Town annual report of Weymouth 1954, Part 16

Author: Weymouth (Mass.)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 368


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1954 > Part 16


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The East Weymouth Wool Scouring Company, Weymouth Light and Power Company, and the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries have joint water rights to Whitmans Pond.


The outlet structure for Whitman's Pond is a concrete dam with spill- way, flashboards, sluice gate, and a fish ladder constructed of concrete. The dam is owned and operated by the East Weymouth Wool Scouring Company. At the present time, the East Weymouth Wool Scouring Com- pany is maintaining the pond at an elevation satisfactory to both the De- partment of Fisheries and the Weymouth Light & Power Company.


The Department of Fisheries have requested that the pond water level be kept high in the springtime of the year, so that herring will be attracted there for their spawning activities. The Weymouth Light and Power Com- pany has an emergency power station located along Herring Run. This station is seldom used. However, in order to maintain their water rights to Whitmans Pond, they are required by law to operate their waterwheel for a definite period of time each year. The waterwheels are operated in December, at which time they prefer to have the pond level high. As a result, the pond level is kept high all year except during periods of drought, when there is no water available to fill it. In September, 1954, the pond level was approximately 9 in. above the dam elevation. One flashboard had been placed in position and the sluice gate was fully opened.


At times when the water in the pond is kept at a high level, it offers no storage for flash runoffs resulting from rainfalls of high intensity as occurred in May and September of 1954. To further aggravate the situa - tion, development of areas in the watershed of Whitmans Pond will in- crease the runoff time and will reduce the storage capacity that was formerly available in the undeveloped areas.


A system of culverts and canals conduct the water from Whitmans Pond, along Water Street, through the square at the intersection of High


177


Street and Commercial Street, and under the railroad tracks to Weymouth Back River. During the September, 1954 storm, the inlet structure on the downstream side of the dam had its foundations badly undermined by the high-water flow. In addition, one of the masonry walls which formed the canal at Water Street, collapsed and caused considerable backing up of the water in the stream and caused floods in adjacent areas. These condtions create a drainage problem for East Weymouth.


A hydrological and hydraulic study should be made in detail to deter- mine what improvements are possible. The study should include the fol- lowing :


1. Field surveys and investigations to supplement in- formation that is now available.


2. A study and determination of the possibilities of increasing the storage capacity in the district.


3. Study the possibilities of operating the outlet of Whitmans Pond, so that storage capacity would be available at times of flash storms or wet periods. Included should be the effect a lower pond level would have on properties adjacent to the pond.


4. Investigate the existing structures from a structural and hydraulic point of view.


Smelt Brook District. The total drainage area for this district is ap- proximately 1,200 acres, of which about 815 acres are in the town of Brain- tree. This drainage area can be considered as made up of two areas, since the runoff is modified by the amount of storage available in Pond Meadow, at which point Smelt Brook actually begins. The slopes of the drainage area are fairly steep which tend to intensify the runoff.


Smelt Brook enters a culvert on the westerly side of Washington Street near the Weymouth-Braintree town line. This entrance has two sets of rack bars to prevent rubbish and other debris from entering the culvert. The conduit then runs under the Weymouth Landing Area to a point east of Washington Street where it discharges into a 72-in. reinforced-concrete pipe culvert, thence under the railroad tracks and into the Weymouth Fore River.


Washington Street between Commercial Street and the Braintree- Weymouth town line forms a low valley, the slopes of the streets into the valley being very steep. It is in this low area that Smelt Brook conduit is located. This low area has five catchbasins to collect the runoff. Some of these catchbasins are in Braintree. These catchbasins are of the open- grate type, with some having gutter inlets on the curb stone as well. Ap- parently, these basins are unable to catch and carry off this runoff, for they get badly clogged with leaves, sticks, and other debris, evidence of which was still in the streets September 20, 1954.


It has been reported that at times, the lower areas of Washington Street have been under 2 feet of water. This part of Washington Street is a shopping district where many stores are located. Real estate values are high. The flooding waters have caused considerable damage to property and merchandise, besides inconvenience and aggravation to many resi- dents of the Town who must travel through that area every day. There- fore, the drainage system in this area should be designed to afford maxi-


178


mum protection at reasonable cost with provisions for ample margin of safety to care for any unforeseen events.


In a detailed report for this district the following items should be considered:


1. Estimate a runoff reaching Smelt Brook.


2. Check capacity of existing Smelt Brook conduit.


3. Investigate what effect, if any, high tides coincident with the maximum runoffs have on the capacity of the conduit.


4. Devise a method of keeping the rack bars at the en- trance to the conduit free from debris during a storm.


5. Installation of special curb inlets in Washington Street. These inlets would remain relatively free of clogging with leaves, sticks, and other debris.


Weymouth Heights District. The drainage area of this district is ap- proximately 575 acres located in the northern part of the Town. It is made up of hills, ridges and swamp areas. There is also a considerable amount of bedrock ledge in much of this district. Side slopes are fairly steep and the runoff is fairly rapid.


The main brook draining the area flows in a northerly direction. It begins in a swamp bounded by Essex, Middle and Broad Streets just north of Whitmans Pond and flows through two housing development areas, through a fairly heavily wooded section and into a swamp, then under Commercial Street in a culvert to Mill Cove in Weymouth Fore River. The culvert under Commercial Street is a 30-in. concrete pipe culvert.


A small tributary brook flows under the intersection of Jaffrey Street and Commercial Street and discharges into the swamp near the 30-in. pipe culvert. The pipe crossing under Jaffrey Street is of small diameter and has been known to cause flooding during a heavy downpour.


Continuous development of the area in this district has caused the run- off intensity to increase and has resulted in more flooding of the culverts and swamps or ponds


A detailed report would include a hydrological and hydraulic study of the brooks and culverts. Included would be a determination of the effect the fluctuation of tides has on the discharge of the brook.


Green Street District. The drainage area of this district is approxi- mately 410 acres. The upper reaches of the area have rather steep slopes. The lower portions being of relatively flat slopes with considerable swamp area which is tidal.


The main brook serving the area begins in a pond west of Weymouth Back River. It runs in a westerly direction crossing under Green Street in an 18-in. concrete pipe culvert; thence under Rinaldo Road in a 15-in. concrete pipe culvert; then it discharges into a swamp. The swamp is drained by several brooks which join together to form a single brook. This brook flows westerly passing under North Street; thence under Pearl Street into Mill Cove in Weymouth Back River.


Flooding has been reported in the area at the Green Street culvert. Upstream from this culvert the slopes are very steep and the soil of im-


179


pervious nature. Runoffs, therefore, are very rapid. The water no doubt backs up at this location as the culvert appears to be inadequate to handle flows from intense rainstorms.


Cranberry Pond District. The drainage area of this district is approxi- mately 385 acres. Cranberry Pond is formed by two brooks. The westerly brook begins in a high ground near the intersection of Federal Street and Route 3 and flows northerly to Cranberry Pond. The easterly brook begins in a pond near the intersection of Broad and Essex Streets and flows in a northwest direction into Cranberry Pond. From Cranberry Pond, there are two brooks, which flow northerly passing under the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad tracks in culverts and thence into Wey- Weymouth Fore River.


The outlet brooks are on fairly steep slopes. At the outlets, however. the ground is flatter. It has been reported that the westerly brook backs up at the culvert under the railroad tracks causing flooding at the inter- sections of Webb and Commercial Streets.


PARTICULAR AREAS OF FLOODING


In addition to the flooding problems previously discussed in the main drainage channels, flooding has been reported in other specific areas of Weymouth. These areas are tributary to the main channels and some of these together with possible solutions will be briefly discussed in the fol- lowing paragraphs:


1. Thomas Road, Abbott Street, and Clarendon Street. This area is contained in the Weymouth Great Pond-Whitmans Pond drain- age district. The area slopes downward from Pond Street in an easterly direction. Thomas Road dead ends into swampy ground. There is a drainage ditch running along the railroad, which in turn runs into a brook that eventually joins Mill River. The lower area along Clarendon Street collects all the runoff and as the water is unable to get away flooding results.


Possible Solution. Construct an interceptor drain parallel to the railroad tracks, with an outlet at the brook leading into Mill River. Thomas Road and adjacent streets could then be drained by lateral drains into the interceptor. Also, this interceptor, if long enough, could service any future area east of Pond Street.


2. Whipple Street. Whipple Street is contained in the Weymouth Great Pond-Whitmans Pond drainage district. The street slopes downward from Main Street in a westerly direction towards Mill River. There is a catchbasin opposite house No. 36 which has proved inadequate.


Possible Solution. This street could be drained by a system of catchbasins and drains with the outlet at Mill River. Profile studies would have to be made to see if there is enough difference in eleva- tion available for a gravity system.


3. Constitution Avenue, Bald Eagle Road, Red Jacket Road, Courier Street, Delia Walker Avenue, and other Adjacent Streets .. This area is contained in Weymouth Great Pond- Whitmans Pond drainage district. It is a newly developed area with some catchbasins and drains installed by the developer. However, they have proved inadequate, for flooding has been reported. The system either becomes plugged or is of insuffi-


180


cient capacity to handle runoff from intense rainstorms. The lower areas such as the intersection of Black Hawk Road and Great Ruplic Avenue are areas where flooding has been reported.


Possible Solution. Construct an intercepter drain along the ex- tension of Great Republic Avenue with outlet at Old Swamp River. Laterals could then be constructed in the adjacent streets and con- nected to the interceptor.


4. Raymond Street, Pleasant Street. This area is contained in the Weymouth Great Pond-Whitmans Pond drainage district. A brook, having its beginning in Eliass Pond, passes under Raymond Street in a 2-ft. by 4-ft. stone culvert about 190 ft. east of the in- tersection of Raymond and Pleasant Streets. The brook then flows in a northerly direction joining the outlet from Whitmans Pond. This outlet which flows along Water Street is called Herring Run.


It has been reported that during intense rainstorms, Herring Run flows very full so that it backs up this stream, flooding the areas adjacent to the brook.


Possible Solutions. In order to relieve this situation, the flow in Herring Run must be modified in some manner. This has been previously discussed under Weymouth Great Pond-Whitmans Pond drainage district.


5. Cain Avenue, Maple, Chard Street, Anthony Road. This area is not contained in any of the principal drainage areas. These streets intersect at a common point. A brook passes under the street inter- section in an 18-in. concrete pipe culvert. This brook also contains the sewage effluent from subsurfaces and filters from Weymouth High School and Weymouth Town Hall. The intersection is the low- est elevation for the surrounding area. There are catchbasins which connect to the drain, but flooding has been reported during rain- storms.


Possible Solution. Investigate the capacity of the culvert and the adequacy of the catchbasins.


6. Rindge Street This area is contained in the Weymouth Heights drainage district. The street is fairly new, paved, and with catch- basins. The low spot of the street is about opposite house No. 30 where there is a brook which passes under Rindge Street in a 15-in. concrete pipe culvert. Flooding has occurred at this location.


The water appears to be backed up on the brook for about 300 ft. upstream from the culvert.


Possible Solution. The water appears unable to get away fast enough, because downstream culverts on this same brook are run- ning with fairly good velocities. Perhaps, the culvert is set too high or its capacity is too small.


Wet Cellars. Many home owners in all parts of the Town are plagued with water in the cellars. Complaints are filed almost daily with the Super- intendent of Streets. The Street Department, however, is not equipped to help them, for their main function in regard to drainage, is to keep the streets free of water. A considerable number of homes, particularly those in some of the recent developments, have been built on ground that was formerly swampy. As very little fill has been placed over the swamp, and


181


no adequate street drainage installed, those areas are naturally wet. The runoff from roof is discharged on the ground adjacent to the cellars. which merely serves to replenish the groundwater table and increase the forces causing seepage into the cellars.


Some homes are equipped with pumps. These pumps discharge onto the streets. In most locations, there are no drains to take the water away, hence it seeps back into the ground and into the cellars again. Thus, these owners are caught in an endless cycle.


It would be very difficult and expensive to get rid of the water all the time. However, the situation can be greatly helped by an adequate sys- tem of drainage. The drains in the streets could be laid in screened-gravel envelopes, which would tend to lower the water table. Roof drains could also be connected to the street drains.


CONCLUSION


We recommend that a detailed study and report be made, whereby a comprehensive plan for the drainage of the whole Town would be devised. This plan can then be followed from time to time as new construction is authorized and funds become available. A plan such as this would mean that all new construction would conform to a definite system of drainage. In this way, expenditures would be economically made and the result would be a system of drains adequate for the purpose.


The following information would be included in a detailed engineering report.


1. Maps showing all the waterways, sizes of culverts, exist- ing drains, and other drainage features.


2. All culverts would be studied to determine their adequacy.


3. Consideration to determine what portions of existing waterways should be enclosed.


4. Accurate determination of limits of major drainage areas and descriptions thereof.


5. A basic of design for drains.


6. Plans and profiles of proposed drains and culverts.


7. Consideration of necessity of improving existing water channels.


8. Construction program and suggested order for procedure.


9. Estimates of cost.


Respectfully submitted, NELSON & EDDY


182


REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES


January 19, 1955


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Weymouth


I am pleased to submit to you and, through you, to the citizens of Wey- mouth, my Annual Report of the taxes, interest and charges collected by me as Collector of Taxes during the year 1954. These collections, as made and paid over to the Town Treasurer, apply to the several lists committed to me by the Board of Assessors for the years 1952, 1953 and 1954, and in- clude assessments of Real and Personal Property, Polls, Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise, Common and Particular Sewer and Water Liens.


1952 TAXES


Balance Outstanding January 1, 1954 (Includes all kinds of 1952 Taxes)


$6,765.81


Add Interest and Charges Collected in 1954:


Personal


$ 1.55


Real Estate


350.96


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


26.07


Polls


1.80


380.38


Total


$7,146.19


Less Collections of 1952 Taxes:


Personal


$ 34.92


Real Estate


4,674.57


Water Liens


364.98


Common Sewer-Apportioned


10.00


Interest-Apportioned Sewer


3.60


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


145.40


Polls


4.00


Interest and Charges on above


380.38


Total


$5,617.85


Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits on 1952 Taxes:


Real Estate


$ 200.64


Real Estate Tax Title Credits


1,066.17


Water Lien Tax Title Credits


106.43


Common Sewer-App. Tax Title Credits


34.00


Interest-App. Sewer Tax Title Credits


9.09


Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise


104.01


Polls


8.00


Total


$1,528.34


Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits


$7,146.19


Balance of 1952 Taxes Outstanding December 31, 1954


None


183


1953 TAXES


Balance Outstanding January 1, 1954 (Includes all kinds of 1953 Taxes)


$242,067.84


Add December 31, 1953 Commitment No. 1 Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise Add December 31, 1953 Commitment No. 2 Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


16,922.66


Add December 31, 1953 Commitment No. 3 Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


1,168.08


Add Interest and Charges Collected in 1954:


Personal


$ 102.02


Real Estate


1,917.63


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


1,312.70


Polls


103.05


Sewer-Unapportioned


12.92


3,448.32


Cash Refunds on 1953 Taxes:


Real Estate


$2,078.58


2,078.58


Total


$270,804.19


Less Collections of 1953 Taxes :


Personal


$ 3,244.66


Real Estate


81,095.56


Water Liens


1,799.03


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


48,888.48


Polls


240.00


Common Sewer-Unapportioned


22,792.71


Particular Sewer-Unapportioned


16,831.06


Common Sewer-Apportioned


468.17


Particular Sewer-Apportioned


408.34


Interest-Apportioned Sewer


250.61


Interest and Charges on above


3,448.32


Total


$179,466.94


Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits on 1953 Taxes :


Personal


$ 283.22


Real Estate


3,368.00


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


15,669.24


Water Liens


18.65


Polls


154.00


Common Sewer-Unapportioned


387.00


Real Estate Tax Title Credit


1,211.28


Water Lien Tax Title Credit


144.40


Common Sewer-Apportioned-Tax Title Cr.


29.00


Interest-Apportioned Sewer-Tax Title Cr.


9.48


Re-Committed Common Sewer


51,228.17


Re-Committed Particular Sewer


10,927.92


Total


$83,430.36


Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits


$262,897.30


Balance of 1953 Taxes Outstanding December 31, 1954


$7,906.80


184


5,118.62


Summary of Outstanding 1953 Taxes:


Personal


$ 73.50


Real Estate


5,794.68


Water Liens


341.02


Common Sewer-Apportioned Interest-Apportioned Sewer Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise Polls


70.00


21.00


1,592.60


14.00


Total


$7,906.80


1954 TAXES


Commitments to Collector by Board of Assessors:


Personal


$1,024,891.56


Real Estate


2,875,390.65


Water Liens


10,930.21


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


348,576.77


Polls


21,562.00


Common Sewer-Unapportioned


35,148.32


Particular Sewer-Unapportioned


72,321.57


Common Sewer-Apportioned


13,882.17


Particular Sewer-Apportioned


6,848.56


Interest-Apportioned Sewer


5,687.29


Common Sewer-Paid in Advance


5,065.01


Particular Sewer-Paid in Advance


2,418.00


Interest-Sewer-Paid in Advance


48.07


Total


$4,422,770.18


Add Interest and Charges Collected in 1954:


Personal


$ .49


Real Estate


341.09


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


581.54


Polls


554.65


1,477.77


Cash Refunds on 1954 Taxes:


Real Estate


$38,028.05


Water Liens


240.55


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


.10


$ 38,268.70


Total


$4,462,516.65


Less Collections of 1954 Taxes:


Personal


$1,019,924.24


Real Estate


2,751,884.18


Water Liens


8,715.47


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise Polls


19,472.00


Common Sewer-Apportioned


13,028.48


Particular Sewer-Apportioned


6,481.24


Committed Interest-Sewer


5,348.87


Common Sewer-Paid in Advance


5,065.01


254,418.89


185


Particular Sewer-Paid in Advance


Committed Interest-Sewer-Paid in Advance Interest and Charges on above


2,418.00 48.07 1,477.77


Total


$4,088,282.22


Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits on 1954 Taxes:


Personal


$ 937.03


Real Estate


64,864.52


Water Liens


1.50


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise


26,092.12


Polls


1,558.00


Particular Sewer-Apportioned


20.64


Interest-Particular Sewer-Apportioned


9.26


Real Estate Tax Title Credits


2,455.20


Water Liens Tax Title Credits


144.25


Common Sewer-Apportioned-Tax Title Cr.


48.74


Interest-Apportioned Sewer-Tax Title Cr.


13.39


Total


$96,144.65


Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits


$4,184,426.87


Balance of 1954 Taxes Outstanding December 31, 1954


$ 278,089.78


Summary of Outstanding 1954 Taxes:


Personal


$ 4,030.29 94,214.80


Real Estate


Water Liens


2,309.54


Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise Polls


532.00


Common Sewer-Apportioned


804.95


Particular Sewer-Apportioned


346.68


Common Sewer-Unapportioned


35,148.32


Particular Sewer-Unapportioned


72,321.57


Interest-Apportioned Sewer


315.77


Total


$278,089.78


Fees Collected in 1954:


Trailer Park Fees


$ 832.00


Municipal Lien Certificates


1,928.00


Sewer Lien Discharges


16.00


Respectfully submitted


FRANK W. HOLBROOK Collector of Taxes


186


.


68,065.86


REPORT OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS


Honorable Board of Selectmen


Town Hall


Weymouth, Massachusetts 1


Attention: Joseph Crehan, Chairman


Gentlemen:


Submitted herewith is the Annual Report of the Board of Registrars of Voters for the year 1954.


The following sessions were held during the year:


Business


5


Registrations


14


Elections


3


The year 1954 was an unusually busy one with 14 registratoin sessions, 3 elections and two recounts - (details to be found under elections in the Town Report). Because of the number of elections and registrations held, it was felt that there was no need for conducting special registration sessions such as had been held for the previous year.


During the year the Board of Registrars' Office was moved from the second floor to the office formerly occupied by the Treasurer. This move has improved working conditions considerably and has facilitated the work of all concerned.


The number of new registrations for 1954 totalled 1,983.


Following is the total number of registered voters as of December 15, 1954.


Male


Female


Total


Precinct


1


806


824


1630


Precinct


2


878


916


1794


Precinct


3


724


851


1576


Precinct


4


709


710


1419


Precinct


5


666


711


1377


Precinct


6 1223


1255


2478


Precinct


7


788


745


1533


Precinct


8


1021


1018


2039


Precinct 9


885


980


1865


Precinct 10


658


643


1300


Precinct 11


883


903


1786


9241


9556


18797


We wish to extend our thanks to your Board and all departments for courtesies and assistance during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


HELEN R. CORRIDAN, Chairman EDWARD C. McINTOSH JOHN J. SANTRY HARRY CHRISTENSEN, Clerk


187


REPORT OF TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT


January 10, 1955


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Weymouth: Town of Weymouth, Mass. 1


Each year the problems of our town increase beyond our ability to completely keep pace with them. This is true of all departments.


These many problems are a challenge to our thinking, planning, and their ultimate achievement.


Occasional expressions of incompetence or politics among our Town Officials are unjustified. There is good cooperation among Town De- partments, and we are all striving to the utmost to serve well, to go forward with advancements in our varied services, to make our town an ideal place to live.


Our limitations are the townspeoples' acceptance of forward planning and their ability to pay; not a lack of progressive thinking, planning and achievement.


It should be kept in mind that our plans must be deviated many times in the course of a year to meet situations that arise from:


1. The extension of services to new areas


2. The justifiable needs of the people in coping with serious problems and conditions that arise


3. Climatic conditions and changing seasons


4. Biological factors affecting trees, plants and people


5. Unforseen emergencies which continually present themselves


These many and varied situations call for great flexibility in our work programs, namely; the ability to put one project aside without hestitation to take on a more urgent calling in the hope that we can return to the uncompleted project.


The unwelcome visit of hurricanes Carol and Edna presented problems which will extend several years ahead. Their arrival made necessary the cancellation of Poison Ivy Control and Fall Tree Planting programs for the year.




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