadam two and one- half inches thick, with a total width of eight feet. A total of 1,050 lineal feet of cobble curb and gutter was placed on the westerly side of Riverbank Road from Watson Avenue to Mechanic Street. Circle granite curbing totaling 208 feet was placed at the intersection of Riverbank Road with Mechanic Street and Watson Avenue. Miscellaneous work such as macadam sidewalks, granite curb and guard fence will be completed in the spring.
At the time of the bridge construction on Mechanic Street the street was widened and the grade changed but the road construction was never carried to these new lines. With the new development of the area surrounding the new school it was decided to reconstruct Mechanic Street to its proper street lines and to the proper grade. The construction consisted of the following: 2,000 square yards of bituminous treated gravel pavement, 213 square yards of granolithic sidewalk, 261 feet of granite curbing, 600 feet of cobble curb and gutter, con- struction of two drainage catch-basins and 32 feet of 10" V. C. drainage pipe.
3. Highland Avenue. The reconstruction of Highland Avenue from Wash- ington Street to the Cumberland line under Chapter 90 was started in the late summer. The work was done under contract with the Mack Construction Company of Pawtucket, R. I.
For years this roadway was the source of much concern, particularly in the spring when ground water in this locality is high and at times flooded the highway in certain sections. This condition caused soft shoulders and the breaking up of the pavement. It was often impossible to alleviate these conditions due to the lack of proper drainage facilities. Maintenance costs have always been high for this road and satisfactory results impossible to obtain with the funds available. Recommendations for the reconstruction had been included in the annual reports for several years. The construction marks the completion of one of the most needed highway projects in the city.
The highway is approximately 6,600 feet long; the accepted layout is 50 feet wide. The pavement is constructed of 7-inch stone macadam, varying in width from twenty-four feet to thirty feet. Pecause of the unusually high ground water conditions existing in this locality it was necessary to construct an extensive drainage system to eliminate the possibility of damage to the road pavement. also to eliminate a dangerous open drainage ditch which ran along the side of the roadway for several hundred feet. Every precaution was taken in the designs to provide ample drainage facilities along the entire length of Highland Avenue. In addition to the above construction, there was a large amount of grading, loaming and seeding work, some of which will be completed in the spring. The contract bid price for this project was $62,761.25.
In connection with this project the city relocated several hundred feet of existing water main which was either outside of the new street location or had
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ANNUAL REPORT
insufficient cover, due to the new grade line. Also the main line water pipe was extended from Robinson Avenue approximately 1.700 feet westerly. This is a 6" line.
4. Union Road Culvert. On Union Road near the Norton line there is a culvert which drains a ponded area on the northerly side of the road to a ponded area on the southerly side. During periods of high water the roadway would become flooded, making it necessary to raise this portion of the road a few years ago. At that time it was realized that the old culvert would have to be replaced as soon as funds were available. The old culvert was a corrugated iron pipe which was inadequate as to size, the entire bottom of which had corroded, decreasing considerably its original size. The new plans called for a double barrel culvert of 30-inch reinforced concrete pipe set into a headwall on each side of the road. These headwalls were constructed of concrete twelve feet long and eight feet in height. The funds for this construction were provided in a special account, and in October the project was started. Because of the necessity to close the road for the con- struction every effort was made to consume as little time as possible for its com- pletion.
5. Cleaning Ten Mile River. This project which started in 1940 was dealt with in detail in the 1940 report. To review the project briefly the work consisted of removing the silt and other obstruction from the river bed, using a large hoist fitted with a clam-shell bucket and mounted on a barge. The silt was loaded on other barges which disposed of the material at some convenient location. At the close of 1940 the work had progressed from Cliff Street to a point below Wall Street. In 1941 the work was carried on from Wall Street to the Wolfenden factory. The work was completed in March of 1941.
6. Parking Area-North Main Street. The city owned a piece of property on North Main Street adjoining the parking area which was constructed in 1939- 1940. It was decided to convert this property into additional parking space. The buildings on the property were torn down by the Attleboro Wrecking Com- pany, preparatory to the construction. The loam was then stripped from the area and used at the new athletic field at the Willett School; the cellar-holes and the whole area was filled with gravel to the proper grade. A bituminous treated gravel surface was placed, which completed the construction. The area of the above parking grounds is 1,900 square yards; the city now has a total park- ing space at this location of 7,400 square yards, all of which is paved.
7. W. P. A. Granolithic Sidewalks and Granite Curbing Project. As stated in previous reports the popularity of this work is certainly not diminishing. Property owners are continually filing applications for this work. Unfortunately, the available W. P. A. labor in 1941 for this work decreased sharply, and as a consequence the amount of sidewalks and curbing placed in 1941 is much less than in previous years. At the present time we have applications on file sufficient for at least one year's work for a minimum crew of seventy-five men. The prospects for such a large group of workers for this project in 1942 are not encouraging at the present time. In fact there may not be a sufficient number of men to operate the project.
8. W. P. A. Water Main Extensions. This project also suffered in the past year due to the decreasing supply of W. P. A. labor and restrictions on material imposed by the O. P. M. There were three streets in which extensions were made under a W. P. A. project in 1941 prior to the restrictions on material. They are as follows: Highland Avenue, 1,624 feet of 6" pipe, Oak Hill Avenue, 336 feet of 8" pipe, Richardson Avenue, 3,005 feet of 8" and 2,408 feet of 6" pipe. There is little prospect of any main line extensions being made in 1942 unless they are necessary for National Defense. This condition is due to the restrictions placed upon water pipe and fittings by the Office of Production Management. The only materials of this type which can be obtained at the present time are for
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ANNUAL REPORT
177
maintenance purposes. Other short service lines were placed during the year in several streets by city labor.
9. Newly Accepted Streets. There were thirteen streets accepted in 1941, one of these, namely Highland Avenue, having been a public street but no formal acceptance had been made previous to its acceptance in 1941. Again the total of streets accepted represents a substantial increase, based on length, over previous years. A chart which follows later in this report gives a complete picture of this construction. The construction work on all the accepted streets, except High- land Avenue, was done by city or W. P. A. forces.
10. Finberg Park Open Drain. Plans for this project were made in 1938 when changes of location in the drainage ditches south of Bishop Street at the Finberg Park, were being made. Improvements, which consisted mainly of filling operations, at Finberg Park in accordance with plans for the enlargement of the playing field, necessitated the relocation of an old open drainage ditch. This ditch, which originally skirted the edge of the playing-field, was relocated to the further side of the city dump and a new culvert was constructed under Bishop Street. In order to extend the benefits of the new drainage construction it was planned to lay out a new drainage ditch on the northerly side of Bishop Street from Bishop Street, 4,000 feet northerly through the woods, following the natural drainage course. In 1941, under a W. P. A. project, the construction of this ditch was undertaken. A rather unique method was employed in opening up this ditch. The method had been used before on comparatively short ditches with excellent results at a very low cost. The effectiveness was even more pro- nounced on this job because the area through which this ditch was constructed is heavily wooded, consequently much of the ditch had to be cut through a net- work of roots and stumps. If the work had been done entirely by hand a tre- mendous amount of labor would have been necessary for the construction. The method employed was by blasting with a special type of dynamite and the pro- cedure is briefly as follows: 1-4 pound sticks of "Dupont's Farmex" dynamite, especially made for ditch blasting, are set into the ground at a depth of ap- proximatly eighteen inches and eight inches apart in the line of the proposed ditch, the length of ditch blasted at one time not being over fifty feet long; at the beginning of the line two 1-2 pound sticks of dynamite are placed for the initial blast; one of these sticks equipped with a primer and exploder is wired directly to the blasting battery. When the stick which is wired to the battery is exploded the second stick beside it also explodes, the combined blast being of sufficient intensity to explode progressively the 1-4 pound sticks which were placed 8" apart along the center line of the trench. The completion of this blast will have opened up a ditch approximately four feet wide at the bottom and approximately thirty inches in depth, removing to a large extent all roots and stumps. Occas- sionally an obstruction such as a stump will be encountered which requires in- dividual treatment by blasting. The ditch is now ready for the final operation, which consists of cutting off fragments of roots protruding into the ditch area and shaping the sides and bottom of the ditch by hand. The blast usually produces a ditch with a remarkably uniform cross-section and line, which in a large measure is dependent upon the care used in the placing of the dynamite.
The original, indefinite, meandering and clogged drainage line has been re- placed by an open drain which has an ample width and depth, a uniform cross- section and straightened lines. The ditch will furnish much improved drainage conditions for the areas both north and south of Bishop Street. This depart- ment wishes to express its appreciation to the private parties who own the land through which this drain was constructed and who gave easements to the city making possible this improvement.
In addition to the above detailed new construction we have had the usual various types of maintenance work on our streets.
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ANNUAL REPORT
This department is appreciative of the new equipment which has been ac- quired during the year, particularly the snow removal equipment. The problem of snow removal at its best is none too easy and any equipment which can be acquired for this purpose eases the strain upon the men who must open the high- ways and sidewalks after a storm and remove the snow from the streets in the business district. It is not unusual for the men to work twenty-four hours in a stretch during and after a heavy snow-fall. Our only plea is for additional mechanical sidewalk snow-plowing units to replace horse-drawn plows which are of little value now.
The units purchased were a Barber-Greene snow-loader and a sidewalk plowing unit. The important feature of both these pieces of equipment is that they may be used throughout the year. During the summer months the snow- loader is converted into a sand and stone loader for use in our gravel and sand pits. By removing the plow on the sidewalk plowing unit the tractor can be used on our construction work during the summer months.
In conclusion I wish to express full appreciation to His Honor, the Mayor, Members of the City Council, the Press and to every employee of this depart- ment.
Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Mawney, Superintendent Public Works.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
This department has been very active during the year on both new con- struction and maintenance work. The decrease in W. P. A. forces has necessi- tated supplementing the W.P.A. projects with men from our city forces for the proper operation of the work.
Considerable work was accomplished in the W. P. A. Rural Roads project where roadways which had been partially reconstructed in 1940 were completed during the summer of 1941. The data concerning this construction is as follows: West Street-In 1940 this road was scarified and filled with gravel to proper grade. In 1941 the road was reshaped and treated with bituminous material, a total of 17,200 square yards; Handy Street-from Park Street to Oak Hill Avenue -This roadway was scarified and refilled with gravel in 1940. In 1941 the road- way was reshaped and bituminous material applied, a total of 4,900 square yards.
As stated previously the number of streets accepted during the year was large and contributed substantially to the work of this department. Generally the construction of these streets consists of the following work: Excavation of the street area to remove unsatisfactory material and adjust for grade, refill street area with new gravel fill to the established grade of the street, grading of street to conform with the proper cross-section followed by thorough rolling and finish- ing preparatory to two applications of bituminous material for the pavement. After each application of bituminous material the roadway is covered with sand and thoroughly rolled; a period of two weeks is allowed for curing between each application; gravel sidewalks are constructed, unless property owners apply for granite curbing and granolithic sidewalks. Generally a considerable amount of cobble gutter and edgestone is placed. Occasionally it is necessary to construct drainage systems to provide proper surface drainage; and install water pipe lines if none exist, or if the existing line is of insufficient size. The following chart lists each street separately, with pertinent data:
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ANNUAL REPORT
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON STREETS ACCEPTED DURING 1941
No. Name
1. Riverbank Road-from Watson Ave.
to Mechanic Street.
740.24 50
2. *Highland Ave .- from Washington St. to Cumberland Town Line.
3. Robbins St .- from Park St. to Dunham St .. .
4. Harvard St .- from North Ave. 458 feet northerly .
5.
Tyler St .- from end of layout 719.77 southeasterly .
6. Bayberry Hill Road-from.
So. Main St. to Locust St. .
7. Raeburn Drive-from Locust St. to Wood- land Lane. ..
8. Cross St .- from Dorchester Ave., 473.90 easterly.
9. Phillips St .- from end of layout of 1921 to County St.
10. Woodland Lane-from Ridgewood Road to Raeburn Drive .. .
11. Maynard St .- from Forest St. 392.96 feet westerly .
12. Cherry St .- from Thacher St. 820.23 feet southerly .
13. Ridgewood Road-from Bayberry Hill Road
967.65 40 40% Complete
Total
15,471.91
*Constructed under Chapter 90, (State, County and City)
Each year there are streets which were accepted in the latter part of the year and construction could not be completed before the close of the season. The following chart lists these streets and pertinent data.
NEW STREETS ACCEPTED IN 1940
Construction begun in 1940-Completed in 1941 Percentage of Work Completed in 1941
Total Length Approx. Percentage of Street Width Completed
No. Street
1. Sycamore Ave .- from Brown St., 1,143.13 feet north- erly.
1,143.13 40
500
1
2. Watson Ave .- from Hodges St., 750 feet westerly 750
50
100“;
3. Dorchester Ave .- from Pleasant St. to Cross St. 829.5
40
509
4. East St .- Widening from Parker St. to James St. 301
32 5 905:
5. Jessie Ave .- from Robinson Ave. to Mendon Road 1,179
40
50%
6. Ottawa St .- from Louise St., 692 feet northerly 692
35
509
573.46 40 40% Complete
458.38 40 Not started
719.77 45 95% Complete
855 45
505.94 40 Complete
967.91 45 50% Complete
473.90 40 Complete
781.74 40 10% Complete
322.60 40 40% Complete
392.96 40 Not started
820.23 40 Not started
Street Status of
Length Width Construction
365 20 45 90° Complete
6,526.93 50 90% Complete
In the following chart is given the list of streets which were honed and treated with an asphalt mix. Briefly, the procedure is as follows: Asphalt is applied to the road surface and covered with sand; the road hone which has a number of blades attached is slung under a truck and hauled along the roadway; the blades con- tacting the road surface. As the hone is moved along the road the blades mix the
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ANNUAL REPORT
asphalt and sand, depositing the mix in the low spots and cutting it off the high spots. The hone is passed over the surface at least three times and more if the particular job requires it. This treatment eliminates to a large extent the un- even surface of the pavement.
Using this method on an uneven pavement eliminates the necessity of re- constructing the surface, unless the old pavement is badly broken up or there is evidence of poor material in the road foundation, in which case it is more economi- cal and satisfactory to reconstruct the pavement.
STREETS HONED AND TREATED WITH ASPHALT MIX-1941
Street
Length
Sq. Yds·
Mechanic Street.
150'
435
Bicknell Street
780'
2,253
Knight Avenue
1,300'
3,020
Biltmore Street.
300'
940
Parker Street
400'
980
Jackson Street.
500'
1,444
Pembroke Avenue
700'
2,022
Ruggles Street
400'
1,160
West Street.
600'
1,200
Hazel Street .
300'
1,070
North Avenue.
1,500'
4,500
Totals
6,930'
19,024
The following table is a listing of the streets which were treated with asphalt and covered with sand. The pavements on these streets were in satisfactory condition except for the fact that they required an asphalt seal to preserve the pavement and prevent checking due to oxidation and general wear. Periodic maintenance of this type on these roads reduces excessive costs of reconstruction. In the past year the total yardage treated was very small due to insufficient funds and shortage of labor. In 1942 the total of this work should be at least fifty to sixty thousand square yards. Many streets which should have been done this year should certainly be done next year in addition to the regular program.
Conscientious adherence to a program of maintaining our streets by periodic application of asphalt will save the city money and produce better roads.
Street
Length
Sq. Yds.
Jewell Avenue.
700'
1,266
Mendon Road
3,750'
5,854
Cross Street. .
360'
1,040
Prairie Avenue.
900'
2,700
Capron Park
1,000'
2,000
Clifton Street
700'
370
Totals
7,410'
13,230
Various streets were reconstructed during the year. This construction con- sists usually of scarifying the roadway, removing any unsatisfactory material from the foundation and adjusting the roadway to any grade changes if neces- sary, refilling with new gravel, rolling, grading and applying asphalt for the pave- ment. Following is a chart listing the streets reconstructed during the year:
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ANNUAL REPORT
ROADWAY PAVEMENTS RECONSTRUCTED
Street
Length
Sq. Yds.
Forest Street
606
1,750
Hawthorne Street.
415
1,200
Atwood Street .
350
1,010
Parker Street.
200
580
Old South Main Street
1,430
2.860
Charles Street .
350
312
Walter Street.
320
925
Read Street
1,350
3,300
Tiffany Street
200
510
County Street
3,500
7,560
Totals
8,721
20,037
The following chart lists the drainage construction for 1941 on various streets:
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