USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1955 > Part 3
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35
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
During the year, 24 meetings were held, many of these joint with other boards, or attended by other town officials. In addition to the recommendations developed for town meeting, action was taken during the year on numerous individual requests for board approval.
At the spring Town Meeting, the personnel by-law was greatly clarified by the citation to Section 108C of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, providing thereby that the Personnel Board would be legally au- thorized to accomplish the specific tasks assigned to it by the by-law.
J. KENNETH MULLIGAN, Chairman JOHN CLARK, Clerk Members: HERBERT NOBLE DAVID RUSSELL JOHN CARR
Report of Recreation Commission
This marks the thirtieth year playgrounds have been supported by town appropriation. The system has advanced so that now we have supervised playing fields in almost all sections of the town.
In 1956, we expect the Col. Edward J. Connelly Recreation Area to take shape as an ideal playground and beach.
The road to Wakesau, through Town Farm property, will open up new recreational areas.
The Little League Field on Farm Street will be completed in the spring of 1956 and will stimulate interest in this league.
We can now submit a report to you that our recreational facilities match those of any other community.
Articles have been inserted in the 1956 Warrant to see if the Town will vote to construct a Little League Baseball Field on the parcel of land known as the William H. Hall Park adjacent to Veterans' Field. This will give the west side of the town a field regulation in every way.
As a start on the proposed recreational facilities for the North Ward area the Commission has inserted an article in the Warrant call- ing for the building of a baseball diamond and the erection of a back- stop at the Harris M. Dolbeare school property.
A committee is investigating the possibility of purchasing land in the Montrose area to take care of recreational needs in that section.
With the help of the Parent Teachers' Associations, and the per- mission of the School Committee, basketball for teen-agers has been ` organized for a Friday night program in the school gymnasiums.
Attendance at both the playgrounds and the swimming area was smaller this year than last year on account of the polio scare.
36
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Specialties on the playgrounds were folk dancing and pageantry classes, handicraft classes, story telling periods, and educational movies.
There were special contests held weekly on each playground. At the end of the season a Demonstration Day was held to decide cham- pionships and exhibit our best articles.
Little Leagues in baseball, a pony league, and a pioneer league, for boys 15, 16 and 17 years of age, were formed.
In the adult program a softball league for men was formed, and they played from May until the first of October, when the champion- ship was determined.
There was no serious accident or injury during the summer.
EUGENE J. SULLIVAN, Chairman JOSEPH J. McMAHON, Treasurer PATSY J. CARISELLA
DONALD G. DAY NICHOLAS F. MAURIELLO
JOSEPH J. CZARNOTA DANTE VOLPE
Report of Board of Public Works
At the annual March election, the membership of the Board was in- creased to five.
The Board regretfully accepted the resignation of Mr. John N. Bill on November 16, 1955. Mr. Joseph J. Nolan was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Bill's resignation until the next annual Town Election.
Work planned for in the 1955 budget has been substantially com- pleted with the exception of new sidewalk construction and some drain- age projects. Construction of sewers was completed in six streets with town labor and equipment. Construction of sewers in twelve streets was let out to contract but was not fully completed in 1955. The con- struction of Union, Evergreen Street and Vale View Road is practically completed. Resurfacing streets with mixed-in-place treatment and/or seal as required progressed satisfactorily under a program which in general calls for treatment of each street about once every four years.
Relaying of old water mains has progressed satisfactorily, and we believe this program will be completed in 1956.
The sewer survey of the west side of town, authorized under Article 25 of the Annual Town Meeting, has been completed by Camp, Dresser and McKee, and the report is now on hand.
The Board has been besieged with drainage problems throughout the town. The Board is requesting funds this year for a drainage study of the whole town because of the seriousness of proper drainage.
37
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
The department has been handicapped in its operations by the lack of a satisfactory engineering department. We are requesting a revision of the rates of pay for engineers to correct this situation. The act es- tablishing the Board of Public Works provides that the supervisor of the engineering department shall be known as the Town Engineer. While this duty has been performed by the director of the department, we are of the opinion that we should now have a Town Engineer as outlined in the Act, and therefore are recommending a new classification and pay scale be set up under the Wage, Hour and Classification Plan.
We are recommending an increase in the amount appropriated for sewer connections, with the completion of new sewer mains, we antici- pate a larger number of requests next year.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Director of Public Works and the personnel of the department for their co-operation.
We refer you to the report of the Director of Public Works for more complete details of the work of the various divisions of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. GARDNER SIDNEY F. ADAMS SABATINO BENEDETTO
WILLIAM T. THISTLE
JOSEPH J. NOLAN
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Gentlemen:
The Public Works Department during the year 1955 was called upon to provide the necessary maintenance work and public services as far as available funds would permit.
The relaying of water mains was continued again this year for the replacement of old concrete and metal pipes that are now obsolete. Many of our breaks in mains in recent years have been due to old water mains. All this work was done with town labor and equipment.
A large amount of sewer work was approved for construction at town meeting. The Department of Public Works did a portion of this work with town labor and equipment, the remainder of this construction was let out on contract.
The sewers in the vicinity of Atwood Avenue, including the ejector station, have been completed. Another section starting in Greenwood Avenue at the Melrose line is still under construction. Work was sus- pended for the winter, but it is expected that this work will be entirely completed in the late spring.
The plans for the sewer work done last year were a result of the studies made by our consultants, Camp, Dresser & McKee, in 1954 which covered the easterly portion of town. In 1955, our consultants completed the sewer studies for the westerly side of town and other unsewered sec- tions. This information will be invaluable as development continues in various parts of town.
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The requests for sewer and water services, removal of old water mains and general maintenance requirements were more numerous than in previous years and consumed a great deal of time and attention.
Drainage has been, and continues to be, one of our main problems. It was a simple matter, before the development of today, to dispose of street drainage in adjoining land. Very seldom were complaints re- ceived against such procedure, but today such locations are being built upon and proper drainage must be provided. Many of the drains today, which were mentioned above, will be too small when they become part of a drainage system that must be developed to properly dispose of street and surface water. It is contemplated to have an engineering study made of drainage throughout the town. This study will include the location of drainage lines, also catchbasins and grades. It will be a comprehensive study which will be of real value to the town. This work should not be delayed.
Two bills were brought before the Legislature in 1955:
1. To furnish money for an engineering study of the Saugus River and the Mill Brook to determine to what extent they could be lowered for the purpose of expediting drainage which in turn would lower the water table.
2. To appropriate money to do the work immediately.
The funds for the engineering study were appropriated and we have been advised that this work is expected to be done in 1956 and should be in conjunction with a study we are recommending under a special article in the annual town meeting of 1956.
There are still several pieces of equipment that should be replaced which have outlived their usefulness and among them principally are:
2-Street rollers
2-Two ton dump trucks
There are several other pieces of equipment that are highly desir- able and could be used to good advantage if it is felt that the town can afford the expenditure of money involved. We are requesting consid- eration for purchasing a leaf machine which would be used during the fall months to clear the streets of leaves which are the cause of many of our drainage complaints that time of year when leaves are carried along the gutters to catch-basins and cause practically a complete seal. Water stands in the gutters and sometimes causes flooding of sidewalks. There are 1,120 basins in town and it is impossible for the men to keep them clear.
The new pieces of equipment acquired this year have proved very satisfactory, particularly the new street sweeper and rubbish packer as well as an additional body sand spreader and salt spreader.
The new sewer cleaning machine has proven very satisfactory and we were able to clean several miles of sewer at a very reasonable cost. It is planned to continue this sewer cleaning program which has been so badly needed particularly in the sections of town where the sewers have a minimum grade. Machine cleaning gives a more thorough and complete job than can be accomplished by hand methods.
For your information I am submitting the reports of the various divisions of the Public Works Department which are as follows:
39
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division during 1955 furnished street lines, house numbers and necessary engineering for work carried on by the various divisions of the Public Works Department. .
Detailed estimates and contract plans were completed for the con- struction of Vale View Road, Union Street and Evergreen Street. This work was let out on contract and supervised by the Engineering De- partment.
Requests for sidewalks and curbing were received and added to the long list on file. Estimates for this work were prepared as far as funds were available for construction. A contract was let out late in the fall and work was suspended for the winter and will be resumed in the spring.
Plans and specifications were prepared for the construction of a parking area on Main Street opposite the library. The acquisition of the land and demolition of the building was not accomplished until late in the fall. Bids were taken and rejected because there was not suffi- cient money available. In the meantime, gravel fill was placed in the area by the Department of Public Works to provide parking space. Re- vised plans and specifications will be prepared for bids in the spring.
MOTH AND TREE DIVISION
During the year we removed two hundred and eighty trees due to Dutch Elm Disease and hurricane damage.
We planted one hundred and sixty maple trees, from our nursery, throughout various streets of the town.
Dutch Elm Disease has increased all over the state and here in town we lost fifty-six trees.
ยท Gypsy Moth, Tent Caterpillars and Japanese Beetles have increased in many areas.
We sprayed our elm trees twice during the year, and also all swamp area that we could reach with our mist blower.
I would like to express my appreciation at this time to the Board of Public Works and the director for their co-operation. I would also like to thank the Civil Defense Director for his help the past year.
PARK DIVISION
Park and Common:
Removal of 10 shade trees that were infected with Dutch Elm Dis- ease or badly damaged in the 1954 hurricanes. Clearing broken trees along Main Street, Lakeside. Replanting of various types of shade trees as replacements of those removed.
Repairing Veterans' Plaque, and painting of all the flagpoles.
At the Colonel Connolly Park, brush was cleared from an aban- doned ditch, which was also filled in, to enlarge the play area.
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Five weeks were spent during the winter, in clearing area of up- rooted and damaged trees at the John J. Round Park.
The Recreation Committee requested that the diamond at the Nasella Playground be changed to meet the specifications for Pony League Ball; this was finished in June.
Maple Way and Moulton playgrounds required a great deal of at- tention to the clearing of trees damaged by the hurricane.
The floral way received a gift of various types of shrubs from the Wakefield Garden Club, planting of these was completed by the third week of April.
Bath House:
The attendance of the bath house was approximately the same as in 1954. As has been the custom in other years the staff worked with the local unit of the American Red Cross in conducting swimming classes for children. During the Spring vandalism proved to be a major problem at the bath house. The building was broken into and damaged to the extent of approximately $800.00. Money was appropriated to construct a new enclosure and adequately screen the windows.
At the 1955 annual town meeting money was appropriated to con- struct a Little League Field on the school property. This project was started in the late fall and will be completed in the spring of 1956.
Cemetery Division:
In 1955 there were eighty-six interments at the Forest Glade Ceme- tery, and one at the old Cemetery on Church Street. Forty-nine foun- dations were laid at the Forest Glade Cemetery and two at the Old Cemetery for memorials. Last spring a new single grave area was de- veloped. This section has approximately 21,000 square feet.
WATER DIVISION
WATER CONSTRUCTION
Orchard Circle, 250 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (con- tractor).
Orchard Circle, 86 feet-11/4 inch copper tubing.
Nelson Avenue, off Muriel Avenue, 322 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Bay Street, off Bay State Road, 800 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Mitchell Lane, off Eunice Circle, 352 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (contractor).
1
Marion Road, off Vine Street, 110 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (contractor).
Plymouth Road, off Broadway, 700 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (contractor).
Marion Road, off Vine Street, 135 feet 11/4 inch copper tubing.
Griffin Road, off Parker Road, 860 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (contractor).
41
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
WATER EXTENSIONS
Ledgewood Road, 208 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (con- tractor)
Harding Road, extended dead end, 220 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Orchard Avenue, from Oak Street to Hillis Avenue, 169 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Vale View Road, extended dead end, 48 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Hopkins Street, extended main within 100 feet town side of Route 128, 416 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Parker Road, to Reading line, 350 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Cooper Street, 220 feet 2-inch copper tubing.
Vine Street, dead end to Marion Road, 117 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Putnam Avenue, to complete remainder of development, 1,200 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (contractor).
WATER RECONSTRUCTION
Orchard Avenue, from Hillis Avenue to Orchard Circle, 114 feet 6- inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Hillis Avenue, from Orchard Avenue 76 feet to hydrant, 76 feet 6- inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Prospect Street, from Summit Avenue to Hopkins Street, 1,350 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Prospect Street, from Hopkins Street 50 feet north of Brook Street, 353 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Park Avenue, Prospect Street to Stoneham line, 316 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Bellevue Road, from Park Avenue to Shumway Circle, 265 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Shumway Circle, from Bellevue Road to Morrison Road, 435 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Morrison Road, from Prospect Street to Park Avenue, 1,085 feet 8- inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Morrison Avenue, from Morrison Road to Stoneham line, 233 feet 6- inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Morrison Avenue, from Morrison Road to Summit Avenue, 485 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Summit Avenue, from Park Avenue to Adams Street, 662 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Fairmount Avenue, from Hillside Avenue to W. Chestnut Street, 578 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Greenwood Street, under brook, 28 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
42
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
HYDRANTS BROKEN-7
Main Street, near No. 590.
North Avenue, near Light Plant.
Broadway, near No. 177.
Vale View Road.
Montrose Avenue, opposite No. 60.
New Salem Street at Guillow's.
Crescent Street, opposite No. 46.
HYDRANTS REPLACED-4
Prospect Street, corner Nichols Street.
Eustis Avenue, in front of No. 46.
Summer Street, in front of No. 14. Linden Avenue, corner Evergreen Street.
NEW HYDRANTS-4
Prospect Street, corner Morrison Road West.
Nelson Avenue in front of Lot No. 84.
Putnam Avenue at Griffin Drive.
Gregoria Road, corner Marion Road.
SERVICES
New Services 191
Services relaid during year 116
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land
1,910)
) New Services
Number of feet of pipe laid on private land 6,226)
Number of feet of pipe relaid on public land 2,029)
) Relays
Number of feet of pipe relaid on private land Distribution System:
2,693)
Extended during the year,-6,563 feet-6" and 8" C.I. Cement lined pipe and 11/4" and 2" copper tubing.
Total miles of pipe now in use-70.51.
Number of hydrants added-4.
Range of pressure on mains-26 pounds to 115 pounds.
Number of service taps now in use-5,882.
Percent of active services metered-99%.
MAIN BREAKS 1955
Date
Occurred
Water On
Size
Location
Cause
Jan. 11, 1955
8:00 a.m. water off
5:00 p.m.
8" C.I.
Kendrick Road near No. 66
Joint leak
3:30 p.m.
Jan. 13, 1955
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
8" C.I.
Split pipe on Route No. 128 near Elm Street dead end
Weak spot in pipe
June 27, 1955
9:43 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
12" Cement
Green Street to Stoneham stand- pipe
June 28, 1955
3:30 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
1 6" C.I.
Opposite No. 28 Catalpa Street
July 14, 1955
1:00 a.m.
4:30 a.m.
2" Galvanized steel
Grand Passway opposite Butler Avenue
July 26, 1955
3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
8" C.I.
On Route No. 128 near Elm Street dead end Lindbergh Road
July 27, 1955
11:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
6" C.I.
Broken by digger
Aug.
6, 1955
11:00 a.m.
8:00 p.m.
Gladstone Street
near Terrace
Oct.
14, 1955
1:00 a.m.
6:30 a.m.
6" Cement
Near No. 146 Greenwood Street
Nov.
14, 1955
2:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
6" C.I.
Greenwood Street at Linden Street Harding Road
Nov. 22, 1955
7:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m.
6" C.I.
Dec.
11, 1955
8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. off
1:30 p.m.
4" C.I.
In front of No. 21 Pine Street
Dec.
19, 1955
10:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
6" Cement
Opposite No. 150 Greenwood Street
144TH
ANNUAL
REPORT
of sewer trench by contractor Old Age
Pressure of main on drain pipe Ledge
water off
1/24/55
3:00 p.m.
Broken by digger Stoneham B.P.W. Blast from sewer construction Split lead
Vibration
7/27/55
6" C.I.
Court
Blast by contractor
43
44
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1955
PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State Wells
Pumped Rainfall Stoneham
January
28,380,000
11,806,600
2,065,340
.88
February
26,005,000
11,000,600
1,931,140
3.63
March
28,265,000
13,293,100
2,300,970
4.32
April
28,345,000
12,452,300
1,972,430
3.09
May
37,555,000
10,261,600
2,025,920
1.92
June
34,855,000
9,377,000
1,895,400
3.66
July
43,205,000
9,856,500
2,028,280
1.93
754,500
August
37,235,000
10,830,100
3,575,910
12.93
September
30,925,000
10,319,700
3,281,700
2.09
October
36,030,000
12,170,400
1,749,780
7.80
November
31,855,000
13,529,800
1,786,260
5.58
December
29,090,000
14,243,500
1,739,400
.88
391,745,000
139,141,200
26,352,530
48.71
754,500
Total Pumped 1955
557,993,230
Average Daily Consumption 1955
1,528,748
Average Daily Per Capita 1955
69.12
1954
PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State
Wells
Rainfall
January
26,735,000
10,218,500
2,615,470
2.24
February
24,055,000
11,095,200
2,299,000
3.04
March
26,350,000
12,270,200
2,546,290
3.28
April
26,775,000
12,111,500
2,535,160
4.77
May
27,495,000
12,053,800
2,793,370
10.60
June
33,835,000
11,259,000
2,256,360
1.77
July
39,275,000
11,261,500
2,202,750
2.83
August
33,650,000
10,531,300
2,244,970
5.99
September
32,810,000
10,653,600
No Power-
8.78
Wires Down
October
30,470,000
12,215,200
1,659,220
2.68
November
29,150,000
11,700,700
2,118,350
5.01
December
29,060,000
11,848,700
2,169,370
3.97
359,660,000
137,219,200
25,440,310
54.96
Total Pumped 1954
522,319,510
Average Daily Consumption 1954
1,431,012
Average Daily Per Capita 1954
73.01
Crystal
45
144TH ANNUAL REPORT
SEWER DIVISION
CONSTRUCTION - 1955
By the Department:
Curtis Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Preston Street and Curtis Street, thence proceeding easterly on Curtis Street 985 feet to a manhole near the easterly end of Curtis Street.
Catalpa Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Pres- ton Street and Catalpa Streets, thence proceeding easterly on Catalpa Street 903 feet to a manhole near the easterly end of Catalpa Street.
Preston Street-beginning at the dead end of a sewer on Fourth Street, thence 15 feet easterly to a new manhole on Preston Street; thence northerly on Preston Street 212 feet to a new manhole at the corner of Preston Street and Catalpa Street.
Evergreen Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Linden Avenue and Evergreen Street, thence running 150 feet southerly on Evergreen Street.
Morningside Road-beginning at a new manhole on Prospect Street, thence southerly 320 feet on Morningside Road to a new manhole. By Contract to J. D'Amico Co .:
Atwood Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Oak and Atwood Streets, thence proceeding in a southerly direction for 800 feet to a new manhole at the corner of Atwood Street and Webster Road.
Fell Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Oak Street and Fell Street, thence proceeding in a southerly direction for 585 feet to a new manhole near the southerly end of Fell Street.
Oak Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Atwood Street and Oak Street, thence proceeding in a south westerly direction for a distance of 270 feet to a new manhole at the corner of Oak and Fell Street.
Hillis Avenue-beginning at an existing manhole at the corner of Orchard and Hillis Avenue, thence proceeding for 534 feet in an easterly direction to a new manhole at the corner of Hillis and Greenwood Avenues.
Greenwood Avenue-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Hillis and Greenwood Avenues, thence proceeding for 310 feet in a northerly direction to a new manhole on the corner of Oak Street and Greenwood Avenue.
Crystal Street-beginning 8 feet from the dead end of Crystal Street; thence proceeding for 290 feet in a northerly direction to a new manhole approximately 125 feet north of Gladstone Street.
Lindbergh Road-beginning at an existing manhole at the corner of Lindbergh Road and Crystal Street, thence proceeding in an easterly direction for approximately 260 feet to a new manhole.
Terrace Court-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Ter- race Court and Gladstone Street, thence proceeding for 300 feet in a westerly direction to a new manhole.
Gladstone Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Gladstone Street and Crystal Street, thence proceeding for 290 feet easterly to a new manhole.
46
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Gladstone Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Gladstone Street and Myrtle Avenue, thence proceeding 400 feet in a southerly direction to the corner of Gladstone Street and Terrace Court.
Greenwood Street-beginning at an existing manhole at the corner of Greenwood Street and Woodland Avenue, thence proceeding for 616 feet in a north easterly direction to a new manhole at the corner of Greenwood Street and Linden Street.
Linden Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Linden Street and Greenwood Street, thence proceeding 360 feet in a south- easterly direction to a new manhole; thence proceeding 425 feet in a northeasterly direction to a new manhole at the corner of Linden Street and Spring Street.
Spring Street-beginning at a new manhole at the corner of Spring Street and Linden Street, thence proceeding easterly 75 feet and 170 feet westerly.
An ejection station was constructed and equipped at Oak and At- wood Streets with force main up Oak Street to Greenwood Street.
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