USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1952 > Part 6
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In the station proper a chlorine and lime feeder was installed, also an automatic vacuum pump and temperature bearing cuts out on each motor and pump bearing. These controls will cut off the power making this plant semi-automatic inasmuch as it will shut down in case of hot bearings and loss of water in the suction line or a drop in power line voltage but must be restarted manually after checking the cause of the shut down.
This station is operating twenty four hours a day and has given no trouble of consequence since it was started in September. One very serious incident occured, previous to starting the station however, when lightning struck the pole carrying the power wires and followed a wire through the entrance conduit to the fuse cut out switchs on the station wall. The fuses were out at the time thereby probably saving the switch- board and 100 h. p. mrfor but one phase switch of this unit was destroyed and after much delay due to slow delivery was replaced.
Lightning arresters have since been installed by the Mansfield power crew and the entrance conduit and lead in wires have been grounded by a section of salvaged trolley wire to the pump suction line outside the station.
The gravel packed wells supplying the pump were built in 1934 and were designed for a total output of only 400, 000 g. p. d. The pumping rate is now 600, 000g. p. d. and it is intended to gradually increase the amount to around 700, 000 g. p. d. providing daily tests show that the quality remains satisfactory. It is noted that the State Department of Public Health make periodic tests independently of the daily City test to assure water of high quality and make suggestions fron time to time as to rate of lime and chlorine feed. This will vary somewhat at the season of spring or fall flood periods and again at mid- summer. They are always available for con- sultation and appreciation of their many helpful suggestions is herewith acknowledged.
The detail for all station improvements was prepared by Mr. Julian White, water supply consultant, retained by the City, and to him also. do I extend thanks for advice and suggestions which enabled the personel of this Department to do the field work necessary to bring this station up to its present valuable operating condition.
76
Annual Report
It is evident that in the future increasing dependence will be placed upon the Mirimichi Reservoir and the Wading River outfall from this lake as a source for a portion of the additional municipal water supply with increasing demand each year.
The City of Attleboro actually owns only the flooded area up to the high water mark, which is identified by a specific elevation established by a Legislative Act of 1923, except for a small land area adjacent to the dam and spillway.
The number of summer cottages around the lake has increased considerably due to the development of a new plat of lots at the north end of the lake. The sanitary requirement of these dwellings are served by cess pools or septic tanks with the effluent, of course, ultimately reaching the water of the lake.
Unfortunately, the State Department of Public Health does not recognize Lake Mirimichi as being a municipal water supply but is a compensating reservoir only, for supplying the needs of industries down stream having water rights in the Wading River, therefor the above Department is not con- cerned with possible pollution of the water in said lake, which it is under - stood of course, ultimately reaches the filter bed area at the Wading River Pumping station.
It must be understood that this surface water is thoroughly filtered through the gravel of the filter bed and it must pass also through the gravel in the specially constructed wells before entering the suction line to the station pump.
It is the intent of this phase of the report to direct attention to the fact that an increasing number of summer residences are being built on the shore of Lake Mirimichi, obviously requiring sanitary conveniences. The City of Attleboro through the Superintendent of this Department is at present powerless to require the owners to construct adequate installation for the proper treatment of sewage or to take any steps whatever to guard against lake water pollution.
I recommend that a study be made by a person or group duly authorized by the City of Attleboro to consider the following points or to change or add to the same as suggested as the investigation progresses.
1. Endeavor to have the Mass. State Dept. of Public Health recognize Lake Mirimichi as a public water supply for the City of Attleboro and set up rules and regulations accordingly to minimize pollution.
2. The City of Attleboro should acquire all presently vacant land to a distance of one hundred feet parallel to and above the maximum allowable flowage elevation around the lake.
77
-
Annual Report
3. Require prospective builders to petition the Honorable Municipal Council, with plans for the building and details of proposed sewage treatment, also request permission to build on said land of land adjacent there for a small yearly fee at a location designated by said Council.
4. Enact such local legislation or otherwise to require all the present owners to present plans showing how their sanitary disposal systems shall be improved or changed to guard against lake water pollution and designate some authority to see that the improvements or changes are carried to completion.
The designated authority must be allowed to enter upon any private pro- perty at reasonable times in the performance of his inspection duty without be- ing guilty of trespass.
This Department does not presume to suggest any legal processes or other means toward the adoption of the above or added regulations around Lake Miri- : : michi but does most sincerely recommend a thorough study without further delay for the protection of the water users of the City of Attleboro and to safeguard the quality of this most important and increasing source of water supply.
The usual construction of gravel penetration of streets newly accepted was carried on as well as surface treatment by asphalt and sand cover in many separate areas.
Brown St. from Washington Street to within five hundred feet of Leedham St. constructed with a hot mixed top on a gravel base was a major accomplishment under a Chapter 90 schedule. It is expected to complete this street to the Cumberland town line in 1953.
South Main Street between Park and Mill Streets was also resurfaced with bituminous concrete resulting in a very smooth riding pavement ..
The gross mileage for new construction and resurfacing is 4. 0 which adds greatly to the total mileage for routine maintenance.
Experience of the past several years indicates positively that the conventional method of street construction consisting of a gravel base treated with two applications of asphalt does not create a wearing surface of sufficient depth to endure under the grinding effect of modern traffic. To build a more substantial pavement at a less cost than the usual pene - tration type, the street excavation and gravel refill treated with asphalt was continued but the grade was left two and one half inches low. This was done on several streets carrying varied traffic loads.
A unit called a Moto Paver which mixes and spreads to a uniform depth a mix of asphalt and properly graded aggregate, was hired for several days to mix and spread the top wearing surface of two and one half inches which was then rolled to the finished crown and grader and later sealed with a light coat of asphaltic oil and fine stone.
78
Annual Report
The streets so constructed are Thacher St. , Prairie Avenue to the Railroad bridge, Snell Street, East Street at the Briggs Playground and Hazelwood Avenue.
This Department is now erecting a gravel screening plant at the West St. crusher location which will separate all stone over one inch in diameter. This is fed directly to the crusher which reduces it to a size useful for the base stone of a penetration type pavement. The remaining well graded small stone and gravel is conveyed to a stock pile. This is the material it is proposed to use in the future and to more or less specialize in this type of pavement for secondary and residential streets particularly, although by varying the amount of maximum sized stone a surface can be mixed and placed that will carry any reasonable traffic load.
Whereas the cost for hiring a mixer as explained is prohibitive, it is hoped that perhaps next year a unit can be purchased by the Department for this advance type of construction and with City material available the pavement cost can be brought within budget figures and our necessarily gravel construction schedule could be carried out to best advantage by having a paving machine available when required.
Surface drain installations were completed mostly in areas required by new street construction. The drainage on old streets, so called, is generally satisfactory, however a district badly needing relief is that area bounded by County Square, Thacher St. and Fisher St. This has been recommended regularly each year.
A second area is at the intersection of Linden, Cherry and Palm Sts. A relieving pipe line could be carried down Linden, Alder and Fisher St. to Prosperity Lake draining the several intersections passed through by this route.
A major installation of 21" inch drain out fall pipe was placed from Brown St. southerly towards Lee's Pond on the South End Playground. This line was required by the Brown St. Ch. 90 construction and will be com- pleted in 1953.
Several small sewer extensions were completed after petition and approval, all were routine jobs and were required by new construction or in the case of Prince St., the subsurface material would no longer accept the effluent from residential septic tanks. A new basis of sewer ex- tension assessments should be worked up since the 1913 rates are still being used.
It is interesting to note that trenching was carried on throughout the winter with only a few weeks of snow and frozen ground interfering.
Water main extensions required by new housing was a major accomplish- ment with new services and routine water Department maintenance account- ing for a very busy season.
79
Annual Report
Delivery of cast iron pipe and hydrants is very slow.
The 450 H. P. Diesel engine and generator for the West St. Pumping station has been ordered with the switchboard and all electrical equipment also.
The new 4 million gallon per day pump is also on order with a tentative delivery date of June or July 1953 for all materials.
The Wading River Station is operating at a 700, 000 gallon per day rate with very little trouble.
The City is extremely fortunate to have this supply and the available pumping volume should be increased at once by additional wells to utilize the capacity of the 1. 5 m. gal. pump and thereby relieve the pumping load on the West St. station.
It is the intent of the New Haven Railroad to make extensive repairs to the steel work and replace all timbers on the Olive St. bridge in 1953; therefore a very minimum of deck maintenance is done at present since the City must lay a new deck after completion of railroad repairs.
Cliff St. bridge is a problem to maintain. The timbers are in poor condition and it is apparent that a new bridge will not be constructed until River bank Road is extended and built. All other bridges are in very good condition. The Deanville Road bridge over the Ten Mile River should be widened to forty feet, requiring a short piece of street relo- cation.
The extensive sidewalk and curbing construction by contract was com- pleted and this type of improvement not only adds considerably to the appearance of adjacent properties but makes sidewalk and pavement shoulder maintenance more effective.
All guard fences are now constructed of steal cable with concrete posts and barring damage by vehicle will last indefinitely.
Concrete pipe has been used to replace several old metal culverts which results in long life and requires only routine cleaning each season.
RECOMMENDATION FOR 1953
This Department feels duty bound to include all the recommendation listed in the 1951 report even at the risk of being accused of tiresome repetition since all then enumerated were pertinent to the general welfare of the community and all must ultimately be seriously considered. They are included herewith:
Additional 1. 5 million gallon standpipe or 3 million gallon low head reservoir.
80
Annual Report
Repair present standpipe immediately.
Increase capacity of Wading River station by additional wells.
Build new dam above station at Blakes Pond and a low dam above the site of the old Knife Works Mill on Williams St .; Mansfield which would hold back water in the Robinson Pond also
Purchase land for water reservoir on the Seven Mile River west of Washington St. and also on same river west of Orr's Pond Station. Land around Manchesters Pond should also be purchased.
A schedule of old water main cleaning should be set up and carried forward each year particularly in the Park, N. Main and Pleasant St. areas.
Small four inch mains in the industrial area on the East side must ultimately be replaced preferably with eight inch pipe.
The elimination of dead end mains by connecting extensions thereby saving water now wasted by bleeders should also be given consideration.
In all cases wherever reasonably possible extensions should be made which will complete a loop of supply main and new work should be evaluated accordingly.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Add to present Wall St. garage for live storage and Water Department equipment or develop a new building and yard at another location.
Purchase new twelve ton tandem roller.
Two sidewalk tractors for snow plowing.
Truck with hydraulic hoist for handling water pipe in trenches and all load hoisting.
Mechanical drain and sewer pipe line cleaning machine for routine maintenance of same.
Vacuum leaf loader and truck body for removal of fallen leaves.
Machine for mixing street surface material for more durable pavement as explained under general remarks.
Again County St. from Read St. to the end of the 1951 construction under Ch, 90 agreement should be considered for relocation and construc - tion.
81
Annual Report
Mill Street and So. Main St. adjacent to the Railroad station should be repaved with a hot top surface similar to S. Main St. northerly to Park St.
No. Main St. , Sanford to Dean St. should be similarly improved.
Sanford St. between Bank and No. Main should be widened in general conforming to the plans long on file in this Department. The volume of traffic using the parking lot plus the proposed change in zoning from residential to business warrants this consideration.
SANITARY SEWERS:
The proposed sewer extension from the Ten Mile River Trunk line to serve that area north of Thacher St. and east of the railroad extending to County Square cannot be ignored much longer as this area is developing rapidly.
SURFACE DRAINS:
A surface drain system generally parallel to the above recommended sewer to serve the same area isagain mentioned as the surface water runoff becomes more rapid with each street improvement with consequent gutter erosion and added maintenance as well as flooding of yards.
Attention must be given to drainage conditions on the Leach Plat, so called as this section is developing steadily and water is becoming a problem.
Pine Road, Washington St. to Robinson Avenue should be servicedc by basins and the necessary pipe line; also Robinson Avenue east of Mendon Road.
This Department will appreciate any suggestion or constructive criticism from whatever source that will tend to improve the service to the public that we are obliged to furnish.
Thanks is extended to all City Department Heads, particularly Chief Marron of the Police Department and Chief Mowry of the Fire Department, Mayor Brennan, all Members fo the Municipal Council, all citizens who offered timely suggestions and especially to all personel of this Department, without whose cooperation and support the accomplishments of this year would have been impossible.
Respectfully submitted,
Russell F. Tennant Superintendent Public Works
82
Annual Report
1952 - NEW CONSTRUCTION
No. of feet
Dewey Avenue
North Main St.
Westerly
700
Sheffield Road
North Main St.
Westerly
564
Warren Road
Daggett Road
Sheffield Road
450
Daggett Road
North Main St.
Westerly
430
George Ide Drive
Capt. Courtois Drive
Westerly & Northerly
1438
Capt. Courtois Drive
County St.
Westerly
1116
Intervale Road
Thacher St.
Thirteenth St.
580
Chester Street
South Main St.
Ten Mile River
450
Westwood Park Cir.
Towne House Road
Easterly
1100
Towne House Road
Clifton Street
Westwood Park Cir.
600
Woodcock Lane
Towne House Road
Notherly
225
John William St.
Thacher St.
Summer St.
1470
Curtis Avenue
Washington St.
Easterly
1222
Gardner Avenue
Pine Road
Brown St.
1330
Fonetneau Avenue
South Main St.
Westerly
232
Rocky Terrace
Patterson St
Easterly
317
Patterson Street
South Avenue
Southerly
606
Rand Avenue
Brown Street
Northerly
1120
Hood Street
North Avenue
Easterly
675
Brown Street
Sta 66 - 38. 16
Sta 19 - 00. 00
4738
19363
1952 - RESURFACING
Riverside Avenue
Spring Street
Chester St. 250
Snell Street
South Avenue
Southerly 254
Hazelwood Ave.
No. Main
Easterly
400
County St.
No. Main
Southerly
1100
Pleasant St.
Gustin to R. R.
1500
Cumberland Ave.
Newport Ave. to Rt. 1
2400
Union Road
Pike Ave. to City Line
4400
Benefit St.
Peck St. to Leroy St.
350
10654
ROAD OIL (SEAL)
Pike Avenue
4000 ft.
Read Street
6000 ft.
Steere Street
3000 ft.
Cherry Street
900 ft.
Oakhill Avenue
2000 ft.
Linden Street
1200 ft.
Orange Street
1000 ft.
Prairie Avenue
900 ft.
Bishop Street
4000 ft.
Alden Street
800 ft.
Parker Street 400 ft.
Ottawa Street
400 ft.
Mulberry Street
1000 ft.
Dale Avenue
500 ft.
Pearl Street
600 ft.
Fisher Street
700 ft
James Street
700 ft.
Bellmore Street
400 ft
Wilmarth Street
3000 ft.
31500 ft.
83
Annual Report
DRAINAGE PIPE LINE CONSTRUCTION - 1952
Catch Basins
Man Holes
8"
10"
12"
15"
24"
Hudson St. & Belair Ave.
4
336"
Gardner Ave. to Lee's Pond
6
4
26'
413'
352'
116. 5'
So. Main St. So. of Thurber Ave.
3
325'
Patterson St.
5
24
241'
80'
George Ide Drive
2
1
355'
Woodcock Lane
5
85'
345'
Pleasant St. thru Fisher Prop. (Replacing old culvert)
Steere St. at Pike Ave.
1
50'
Sturdy St. at Ashley's
1
40'
Sheffield at Warren Road
1
Curtis Avenue
2
130'
South Avenue at Prescott St.
1
31
7
24
1503'
746'
697'
116.5
GRANOLITHIC SIDEWALKS & GRANITE CURB - 1952
Contractor - Delpape Brothers
Granolithic Sidewalks
2156. 9 yds.
Granolithic Drives
342.2 yds.
Granite Curbing
4144. 4 ft.
Granite Curbing Reset
366. 4
ft.
Granite Driveway Corners
78
Circular Granite Curbing
89.4 ft.
BRIDGES, FENCES AND CULVERTS - 1952
Cable Fence
County St. Mechanic St. 280 feet 30 concrete posts
Bridge Redecking
Holden St. - Major repairs to steel work done by Railroad 3"x2"x11/2" asphalt deck by City.
Read St. over Seven Mile River. Old wood bridge replaced by three 28 feet long 60 inch concrete pipe with sone masonry head walls.
84
2
168'
-
240 feet 26 concrete posts
Annual Report
SNOW FENCE - 1952
Location of snow fence erected each fall.
Brown St.
700
ft.
Highalnd Avenue
1400
ft.
Read St.
700
ft.
County St.
1000
ft.
Oak Hill Ave.
400
ft.
Handy St.
300
ft.
Wilmarth St.
200
ft.
Steere St.
100
ft.
Park St.
200
ft.
West St.
300
ft.
Commonwealth ave.
400
ft.
Locust St.
800
ft.
6500
ft.
SEWER CONSTRUCTIONS - 1952
6" Pipe
8" Pipe
Manholes
Eddy Street
Garfislo Avenue
247
1
John William Street
260
1
Prince Street
248
1
Rocky Terrace
270
1
South Avenue
736
3
1266
998
9
Total Additions To Sewer System - 2264 ft. (. 43 miles) Total Miles of Sewer 12/31/52 - 41. 48 miles
SEWER CONNECTIONS - 1952
Total Connections: Jan. 1, 1952 - 2257 Buildings Served - 2469
Connections Added during 1952 - 39
39
Totals 2296 2508
STREET LIGHTING - 1952
Number and kind of lights in use December 31, 1952.
1000 C. P. - 59 - $79 00 each yr. - Sunset to 11:30 P. M. 1000 C. P. - 34 - 95.00
= - All night lights
1000 C. P. - U /G-1-75. 00 11
11 11 light 600 C, P. - 40 - 5. 416 11
mo 11 lights
250 C P. - 140- 2 333 11 100 C. P. - 1317 - 1.50 11
11
11 1 1
503
2
85
Annuel Repor
NEW SERVICES - 1952
LENGTH
SIZE
NUMBER
IN BEET
-
4 inch
157
$964'7"
$10321 40
1
3
4031
395 11
1
521
121. 78
11/2"
128'
319 32
2
2
99'6"
420. 50
1
201
242 52 (FIRE SERVICE)
TOTALS
149
966711"
$11820. 63
SERVICE REPLACEMENTS 1952
LENGTH
TOTAL
BIZE
NUMBER
IN FEET
COST
74 inch
25
657'
$1195 86
HYDRANTS
T ob! Number of Hydrants 12/31/52 - 911
WATER MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS : 1952
HYDRANTS 6
Pipe 8" Pipe
1G" I pe
142 8
54
Pico Street
194 9
Latter avenue & Arnold Street
2
535 1
pomme LAne
1
:57 5
Hwwww.mb Ave. & Miriam Drive
2
749.7
(Tm) replaces 370 ft
11/2' pipe)
Warmen Road
77
John Williams Street
400
( Tls replaces 217 5ft
11/2" pipe)
Work Circle
1 203
E' sher Street
109
Fern Street
240 9
Stare Lane
128
Eddy Sirect
1
659 7
This replaces 125 ft 1 /4" pipe)
Hand Avenue
1
220 6
Washer Street
100. 9
Br nin Street
2
2
Bayberry Hill Road
1
239.5
Patterson Street
228. 5
Mon Strect
1
741 ..
86
1019.5
TOTAL COST
Annual Report
Water Main Line Extensions - (Cont'd)
Hydrants 6" Pipe 180.
8" Pipe 10" Pipe
Longfellow & East Bacon Street
Oak Hill Avenue
127. 8
Dewey Avenue
144.5
Walnut Street
213. 3
Rocklawn Avenue
492.8
Park Circle & Park Drive
176. 8
Tyson Place
Total
15
7617. 8
1533. 8
619. 4
EXPENDITURES - 1952 - PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Charges to December 31, 1952
General Administration:
Superintendent's Salary
$4800. 00
Asst. Engineers Salaries, etc.
13635. 08
Clerical Labor
7611. 96
Engineering Suplies
371. 84
Office Supplies
224. 47
Insurance
52. 40
Telephone
193. 04
Incidentals
25.00
Calculator Purchase
697. 50
New Adding Machine
218. 30
New Filing Cabinet
50 .. 45
$27, 880. 04
Highway Division:
Labor
107,100. 82
Resurfacing
25,839. 77
Drains
8,979.93
Street Sweeping
1,432. 90
Street Patching
6,546.24
Street Cleaning
235,00
Road Rollers
67.09
Road Oil & Tar
2,474. 89
Bridges, Fences & Culverts
4,846.42
Crushers
2,631. 23
Insurance
3,880. 68
Signs, Clock & Numbers
708. 46
Snow & Ice
3,971. 73
Incidentals
55. 01
Phones
540. 33
$169,310. 50
379. 9
87
Annual Report
Street Lighting:
$38.075. 51
Water Division:
Maintenance Payroll
36,333. 51
Maintenance Material
691. 36
New Meters
6,586.33
Services
10,662.06
Main Line Maint.
832.00
Shop & Barn
2,183. 14
Maint. of Buildings
50.00
Insurance
3,807.37
Taxes
497. 71
Incidentals
36.62
$ 61,680. 10
Water Main Line Extension:
$ 2,300.00
Speci al Main Line Extension:
$25,458. 26
Replacement of Olive St. Main Linc:
$ 6,136.18
Pumping Station Division:
Payroll
$18,093. 92
Overtime
546. 96
Fuel
1,850. 82
Oil
8. 71
Pumps
544. 25
Boilers
257. 13
Cleaning Filter Beds
603. 98
Care of Equip., Grounds & Beds
1,431. 31
Phone
310. 20
Incidentals
108.99
Chemicals
2,364. 71
Elec. Power & Light
26,137. 90
Insurance - Pumping Equip.
1,229.80
$53,497. 68
Sewer Division:
Filter Beds
9,969.47
Repair and Care of Sewers
4. 17
Treatment Plant-Power & Maint. 4,269. 16
$14, 242. 80
Emergency Labor Account
1,874.65
Special Labor Account
1,746.00
Hillcrest Oaks Sewer & Drain Project
2,782. 79
Chapter 200 Projects
9,586.01
Utilities at New Junior High School
291. 51
Chapter 90-Brown St.
.59,610.06
Chapter 90ยท Projects (Pleasant St. )
193. 60
Career 90-Braid Mill Curve
499. 90
88
Annual Report
Chapter 90-Seven Mile River Bridge
254. 76
Equipment Replacement Fund
3,994. 20
New Equipment
1,834 02
Sanford St. Parking Lot
407. 59
Union St Parking Lot
144.67
So. Main St. Retaining Wall
333. 05
So. Main St. Fence
55.00
New Street Signs
47. 30
Rubbish Collection Account
800.00
Sidewalks & Curbing Special Account
28,122. 70
Gasoline Dispensary Account
15,921. 15
Repair Division - Material
15,506.50
Bert F. Madden Pension Account
869. 64
George Doucette Pension Account
1,095. 75
Installation of Deisel Electrical Set
11,122. 23
West Mansfield Power Line
3,237.70
Water Supply Development
3,091. 21
South Avenue Sewer Extension
1,273. 82
Rifle Range
194. 82
John William St. Sewer Extension
310.00
Brown St. Reconstruction
16,419. 18
Parking Lots Line Painting Account
700. 00
Shovel Repair Arcount
4,360. 00
Sewer Extensions
1,074.09
Cost of Living Bonus
6,205. 00
Hoppin Hill Diversion Dams
148. 52
Total
$592,688. 49
PUMPING RECORDS - 1952
WATER CONSUMPTION
Per Day
Per Day
Per Day Ave. Gals:
January
73,720,000
2,774,000
1, 414, 000
2,378,100
February
71,340,000
2,819,000
1,537,000
2,460,000
March
76,292,000
2.841, 000
1,601,000
2,461,000
April
72, 765,000
2,814.000
1,334,000
2,425,500
May
71,290,000
2,865,000
1,341,000
2,299,700
June
76,382,000
3,792,000
1,337,000
2,546,100
July
91.924,800
3,966,600
1,872,000
2,965,300
August
75, 906,500
3,399, 000
807,000*
2,448,600
September
90,941 000
4.185,000 **
1,617,000
3,031,400
October
89 056.200
3,400.000
1,616,000
2,872,800
November
82,875, 000
3,328,000
1,684,000
2,762,500
December
84,428,000
3,349,000
1,671,000
2,723,500
Total
956, 920, 500
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