USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1950-1954 > Part 18
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den Road, County Road, Orchard Street, Elm Street, Kenil- worth Street, Railroad Avenue, Maple Avenue, York Street, Virginia Road, Pomps Pond Road, Spring Grove Road, Mar- wood Drive, Gould Road, Lincoln Circle, Bancroft Road, Holt Road, Shipman Road, Reservation Road, Wildwood Road, Flint Circle, Harding Street, Dale Street and Blanchard Street.
A total of 102,890 gallons of tar was applied.
Article 15 covered work done with Chapter 90 Mainte- nance funds wherein the Town supplied two thirds and the State one third of the cost of $3,000.00. Sections of Lowell Street and Haverhill Street. Route 133 and sections of River Road were armor-coated with RC-5 asphalt and pea stone. Also a section of Haverhill Street was treated with MC-3 asphalt. The joints in the cement portions of Union Street and Haverhill Street were sealed with Genasco asphalt.
Article 16 covered work accomplished with the aid of Chapter 90 Construction funds, half of which was supplied by the State, one quarter by the County and one quarter by the Town. A section of Lowell Street at Argilla Road was reconstructed to improve the sight distance. This work cost $11,478.50 and included in this amount was $1,974.36 which was added to the Highway Machinery Account. The Town's share of the cost of this work was $2,869.62.
Sidewalks were constructed on the following streets :- Poor Street at Magnolia Avenue; Carlisle Street; Ferndale Avenue, north side; Princeton Avenue, one side; Morton Street from Chestnut Street to Veterans' Housing; Andover Street, north side easterly from High Street; Ridge Street; Summer Street, south side from Elm Street to Whittier Street; south side by 145 Haverhill Street; Lowell Street op- posite the Pumping Station ; School Street, south side from C. Kimball's to Central Street; and Kenilworth Street at Poor Street.
This work was done under Artilce 11, 1950 and Article 17, 1951 at a cost of $5,733.13 and using 431 tons of hot top material.
Under Article 18 a section of Shawsheen Road between Cuba Street and Stevens Street was widened to a thirty foot
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width. This work consisted of regrading the road surface re- setting of curbing on both sides, reconstructing a sidewalk on the east side, relocating a catch basin, installing 40 feet of 30" concrete culvert pipe, rebuilding a rubble retaining wall and lowering the grade at the entrance to Cuba Street at a cost of $3,318.13.
In preparation for further reconstruction of a section of Greenwood Road between Lowell Street and High Plain Road the lines at the curves have been straightened out, with some cut and fill, loam removed and the necessary land ac- quired. Also 36 feet of 30" concrete pipe was purchased to be installed in the way of a brook. Expenditure to date is $1,374.69.
The road leading into Pomps Pond Bathing Area was re- graded and the surface treated with two applications of tar at a cost of $500.00.
To provide for adequate Highway Maintenance for 1952, we recommend an appropriation of $56,550.00.
TRUCKS, GARAGE AND REPAIR SHOP MAINTENANCE
At this time it may be well to give a list of our major pieces of equipment as the following :
1 Business Coupe
7 Dump Trucks
2 Utility Trucks
1 Mounted Compressor
1 Power Grader
1 D-6 Caterpillar Tractor
1 Snow and Sand Loader
1 Belt Conveyor Loader
2 Tractor Sidewalk Plows
1 Ford Material Loader and Plow
In addition to these, there are many other pieces of equip- ment such as a cement mixer, asphalt kettle, lead kettle, 3 suction pumps, 6 sand spreaders and 12 various types of plows for the above equipment. It is necessary to keep all of these pieces of machinery in good running order to meet any emergency that might arise.
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To provide for adequate maintenance for this department for 1952, we recommend an appropriation of $13,011.00.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Under Supplementary Article 1, 1950 the work of instal- ling pumping equipment in the Haggetts Pond Station was started in 1950 and completed in 1951. The main unit in- stalled is a 2500 G. P. M. electric motor driven pump at a total cost of $13,532.69.
Installation of increased pumping facilities at the Ban- croft Road High Service Station was completed in 1951 and is now in full operation. The new pump delivers 600 gallons per minute and is automatic. At present when the level of the reservoir on Prospect Hill is 3" from the top, the pump stops and starts up again when the reservoir level has dropped 6 inches. The total cost of these facilities is $8,683.83.
A balance of $6,934.43 from 1950 together with an appro- priation of $12,000.00 in 1951 was used for the purpose of extending the distribution system. As formerly, all work proceeded with the joint approval of the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and the Board of Public Works.
Water main installations for 1951 were as follows:
Location
Size
Length
Sunset Rock Road
6"
477.2 Ft.
Beacon Street
6"
659.0 Ft.
Hidden Road
6"
998.1 Ft.
Carmel Road
6"
158.0 Ft.
Woods Road
6"
499.0 Ft.
Lincoln Circle
6"
240.0 Ft.
Dale Street
6"
258.0 Ft.
Total
3289.3 Ft.
Five thousand feet of six inch cement lined iron pipe was purchased under this article. Expenditures amounted to $16, 914.34, leaving a balance of $2,020.09.
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Other installations by private interests were :
Location Size
Length
Off Woodland Road
6"
1103.7 Ft.
Lockway
6"
500.5 Ft.
Off Central Street
6" 452.0 Ft.
Off Highland Road
6"
744.0 Ft.
Total
2800.2 Ft.
During 1951, 524,204,000 gallons of water were pumped by steam turbine and electricity at the Haggetts Pond Pump- ing Station for a daily average of 1,436,175 gallons.
Pumped by Electricity .. .. 250,624,000 Gallons
Pumped by Steam Turbine
.... 273,580,000 Gallons
Total Pumped
524,204,000 Gallons
Both units were in operation concurrently a great portion of the time.
To provide for adequate expenditure in the Water Depart- ment during 1952, we recommend an appropriation of $51, 950.00.
Services in use January 1, 1952 - 3311
·Meters in use January 1, 1952
3272
RECEIPTS
Water Rates
$63,239.86
Water Services and Miscellaneous
....
448.30
Paid to Town Treasurer
....
$63,688.16
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WATER SYSTEM SUMMARY, for year ending December 31st
Year
Received from Water Rates
Net Cost of Maint. incl. pumping
Direct Cost of Pumping
Cost per Mil. Gals.
by total mainten.
by direct pumping
Received per Million Gals.
Annual Pumpage Haggetts Station (Million Gals.)
No. of service pipes in use
No. of Meters in use
No. of Hydrants
Miles of Main Pipe
1940*
$52,241.14
$27,799.18
$15,256.13
$67.04
$36.79
$125.99
414.653
2653
2587
728
79.89
1941
57,702.22
27,796.08
17,494.91
56.81
35.76
117.93
489.287
2729
2663
739
80.63
1942
55,259.54
30,859.93
18,211.08
74.13
43.75
132.74
416.314
2743
2677
741
80.77
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1943
55,831.00
33,418.32
19,387.57
85.53
49.62
142.90
390.688
2747
2681
741
80.77
1944
62,039.75
38,043.35
20,658.91
89.48
48.59
145.92
425.152
2709
2688
742
80.77
1945
54,622.93
43,148.15
21,916.43
106.30
53.99
134.58
405.883
2735
2705
765
84.90
1946
60,169.98
47,857.73
22,638.40
107.86
51.02
135.61
443.692
2797
2767
785
88.64
1947
59,170.09
47,200.50
19,587.05
100.56
41.73
126.07
469.364
2862
2832
788
88.87
1948
62,472.54
49,967.87
26,340.63
98.94
52.15
123.70
505.306
2969
2939
796
89.69
1949
64,013.87
48,659.18
26,453.23
91.49
49.74
120.36
531.844
3066
3036
810
90.82
1950
67,871.62
49,417.39
26,516.09
90.46
48.02
124.24
546.313
3202
3172
815
91.73
1951
63,239.86
51,237.40
25,175.79
97.74
48.54
120.64
524.204
3311
3272
820
92.35
*See Annual Report of 1939 for years 1889 through 1939.
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SEWER DEPARTMENT
There were thirty-six house connections made in 1951. An extension of the sewer main on Lincoln Circle was made by George Cairns. No sewer main installations by the Depart- ment were made in 1951.
To provide for adequate Sewer Maintenance for 1952, we recommend an appropriation of $6,600.00.
SEWER MAINS COST OF CONSTRUCTION
Sewer Mains - 109,759 Ft.
Cost to Abuttors
$221,058.00
Cost to Town
407,252.00
Total
$628,310.00
Jan. 1, 1952
PARK DEPARTMENT
The construction of a new school on Bartlet Street pre- cluded the use of the Central Playground area for recre- ational purposes. Consequently, the Board gave permission to the Recreational Committee to use temporarily the Park Area at Whittier Street. A section of the brook at the edge of the playing area was fenced off and a drinking fountain installed on the Chestnut Street side.
To provide for adequate. Park Maintenance for 1952, we recommend an appropriation of $6,450.00. This sum includes $500.00 for a fence along a section of the brook in the park.
ADMINISTRATIVE, SUPERVISION AND OFFICE EXPENSE
To provide for adequate expense for this department for 1952, we recommend an appropriation of $18,615.00.
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STREET LIGHTING
Date
Installed Location
Installed Removed
Annual Cost
1/15/51 Wildwood Road
1-1000 L.
$ 18.00
1/15/51 River Road
14-1000 L.
252.00
2/16/51 Woburn Street 4-1000 L.
72.00
2/16/51 Ballardvale Road
1-1000 L.
18.00
3/19/51
Dale Street
1-1000 L. 18.00
3/14/51
Andover Street
1-2500 L. 1-1000 L.
10.00
4/ 4/51
Cornell Avenue
1-1000 L.
18.00
4/ 4/51
Wildwood Road
1-1000 L.
18.00
7/ 2/51
Shawsheen Road
1-1000 L.
18.00
7/ 3/51
Princeton Avenue 2-1000 L.
36.00
7/ 5/51
Stevens Street
2-1000 L.
36.00
7/11/51 Spring Grove Rd. 1-1000 L.
18.00
8/ 8/51 Morton Street
2-1000 L.
36.00
8/27/51 Chandler Road
8-1000 L.
144.00
10/22/51 Bellevue Cor.
Osgood St. 1-1000 L. 36.00
with Photo Elec. Control
10/25/51 Chestnut Street 1-1000 L.cr. 18.00
12/ 8/51 Salem Street 2-15,000 MV 2-2500 L. no charge
12/10/51 Salem Street 1-15,000 MV 1-1000 L. to town
Total Annual Cost for 1951 Street Lighting Changes 730.00 Changes Requested During 1951 and Pending Installation
Date
Requested
10/ 1/51 Morton Street 1-1000 L. 18.00
12/12/51 Ballardvale Road 1-1000 L. 18.00
12/12/51 Shawsheen Road 1-1000 L. 18.00
12/12/51 Brown Street 2-1000 L. 36.00
12/27/51 Essex Street 1-2500 L. 1-1000 L. 10.00
Annual Cost for Lights Pending Installation $100.00
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1952 STREET LIGHTING COSTS
Annual cost for lights installed as of 1/1/51 $23,332.00
Annual cost for lights installed during 1951 730.00
Annual cost for lights pending installation 100.00
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR THE ABOVE LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS FOR 1952 $24,162.20
To provide for adequate Street Lighting for 1952, we re- commend an appropriation of $24,500.00.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD R. LAWSON, Superintendent
167
Engineer's Report
To the Board of Public Works :
GENTLEMEN :
The fifth annual report of the Engineering Department is hereby respectfully submitted for your consideration. This report covers the calendar year of 1951.
In addition to performing all engineering work for the Board of Public Works, engineering services and advice have been supplied to the various other departments of the Town as requested.
A plan of all land surrounding the Playstead was prepared for the use of the Selectmen in making their studies of land acquisition in that area, and later a plan of the Ella Basso property was prepared for recording with the deed when that land was purchased.
At the request of the Selectmen plans were made to show the extension of Carmel Road and the subdivision of a part of the Infirmary Lot.
Plans and estimates were made of two schemes for devel- oping the Shaw Estate on Main Street for municipal off- street parking.
A plan of the intersection of Shawsheen Road, Lowell Street, and Beacon Street was prepared for the Selectmen for their use in conducting a traffic count at that location.
Parking meter locations were laid out on Punchard Ave- nue, and after the installation of meters by the Highway Department, spaces of proper size were laid out for the Police Department.
The School Building Committee requested assistance in laying out and digging test pits at the West Center School for its sewage disposal field design studies. Water, sewer and drainage services were furnished for the new Central Elementary School and water and drainage services were furnished for the West Center School. In conjunction with the drainage at the latter school, the Highway Department
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:
----
constructed one catch basin and 250 linear feet of 15" R.C.P. side drain in Beacon Street.
The demands of the Department of Civil Defense have not been as great upon this department as was anticipated a year ago. Maps and drafting assistance have been furnished to the Director of Civil Defense upon his request.
Engineers, surveyors, contractors, and property owners callign upon this office for information and assistance have been aided as much as possible. The more common re- quests concern street line location and water main or sewer main data.
New plans coming into this office have been kept up to date, and new water services and mains have been entered in the records. Because of the press of other work, it has not been possible to extend the plan file system, nor has it been possible to revise the water service street index. It is most desirable that the back paper work in this office be straightened out; but the pressure of current work precludes accomplishing very much in this direction at present.
A chart has been prepared which shows graphically the current water rates in fifteen town similar to Andover. This chart has been submitted to the Board for its consideration in regard to the advisability of revising the present water rates.
A list of minimum standards of construction for private ways that are planned for acceptance is before the Board for its consideration. Your engineer urges your sanction of such a set of standards as they will prove most helpful to real estate developers, to contractors, and to this office which has to pass on new construction.
HIGHWAYS
Prior to Town Meeting, landtaking plans were prepared for highway work on Shawsheen Road and on Greenwood Road, and estimates and warrant articles prepared for this work.
At Shawsheen Road the traveled way was widened from Cuba Street to a point near Beech Circle. A clear width
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between curbs of 30 feet was obtained by acquiring 2900 square feet of land from Wilfred Boucher on the west side, and by setting back the curbstones in various locations on both sides. A new catch basin was constructed at the brook crossing and the culvert extended upstream to provide for filling on the former Boucher land. At the Cuba Street in- tersection the grade was lowered to remove an awkward cross slope and thus improve the riding quality of Shaw- sheen Road. This job eliminated a narrow and dangerous section in Shawsheen Road.
On Greenwood Road at the Lowell Street end, the Town has acquired 9540 sq. ft. of land from George H. and Mary D. Winslow; 16,690 sq. ft. of land from Fred Kress, and 61, 230 sq. ft. from Frederick A. Higgins. These three parcels of land extend along Greenwood Road for a distance of 2450 feet and make it possible to realign the roadway so that three sharp curves may be eliminated. During December most of the excavation and rough grading was completed on this section of roadway.
Record Plans and deeds for the four above-named parcels were filed at the Registry of Deeds.
On Chandler Road near Doyle's Lumber Yard the hump in the roadway over the old railroad tracks was cut down. Stone work from the old bridge abutments was removed and the roadway repaved to a smooth grade line.
At the Pomps Pond recreation area the access road was regraded and given a surface treatment and the parking area was lowered and regraded to make room for more parking spaces.
Under Chapter 90 Construction the highway department forces reconstructed 600 feet of Lowell Street from Cutler Road westerly. The roadway was raised four and one half feet at Argilla Road thus improving the sight distance thru this sag and eliminating a blind corner at Argilla Road.
For the 1952 Chapter 90 program an estimate was pre- pared covering the widening and improvement of about 1850 feet of River Road from Jacobson's easterly. This estimate was presented at the annual hearing held at Salem, and the petition is now under consideration by the state Commis-
170
sioners.
A study and estimate has been prepared for the regrading of a part of Canterbury Street near houses of Charles Dufton.
A survey and estimate has been prepared for the straight- ening and widening of River Street from Lowell Junction Road southerly into Wilmington. Most of this road is in Wilmington and any real improvement here will have to be worked out as a joint venture with the Town of Wilmington.
Under the sidewalk construction program lines and grades were furnished for new walks on Poor Street, Magnolia Ave- nue from Williams Street to Shawsheen School, Princeton Avenue the full length, and on Morton Street from Chestnut Street to Memorial Circle.
Plans and specifications were prepared for the Rogers Brook piping job under Article 22, and bids were received on August 28th. Because of the small size of this job and the complexities involved, only one bidder submitted a proposal. The Board rejected this bid as it was $3,262.00 over the amount of money available, and it was decided to hold this job over until 1952.
Several culverts and drains were constructed during the year. A new 30 inch diameter R.C.P. culvert was installed on Argilla Road above Henderson's to replace an old stone cul- vert. A 16 inch cast iron culvert was constructed on Sunset Rock Road east of Nutmeg Lane to replace an old stone culvert.
A catch basin and drain were constructed at the land of one Davis on Virginia Road to relieve a poor drainage con- dition at a low spot on this street. The necessary legal docu- ments were drawn and recorded so that the Town could con- struct the drain thru Davis' land and discharge water on land of Stevens.
This office was requested to inspect the condition of West- wind Road, Beech Circle, and Lincoln Circle, and to report on their preparedness for acceptance as public ways. Recom- mendations were made for all these private ways, and Lin- coln Circle was corrected so that it was accepted as a public way at a Special Town Meeting in July.
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BRIDGES
All the bridges under the jurisdiction of the Board were inspected at least once during the past year and found to be safe for their posted load limits. The open deck bridges on Stevens Street and Central Street were flushed down at the end of sanding season to remove sand and salt from horizon- tal surfaces.
The Central Street Bridge was scheduled for repainting this year; but department forces were not able to perform this work before Winter set in. It is recommended that this bridge be painted during early 1952 and that the Stevens Street Bridge be painted during 1952 as scheduled.
WATER SYSTEM
Record drawings and sketches showing the location and extent of water mains constructed and house services in- stalled during the year were made for the permanent files.
During the year 3289.3 linear feet of water main were ad- ded to the system by town construction and by acceptance of private ways. Private owner construction is not included in this total. All mains constructed this year were of 6" C.L.C.I. pipe. This work is more fully described in the Superinten- dent's Report.
Water mains were installed in seven private ways during the year. As far as possible these installations were inspected by this office to determine if materials and workmanship met the requirements of the Board. These mains totalled about 4600 lin. ft.
This year saw the completion of the two contracts for in- stalling new pumping equipment at both pumping stations. These contracts were let in 1950 ; but no materials were de- livered until early in 1951.
The new pump and motor for Haggetts Pond Station were delivered on February 23, 1951 and after piping and wiring installations were made the pump was operated for the first time on May 11, 1951. Tests were run on the unit on June 11, 1951, and after a review of the test data and inspection of the unit the Board voted its acceptance of the entire work on
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August 3, 1951. This new unit is most satisfactory in its operation and assures the ability to meet any heavy Summer demand for years to come.
At the time that the new pump was being wired up a new 2300 volt power service was run to the building and the older electric pump was reconnected to this service inside the building. The 110 volt lighting service was discontinued and 110 volt electricity is now obtained by means of a dry type transformer inside the building. This change results in a small electric saving to the Town and it is in conformance with the policy of the Lawrence Gas and Electric Company to have only one service meter for this building.
At Bancroft Road Station a surface water drain was in- stalled by department forces for the purpose of conducting waste water within the station to the drain in Bancroft Road. Prior to this installation the floor of this station was often flooded with surface water rising thru openings in the floor. The new drain also serves to carry away sealing water from the pumps.
Work on the pump contract started on March 21, 1951 when the new pump, motor and engine were delivered. How- ever, intallation work progressed slowly due to the fact that high ground water conditions hindered the under-floor piping construction. On June 11th the pump was operated electrically for the first time. An efficiciency test was run on August 28, 1951, and after inspecting the unit and reviewing the test data the Board voted its acceptance of th entire work on October 10, 1951.
A very decided improvement was noted at this station upon the completion of the new interior discharge piping. Prior to the installation of the Venturi insert nozzle under this contract it had only been possible to estimate the output of the old pump, and this figure had been accepted as 325 gals. per min. The reduction in friction due to the newer, cleaner, and larger piping allowed the discharge of the old pump to be raised to 400 gals. per min. In the case of the new pump the discharge rate was designed for 500 gals. per min. and it actually developed to be 600 gals. per min. during the daylight hours when there is a demand on the system. This
173
increase was also due in part to the newly lined main to Prospect Hill which has been in service since Aug. 1950.
Bancroft Road Station is greatly improved as a result of this year's work. The station now has a larger pump with a standby gasoline engine which can be used in power failures. The Venturi nozzle meters all water pumped at the station thereby giving valuable information on the demands of the High Service System. A new telemeter installed at this sta- tion on October 25th controls the starting and stopping of the new electric pump automatically. This device has worked very satisfactorily and enables the High Service Reservoir to be kept practically full at all times during the night as well as the day.
When the new pump was wired, a new 220 volt service was run to this station and a dry type transformer installed to furnish 110 volt power for lighting etc. This change resulted in a small saving for electricity and allowed the 110 volt meter to be removed, leaving but one meter at this station as was desired by the Lawrence Gas and Electric Company.
During July the exterior brickwork at both stations was thoroughly gone over and all cracks and joints requiring pointing or patching were repaired. This work was done un- der contract with Frank McCarthy of Andover.
Under Article 23 work was started on surveys of the land around Haggetts Pond with a view toward determining what land might be desirable to acquire for further protec- tion of the water supply. To date most of the land presently owned by the Town has been defined on the ground; but there still remain two parcels of swampy land which have not been surveyed. Most all of the land around the outlet of Haggetts Pond is low and swampy and because of the wet- ness of the past year and the high water in the pond it has been impractical to carry these surveys to completion. Much of the title searching, assembling of old plans, and recon- naissance work has been completed on this project, and al- though no specific recommendations as to desirable acquisi- tions can be made at this time it should be noted that much valuable data has been obtained. For the first time in the history of the department all town land holdings on the pond
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have been listed, the deed references noted, and the respec- tive areas tabulated.
A valuation survey has been made of the entire Water De- partment during the past year and reproduction values de- termined for all buildings, equipment, and for the distribu- tion system. These figures are of use to the assessors in their statement of value of Town properties and will be of greater assistance to the Board for use in water rate studies.
During the Summer a study of pumping schedules and power rates for Haggetts Pond Station was made cooperati- vely with officials of the Lawrence Gas and Electric Co. A report with recommendations was submitted to the Board and is currently before the Board for its consideration.
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