USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1930 > Part 15
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The only way our citizens can dig a bucket of clams without going through all this trouble and expense is for our Town Counsel to start proceedings against all the pollutors of our waters, and when this is done polluted clam areas will become purified, and our State Board of Health will remove all restrictions on the clams and we will have good claming in abundance.
Trusting I have covered the subject matter in the manner de- sired by your Board and trusting my recommendations will meet your consideration
Respectfully submitted,
ANTHONY S. VEADER
Supervisor of the Clam Industry of the Town of Weymouth
165
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Weymouth Gentlemen:
The Board of Health submit the following report:
The Board of Health met and organized in March.
In accordance with the vote of the town, J. E. Ludden T'es- igned as inspector of plumbing, being a resident of Braintree, and George Marshall was appointed inspector and Joseph Crehan deputy inspector.
M. L. Loud was appointed inspector of milk and dairies.
Katherine Pratt was appointed public health nurse and Jer- amiah Donovan care of public dumps.
The number of cases of contageous disease reported to the Board were greater than in previous years, there being reported 353 as against 241 last year as follows.
Antirio polomylitis 3 20
Chicken pox
Diptheria
6
Dog bite
19
Lobarpneumonia
5
Measles
143
Mumps
20
Scarlet fever
79
Tuberculosis
39
Typhoid fever
1
Whooping cough 18
The big increase was due to a rather severe epidemic of measles which started in November and spread to all parts of the town and continued until the first of the year.
The incident of diptheria has steadily decreased in the last ten years, this year showing a new low mark. This is due to the large number of children 'having received torin-anti-toxin. By this treatment diptheria as we know it now would be entirely wiped out in a few years.
There has been a steady increase in the number of dog bites reported, with one 'death due to rabies in a child bitten in Wey- mouth.
We strongly recommend that all dogs be inoculated against rabies.
Road side dumping has greatly improved in the last two years, due largely to the collection of garbage. There were 31 dump complaints investigated and most of these were posted.
Our big problem is sewerage. There were 131 complaints in- vestigated. Most of these we were able to remedy, but such prob- lems as Columbian Square and the Smelt Brook can only be re- lieved by an adequate system.
Respectfully submitted. GEORGE E. EMERSON JOSEPH E. CREHAN F. L. DOUCETT Board of Healthi
166
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK AND DAIRIES
South Weymouth, Mass. January 1, 1931
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the following report as Inspector of Milk and Dairies, also for the issue of permits for the sale of Oleomar- garine for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Total number permits issued 201
Milk Licences 175
Oleomargarine Registrations 26
Respectfully submitted
MERTON L. LOUD Inspector Milk and Dairies South Weymouth, Mass. December 31, 1930
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Board of Health of Town of Weymouth:
We herewith submit our report for the year ending December 31, 1930.
There have been issued from this Office 206 permits for instal- ling plumbing together with 2 left over from 1929. Of this number 204 have passed inspection and 2 remain left over for 1931.
There have been installed in old and new buildings the follow- ing fixtures: 130 Sinks, 90 Trays, 139 Bath Tubs, 182 Lavatories, 234 Closets, 18 Urinals, 8 Drinking Fountain, 2 Slop Sinks, 3 Show- ers, making a total of 806 fixtures, the value of which is $75,411.00.
The number of old and new buildings in which plumbing was installed are as follows: 67 New one-family houses, 77 Old one- family houses, 31 Old two-family houses, 1 New two-family house, 1 Dance hall, 1 Opera house, 1 New fire station, 1 Old Fire station, 1 New school addition, 2 Old school, 4 New gas stations, 1 New refreshment booth, 1 Garage, 1 Parish house; 1 Old hospital, 1 Old railway station, 5 Old stores, 2 New stores, 1 Old office building, 1 New asphalt plant, 1 Old restaurant, 1 Funeral chapel
Respectfully submitted
GEORGE MARSHALL
Inspector of Plumbing
167
REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER WIDENING OF BROAD STREET
To the Citizens of Weymouth:
Your Committee appointed to make a study and report on the proposal to widen Broad street, or any portion thereof between Lincoln Square and Commercial Square met and Organized im- mediately after its appointment, has held several meetings, in- cluding one public hearing, and reports as follows:
I. CONDITIONS AS FOUND
The designated portion of Broad Street is a thoroughfare ap- proximately two and one eighth miles in length averaging about forty-three feet in width. From Central Square to Commercial Square the single track of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Rail- way Company occupies a position approximately in the centre of the street. In this highway there were found to exist three areas where serious traffic congestion is commonly found, namely, the section in the vicinity of Masonic Building, the vicinity of the Im- maculate Conception Church, and the business district from Cot- tage Street to Jackson Square. . The area from Jackson Square to Commercial Square is narrow and partially obstructed by the trunks of large trees that extend out into the roadway.
In the area of the Masonic Building when exercises are in progress and in the area of the Immaculate Conception Church when services are being held, the parking of automobiles on the sides of the street together with the presence of a trolley car, can quickly cause a complete tie-up resulting in a decided inconven- ience to the traveller and is a serious hazard in the event of fire or other emergency and causing a grave danger to pedestrians and vehicles at the close of exercises or services.
In the third area named the inadequacy of the roadway pre- sents an overwhelming disadvantage to the business houses and residents on both sides of the street. The congestion and hazard referred to in the other areas is amplified and extended, and dur- ing the hours of the day when business in this retail centre is at its height, and particularly on Saturdays the existance of these conditions is practically continuous. The presence of a single trol- ley car, or of a commercial motor vehicle of large proportions completely paralyzes the flow of vehicles, and any attempt on the part of a large truck or van to back into the curb for the purpose of receiving or discharging merchandise likewise completely blocks the street.
The volume of business which the mercantile establishments can do is, by these causes, greatly lessened and the natural ten- dency of prospective retail buyers is to avoid East Weymouth and to buy in centers where access is more convenient. The effect to the retail merchant is obvious but as to the Town as a whole, it keeps property valnes down far below where they should be in a community so readily accessible to our centres of population.
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Throughout the length of Broad Street, the following relative widths, including sidewalk areas, will be found:
Lincoln Square area 41 feet
Webb Street area 41 feet
Foye Avenue area
45 feet
Roosevelt Road area
42 feet
Roosevelt Rd. to Central Sq. (average) 42 feet
Central Square area
43 feet
Masonic Building area
411/2 feet
Madison Street area
42 feet
Hillcrest Road area
50 feet
Business Section (near Jackson Sq.)
50 feet
Jackson Square to Commercial Sq. 50 feet
At the time of this report, no decision had been rendered by the Department of Public Utilities on the Town's petition for the removal of the trolley tracks.
II. SURVEY
Your Committee members made personal inspections of the areas in question, and arranged with the Town Engineer to prepare a plan of the section extending from Com- mercial Square to Central Square, indicating thereon a propos- ed line widening the street to sixty six feet throughout
that length. This plan is filed herewith and made a part of this report, and the new line, as proposed, would ex- tend the southerly side of Broad Street on the portion between Commercial Square and Hillcrest Road, hardly affecting the north- erly side there, and upon reaching the Bosworth property the line would begin to extend the northerly as well as the southerly side, allowing for lessening the bend at Madison Street and opposite the new Fire Station, and providing for a slight fill in the Hoff- man Pond, thence the proposed line would involve approximately equal areas on both sides of the present street as far as Central Square. These lines were prepared with regard to the number and character of the buildings affected, and with regard to obtaining an improvement in the curves and bends now existing.
If widening were to be considered between Commercial and Jackson Squares, the removal or setting back of six buildings, all of the frame construction type would be necessary.
In the section between Jackson Square and Madison Street one modern two story building, two modern single story buildings, one modern show room, four two story frame structures and two single story frame structures would require setting back or re- placement. An accurate estimate of the cost of moving the build- ings just described back the required distance of the proposed wid- ening has been made by a reputable building mover and his fig- ures have been taken carefully into consideration in the prepar- ation of the estimated cost.
To move some of the buildings would conflict with the new building laws, but the Committee is of the opinion that the Board of Appeal, in its wisdom and discretion, and in consideration of the great public benefit created, would give careful weight and study to each individual parcel of property and that its rulings,
169
under the wide discretionary power it posseses, would be fair and inoppressive.
In the section between Jackson Square and Shawmut Street where land takings would encounter a higher cost ratio, there is a possibility of lessening damages by compensating the taking of front land by an exchange of land now owned by the Town in the rear, with proper adjustment.
A public hearing was held in December, and attended by a representative group of abutters and persons interested. The Committee heard and received many constructive criticisms and was greatly aided by them. There was but one mild remonstrance to the plan outlined and all others present favored the project. It was pointed out that drainage conditions needed prompt atten- tion.
III. ADVANTAGES
It seems needless to outline the advantages to be gained. The street will be made passable under all conditions. There will be a ready access to places of business, worship and fraternal gath- erings. Trolley service, if continued, will flow normally and with- out schedule interruption, better and more business will be at- tracted, while a result not readily predicted, but virtually always experienced, will be an improvement in the character of building and an enchancement of property values.
The street is in need of resurfacing and reconstruction in some parts, and this work at any event will soon have to be done, and may well be absorbed in the general widening project.
At present title to practically all the property involved is in local citizens, whom the committee, from personal interviews, feels would assist and co-operate in the project without any ser- ious tendency toward selfish gain or unscrupulous enrichment, this point being of utmost importance when the possibilities of an invasion of real estate speculators is considered.
Drainage problems, which are now at an acute stage, would nieet a solution which would be absorbed in the general cost.
It should be remembered that a large portion of the cost of the improvement would be absorbed in labor, both public and pri- vate, which would greatly benefit unemployed citizens.
IV. ESTIMATED COST
The Committee estimates the cost of the entire project be- tween Jackson Square and Central Square, including all damages and road construction, to be approximately one hundred and sev- enty five thousand dollars ($175,000.). This cost, if deemed de- sirable, may be spread over a term of ten years.
Your Committee feels that this would be a sound investment as the increased property values would more than carry the cost of the improvement.
V. RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEE
Your Committee unanimously recommends that Broad Street from Jackson Square to Central Square, or to a point just west of Central Square, be widened to a width of sixty-six feet at the earliest opportunity.
170
Your Committee recommends that there be a lay-out made of Broad Street from Central Square to Lincoln Square on a width of sixty feet.
Your Committee recommends' that the Town undertake, as speedily as practicable, to make the necessary lay-outs for
the foregoing widenings, so that the Town may thus establish lines for building which will avoid any immediate construction out in- to the areas of the proposed widenings, and that the work be un- dertaken in sections, the section to be first worked to be determ- ined by the Town finances and needs in other Departments.
Your Committee recommends the continuance of a Committee for a further study of costs, methods, and advantages having in mind the improvement of conditions between Jackson and Com- mercial Squares, and particularly in connection with improvement in the vicinity of Lincoln Square.
ALFRED C. SHEEHY, Chairman FREDERICK HUMPHREY, Clerk MARION F. FRENCH ALFRED V. COLEMAN IRVING E. JOHNSON FRED O. STEVENS
RUSSELL H. WHITING
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my fifteenth annual report of the Street Department for the year ending December 31, 1930. The organiz- ation of the department has remained the same as the past year with the exception of the appointment of an Assistant Superin- tendent. This office was created for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the department and has proven an economical move. It has been possible to give better supervision to the work and more attention to details than in the past and leaves the depart- ment with a head if the superintendent is called away or ill. Mr. John O'Leary was appointed to the office and has proven a most satisfactory assistant.
REGULAR HIGHWAY APPROPRIATION
The amount expended under the regular highway appropri- ation was $147,704.90 as compared with $147,233.40 the previous year. The amounts of the various items are listed under Summary of Expenditures at the end of this report showing the different phases of the work. The general repair item is always tlie larg- est single item and this year more money was expended for this work than for several years. A large portion of this work was for general maintenance such as patching and shaping up old worn out roads. More work was done with asphalt concrete in surfac- ing gutters than ever before due to the fact that we were able to purchase the material locally and at a less cost than ever before.
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I feel that this type of work is very important as it saves the ex- pense of repairs occasioned by wash-outs and makes a greater width in the traveled way.
Washburn Street was entirely resurfaced with asphalt con- crete out of the general repairs account and proved a most econ- omical way of treating a worn out street that had a good founda- tion.
The oiling account shows a decided drop in cost, a saving of over $10,000.00 which is very pleasing especially in view of the fact that our surface treated streets are at present in better con- dition than ever before. A decided new method of doing this work was inaugurated after a study and observation of work that the State Department of Public Works was doing. A heavier tar called retread, was first applied to the old road, then a light application of pea stone spread over the surface, then another light coat of sand on top of the stone. This was immediately dragged with a special designed drag which removed bunches and filled up de- pressions with a mulch of tar, stone and sand. After dragging the surface until the same is brought to a uniform grade the surface is lightly sanded again and traffic allowed to iron out the surface. This method uses less tar and the pea stone and sand produces a wearing surface that withstands the traffic wear much better than the old method. Practically all streets were treated this way and one application was sufficient for the season.
This was the first full year that we have had the benefit of the sanding machine and this has been a big factor in reducing the cost, in fact it would hardly be practical to use this method with- out the use of a sanding machine.
Total number of gallons used for surface treatment work was 152,864. gallons.
The crusher at Keiths pit was operated about the usual length of time. This plant is getting pretty old and this year considerable work was done to strengthen the bins. The gravel, suitable for road work, belonging to the Keith property is about exhausted and steps should be taken to obtain it from adjoining property. The .cost of operating the crusher was as follows:
Labor $4,955.24
Power
203.48
Repairs & Supplies 174.77
Gravel
.473.50
Total cost of operating $5,806.99
Tons crushed 6,236.
Cost per ton .93c
One two and a half ton Mack truck was purchased to replace one of the old Netco trucks and has worked out very satisfactory. A Ford pick-up truck was purchased for the use of the assistant superintendent to enable him to get from one job to another and to carry small supplies. One of the five ton tractors was traded in for a new one, ,it being deemed better policy than paying out a large sum for repairs. We still have one Netco truck of the vin- tage of 1922 which is about fit for the grave yard.
I would advise replacing this with a two and a half ton job.
172
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
Broad Street: This work constituted the largest single job done by the department the past year. This street was originally surfaced with asphalt hot-mix in 1920 at a cost of approximately $2.00 per square yard for a three inch pavement. The work was done by contract and with the exception of a few short places nothing was done to the old gravel surface. This year the Eastern Massachu- setts Street Railway removed the car tracks on Broad Street from Center Street to Lincoln Square so that with the places that had become worn out and the area occupied by the railroad it was nec- essary to resurface the whole area. To take advantage of the ex- isting pavement that was in good shape it was decided to use a hot-mix of asphalt concrete for resurfacing. On that portion occupied by the railroad it was necessary to excavate and fiill in with gravel, upon this gravel a four inch stone penetration base was laid. Besides the car track area there were several other por- tions of the road that showed a poor foundation. these places were treated the same as the car track area, namely excavated, filled with gravel and four inch base laid to receive the hot-mix. A total of 11,446 square yards of surface was so treated before the sur- face was laid. This work cost $17,203.25 or about $1.50 per square yard. The matter of resurfacing with hot-mix was a new job for our men as we had never done this type of work before and had no men who had previous experience. Our problem was to train a crew for this work, so we hired two experienced rakers to give our men an idea how to handle the material. In a surprisingly short time our men, became quite proficient in laying the material and while we were handicapped by not having the right type of roller I feel quite proud of the results, both as to quality of workmanship and as to the cost of the finished job. The total cost of three and one half inch asphaltic concrete top was $28,296.35 and the number of square yards covered were 22,150 making a cost of $1.27 per square yard for the surface, which is much lower than contract prices for similar type of work. The material excavated from this job was used to fill in the Bicknell meadow. The total cost of the work in- cluding base course and 31/2 inch hot top was $45,499.60 or $2.05 per square yard.
SIDEWALKS
Our next largest appropriation was for sidewalks. Previous to this year the commonly called tar sidewalks were let out at con- tract. The prices paid for this work done by contract was $1.65 per square yard for three inch walks and $3.00 per square yard for driveways. Extra excavation, engineering ledge or rock removal and the cleaning up of surplus material was paid for as an extra and of course practically all the money went out of town. This year with the establishment of a local plant we were able to buy an asphalt sidewalk composition at a much lower price than we could mix it ourselves so decided to do the work with our local men. To obtain the best grades and lines we ased wood forms care- fully set to grade, the same care being taken as if cement con- crete walks were to be laid. This entailed considerable extra expense but the object was to lay a better walk than ever before rather than to see how cheap we could build them. I think that the results as far as smoothness and workmanship goes is appar-
173
ent to all as I know of no work done by the department that has caused so much favorable comment. The tax payer is naturally interested in the cost and I take pleasure in submitting the follow- ing list of sidewalks that were laid which shows the total cost and number of square yards.
Name of Street
No. yards, walks
No. yards driveways
Webb
1,527
394
Phillips
296
130
West
425
63
Hollis
1,131
223
Pond
1,267
:
195
Liberty Square
116
Park Avenue
1,408
280
Broad
3,306
456
Bridge
514
77
Pleasant
738
102
Bayview
375
Stetson
84
Various small jobs
640
Totals
13,145
2,109
Total cost
$23,866.79
Average cost per square yard including driveways $1.56. This cost included engineering, excavation and the removal of surplus material. Based on the contract price of a year ago the total cost would have been as follows:
13,145. square yards @ $1.65
$21,689.25
2,109 square yards @ $3.00
6,327.00
Engineering
425.00
Estimated ledge and excavation
600.00
Removal of surplus material
500.00
$29,541.25
Actual cost
23,866.79
A Saving of
$5.674.46
In addition to the work done on asphalt sidewalks a total of $2,874.26 was expended for cement walks in front of the Civic Centre and for concrete curb on Park Avenue and Stetson Street,, making a total of $26,741.05
NEW STREETS
The following is a list of the new streets accepted and tlie cost of construction:
Street Addington Circle
Cost
$201.26
Clinton Road
600.00
1
174
Durant Road
250.67
Elinor Road
47.09
Kirkland Road
3,292.32
Roosevelt Road
1,548.65
Vaness Road
1,927.38
Wachusett Road
2,697.22
Wilson Road
1,557.34
Riley Avenue
1,199.00
Lakeside Avenue bridge
1,583.15
Total $14,904.29
The construction of the above streets consisted of gravel with' a surface treatment of tar, with the exception of Vaness Road on which the tar surface was not applied as it was too late in the season when the road was finished. Front Street Drain.
This drain was laid from Front Street through: the Hunt School grounds across Broad Street discharging into Weston Park. It was necessary to build this drain as the addition to the Hunt School interfered with the existing drain and was not of suffic- ient size. Two new catch basins were built on Front Street and sufficient manholes built so that it is accessible to clean. Eighteen and fifteen inch pipe was used and the distance was 1130 feet. Wessagusset Sea Wall.
A cement sea wall three feet thick at the bottom and fifteen inches at the top with an average height of six feet six inches for a distance of about 350 feet was built at Johnson's Beach between the property of Lucy Gloag and Charles V. Deuse. This wall was much needed to protect the road and adjacent property. tide water gate was installed to allow the surface water from the land in the rear to reach tide water. The appropriation for this work was $5,000.00 and the amount expended was $4,986.48 Bicknell Meadow.
This property belonging to Frank Holmes, off Shawmut Street was acquired for the purpose of eliminating an unsightly and un- healthy condition that had existed for years, also to improve the trouble caused by surface water on Broad Street. Two catch bas- ins were built on Shawmut Street and a drain laid from them across the meadow to an existing outlet. This was for the purpose of preventing so much water entering onto Broad Street. Likewise two catch basins were built on Commercial Street and connected with the drain that runs to the Herring Brook. Dry drains were built across the meadow to take care of the ground water then the whole area covered with gravel and material excavated from Broad Street to a depth of about 21/2 feet. The result has been to over come the unsightly and unhealthy conditions but apparently has not prevented ground water from coming into several cellars on Broad Street. This condition is probably caused by filling in of the meadow which tended to prevent ground water reaching the out-let readily. I would advise laying a drain on two sides of the
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