USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1935-1939 > Part 48
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To date, six connections were made from the telephone wires to water mains by the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany. The following letter is self-explanatory :
Lowell, Mass. December 29, 1939
Mr. Charles T. Gilliard Supt. of the Board of Public Works Andover, Massachusetts DEAR SIR:
The principal reasons for bonding telephone cables direct to water mains are, from the Telephone Company's point of view, two in number.
First: the reduction of noise on subscribers' lines caused by in- duced electrical currents. This condition is quite pronounced in some locations and while the Electric Light Companies are most cooperative in attempting to remedy this condition, it has been found that an effective and economical method of eliminating this trouble is by bonding the sheaths of our cables to water mains at suitable locations.
Second : the reduction of insulation failures in our cables during the summer electrical storm period. By holding the sheaths of our cables at the same potential as the earth by bonding to the water mains we find that a substantial reduction in service interrup- tions during a thunder shower can be expected.
It is, of course, understood that normally there is no current on the sheaths of our cables and that they are at present grounded to a suitable low resistance ground at some point usually the Central Office. However, experience indicates that more frequent ground- ing is beneficial particularly at the far ends of our cable.
The benefits to be obtained by the Water Departments from the more frequent bonding are in the elimination of the proba-
172
bility of electrolytic action by directly connecting these foreign metallic conductors to the mains. This benefit is obvious when we consider that there can be but slight differences in potential be- tween directly connected conductors at any given point at any time.
The locations at which we are now bonded to your water mains are as follows:
Salem Street
Pole
39/56
Highland Road
6/49
Shawsheen Road
10/48
Lincoln Street
, ,
13/25
Andover Street
15/1 (Ballardvale)
Andover Street
,,
15/34
It is planned to make tests at the following locations in the near future and if conditions are favorable to petition in the usual manner for additional bonds to your mains:
High Street
Pole
7/50
Corbett Road
-
13
Holt Road
21
Salem Street
39/26 and 39/32
Highland Road
6/20
River Road (W. Andover)
66/122
Clark Road (Ballardvale)
19/26
Tewksbury Street
",
20/9
River Street
11
South Main Street
1/117 and 1/144
Argilla Road
14/75 and 14/68
Ballardvale Road
28/22
Bancroft Road
37/11
Lowell Street
,,
11/164
Yours very truly,
HARRY C. SWANSON, District Plant Superintendent
Three water services on Hidden Road, namely, those of Her- rick, Tewksbury, and Crawford's were changed from the low to the high-service systems. Previous to this change, the low pres- sure in these houses was always a source of complaint.
173
Storm windows were purchased from the Lawrence Lumber Company for the Engineer's house at Haggetts Pond and the new garage.
The last of the old iron drinking fountains located on Andover Street, Ballardvale, was removed prior to the building of a new sidewalk.
A thorough inspection of the watershed of Haggetts Pond was made and all conditions and violations noted. Letters containing copies of the rules being violated were sent to all violators. Mr. Vincent Hynes, an employee of the State Board of Health, was in charge of this work.
On December the 24th, it was noticed that at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station the rate of pumping was over three hund- red gallons, more per minute than is usual at that time. A check- up was made with the large users, and we were informed that an excessive quantity of water was not being used. A search made for the leak brought to light the fact that the sprinkling system in one of the buildings at the Ballardvale Mills had sprung a leak.
The W.P.A. Survey of Underground Structures, known as Project 17273, has been separated into three divisions: (1) Indi- vidual Water Shutoffs, (2) Water Mains and (3) Sewers.
Under Individual Shutoffs (i.e. the shutoffs usually at the street line, to private homes, etc.) All installations, some twenty-five or twenty-six hundred have been relocated in the field. A report has been filed in the office of the Board of Public Works of all boxes not in satisfactory condition, such as those with broken covers or those buried more than three inches. These new location ties have been sketched on 4x6 cards, one installation to a card and filed by installation number. A street directory type of index has been typed in duplicate giving the houses in order on the street, the house number, the owner, the tenant and the installation number. The State requires duplicate records in case of fire, and this set of file cards will be kept in the vault with the duplicate index. For everyday use a record is being made in a set of field notebooks. This set of sketches is now from one-half to two- thirds done.
Under Part (2) Water Mains (i.e. main shut-off gates in the street for shutting off a block or section at a time.) The field work of checking the locations is complete. The first copy of re- cords is being made in field notebooks. It is well begun but only
174
about seven per cent completed. Yet to be started is the duplicate copy and large mounted plates.
Under Part (3) Sewers. Work was begun December 21st, 1939. Chains of levels will be run between bench marks supplied by the State, and these chains adjusted. Then, manholes will be located and elevation of the inverts in them determined. Records will be in the form of large mounted plates, similar to those under part (2) above, showing plan and elevation.
The electric motor at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station was given a complete overhauling.
During 1939, 435,725,000 gallons of water were pumped at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station, a daily average of 1,193,700 gallons. The steam turbine was in operation 5211 hours and 35 minutes and the electric pump 766 hours and 15 minutes, making a daily average run of 16 hours and 23 minutes.
On July 22nd, the greatest amount of water was pumped, namely, 2,104,000 gallons and the maximum weekly consumption was that from July 21st to July 27th inclusive, during which time 14,042,000 gallons were pumped. The water rate collections for 1939 amounted to $51,247.58.
To provide for adequate Water Maintenance during 1940, we recommend an appropriation of $27,800.00, to be divided sub- stantially as follows:
WATER MAINTENANCE
Salaries and Labor
$15000.00
Coal and Power
8300.00
Engine Oil, Chlorine, Etc.
500.00
Auto Maintenance
1050.00
Repairs, Boilers, Pump and Property
800.00
Office Supplies
1000.00
Reservoirs and Telemeters
300.00
Supplies, Miscellaneous, Tools and Equipment
800.00
Secretarial Services
50.00
Total
$27800.00
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Services and meters increased during 1939 as follows: Services in use January 1, 1939 Services installed during 1939
2667
77
Services in use January 1, 1940
2744
Meters in use January 1, 1939
2530
Meters installed during 1939
70
Meters in use January 1, 1940
2600
We recommend $10,500.00 for Water Construction in 1940 to be divided substantially as follows:
WATER CONSTRUCTION
Labor, Renewing Services, Etc.
$6000.00
Meters and Meter Parts
1200.00
Pipe of all Kind
1800.00
Brass Goods, Hydrants, Etc.
1500.00
Total
$10500.00
EXPENDITURES 1939 WATER MAINTENANCE
Appropriation
$27870.00
Refund for Petty Cash Advance
50.00
Approved Bills
27830.64
Balance
$ 89.36
WATER CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation
$10560.00
Approved Bills
10483.13
Balance $ 76.87
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27920.00
SUMMARY COST OF CONSTRUCTION
WATER DEPARTMENT
CLASSIFICATION
APPROVED BILLS
CREDITS
NET COST
TOTALS
Office Fixtures
$ 197.71
$ 916.36
Telemeters
2892.19
Telephones
184.77
Teams
583.65
Pipe Distribution
493895.81
Service Pipe
10373.42
$1873.36
$8500.06
181966.16
Water and Land
6687.23
Suction Pipe
1309.46
Reservoirs
16985.82
Coal Shed
806.97
Grading Land
2739.12
Workshop
1271.88
Building Pumping Station
9610.14
Pumping Plant
74907.51
Construction Expenses
10182.64
Tools
4715.34
Totals
$809655.05
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Sewer Mains
86419 ft.
$159336.00 372071.00
Jan. 1, 1940
Cost to Town
RECEIPTS
Water Rates
$51247.58
Water Construction
1873.36
Paid to Town Treasurer:
Water Rates
$51247.58
Water Construction
1873.36
$53120.94
$53120.94
Article No. 18 Regular Town Meeting (Whittier Street Water Extension)
Appropriation
$1200.00
Approved Bills
1167.65
Balance
$32.35
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Cost to Abutters
22977.00
Article No. 48 Regular Town Meeting (Ballardvale Road Water Extension) Appropriation $1425.00 Approved Bills 1370.70
Balance
$54.30
Article 1 (Special Town Meeting as of November 9, 1939)
(Chandler Road Water Extension)
Appropriation
$7100.00
Approved Bills
6455.24
Balance
$644.76
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The following table shows the snowfall for the year 1939:
January
8.00 Inches
February
4.50
March
17.00
November
. 25
December
8.00
Total
37.75 Inches
There are now six Town trucks and the Austin-Western "77" grader equipped with plows. All small snow storms will be cared for by this equipment. If storms reach proportions where addi- tional equipment is required, the Town No. 20 tractor, large truck plows and three hired tractors could be put into service. This setup will save the Town a considerable amount of money.
The sanding of roads and sidewalks during slippery conditions still constitutes one of the major activities.
After the spring cleaning, the following roads were treated with "Tarvia Retread": Ballardvale Road, Dascomb Road, Chester Street, Argilla Road, Oak Street, Marland Street, Church Street, River Street, Lowell Junction Road, Phillips Street, Up- land Road, Boutwell Road, Lincoln Street, Burnham Road, Pine Street, Sterling Street, Dumbarton Street, Carlisle Street, Liberty Street, Fleming Avenue, Riverina Road, Punchard Avenue, sec- tions of Woburn Street, Center Street, Abbot Street, Tewksbury
178
Street, Andover Street, River Road, High Street (Andover), Highland Road, Chestnut Street, Summer Street, Morton Street, Chandler Road, Beacon Street, Reservation Street, High Plain Road, Bellevue Road, Greenwood Road, Kenilworth Street, Canterbury Street, Highland Road, Salem Street, Hidden Road and Gardner Avenue.
The sides of Maple Avenue and a section of Whittier Street from Elm to Chestnut Street and a section of Chestnut Street from Bartlet Street to Upland Road were shaped up with gravel, rolled and given an application of "Tarvia B" and then the entire road areas were treated with an application of "Tarvia Retread."
The following roads were widened, shaped up, gravelled, rolled, given an application of "Tarvia Retread" and honed: Yale Road, Dartmouth Road, Princeton Avenue and a section of George Street. This work was done under Article 37 of the 1939 Warrant. The entire length of Jenkins Road and Wildwood Road from the By-Pass to Holt Street and Chandler Road from Lowell Street to a point beyond the property of Mr. William S. Titcomb received a similar treatment. This work, with the exception of supervision, rolling and materials, was done by Work Projects Administration labor.
Drainage systems were installed on sections of Carmel Road, William Street, Sutherland Street, Carlisle Street, Pine Street, Summer Street and Jenkins Road. The old drain pipe which crossed Summer Street and then continued under the house be- longing to Mr. Russell Lord had outlived its usefulness and was replaced with a twenty-four inch Akron pipe, which crosses Sum- mer Street and then goes alongside the Lord house and extends through Mr. Claude Nichol's property to the property of Mr. George R. Abbott. In addition, catch basins and one manhole were constructed. This work, other than the engineering and purchasing of materials, was done by the Work Projects Adminis- tration.
Demonstrations of various types of compressors were held prior to the purchasing of an Ingersoll-Rand compressor. The compressor arrived April 3rd and has proved a big help in ex- pediting certain types of work. This compressor was purchased under Article 25 of the Regular Town Meeting. New curtains were purchased for the steam roller from The Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company. Four Diamond T trucks which were purchased
179
from J. W. McCarthy Company arrived April 15th and were put into service April 17th; and one Dodge truck from J. W. Robinson Company which arrived April 29th was put into service May 1st. These trucks were purchased under Article 15 of the 1939 Budget. DeLuxe filters were installed both on the new trucks and on the new compressor.
On the afternoon of May 6th at two P.M., two horses, two carts and appurtenances were sold at auction. The sale netted the Town $314.78.
The changing of the shed and barn into a garage began April 24th. This work, with the exception of supervision and materials, was done by the Work Projects Administration. A heater was in- stalled by Mr. Charles Hudon and the roof repaired by the Wilson Roofing Company, they being the lowest bidders. The gas tank was supplied by the Gulf Oil Corporation.
A number of stone culverts were repaired and others were re- placed with corrugated iron pipes.
During the summer, calcium chloride was spread on the gravel roads in a number of places where complaints of dusty conditions were reported.
In addition to streets already mentioned, the W.P.A. widened and gravelled the following streets: Blanchard Street, Brundrett Avenue, Webster Street and sections of North Street, Rocky Hill Road, Bannister Road, Reservation Road, High Street, Green- wood Road and Cutler Road.
A section of Main Street near the river bridge was constructed by the State and the earth that was removed was used to fill High Street south of Mr. Edward Nelson's property.
The scraping of the gravel roads started April 17th and con- tinued well into late spring and the hauling of sand for blanketing started April 18th.
A triangular plot located at the corner of Holt Street and Wild- wood Road was loamed, seeded and rolled. In addition, a border of stones was placed around the plot which greatly enhanced its appearance. Grass plots on Central Street, Main Street and Salem Street were loamed, seeded and rolled. Sods were also laid around the border as a protection.
A road maintainer belonging to the Town of Methuen was demonstrated honing Argilla Road, Dascomb Road and Jenkins Road. It proved most satisfactory and a big improvement over
180
the old type. An article will be inserted in the Warrant asking the Town to purchase a maintainer of this type.
Sutherland Street was widened at the upper end to permit the construction of a stone retaining wall in front of the property belonging to Mr. Norman Howard. A new profile was drawn and grades established before the above work was started.
The work of cleaning up and regrading over the thirty-nine inch drain pipe installed last year from High Street to Burnham Road was completed this year. This work was done by labor supplied by the Work Projects Administration.
Many new street signs were erected this year and a number of old ones replaced.
Old tar sidewalks were repaired with "Tarvia-Lithic" as fol- lows: Chestnut Street from the corner of Morton Street to the easterly side of Mr. William McDonald's property; both sides of Locke Street; the westerly side of Bartlet Street from the corner of Morton Street to Wheeler Street; the easterly side of Summer Street from Elm' Street to Whittier Street; the easterly side of High Street from Elm Street to Walnut Avenue; the northerly side of Harding Street from High Street to railroad bridge; Church Street, both sides; Hidden Road in front of the property of Mr. Willis Tewksbury; Park Street is front of the Fire Station ; Shawsheen Road, east side from the river bridge to a point beyond Brechin Terrace; Essex Street, south side from the railroad tracks to Higgins Court; Elm Street from the square to the easterly line of the property of Miss Bessie P. Goldsmith; Elm Street, souther- ly side, between Florence Street and Summer Street; Chestnut Street, from Main Street to Central Street, north side, and Ando- ver Street, from a point in front of the property of Mr. Leonard Saunders to the railroad track. New "Tarvia-Lithic" sidewalks were constructed as follows: School Street from the corner of Central Street to the existing sidewalk north of Locke Street; Andover Street from a point in front of the property of Mr. John Clinton to the existing sidewalk in front of the property of Mr. Leonard Saunders; Andover Street alongside the Fire Station; Center Street from the corner of Andover Street to a point in front of the O'Donnell Sanatorium and a short stretch on Walnut Avenue near the corner of High Street.
In addition to the above, sidewalks and sections of road beds on the following streets were patched with "Tarvia-Lithic": Elm
181
Street, Cuba Street, Brook Street, Chestnut Street, Whittier Street, Park Street, Punchard Avenue, Harding Street, Summer Street, Andover Street, B.V. near Sheehan's store and Abbot Street.
A gravel sidewalk on Central Street near the property of Mr. Frederick Jones from the corner of Lupine Road to the top of the Hill was built by W.P.A. This will eventually receive a hard-sur- face top.
Sections of sidewalks on Main Street and Phillips Street were repaired with "Tarvia-Lithic." The materials were purchased by Phillips Academy, the labor being supplied by the Town. The sidewalks in front of the Archaeology Building were also resur- faced, the Academy paying for both labor and materials.
A section of sidewalk on the east side of Avon Street in front of a spare lot was excavated, filled with gravel and given a stone dust application ; a similar treatment was given the sidewalk on Carlisle Street.
A cement sidewalk on Fleming Avenue in front of the proper- ties of Mr. Fleming and Mr. Hartman was rebuilt.
One hundred and sixty-seven feet of curbing were installed on William Street near the property of Mr. Francis E. Wilson.
Under Article 26 of the 1939 Warrant curbing was installed on the easterly side of High Street from Walnut Avenue to the road leading to the Town Infirmary. A gravel sidewalk with a "Tarvia B" top was built in the way of the curving.
A number of cement slabs in Shawsheen Village have been re- paired with "Tarvia-Lithic."
The W.P.A. under State supervision constructed a tar mix sidewalk on the east side of North Main Street from Stimpson's bridge to the Lawrence Line, and on the west side from the pro- perty of Mrs. Blanche Elliott to a point where the existing sewer line terminates. The remaining section of Main Street from the end of the sewer line to the Lawrence Line will be constructed after a sewer installation is completed.
Ledge which reduced the angle of vision on Corbett Street near the property of Mr. Antonio Catanzaro was blasted and hauled away.
Repair work on roads built under Chapter 90 where the State and Town share equally was started August 21st. The repairs in- cluded filling old railroad tracks with Type I material from the
182
Square to a point in front of the new Sunoco Gas Station; repair- ing and painting of all guard rails on Lowell Street and River Road; applying a mixture of 65% asphalt on the sides of Haverhill Street from the North Andover Line to a point near Enmore Street; filling joints of the cement roads with crack filler and blanketing a section of River Road with cut-back asphalt and pea stone.
Following are the roads in the Town of Andover built under Chapter 90: Lowell Street, Haverhill Street, Union Street, a sec- tion of Main Street from the Square to the river bridge and a section of River Road from Laurel Lane to the Tewksbury Line. The money for the Town's share of this work was voted under Article 22 of the regular Town Meeting.
Expansion joints and cracks on Balmoral Street were treated with joint filler by the Town.
Guard rails to act as a protection while sanding have been in- stalled on the six dump trucks. This work was done by the Shaw- sheen Motor Mart.
Gravel roads are now being constructed between Elm and Whittier Streets and also between Salem and Holt Streets. The former, called Foster Circle, is being built by the Central Con- struction Company and that called Apple Tree Lane is being built by E. H. Lewis Construction Company.
Three "Ross" plows and two sand spreaders with attachments for four trucks were purchased and installed, Clark-Wilcox Company being the successful bidder.
The erection of snow fence commenced November 6th and a additional few hundred feet were purchased to care for places on High Plain and Stinson Roads where drifting occurs.
To provide for adequate Highway Maintenance for 1940, we recommend and appropriation of $52,900.00, to be divided sub- stantially as follows:
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
Salaries, Labor and Trucks
$27000.00
Tarvia, Oil and Asphalt
12400.00
Gravel, Sand and Stone
1150.00
Scraping Roads and Equipment
1200.00
Auto Maintenance
1800.00
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Catch Basins and Drains
1000.00
300.00
Signs, Fences and Stone Bounds Bridges
500.00
Sidewalks
5000.00
Tools, Supplies, Equipment and Miscellaneous
2500.00
Secretarial Services
50.00
Total
$52900.00
EXPENDITURES 1939
Appropriation
$51800.00
Sidewalks
$5124.50
Bridges
19.00
Fences and Bounds
196.37
Catch Basins and Drains
1063.61
Tools, Supplies and Equipment
2954.18
General Maintenance
42437.18
Total Expenditures
$51794.84
Balance
5.16
$51800.00
$51800.00
EXPENDITURES 1939
Article 14 (Purchase of Austin Model "77" Grader)
Appropriation Approved Bills
$1231.53
1231.53
Balance
None
Article 15 (Purchase of Five Dump Trucks)
Appropriation Approved Bills
$7500.00
7500.00
Balance
None
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Article 16 (Build Roads along with Federal Funds) Appropriation Approved Bills
$4600.00
4427.51
Balance
$172.49
Article 17 (Money to use in conjunction with W.P.A. and Town Welfare)
Appropriation
$10375.00
Approved Bills
10360.65
Balance $14.35
Article 18 (Water Mains-Whittier Street, Etc.)
$1200.00
Appropriation Approved Bills
1167.65
Balance
$32.35
Article 22 (Chapter 90 Repairs)
$1000.00
Appropriation (Town) (State)
1000.00
$2000.00
Approved Bills
1926.74
Balance
$73.26
Article 23 (Change-over of Barn and Carriage Shed)
Appropriation
$3000.00
Approved Bills
2704.82
Balance $295.18
Article 24 (Permission to sell Horses, Etc.)
Amount Received $314.78
Article 25 (Compressor Purchase)
Appropriation
$3200.00
Approved Bills
2931.21
Balance $268.79
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Article 26 (High Street Sidewalk, Etc.) Appropriation Approved Bills
$1600.00
1589.85
Balance
$10.15
Article 30 (Skating Area)
Appropriation
$400.00
Approved Bills (Dec. 31st, 1939)
196.67
Balance
$203.33
Article 37 (Yale Road, George Street, Etc.)
Appropriation
$1150.00
Approved Bills
1138.14
Balance
$11.86
Article 48 (Water Main-Ballardvale Road)
Appropriation
$1425.00
Approved Bills
1370.70
Balance
$54.30
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Nine hundred and fifty feet of six-inch sewer pipe were in- stalled on Hidden Road from the corner of Porter Road. All materials were purchased by Mr. Harold Dunn; and the labor, other than supervision, was supplied by the Work Projects Ad- ministration.
Two hundred and fifty-four feet of eight-inch sewer main were installed on Canterbury Street. All materials were purchased by Mr. George C. H. Dufton; and the labor, other than supervision, was supplied by the Work Projects Administration.
Two hundred and fifty feet of six-inch sewer main were in- stalled on Gardner Avenue from the corner of Hidden Road. All materials were purchased by Mr. Harry Stephenson; and the labor, other than supervision, was supplied by the W.P.A.
The sewer manholes on the main trunk line which runs through South Lawrence in back of the Breen School were filled with junk and one sewer manhole cover stolen; also the top section of one manhole was broken down. These manholes were cleaned out, the brick work cared for and a new cover installed. The Police
186
of Lawrence were notified to check up occasionally to prevent a recurrence of the damage.
Six hundred and six feet of six-inch sewer pipe were installed on Cheever Circle from the westerly corner of Coolidge Road to the corner of Cabot Street thence along Cabot Street to a manhole.
A six-inch sewer pipe was also laid on Cheever Circle northerly from the easterly end of Coolidge Road a distance of two hundred and twenty-two feet.
The trimmings of the sewer pump house on Riverina Road were painted.
Six hundred and twenty-two feet of six-inch sewer pipe are now being installed on Foster Circle which runs from Whittier Street to Elm Street.
To provide for adequate Sewer Maintenance and Construction, we recommend an appropriation of $5,800.00, to be divided sub- stantially as follows:
SEWER MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION
Labor, Salaries and Trucks
$3000.00
Light and Power _
1800.00
Sewer Pipe, Tools, Etc.
800.00
Maintenance of Buildings, Equipment and Cleaning
Pipe
200.00
Total
$5800.00
EXPENDITURES 1939
SEWER
Appropriation
$5876.00
Labor, Salaries
$3093.96
Light and Power
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