USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > Town annual report of the officers and committees, 1948 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
10:
successful conclusion of these tests, it is expected that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will give their approval to the site and the well, and that the com- pletion of the supply, including an additional well, dupli- cate pumping equipment, and appurtenant work may then be completed."
The advice of the Commissioner of Public Health and of Engineer Bailey was followed and a full-size well, 73 feet deep, was installed. A temporary pump was installed in the well and operated at the rate of 1,100 gallons per minute, day and night for several weeks. The water pumped was discharged into the pond. Almost from the start of high-rate pumping, the iron content of the well water pumped, increased day by day until it appeared that iron was present in 5.5 parts per million parts. Iron in .3 parts per million is considered the top limit.
As a result of the high iron content of the water a conference was held on January 16, 1946 in the office of Chier Engineer Arthur D. Weston of the Department of Public Health at which representatives of the Joint Board of Water Commissioners and Engineer Bailey were pres- ent. Engineer Weston stated that there was an equal chance that the iron content of water would decrease with use to a suitable value and recommended that a permanent pump be installed in the well, a suitable building be con- structed to enclose the same, and that the pump be con- nected to the force main. Upon completion of this work, the well water was to be pumped into the mains for use in a mixture with the pond water; the amount of well water to be gradually increased until at the end of six weeks well water alone would be pumped. This recom- mendation was followed. A pump of 1,100 gallons per minute capacity was installed, a concrete-block building erected around it, a 16-inch pipe connected to the force main, and an electric power line run to the pump motor.
On July 25, 1948, the first well water was pumped into the system mixed with an equal amount of pond water. On October, the proportion of well water was in- creased to 70% and on October 28, the proportion was increased to 100%. During this period, the iron content gradually increased to a maximum of .85 parts per million. While the well water was being pumped, there were in-
104
numerable complaints of highly-colored water, a disagree- able taste and the staining of laundry. The pumping of the undesirable water was continued in the hope that the drawing of the water for a considerable period of time would result in the iron content diminishing. On Novem- ber 4, 1948, it appeared that no decrease could be expected and pumping from the well was discontinued. Since that date all water has come from Great Sandy Bottom Pond. It now appears that an iron removal plant will have to be installed to operate in conjunction with the well before suitable water from that source can be obtained.
The reason for trying to develop a ground water supply was the fact that the water of Great Sandy Bottom Pond had a disagreeable taste and odor during certain periods of each year. During the past twenty years, the number and duration of these periods has been slowly increasing. The pond water has been treated during such periods with copper sulphate to destroy the cause of the taste and odor and with activated charcoal to reduce them. In 1945, the source of supply was surveyed by Whitman and Howard, consulting engineers, and they recommended a treatment plant for the pond water at a cost, based on 1941 figures, of $140,000.00. It then appeared that a ground water supply could be obtained for a much smaller expenditure.
There is a choice of any one of three methods by which suitable water may be available at all times : (A) A treatment plant for the pond water to remove the causes of the tastes and odors and to correct the elements which cause corrosion in the pipes; (B) An iron removal plant to remove the iron in the well water; (C) Connecting to the Metropolitan Water Works. The Joint Board of Water Commissioners have asked the engineering firm of Weston and Sampson to estimate their charge for mak- ing a survey of these alternative methods, and the sub- mission of their recommendations upon the same. It is intended that a definite recommendation will be made to the towns before the annual meetings.
In our report for 1947, it was stated that the jointly- owned concrete standpipe on Beech Hill, Rockland, had been taken out of service because of a leak near the top. This leak has been corrected and the bottom of the stand-
105
pipe has been cleaned. There is some question as to the structural strength of this standpipe because of the shell- ing-off of the outer concrete which has exposed many of the iron reinforcing rods. Weston and Sampson have been asked to submit their opinion on the strength of this ståndpipe.
Water at the dead-ends of the distribution system has generally been of poorer quality than that in the cen- tral parts because of color, tastes and odors. Tests have indicated that concentrations of iron exist in these sec- tions of the system which are greatly in excess of amounts of iron found in the water as it enters the system. The corrosive nature of the water is a source of this difficulty. Weston and Sampson are now conducting a survey of this problem and will make recommendations.
A serious break in the 16-inch force main at a point in Pembroke near the Hanson line occurred on November 4, 1948. A length of pipe split along the bottom and caused considerable damage to the road and the loss of a large amount of water. The break occurred at 6.00 A. M. on a Thursday and was repaired by 6.00 P. M. but it took con- tinuous pumping until 10.00 P. M. on the following Satur- day to again fill all of the standpipes. Emergency connec- tions at Brockton and Hanover were opened during the shutdown.
The Appellate Tax Board on June 9, 1948 promulgated their decrees on the two petitions filed by the Joint Board against the Assessors of the Town of Pembroke, Docket No. 25,360 and 25,361. These petitions were for a deter- mination of the valuations upon which Abington and Rockland must annually pay to Pembroke an amount in lieu of taxes. The first petition concerned five parcels from which buildings had been removed and the amounts deter- mined were $2,950; $2,000; $1,180; $1,500; and $500; these figures being the assessed valuations before the buildings were removed. The second petition concerned the buildings known as the engineers' house and the barn and are located near the pumping station. It was determined that no payment in lieu of taxes was due on these build- ings as no revenue in the nature of rent is received from them but that payments must be made on the land on a
106
valuation of $500.00. These actions were brought under the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of Chapter 59 of the General Laws.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. MERRILL, Chairman HARRISON C. WITHERELL, Secretary WINSLOW R. ROBBINS
Board of Water Commissioners
REPORT OF THE WATER REGISTRAR
To the Joint Board of Water Commissioners of Abington and Rockland
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Water Registrar for the year ending December 31, 1948.
Water Rates Collected $3,345.84 72.80
New Service
$3,418.64
One new service added.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS E. WHEELER, Water Registrar.
107
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF JOINT WORKS
To the Joint Board of Water Commissioners
of Abington and Rockland
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The usual analysis of water from Great and Little Sandy Ponds have been made by the Department of Public Health, also samples of water from Great Sandy Pond were mailed each month to Lawrence Experiment Station for bacterial examination.
One new service added, two renewals and four leaks repaired, one of these was a bad leak in main pipe on Maquan Street, Pembroke.
One hydrant renewal.
The cement standpipe at Beech Hill was cleaned and two holes repaired.
The shores of the pond need attention this coming year as to cleaning, and cutting off overhanging bushes.
The barn should be scraped and painted and some repairs done to the roof and floor.
The cottage owners, with few exceptions have tried to keep their property in good condition.
The financial account of the Joint Works will be found under the report of the Water Registrar. Receipts from telephone toll calls account $16.05
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. BROWN, Joint Superintendent
108
PUMPING STATION RECORD-1948
1948 Month
Hours Pumping Hrs.
Min.
Daily Average Hrs. Min.
Gallons Pumped
Daily Average Gallons
Coal Consumed Lbs.
Daily Average Lbs.
Average Height in Reservoir
Gallons Pumped per K. W.H.
Average Pond Level
-
January
513
30
16
34
29,891,000
964,226
32,984
1,064
98.2
706.9
56.26
February
479
20
16
32
27,805,000
958,793
22,040
760
98.2
708.5
56.55
March
486
20
15
41
28,108,000
906,710
20,150
650
98.3
707.2
57.12
April
474
00
15
48
27,465,000
915,500
15,750
525
98.3
709.3
57.62
May
496
15
16
01
28,807,000
929,258
16,430
530
98.1
710.7
57.73
June
551
00
18
22
31,975,000
1,065,000
10,512
350
98.1
709.0
57.93
July
559
40
18
03
33,481,000
1,080,032
None
98.4
644.7
57.93
August
570
00
18
23
38,121,000
1,229,710
None
98.5
483.3
57.62
September
541
30
18
03
35,865,000
1,195,500
13,200
440
98.5
474.0
56.86
October
516
25
16
40
34,573,000
1,115,260
13,950
450
98.5
490.3
56.53
November
528
00
17
36
31,025,000
1,034,167
16,200
540
98.4
70.50
56.96
December
543
25
17
32
31,444,000
1,014,322
21,390
690
98.4
680.8
57.05
Totals
6,259
25
378,560,000
182,606
Average
521
37
31,546,667
15,217
98.32
644.14
57.18
Average static head 222.5. Average dynamic head 284.5. Maximum weekly record, August 24 to August 30, inclusive, 10,083,000 gallons. Maximum daily record, August 28, 1,552,000 gallons. Coal received 1948, 78,920 lbs. Coal on hand January 1, 1949, 71,068 lbs. Gasoline on hand January 1, 1949, 855 gallons.
WILLIAM H. BROWN, Chief Engineer.
.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Abington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1948.
The weighing and measuring devices within the town have been sealed or condemned.
The amount of fees collected was $60.20 which has been paid to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
CARLTON A. OWEN,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
110
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Abington, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Milk Inspector for the Town of Abington, Mass. :
13 Oleomargarine Licenses 18 Farmers' and Dealers' Licenses
41 Store and Victualers' Licenses 3 Pasteurization Licenses
I made frequent inspections of Dairies, Stores and Food Dispensaries and found conditions in accord with the Food Laws.
JOSEPH S. SMITH,
Milk Inspector.
111
1
REPORT OF EQUIPMENT CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
At the last annual meeting, it was voted that a Com- mittee be appointed by the moderator to study the prac- ticability of the interchange of the use of town equipment by various departments.
This committee has held several meetings, and it was found that the Water Department and Highway Depart- ment had been cooperating for some time in the inter- change of equipment.
We were informed by the selectman member of our committee that the Board was again recommending the purchase of a Motor Grader for the Highway Department. This immediately brought to light the possibility of the joint use of this equipment for back-filling by the Water Department and maintenance of the dump by the Board of Health.
At the time this committee was appointed, there was available to anv department, in the town the use of a plat- form body GMC truck. At the time of writing this report. the truck in question is out of service and because of it being 19 years old, it was deemed inadvisable to spend more money for repairs.
Your committee does, however, recommend the pur- chase of another International similar to the one now owned to replace the GMC, and which could be used for hauling the sprayer and removing trees by the Tree
112
Department; plowing snow, sanding and road work by the Highway Department; for hauling fill for the Health Department; or work by any other department in the town. This truck to be housed in the highway building and placed under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. DOHERTY, Chairman ALTON W. MERRILL CHAS. F. WHITMAN CHAS. F. LOUD GEORGE H. ROUNDS
113
ABINGTON
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
New Highway Department Building and Equipment
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of Streets for the year 1948.
Highway Appropriation $17,000.00
This amount was expended as follows :
Tarvia was applied to Cherry, Dunbar, Bank and Washington Streets from G.A.R. Hall to Cliff Street; 600 feet on Ashland Street; 1,200 feet of Lincoln Street was resurfaced with gravel and tar.
During the year much repair work was done which was made necessary as a result of the severe winter weather. Three hundred tons of mix-in-place patch was made by the Department at a saving of $2.25 per ton over the current purchase price.
Drainage was installed on Washington Street from Col. Hunt Drive to Wilson Place and plain 8" concrete pipe was used. -
During the winter a stone culvert on Chestnut Street caved in and same was replaced with 24" reinforced con- crete pipe.
On Lincoln Street 44 feet of 12" reinforced concrete pipe was laid.
Two catch basins were constructed on Plymouth Street, one on Temple Street and one on Railroad Street. It is interesting to note that average cost of these basins is $130.00 each. During the year catch basins, drains, and brooks were cleaned as needed.
115
A sidewalk was built on the easterly side of Dunbar Street to Thaxter Avenue.
Street markings were painted once during the year at all dangerous places, and I recommend that this paint- ing be done twice each year.
Many of the out-lying secondary streets are fast approaching a condition where continued patching is im- practicable and I therefore recommend the purchase of a grader this year to assist in rebuilding portions of these streets from year to year and for use in connection with snow removal. I further recommend that the Town give further consideration to the rebuilding of North Avenue from the Rockland line to the railroad crossing.
After the ground froze at the end of the year, bushes were cut on Vineyard Road, Oak Street, Robbins Avenue, Niles, Green, High, Mill, Linwood and Lincoln Streets. During December $300.00 was transferred from the Reserve Fund to continue this work to the end of the year.
A new surface of tar and gravel was applied to newly accepted street, King Avenue. Col. Hunt Drive was also surfaced with funds held over from 1947.
A new culvert was laid across Ashland Street in which 40 feet of 24" reinforced concrete pipe was used.
Filter beds were mowed and cleaned, and lines flushed out.
Lincoln Street Drainage Appropriation $1,000.00
Eight hundred and ninety feet of 8" and 10" concrete pipe was used and four drop inlets constructed which have proved successful on this drainage project.
SPECIAL ARTICLES Chapter 90 Construction
Allotment $12,000.00
Town Appropriation $3,000.00
County Appropriation 3,000.00
State Appropriation
6,000.00
116
Fifteen hundred feet of new construction was com- pleted on Rockland Street east from the junction of Han- cock Street. Much of the cost of this portion of the work was taken up by dynamiting and drainage. This work was carried out under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and at the joint meeting with the County Commissioners we have recommended that Abington Allotment be increased for 1949 sufficiently to permit the completion of Rockland Street from the termination of the present work to Brockton Avenue. This is made with the understanding with the County Commissioners and the Department of Public Works that Abington will not apply for a Chapter 90 Allotment in 1950.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Allotment
$3,000.00
Town Appropriation $1,000.00
County Appropriation 1,000.00
State Appropriation 1,000.00
Washington Street was resurfaced with Type I material a distance of 1,100 feet through the center of the Town. This work was also done under the supervision of the Department of Public Works.
Wales Street and Railroad Avenue
1,100 Feet Stone Bound Macadam $2,500.00
Walnut Street Sidewalk
400 Feet Black Top $450.00
Snow Removal
Total snow removal cost for 1948 was $11,695.67, of which $8,000.00 was transferred from Overlay Reserve by authority of Henry F. Long, Commissioner of Taxation, leaving only $3,740.30 to be paid for out of direct tax levy. Our snow removal cost was kept down by the use of hired heavy equipment and is another reason for recommending the purchase of a grader for year round use.
117
New Equipment Added to Department
1 1/2-ton International Pickup Truck
1 Baker Snow Plow with Flares
1 Rotary Broom for Gravely Tractor
A Salt and Snow Plow Shed, 60 ft. x 40 ft., has been con- structed behind the Highway Building on Central Street. This was accomplished during spare time and by using in a large part available second hand material.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. LOUD,
Superintendent of Streets.
118
REPORT OF SCHOOL BUILDING PLANNING COMMITTEE
At the Town Meeting held in March, 1948, it was voted to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of five to investigate the possible necessity of increasing the seating capacity of the schools, and to prepare preliminary plans to present to the Annual Town Meeting of 1949. The Building Planning Committee was organized in April of 1948 and has held ten meetings since then. In its delib- erations, the committee has been in continued conference with the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools. Many of the town's citizens have helped the com- mittee by their active interest and frank discussions of the subject. This proved to be of great value in formulating the report.
In appraising the school building needs of Abington, it was necessary to assemble information on the number of resident births, the past, present and future enrollments in the schools, and also the number and location of new homes being built within the town.
The information on increasing enrollment, and the birth-rate given in the last Town Report by the Superin- tendent of Schools, was reviewed and checked in relation to present school capacity.
The Education Committee of the Abington Woman's Club prepared on a town map, furnished and mounted by the high school staff, the location of all the pupils of the town in each grade group, together with the location and number of all new houses erected since 1946. This was for the purpose of showing increasing school requirements,
119
and the trend of centers of school population in relation to our present schoolhouses. Since 1946, there have been 154 new houses erected, with a corresponding increase in the number of children who will attend the schools. This map was exhibited in both precincts of the town to show the situation graphically. Both the information on school enrollments and the birth-rate given by the Superintend- ent of Schools and the survey made by the Education Committee of the Abington Woman's Club, indicate that a large amount of additional school seating capacity will soon be needed to house the increased number of school children.
At the present time 114 grade school pupils have been transferred from the grade schools to the High School, which has sufficient space to receive them for a limited period of time. In a short time, however, the High School will be filled to capacity and it will be impossible to move the ever increasing number of grade school chil- dren into this building. By the time that additional school capacity can be approved and built, it will be urgently needed to take care of the large increases in school popu- lation now taking place. The main reason for the rapid out-growing of the present schools is the increase in the birth-rate since 1941. The average birth-rate for the ten year period, from 1931 to 1941, was 70 a year. The average birth-rate for the eight year period, from 1941 to 1948, was 130, an 86% increase. The large increase in the number of children will be reflected in the schools over a twelve year period, the time that it takes a pupil to go through the grades and high school classes.
On the basis of the birth-rate figures through 1948 and the resulting school enrollment through the next six years, it will be advisable to provide additional space, equivalent to a sixteen class-room school. This will accomo- date 413 pupils. This capacity allows two extra class- rooms for safe margin, to avoid the relatively expensive process of later additions. The following table has been assembled to compare over a period of years, the capacity of the schools, in relation to requirements for pupil places. The first two columns show the additional seating canacity necessary in increasing amounts each year, beginning with the school year 1950-1951.
-
120
Building Capacity, Enrollment of High and Elementary Schools
School Year
Needed
Additional
Capacity
Capacity Two
Elementary
Schools
Grades 1-8
Enrollment
Accommodations
-- or --
Capacity of
High School
Grades 9-12
Enrollment
Accommodations
+- or --
1948-49
+-0
660
757
-97
400
278
+-122
1949-50
+27
660
796
136
400
291
+109
1950-51
+93
660
853
193
400
300
+100
1951-52
+163
660
905
245
400
318
+82
1952-53
+249
660
981
321
400
328
+72
1953-54
+338
660
1075
415
400
323
+77
1954-55
+413
1135
475
400
338
+62
1955-56
400
361
+39
1956-57
400
407
-07
1957-58
400
473
-73
1958-59
400
515
115
1959-60
400
517
-117
1960-61
400
570
170
1961-62
400
612
-212
1962-63
620
-220
The present high school and two grade schools were constructed at a time when the cost of labor and materials was less than it is now. These three buildings were built at a net cost to the town of approximately $230,000 alto- gether, out of a gross or total cost of $518,000. The remainder of the cost, $288,000 was provided by the Insur- ance Companies for fire damage, and by United States Government aid. If built today these schools are estimated to cost well over $1,000,000. This is nearly four times what the town actually paid for them. The new schools allow more room per pupil than the schools they replaced, to meet requirements of health and safety. They include, beside the classrooms themselves, multi-purpose rooms, cafeteria, health unit, and sanitary toilets located on the same floor as the classrooms. Proper ventilation, heating and lighting are provided as well as adequate corridors and stairways, for safety in case of fire. It takes a larger school building, under present educational requirements, to ac- commodate a given number of pupils, than was provided in the case of the old school buildings.
121
A study has been made in trends in school population and enrollment, in relation to plans for enlarging the existing school facilities. Under the auspices of the New England School Development Council, a conference at Harvard University was attended at which information on school population and building trends in the country was discussed.
The number of school enrollments has continued to increase since the need of increased capacity was indi- cated in the Town Report of 1947, just a year ago. By September of 1950 the present schools will not be able to house the enrollment expected at that time, and suc- ceeding years will require larger and larger accommoda- tions. Six years from now the present elementary schools will be able to handle only the first four or five grades. The additional space needed would provide for pupils in the grades between the fourth grade and the classes of the High School. The needs of this group, which contains some pre-adolescent and some adolescent youngsters, can be served better by a separation from the lower grade classes, and from the High School group.
A meeting was held with the architect of the present schools and with another architectural firm to study the possibility of adding seating space to the present grade schools. Several possible ways of increasing the present school capacity were studied. These alternatives included the following :
(1) Additional rooms to both the North and Center Elementary Schools,
(2) An addition to the Senior High School Building,
(3) An additional elementary school building in West Abington,
(4) A new school in a central location, for use as a Junior High School or in a similar capacity.
Plans and estimates in considerable detail of the several alternative methods of obtaining additional school capacity have been submitted by reliable architects. These have been carefully analyzed, and used in making the report.
122
1
The estimate of the cost of making additions to exist- ing buildings of the size necessary to cover the increased pupil enrollments of sixty per cent or more, has not shown the economy desired, whether one considers initial cost of construction or current operation and administration.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.