USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1942 > Part 12
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10. Miscellaneous work. The Department has been busy this year with unu- sual work made necessary by the war effort. In the summer, Attleboro partici- pated in a scrap metal drive with much success. City owned trucks as well as those of public spirited firms and private organizations collected from house to house and deposited the scrap at convenient locations throughout the City. One of the largest piles at the Sanford Street parking lot contained by actual measure- ment 210 tons. City trucks also aided the David Zarum & Son Company, metal dealers, in transporting the scrap to the East Providence Terminal. Forty-two tons of scrap from this Department were sold together with some obsolete machi- nery netting the sum of $520. 92 which was turned over to the City Treasurer.
Under the sponsorship of the Mayor's office an unused building was pur- chased from the County Hospital Trustees to be erected on the Common as a U. S. O. Center in connection with the new Myles Standish Staging Area located in Norton and Taunton. Much of the labor in dismantling and re-erection has been volunteered under the supervision of this Department. Company I of the Massa- chusetts State Guard removed the building from its former location and assisted in transporting it to the Common. Several local contractors have offered their services for the construction. At the year's end this project was well under way. The "War Chest", located nearby, was also set up by this Department.
Trucks of the Public Works Department assisted the Welfare Department in distributing waste lumber from the Wrecking of a County Street factory buil- ding. The Bank Street school property was regraded after the removal of the building by a local contractor.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
This Department has been active in the past year supplying estimates and designs as well as an unusual number of government reports. The force has been cut during the year by several members having left for the armed services or war work. However, it is felt that with the general curtailment of activities the same high quality service can be accomplished.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
The activities of this Department are shown in the accompanying tables. In spite of the shortage of manpower and the restriction of critical materials, it is evident that streets and highways have not been neglected. It is important in these times to keep in repair, at least, the fine road system for which Attleboro has prided itself and this will be the endeavor of this Department for the coming year.
155
ANNUAL REPORT
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON STREETS ACCEPTED DURING 1942 No. Name Description Length
Street Status of Width Constrction
1. Cherry Street-from 1941 layout to Palm Street .
100.00
40 90 % Complete
2. East Street-from Hazel Street to Brook Street .
592.25
40
75 % Complete
3. Maynard Street-from 1941 layout to Morey Street .
728.12
40 25 % Complete
4. Palm Street-from Cherry Street to Linden Street .
240.00
40 85 % Complete
5. Pearl Street-from Brook Street to George Street
1073.28
40
85 % Complete
Total
2733.65
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON STREETS ACCEPTED DURING 1941
No.
Name
Description
Length
Street Width
Status of Construction
1. Cherry Street-from Thacher Street to 1942 layout.
820.23
40
85 % Complete
2. Maynard Street-from Forest Street to 1942 layout .
392.96
40
25 % Complete
3. Phillips Street-from 1921 layout to County Street .
781.74
40 10 % Complete
4. Robbins Street-from Park Street to Dunham Street .
573.46
40 60 % Complete
5. Harvard Street-from North Avenue to end
458.00
40
80 % Complete
3026.39
STREETS HONED AND TREATED WITH TAR MIX-1942
No. Name Description
Length
Sq. Yards
1. Horton Street-between Cambridge Street and Gustin Ave.
400
1200
2. North Avenue-from Harvard Street to Ballou St.
800
2700
3. Park Street-George Street to Bishop Street .
2650
7400
4. Pleasant Street-from Lindsey Street to west end of State Highway
3500
9400
5. Shaw Street-from Pleasant Street to Shaw Avenue
280
630
Total
7630
21330
STREETS TREATED WITH TAR AND COVERED WITH SAND OR PEASTONE
No. Name Description
Length Sq. Yds.
1. Highland Avenue-from No. 138 to 205 Highland Ave.
700
1870
2 Locust Street-repair water main excavation near Oak Hill. . Avenue . .
450
900
3. Payson Street-repair water main excavation near Ashton Road .
130
376
4. Oak Hill Avenue-Repair water main excavation near Locust Street .
300
200
5. Robert Street-from Thirteenth Street to Fourteenth St.
300
870
6. South Main Street-from Lamb Street to Dexter Street
1400
4700
Total
3280
8916
156
ANNUAL REPORT
ROADWAY PAVEMENTS RECONSTRUCTED IN 1942
No. Name Description
Length Sq. Yds
1. Gustin Avenue-from Horton Street to end of layout
125
280
2. Hazel Street-near School Street
350
1000
3. Jefferson Street-between Fourth Street and Fifth Street
400
1160
4. Pike Avenue-near Wilmarth Street .
450
1000
5. Rocklawn Avenue-near West Street
150
300
6. School Street-near Hazel Street
260
751
7. Slater Street-from Norton line to Rehoboth line
8000
18700
8. Smith Street-from Slater Street to Rehoboth line
4000
8000
9. Wilmarth Street-from Park Street to Slater Street
7900
18400
Total
21635
49591
DRAINAGE PIPE LINE CONSTRUCTION
No. Street Description
18"
15"
12"
10"
Catch Basins
Man-
1. Brook Street surface drainage
40"
45"
1
3. East Street Culvert
90'
250'
26'
4
1
5. Pike Avenue Cluvert ext.
12'
45'
45'
4
7. Robbins St surface drainage
45'
1
8. School St. Culvert
90'
42'
1
Totals
90'
110'
412'
158'
11
1
GRANOLITHIC SIDEWALKS, GRANITE CURB AND COBBLE EDGESTONE
Granolithic sidewlaks placed by City forces-
Regular assessment .
1154.22 sq. yds.
Granite curbing placed by City forces-
Regular assessment
687.43 lin. ft.
Granite circle curb placed by City forces-
No assessment .
120.65 lin. ft.
Granite 2-foot corners placed by City forces- Regular assessment.
17
Granite curbing placed by W. P. A. forces on W. P. A.
street reconstruction projects-no assessments
575.00 lin. ft.
Cobble edge stone placed by W. P. A. forces- No assessment 2650.00 lin. ft.
SEWER CONNECTIONS
Total connections January 1, 1942- 2004
Buildings served
2216
Connections added during 1942. 12
12
Total
2016
2228
SEWER EXTENSIONS
Street
Size
Length
Manholes
Maynard Street
8'
483
2
Spring Street
205
1
Total
688
3
holes
2. County Street Culvert ext.
20'
4. Maynard St. Surface drainage
6. Fearl St. surface drainage
9. Wilmarth St. surface drainage
157
ANNUAL REPORT
STREET LIGHTING Street Lights placed during 1942-13-100 C. P. Number and kind of lights in use December 31, 1942
Kind
Number
Cost
1000 C. P.
60
$ 92.00 each
Sunset to 11 :30 P. M.
1000 C. P.
33
108.00 each
All night lights
1000 C. P. U-G
1
69.00 each
Sunset to 11:30 P. M.
250 C. P.
67
35.00 each All night lights
100 C. P.
1261
18.00 each
All night lights.
Traffic Blinkers
2
28.00 each
24 hr. flashing service
MATERIAL HAULED FROM CITY OWNED BANKS-1942
North Avenue Bank
Sand .
16
yds.
Stone-dust
61.5 yds.
Gravel
11365
yds.
Peastone
47.5 yds.
No. 2 Stone.
55.5 yds.
Total
11,545.5 yds
Bliss Pit
Sand
1653
yds.
Gravel.
140
yds.
Loam .
474.5 yds.
Subsoil
1026
yds.
No. 2 Stone
13
yds.
Peastone .
56.5 yds
Total
3363.0 yds.
West Street Bank
Stone-dust .
10.5 yds
10.5 yds.
South Avenue Bank
Gravel
2849
yds.
2849
yds.
Dodgeville Playground
Gravel
568
yds.
568
yds.
Total
18,336.0 yds.
Totals :
1669 yds. Sand
.45 yd. .
751.05
14922 yds. Gravel
35 yd.
5,222.70
474.5 yds. Loam 1.50 yd.
711.75
1026 yds. Subsoil
. 40 yd.
410.40
68. 5 yds No. 2 Stone
45 yd.
30.83
104
yds. Peastone
45 yd.
46.80
72
yds. Stone-dust . 65 yd.
46.80
Total
$ 7,220.33
(Fair Market value of material)
158
ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Comparison of Itemized Expenditures for-
1920
1940
1941
1942
Resurfacing
13,850.45
$ 5,695.24
$ 6,475.35
$ 5,930.13
Drains Maintenance
1,556.53
1,756.16
1,828.77
1,986.17
Street Sweeping
2,611.32
754.22
599.51
681.90
Street Patching
. 9,572.84
4,287.02
5,151.73
3,322.72
Street Cleaning
7,998.46
1,464.09
1,126.34
1,534.46
Sidewalk Maintenance
5,142.73
706.99
829.36
684.00
Road Rollers .
1,757.95
289.39
249.36
93.25
Highway Auto Maint.
726.70
Road Oil and Tar.
22,188.37
4,889.20
5,374.24
3,944.67
Bridges. Fences and Culverts
608.04
1,966.71
1,220.76
1,113.49
Crushers .
185.42
1,024.44
287.29
11.80
Ten Mile River and
Thacher Brook
711.26
37.54
31.87
55.84
Insurance.
2,062.41
1,573.90
1,701.24
1,455.37
Rent-Maynard Street Land
69.60
Vacations
393.28
323.90
557.15
482.11
Signs, Clock and Numbers .
344.00
204.41
135.77
69.92
Phones .
160.81
238.49
175.42
Incidentals
55.16
43.65
42.10
Snow and Ice .
11,073.23
9,472.80
6,672.66
5,378.67
Unexpended Balance of 1919 Appropriation
19,981.13
Deferred Barn, Stone and Gravel Charges
955.95
Crosswalks .
222.11
Care of Common
335.85
Express, Freight, etc.
349.65
$102,697.28
$34,661.98
$32,523.54
$26,962.02
New Equipment
3, 665.80
16,691.27
12,699.74
3,986.79
(Listed as Machinery,
Tools, etc. 1920
Repair Division-Labor and Material.
. 8,025.75
8,555.00
9,001.00
(Paid by Special Acct. in 1920)
Totals*
$106, 363.08 $59, 379.00
53, 778.28
$39,949.81
* These totals exclude Sidewalks and Curbing.
OTHER WORK
Several changes and improvements were made at our highway yard and garage this year. When gasoline rationing took place, the City was forced to buy its own motor fuel in bulk and distribute it from a central location. An idle 5,000 gallon tank owned by this Department was sunk at the Wall Street yard and suitable pumps installed. All City departments using gasoline from this source are billed through this Department. A full time man is in charge.
To conserve rationed fuel oil, the heating system in the highway garage was revamped during the year by employees of the Water Division, and the working space was partitioned off from the dead storage space.
159
ANNUAL REPORT
Snow removal was carried on through the winter months with the help of the new snow loader purchased last year. The streets around the center were quickly cleared of snow, pushed toward the gutters by truck plows, loaded by the Barber- Greene loader, and hauled away. Calcium chloride mixed with sand has been used extensively this year. Its effect is more lasting than salt and has proven to be a money saver in labor. The no-parking ban during the cold season is of great assistance to the plow crews, especially when a storm occurs at night. It will be seen by the tables that snow removal costs have decreased this year.
The sanitary sewer filter beds were given a routine cleaning by the regular City forces.
The City acquired a strip of land on South Main Street opposite Dodgeville School by a taking for street widening. An excavation of the slope was made to provide a seven foot sidewalk on the west side. One tree was removed and the shoulders regraded.
The guard fence problem on the City roads continues to occupy the depart- ment's spare time for it must be said that most guard fencing is in a deplorable con- dition. These wooden rail fences protecting highway traffic on bridges, ramps, culverts and embankments, require constant maintenance, and even in first class condition offer little protection for skidding automobiles.
Early in the year metal forms were bought for cast reinforced concrete posts as replacements. This project has continued through the year but with the inabi- lity of obtaining steel reinforcing and steel cable, progress must be curtailed for the duration.
Bliss Pit was operated extensively through the year supplying sand, gravel, loam and subsoil. Our investment in this gravel screening plant has been well repaid. Improvements were made by our forces to increase the storage capacity of sand for ice and snow cover.
WATER DIVISION
In March the Massachusetts Department of Health ordered the Cities and Towns in the Commonwealth to protect their water supplies. In compliance with this directive a special police force of six men was organized to patrol the West Street Pumping Station and Orr's Pond area on 24 hour duty. The area surrounding the standpipe on Ide's Hill was enclosed by a chain link wire fence surmounted by barbed wire. This was done by the W. P. A. under a project writ- ten for this purpose. Fence repairs were made at the Hoppin Hill Reservoir.
At the Balcom Street Pumping Station, West Mansfield suction lines from the well field were cleaned and inspected, also the wellfield was cleaned, and test runs made on the pumps. This plant although not in regular use is held in readi- ness for any emergency and through certain changes made this year, it is thought that more and a better quality water would be available for such an emergency.
In January, this year, apparatus was purchased and installed at the West Street Pumping Station for the chlorination of our drinking water. This instal- lation will be permanent as requested by the State Health authorities in line with the wartime health protection program. The normal dosage for adequate pro- tection is well below the limit whereby the palatability of the water is affected. In the twelve months time the chlorinator has been operating, only in one instance has there been a detection of its presence. This should be true of any well regu- lated installation. The people of Attleboro should feel very confident of the safe quality of the drinking water in the light of the many other improvements made at our Pumping Station in the past seven years.
160
ANNUAL REPORT
A routine cleaning of the filter basin took place during the dry season this summer. Leaves and silt washed down from the water shed in times of quick run-off deposit on the bed of the filter basin preventing the percolation of water to the collecting wells. This should be removed twice a year and replaced by clean grave! where necessary. Placing a small weir on the upper side of West Street in which deposits would be collected before entering the well field, would be a definite improvement and is a recommendation for after the war period.
Once again this Department warns users of City water to protect their hot water systems by vacuum valves as well as pressure valves. This is particularly true of those whose homes are on points of high elevation. Such protection will prevent the collapse of hot water tanks when it becomes necessary to shut off water mains without notice. One case was reported this year.
In the following tables will be shown the records of the Water Division for 1942.
1942 WATER MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS
Locust Street-368 ft. of 10 inch pipe
Total mains December 31, 1942-82. 16 miles.
714
Hydrants added 1942-West Street
1
Total number of hydrants Dece mb er 31, 1942
715
Following are charts giving the costs and other pertinent data relative to the placing of new services and replacements of old services:
New Services-1942
Size
Number 7
Length in Feet
Cost-Main to Street Line
Cost-Street Line to House
Total Cost
3-4 inch
403' 4"
$ 143.74
219.63
$ 363.37
Linch
13
598' 6"
260.90
290.30
551.20
1 1-2 inch
1
233'
140.93
112.67
253.60
2 inch
2
62' 2"
82.77
58.41
141.18
6 inch
2
111'
Fire Service
535.81
535.81
Totals
25
1408'
$ 628.34
$1216.82
$1845.16
Service
Replacements-1942
Length in
Cost-Main to Street Line
Cost-Street Line to House
Total Cost 92.50
3-4 inch
4 *A-4
38'
$ 92.50
1 inch
4 *A-2
*B-1
92'
64.82
$
34.99
99.81
*(1-1
*B-1
1 1-2 inch
2 *C-1
64'
18.07
74.22
122.29
2 inch
2 *B-1
2 inch
2 *C-1
145' 6"
55.37
121.87
177.24
Totals
12
339' 6"
$ 260.76
$ 231.08
$ 491.84
*A-Services replaced from main to street line
*B-Services replaced from street line to house
*C-Services replaced from main to house
Size
No.
Feet
Number of hydrants December 31, 1942.
161
ANNUAL REPORT
PUMPING RECORDS-1942 Electric Pump-South Attleboro Totals per Month
Month
Hour Pumping
*Coal Con- sumed lbs.
Gallons Pumped Vent. Meter
Kilowatts Used
January .
278 hrs. 10 min.
21,225
39,344,000
44,570
February
248 hrs. 45 min.
18,000
35,302,000
40,120
March
271 hrs. 45 min
17,600
38,967,000
44,030
April
264 hrs. 25 min
15,600
37,645,000
42,640
May
299 hrs. 15 min.
11,205
42,136,000
48,130
June
294 hrs. 30 min.
10,595
42,294,000
47,690
July
300 hrs. 10 min.
10,790
43,912,000
48,860
August.
309 hrs.
11,400
44,820,000
50,020
September
294 hrs. 55 min.
10,450
42,583,000
47,630
October
298 hrs. 10 min.
14,025
42,554,000
47,970
November
291 hrs. 25 min.
16,275
40,855,000
46,720
December
314 hrs. 30 min.
21,750
43,414,000
50,000
Totals
3,465 hrs.
178,915
493,826,000
558,380
PUMPING RECORDS-1942 Electric Pump-South Attleboro Daily Averages Per Month
Month
Hours Pumping
*Coal Con- sumed lbs.
Gallons Pumped Vent. Mete:
Kilowatts Used
January
8 hrs. 58 min.
685
1,269,161
1438
February
8 hrs. 53 min.
643
1,260,786
1433
March
8 hrs. 46 min.
568
1,257,000
1420
April
8 hrs. 49 min.
520
1,254,833
1421
May
9 hrs. 39 min.
362
1,359,226
1553
June
9 hrs. 49 min.
353
1,409,800
1590
July
9 hrs. 41 min.
348
1,416,516
1576
August
9 hrs. 58 min.
368
1,445,806
1613
September
.9 hrs. 50 min.
348
1,419,433
1588
October
9 hrs. 37 min.
452
1,372,710
1547
November
9 hrs. 42 min.
543
1,361,833
1557
December
10 hrs. 9 min.
702
1,400,452
1613
8 hrs. 30 min.
490
1,352,946
1530
Daily averages for the year * Coal is used for heating buildings and for occaisional tests of steam stand- by pump.
COMPARATIVE YEARLY PRECIPITATION REPORT (Recorded at South Attleboro Pumping Station) 1937-1942
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
Month
Precipi- tation
Snow
Precipi- tation
Snow
Precipi- tation
Precipi- tation
Snow
Precipi- tation
Snow
Precipi- tation
Snow
January
4.38"
2.50"
3.92"
19.00"
2.45"
10.25"
2.83"
4.50"
3.03"
15.75"
3.82"
12.25"
February
1.94"
1.91"
11.75"
4.39"
6.00"
3.75"
16.25"
1.96"
7.00"
3.33"
8.25"
March .
3.92"
3.25"
1.41"
0.25"
4.64"
18.75"
4.31"
1.75"
2.14"
11.00"
7.89"
5.00"
May
3.51"
4.38"
1.35"
5.52"
2.21"
2.34"
June .
4.41"
8.50"
3.22"
2.89"
3.79"
3.47"
July . .
1.16"
9.59"
0.54"
3.74"
4.44"
4.90"
August
6.93"
2.19"
6.26"
1.37"
2.82"
4.67"
September
4.12"
5.99"
2.57"
2.73"
0.34"
1.79"
November
6.70"
3.61"
7.50"
1.16"
6.70"
7.00" 2.66"
4.65"
December
3.61"
4.75"
2.98"
2.50"
3.04"
8.50"
2.14"
2.50"
2.95"
0.25"
5.26"
8.00"
Totals .
49 85"
10.50" 49.03"
41.00" 39.83"
43.50" 43.84"
32.00"
29.46"
34.00" 46.83"
33.50"
162
ANNUAL REPORT
October . .
3.76"
3.15"
5.24"
1 79"
1.47"
3.75"
April .
5.41"
1.40"
4.97"
6.07"
1.65"
0.96"
Snow
.
163
ANNUAL REPORT
EXPENDITURES-1942-PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Charges to December 31, 1942
General Administration:
Superintendent's Salary .
$ 3,500.00
Asst. Engineer's Salaries, Draftman, etc.
8,628.08
Clerical Labor .
4,799.33
Engineering Supplies
138.31
Office Supplies
250.56
Insurance .
36.72
Telephone
100.74
Incidentals.
18.11
$ 17,471.85
Highway Division:
Resurfacing .
5,930.13
Drains .
1,986.17
Street Sweeping
681.90
Street Patching
3,322.72
Street Cleaning
1,534.46
Sidewalk Maintenance
684.00
Road Rollers .
93.25
Road Oil and Tar
3,944.67
Bridges, Fences and Culverts
1,113.49
Crushers
11.80
Ten Mile River and Thacher Brook
55.84
Insurance.
1,455.37
Vacations
482.11
Signs, Clock and Numbers
69.92
Incidentals
42.10
Phone
175.42
Snow and ice
5,378.67
Sidewalks and Curbing
3,059.29
30,021.31
New Equipment
3,986.79
Street Lighting
34, 236.60
Repair Division-Labor and Material
9,001.00
Water Division:
Maintenance Payroll.
11,444.69
Maintenance Material
1,249.99
New Meters
1.510.29
Services .
1,719.73
Shop and Barn
692 327
Maintenance of Buildings
230.96
Main Line Maintenance
522.51
Auto Operation
364.70
Insurance
1,830.91
Taxes
294.01
Incidentals
30.51
19,890.57
Main Line Extension W. P. A. Water Extension
2,327.26
17.96
Olive Street Main Line Extension
31.16
Water Department-Protection Account
7,159.74
16-4
ANNUAL REPORT
Pumping Station Division :
Payroll
5,790.49
Overtime
74.00
Fuel
160.50
Oil
13.34
Pumps
157.02
Boilers
28.93
Cleaning Filter Beds .
442.96
Care of Equipment, Grounds and Beds
1,116.05
Phone.
64.86
Incidentals
19.80
Chemicals
534.64
Electric Power and Light
10, 548.29
18, 950.88
Sewer Division :
Filter Beds .
2,159.99
Repair and Care of Sewers
454.84
2,614.83
Maple Street Sewer Extension Project :
307.38
Spring Street Sanitary Sewer
254.52
Maynard Street Sanitary Sewer
350.50
Rifle Range .
79.50
Repair of Standpipe .
91.10
W. P. A. Recreation and Park Project
4.45
Special Labor Account .
6,331.91
W. P. A. Road Improvement .
13, 200.78
W. P. A. Sidewalks
122.44
W. P. A City Streets
8, 735.37
Construction of Watson Avenue
135.75
Construction of Riverbank Road
1,961.18
Construction of Mechanic Street
354.86
W. P. A. Watson Avenue School Grading
3,726.83
Glacial Rock Improvement
52.00
Chapter 90 Projects.
16,528.79
Read and Phillips Street Drainage
340.63
School and East Streets Drainage
535.12
Gasoline Dispensary Account
5,408.62
Emergency Compensation Account
3,820.00
Hebronville Railroad Bridge.
1,200.00
Total of 1942 Expenditures
$ 209,251.68
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Department recommends no major improvements this year but does point out that the first consideration after the war should be the repair of our standpipe and the addition of another one as recommended in past reports. As far as equipment is concerned, we think we can get along for the duration and whatever repairs are necessary will be taken care of in our efficient repair depart- ment. We are grateful for the adoption by the Council of the so-called "Equip- ment Fund" for it is quite possible that very good or new equipment may be pur- chased at favorable prices after the war; however, this account should be built up by appropriations at this time in anticipation of this opportunity.
165
ANNUAL REPORT
CONCLUSION
In conclusion I desire to express my appreciation to his Honor, the Mayor, the members of the Municipal Council, and other Department Heads for cour- tesies and assistance extended this Department during the year, also to the press for valuable publicity. To our own employees, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their loyal support in this trying World War year.
Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Mawney Superintendent of Public Works
Report of the Dog Officer
To His Honor the Mayor, and the Municipal Council,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit a report of the activities of the Dog Officer for the year 1942.
Investigations of complaints of unlicensed Dogs 370
96
Removal of Dead Dogs
42
Killings other than Statutory
14
Miles Traveled
3090
There are 1876 dogs licensed in the City at the present time.
I wish to thank the Chief Peter J. Marron, the Police Department, Mr. Charles Brown, agent for the Massachusetts S. P. C. A., City Clerk, Kenneth F. Blandin and Mr. Joseph Finberg for their helpful cooperation in this work.
Very truly yours,
Thomas F. Robinson City Dog Officer
Statutory Killings
Stray Dogs Boarded 96
166
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Zoning Board of Appeal
To His Honor, the Mayor and the Honorable Municipal Council of the City of Attleboro:
The Zoning Board of Appeal organized May 7, 1942 by the election of a Chairman and a Secretary. Subsequently, the Board adopted By-laws and Rules of Procedure. It also prepared and adopted forms to be used in connection with appeals to the Board from decisions of the Inspector of Buildings and applications to the Board for permits or variances.
During 1942 the Board had 19 formal meetings and considered and disposed of 57 appeals and petitions, of which number 42 petitions were filed by one appli- cant and disposed of together. The Board also met informally to discuss pending matters on numerous occasions. Since the decisions of the Board on all appeals and petitions are a matter of public record it would appear to serve no useful pur- pose to discuss them in this report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board recommends: (1) the clarification of certain ambiguous provi- sions of the Ordinance; (2) the elimination of the "Front Yard" requirements in so far as they apply to Business and Industrial Districts; and (3) the enlarge- ment of the jurisdiction of the Board of Appeal with respect to variances. Each of these recommendations will be referred to briefly in the order above mentioned.
1. Ambiguous provisions
Section 6-B of the Ordinance, relating to non-conforming uses, was borrowed from the corresponding section of the Wellesley Zoning Ordinance. In the pro- cess of transition, however, important punctuation and conjunctives were omitted. The resulting provisions are ambiguous, inconsistent and meaningless. The Board recommends that Section 6-B be redrafted, correlated and clarified.
2. Front Yard Requirements
Section 14 of the Ordinance provides for a "Front Yard" of at least 30 feet in depth for every building or structure erected or placed on any lot in any Dis- trict. Possibly such requirements might be considered arbitrary and unrea- sonable in so far as they apply to Business and Industrial Districts where buildings and structures generally abut on the sidewalk. Accordingly, the Board recom- mends that Section 14 be amended so as to make the existing "Front Yard" re- quirements inapplicable to Business and Industrial Districts.
167
ANNUAL REPORT
3. Enlargement of the Jurisdiction of the Board of Appeal with Respect to Vari- ances
The principal difficulty in establishing any zoning plan is to make it effective and at the same time to avoid unreasonableness and hardship to property owners. All zoning ordinances, even when prepared with the greatest of care, cannot pos- sibly prescribe what ought to be done in exceptional cases where hardship would result if the provisions of the ordinance were strictly applied. Boards of Appeal are therefore created to deal with such situations. However, unless such Boards are clothed with appropriate authority they are powerless to alleviate hardship. The absence or lack of such power in the Board of Appeal may endanger the entire zoning plan.
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