USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1904-1906 > Part 71
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101
JOINT BOARD.
the cars are grossly overcrowded, and praying that the commission- ers recommend free transfers from the lines terminating at North Cambridge, Clarendon Hill, and Medford Street, Arlington. This petition will be heard early in 1907.
The obstruction of Medford Street by standing cars has been objected to by many citizens and has been called to the attention of the company without satisfactory results. The questions whether the road can be compelled to run all cars to Arlington Heights, and if so, whether it should be ordered to do so, are under consideration by the Board.
GAS MAINS. Six petitions from the Arlington Gas Light Com- pany for permission to extend gas mains in Massachusetts Avenue, Gray Street, Swan Street and Court, Medford Street, Broadway and Court Street, have been granted under the usual conditions.
PLANS AND DATA. Specific plans are on file clearly and de- finitely showing the location of railway tracks, poles and wires, underground conduits, water mains, sewer mains, and service pipes ; but there appears to be only a general plan of gas mains and service pipes connected therewith. Specific plans of these should be on file, and no petition for laying gas pipes should be granted unless accom- panied with said plan.
Complete data connected with all franchises granted in the use of our public streets should be on file with the Town Clerk, and easily available to the various Boards having use for the same.
JAMES A. BAILEY, JR., S. FREDERICK HICKS, FREDERICK S. MEAD, PETER SCHWAMB, WM. N. WINN, SAMUEL E. KIMBALL,
Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
ACTS OF 1897. (Chap. 249).
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A BOARD OF SURVEY FOR THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION 1. The Selectmen of the Town of Arlington shall constitute a. Board of Survey for said Town.
SEC. 2. Any person or corporation contemplating laying out or locating and constructing any street or way in said Town after the passage of this act shall before beginning such construction submit to said Board of Survey suit- able plans, to be prepared in accordance with such rules and regulations as said Board may prescribe. Upon the receipt of such plans, together with a petition for their approval, said Board shall give a public hearing thereon, after advertising such hearing once a week for two successive weeks in a
102
JOINT BOARD.
newspaper published in said Town, the last advertisement to be at least two days before such hearing, and after such hearing said Board may alter such plans and determine where such street or way shall be located, and the width and grades thereof, and shall so designate on said plans. Said plans shall then be approved and signed by said Board and filed in the office of the Clerk of said Town, who shall attest thereon the date of such filing.
SEC. 3. The Board of Survey shall from time to time cause to be made under its direction plans of such territory or sections of land in said Town as . said Board may deem necessary, showing thereon the location of such streets or ways, whether already laid out or not, as said Board shall be of opinion the present or future interests of the public will require in such territory, showing clearly the directions, widths and grades of each street or way, and may employ such assistance and incur such expenses as it may deem neces- sary therefor, not exceeding the amount of money appropriated by the Town for said purpose. Said Board before making any such plan, shall give a public hearing as to the locations, directions, widths and grades of streets or ways in the territory to be shown on the plan, after advertising such hear- ing once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper published in said Town, the last advertisement to be at least two days before said hearing, and shall after making any such plan give a like notice of hearing thereon, and keep the plan open to the public inspection for one month after the advertise- ment of such hearing. Such plan thereafter, and after the alterations deemed necessary to said Board have been made thereon, shall be marked as made under the provisions of this act, shall be signed by said Board, and after being so signed shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of said Town, who shall attest thereon the date of such filing.
SEC. 4. The powers of the Board of Selectmen of said Town in regard to highways shall not be abridged by this act in any manner, except as provided in this section, and the powers given them in this act shall be in addition to the powers now exercised by them. After the passage of this act no street or way in the Town of Arlington, shown on any plan filed as aforesaid, shall be laid out, located anew, altered or widened, and no such street or way, whether already or hereafter laid out, shall be constructed by any public authority, except in accordance with the provisions of this act. If any person or cor- poration shall hereafter open for public travel any private way, the location, direction, widths and grades of which have not previously been approved in writing by said Board of Survey, in the manner provided in this act, then neither the Town nor any other public authority shall place any public sewer, drain, water pipe or lamp in, or do any public work of any kind on, such private way so opened to public travel contrary to the provisions of this act: PROVIDED, however, that this provision shall not prevent the laying of a trunk sewer, water or gas main, as engineering demands may require.
SEC. 5. If any building shall hereafter be placed or erected in said Town upon land within the boundaries of any street or way shown on any of the plans filed with the Town Clerk as herein provided, or on land adjacent to any such street or way, the grade of which at the time of placing or erecting such building is other than the grade shown on said plans, or on land adja- cent to any street or way, the plan and profile of which has not been approved by said Board of Survey, no damages caused to any building so placed or erected, by the construction of said street or way as shown on said plans, or caused to any building so placed or erected, or to the land upon which said building is placed or erected, by the subsequent change of grade of any street or way the plan of which has not been approved by said Board of Survey, shall be recovered by or paid to the owner of the whole or any part of the estate of which the land upon which said building so placed or erected formed a part, from or by said Town.
SEC. 6. The said Town may from time to time appropriate sums of money to be expended by said Board of Survey for carrying out the provisions of this act. No expenditures shall be made in excess of such appropriations.
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JOINT BOARD.
SEC. 7. This act shall take effect upon its acceptance by a majority vote of the voters of said Town present and voting thereon at a Town meeting called for the purpose, or at any annual meeting of said Town. [Approved April 8, 1897.]
TOWN OF ARLINGTON.
NOTICE TO SURVEYORS.
All plans and profiles hereafter submitted for the approval of the Board of Survey under the provisions of Chapter 249 of the Acts of 1897, and any act or amendment thereto, must be drawn on tracing cloth, and be of uniform size, viz. : 22 inches by 30 inches.
The plans must give sufficient information to accurately locate the proposed streets so as to connect them with other existing streets in the vicinity, and enough grade heights given on the plans so that the profiles may be readily located on the plans.
All radii of curves, widths of streets, and all proposed grades must be plainly marked in vermilion ink; all other figures and lines in black ink.
All grades must refer to Arlington Town Base.
Profiles must show levels on both sides and center of proposed streets, and the proposed grade of the center of the street stations not over fifty feet apart.
All buildings abutting on the proposed streets shall be shown both on the profiles and plans and the station of their side lines given.
The scale of the plans must be forty feet to an inch; and the horizontal scale of the profiles forty feet to an inch; and the vertical scale of the profiles six feet to an inch.
The above plans shall be accompanied with a plan of a scale not smaller than 160 feet to an inch, showing the entire property proposed to be laid out, and such adjoining property may be affected, with the measurements of the outlines of the property clearly shown thereon.
If a street submitted for approval does not extend through to another street and is likely to be.extended in the future, the plan should be of the whole street, showing the connection with existing or other proposed streets.
The owner's name should form a part of the title of the plan and the names of all the abutting owners should be given.
ARLINGTON, MASS., March 26, 1898.
By Order of Board of Survey.
ยท
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works :-
GENTLEMEN :- The case of Partridge vs. Arlington, a petition for damages arising by reason of the alteration of the grade of Claremont Avenue, was tried on May last and a verdict of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) rendered in favor of the petitioners. The case was taken to the Supreme Court on exceptions taken by the Town and these were argued on November last. The exceptions are sustained and the verdict was reduced to $25. The costs to which the Town will be entitled will probably offset the reduced verdict.
The suit of Lock vs. Arlington, which has been pending some years, has been dismissed.
The action of Grebenstein vs. Arlington, for damages for injuries received in consequence of an alleged defect in the highway, is still pending.
The claim of Jennie Way vs. Arlington, for injuries received in consequence of an alleged defect in Bartlett Avenue, has been settled for $77.50.
During the year suit was instituted against Nora Sullivan, for reimbursement for relief afforded her by the town, and judgment in favor of the town obtained but not satisfied.
Suit brought vs. John F. Souther, for the taxes of 1904 and 1905, resulted in the payment in full of the taxes as assessed.
Suit has been brought vs. Mrs. Berry, for reimbursement for relief afforded by the town to her father, Matthew Patterson.
A bill in equity has been filed in the Supreme Court by the Trustees of the Pratt High School Fund praying for the allowance of a scheme whereby the income of the fund can be devoted to a more beneficial and comprehensive use than that allowed by the terms of the will. The scheme has been assented to by the Attorney General, and the Supreme Court entered a final decree extending the use of the income from the fund in addition to the purposes set forth under the will to the purchase of scientific and mechanical apparatus and appliances, including their installation and the sup- plies necessarily used in connection therewith, and in securing special instruction for the pupils of the Arlington High School in science, literature and art.
The legal work of the different departments has been attended to.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE D. HARDY, Town Counsel.
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER.
ARLINGTON, Mass., January 28, 1907.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
GENTLEMEN : - Herewith is respectfully presented the report of the Engineering Department for the year 1906.
The organization and character of the work has been the same as last year.
All expense is charged each week to the Department or Board for which service is rendered, and is classified for the year as follows in the same form as heretofore, so that comparison of the work from year to year can readily be made.
Highway Division: For marking all lines and grades, making plans, profiles, estimates, locations and records of work done, and in contemplation by the Division ...
$388 52
Sewer Division : For all surveys, plans, profiles, lines, grades, records and superintendence on cleaning and flushing of sewers Superintendence and inspection on sewer construction ... 40 58 . Superintendence and inspection on particular sewer construction 361 78 Water Division: For all lines for new mains and locations and . records of gates, hydrants, special service boxes, work on regis- tration data and office records. 459 79
60 68
Side Walks: For all lines, grades and measurements of edge stone, concrete, brick and artificial stone walks.
63 84
Board of Survey : For all surveys, plans, and profiles of streets laid out by the Board . 98 68
Street Numbering: Locating buildings and assigning numbers in accordance with the Town By-Laws.
5 79
Plans : Copying plans and deeds from Registry of Deeds at East Cambridge
4 80
Description of real estate for tax titles
23 64
Town House site, levels for grading.
5 60
$1,513 70
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. For details of the work under direc- tion of the Board, reference is made to their report.
HIGHWAY DIVISION. It has been the continued aim of the High- way Division this year to bring the existing Town ways into as good a state of repair as circumstances would allow ; by re-surfacing where greatest necessity demanded ; by keeping the surface of the streets in a smooth and sanitary condition; and by filling up depressions, cleaning and removing mud and unsightly debris.
Twenty-six thousand eight hundred fifty-six (26,856) square yards of macadam re-surfacing was laid representing a length of 3.45 miles
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
at an average width of fourteen feet. A similar amount another year will bring the old surfaces of the streets up to a fair standard.
It must be borne in mind, however, that in any growing Town like Arlington, street surfaces cannot be maintained in an absolutely perfect condition because of constant disturbance by the digging of trenches for wire conduits, gas, water and sewer pipes. And especially is this so where streets are surfaced with the natural soil common to New England towns.
As I have heretofore called attention in the case of Massachusetts Avenue, west of Water Street, the travel ways on either side of the car tracks are so narrow that it is impossible to secure proper drain- age for a macadamized road subjected to the travel of this street. I mean by this, that it is impossible to keep the street free from mud during times of wet weather from lack of drainage. The only rem- edy is to raise the grade of the Boston Elevated tracks, so that suf- ficient grade may be obtained to carry the water and mud to the gutters.
The Department is well equipped to do the necessary work of cleaning and repairing, but this is of not much avail under present conditions. The best that can reasonably be expected for this street is to keep it fairly smooth and as free from mud as is practicable unless the Town provides money for permanent pavement.
From a standpoint of future economy, for sanitary reasons, general appearance and convenience to the public, the cost of such improvement would pay for itself within five years. This is the only means of making a permanent remedy of present conditions.
I most strenuously urge that measures be taken to bring the question of pavement before the Town in 1907. Perhaps a plan might be adopted whereby a small amount of pavement could be laid each year, so that within a few years the work will be accomplished and no great amount of money would be needed in any one year.
It can easily be proved by figures and by the experience of other towns and cities nearby, that for streets where the amount of travel and conditions are similar to that of our main thoroughfare, a permanent pavement is imperative. No macadam road can be built, or maintained after it is built, that will stand this travel with satisfactory results without prohibitive expense.
During 1907 we shall be called upon to construct four newly accepted streets, namely : Tanager Street, Avon Place, Wyman Street and Palmer Street, in addition to the regular work of the Department. For this purpose, and also because it is economy in every respect, the regular highway force is being employed at the Town ledge during the present winter, when not required elsewhere, with the result we hope that very little additional ledge work will be necessary during the warm weather of summer.
Five thousand three hundred seventy-eight tons of stone were quarried and crushed during the season of 1906. It is probable that 6,000 tons at least will be required for 1907:
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
STORM DRAINAGE. The question of storm drainage has been receiving considerable attention for several years, so that now the main system for existing streets is practically complete. Short extensions will constantly be required, and as new streets are developed some new outlets will, of course, have to be provided.
During the year a drain in Fessenden Road with two catch basins was built, and a short section on Lewis Avenue was enlarged and relaid. Additional catch basins were built at the southeast corner of Appleton Street and Park Avenue, and on Massachusetts Avenue. Catch basins have also been placed in the car tracks at three points on Mystic Street, two on Medford Street and three on Massachusetts Avenue; a part of the expense being borne by the railway companies. This makes the total length of storm drains in the town 6.2 miles, and the total number of catch basins 184.
For 1907 construction, I recommend that provision be made for storm drains and catch basins as follows: Academy Street, Massa- chusetts Avenue to Maple Street ; Jason Street, Massachusetts Avenue to the brook ; Massachusetts Avenue, Tufts Street to Barnes Lane ; Pleasant Street, Massachusetts Avenue to the brook; Warren Street, Webster Street to Beacon Street; Wollaston Avenue, Park Avenue to Tanager Street.
New catch basins on Massachusetts Avenue at Grand Army Hall, Tufts Street and Pleasant Street ; also Summer Street corner of Mystic Street; and more grates in car tracks on Massachusetts Avenue at three different points; also on Mystic Street opposite Chestnut Street.
PAVED GUTTERS. No work in connection with street improve- ment is of more importance than the paving of gutters on steep grades. It is the first step toward maintaining good streets. This . work has been continued each year so that not a great deal now remains to be done on accepted streets. One thousand and sixty-six (1066) square yards were laid in 1906, making a total of 8.1 miles in the town to date. During the winter when the Department teams are not otherwise employed, paving is being hauled from the Boston Elevated Railway yards at Cambridge, for use in the new street construction of 1907, already mentioned and provided for, and also for use in the general work of the Department during the next season.
I would recommend that Mill Street gutters be paved on both sides from Mill Brook to Summer Street; also extensions made on Claremont Avenue, Park Avenue, Hillside Avenue and Bacon Street.
CROSS WALKS. One cross walk was laid on Massachusetts Avenue at Walnut Street. In this crossing tar concrete in place of granite flagging was tried on the north side of the street with good results. I believe that this form of a crossing should be adopted and that others should be placed at several points on streets where street car lines exist.
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
EDGE STONE. Two thousand two hundred and forty-seven feet of edge stone was set in 1906, on Teel Street (Massachusetts Avenue to Sawin Street), both sides of Windermere Avenue, and on the west side of Ravine Street, including also short lengths on Medford Street and Warren Street.
Edge stone should be provided for on Teel Street from Sawin Street to Cross Street; and in connection with this work Sawin Street should be accepted and made a Town way from Henderson Street to Teel Street, because this street between these points is much used by the public and is badly in need of repair.
Bacon Street should be re-graded, edge stones set and gutters. paved during the next year. The street is only thirty feet in width, and is a thoroughfare for travel, making it impossible to maintain a satisfactory travel way and side walks under present conditions.
Edge stone or brow stone corners should be placed at several street intersections to protect sidewalks from injury by teams, and also to improve drainage conditions.
A portion of Summer Street between the Almshouse gate and Pine Street should be accepted by the Town and rebuilt. This por- tion of the street is narrow and dangerous to travel, and is a peculiar case from the fact that Pine Street was accepted by the Town many years ago, and has only a connection with an accepted street over this private way which oftentimes is really dangerous to travel.
SIDEWALKS. Four hundred nineteen square yards of concrete, brick and artificial stone were laid on Pleasant Street, Bartlett Avenue, Windermere Avenue, Gray Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
Also old tar concrete sidewalks were renewed by re-surfacing on Massachusetts Avenue, Pleasant Street, Maple Street and Mystic Street.
In the case of the latter work in some cases the walks were made narrower than formerly. The idea being that a walk six feet in width was ample for the locality.
There are about two thousand square yards of old tar concrete walk which should be re-surfaced in 1907.
By this method the old walks are made smooth and even for travel, and at comparatively small expense can be made satisfactory for several years. More permanent sidewalks are urgently needed.
The plan adopted last year of using soft coal ashes as a sub-grad- ing material for sidewalks has been continued as far as opportunity permitted and material was available. This method will result in dryer walks where no artificial construction exists, and again is the proper foundation on which to lay artificial walks when the time for their construction arrives. About two hundred loads of ashes have been used for this purpose.
STREETS. Old Mystic Street at Hutchinson Road should receive extensive repairs early in 1907. The work should consist of paved
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
gutters, catch basins, and storm drain, and the rebuilding of a part of the roadway of Hutchinson Road from Old Mystic Street to top of hill. In times of excessive storm great quantities of water are discharged at the junction of Old Mystic Street and Hutchinson Road, causing at all times more or less damage, both to the streets and private lands. The minor repairs which from time to time have been made are only temporary, and the work should be made permanent to save future expense.
Parts of Massachusetts Avenue, Mystic Street, Medford, Warren and Pleasant streets will need re-surfacing, for which provision should be made. In the case of Mystic Street, practically the whole of the street from Russell Street to the Winchester line was done in 1906, and should last for several years without further attention. .
Windermere Avenue was accepted March, 1906, and was graded and surfaced with gravel and edge stone set early in the summer.
Several streets have been patched with gravel surfacing. The effort has been made to remove loose stone, brush, grass and weeds on all accepted streets. Owing to the character of the season, much time was required to do this work on some streets where travel is light. Fences have been repaired at numerous points and in some cases entirely renewed. Cross gutters or bars for conveying surface water to the gutters to prevent washing away of the surface of the street have been placed on several of the steeper grades.
EQUIPMENT. The Department is well equipped with tools and appliances to do the work required. No extraordinary expense will be necessary in 1907, except for new steam roller and for new horses.
The steam roller purchased by the Town in 1895, is worn out. The machine has done good service, but is not now safe to operate longer, and repairs will be too expensive to be practicable. Provis- ion must, therefore, be made at once to procure a new roller for use in 1907.
The Department owns 12 work horses. Several of them have been in the Department for years and must be replaced by younger and faster horses, if the work of the Department is to be done advantageously. I recommend that five new horses be purchased in 1907 before the present horses become entirely worthless and while they can be exchanged to fair advantage.
The Almshouse stable requires immediate repairs to the flooring and supports including also proper drainage and sanitary conditions.
STREET WATERING. The routes for street watering are arranged the same as in 1905. The contracts were for a season of six months, and the watering for the time required during April and November has been done by the day. A new watering cart is available for another year, and it would seem best to extend the street watering service by making six routes. This method will permit the service on certain streets where it is very much desired by residents, and also
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