USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1907-1908 > Part 11
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 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
The freedom with which stations have been promised and the manner in which methods of operation have been explained challenge faith in the fulfil- ment of prophecies regarding train service. In general it may be said that the method pursued in placing this project before the public at different times and in different places in the early days of its promotion, was notable for indifference to law and conditions and to the possibility that promises made might call for performance. Then, too, the structure which the com- pany proposes in Sullivan Square is undesirable and unsightly and the selec- tion of that connection with the elevated system makes rapid transit improbable and aggravates conditions that already vex and menace the public at this terminal. Nor can the company build the structure which it has planned without special legislation, and such legislation has been expressly denied.
Stripped of all the glamour given it by unsubstantial proclamations, there is little in the enterprise to recommend it to the business judgment of investors or to give it standing with the public; too little to warrant the exercise of the right of eminent domain or the interference with other public works that the building of such a railway would involve. The standing and character of members of the temporary board of directors who were enlisted in the undertaking cannot be challenged and able counsel have endeavored to show substantial merit in what the company proposed to accomplish, but the more careful the study and the closer the scrutiny of the history and character of this transportation scheme, the less there is found in it to call for a certificate that public necessity and convenience require it.
POLICY OF THE BOARD. The following votes indicating the policy of the Board have been passed during the year :
(a) Width of Streets. At a meeting held 'Oct. 14, 1907, it was
Voted, That it was the sense of the Board of Survey not to approve of plans for the laying out or constructing of streets less than forty feet wide.
(b) Crosswalks. At a meeting held Oct. 28, 1907, it was
Voted, That whenever a sidewalk is changed by the construction of a new street the sidewalk, including the new crosswalk, must be relaid in as good and permanent a form as before the change, the cost to be a charge against
117
JOINT BOARD.
the party constructing the street. In case the Town desires a higher cost walk than existed before the change was made the additional cost must be made by the Town in case of permanent sidewalks only.
(c) Rough Grading of Private Streets. At a meeting held Dec. 9, 1907, it was
Voted, That after Jan. 1, 1908, no water or sewer pipes shall be laid in streets approved by the Board of Survey until such streets, including side- walks, have been brought to subgrade satisfactory to the Town Engineer.
S. FREDERICK HICKS, FREDERICK S. MEAD, J. HOWELL CROSBY, PETER SCHWAMB, WILLIAM N. WINN, HENRY W. HAYES,
Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL.
BOSTON, January 9, 1908.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works, Arlington Mass. : -
GENTLEMEN, - In the case of Partridge against Arlington the reduced verdict of twenty-five dollars was paid by the Town, the Court having denied costs to the petitoner and the Town.
The suit of Grebenstein against Arlington for damages for injuries received in consequence of an alleged defect in the highway has been settled for fifty dollars.
The suit brought by the Town against Mrs. Berry for reimburse- ment for relief afforded by the Town to her father, Matthew Patter- son, has been settled by the payment to the Town of fifty dollars.
A writ of entry against the Town is pending, brought by George Lothrop, alleging that he is the owner of a portion of the Great Meadows in East Lexington, and that the Town has disseized him and now holds him out of possession. This is a portion of the land taken by the Town in 1873 for water purposes.
The Board of Health passed an order on May 13th, 1907, forbidding the exercise of the trade or employment of keeping swine within the limits of the Town without a permit, except in certain areas on Turkey Hill and back of Arlington Heights, declaring therein, that, in their opinion such trade or employment was a nuisance, dangerous to the public health, attended by noisome and injurious odors and injurious to the estates of the inhabitants of the Town. This order was duly served on Warren W. Rawson, a citizen of the Town, who was exercising such trade or employment contrary to the terms of the order, and from this order Mr. Rawson appealed and claimed a trial by jury. The trial, held in November, lasted six days. The jury hearing the case annulled the order.
A petition by the selectmen for the abolition of the grade crossing at Whittemore Street and Avon Place has been entered in the Superior Court.
The claim of William Sweeney against the Town for damages for injuries received in consequence of a defect in the highway, after a thorough investigation and on advice of the Town Counsel, was settled for one hundred and fifty dollars.
The Town Counsel appeared, in behalf of the Town, before the Board of Railroad Commissioners at the hearings on free transfers, the interurban and the Cambridge Subway matters.
The legal work of the different departments of the Town has been attended to.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE D. HARDY, Town Counsel.
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER AND SUPRINTENDENT OF STREETS.
ARLINGTON, MASS., Jan. 27, 1908.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works : -
GENTLEMEN, - Herewith is respectfully presented a report of work under my charge for the year 1907.
The organization and character of work done has been the same as last year.
All engineering expense is charged each week to the Department or Board for which the service has been rendered, and is classified for the year as follows, in the same form as heretofore, so that com- parison 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.
$468 80
Sewer Division : For all surveys, plans, profiles, lines, grades and records, including superintendence on cleaning and flushing sewers
243 89
Superintendence and inspection on sewer construction
301 36
Superintendence and inspection on particular sewer construction Water Division: For all lines for new mains and locations, and records of gates, hydrants, specials, service boxes, and work on registration data, office records and reading meters.
506 25
Sidewalks : For all lines, grades and measurements of edgestone, concrete, brick and artificial stone walks.
20 37
New Streets: For all engineering work and data required in the construction of new streets by the Highway Division, under special appropriations .
52 00
Board of Survey : For all surveys, plans and profiles of streets laid out by the Board.
12 67
Plans : Copying plans and dceds from Registry of Deeds at East Cambridge, and description of real estate for tax titles, street numbering plans, cemetery plans, Wellington Park and miscella- neous work for the various Boards and Committees
241 06
$2,026 94
It should be noted from the above classification that a large part of the expense charged as engineering, is for superintendence in the Sewer Division and for office work in the Water and Highway Divisions.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. For details of the work under the direction of the Board reference is made to their report.
180 07
120
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
HIGHWAY DIVISION. It is the aim of the Highway Division to maintain the highways of the Town in as good a condition as the funds available will allow. Constantly increasing travel, and es- pecially the increase in rapidly driven motor vehicles, makes the problem of satisfactory street maintenance more complicated and more expensive each year. Continued effort has been made, how- ever, to keep the surface of the streets in a smooth and sanitary condition by filling up depressions, resurfacing where greatest necessity demanded, and removing mud and unsightly debris.
As mentioned in former reports, it must always be borne in mind, that on streets where the development of property is underway, the street surfaces cannot be maintained in an absolutely perfect condition, because of constant disturbance by the excavations of trenches for wire conduits, gas, water, sewer and storm drain pipes.
In recent years nearly every street in the Town has been dis- turbed for the laying of the water system, sewerage, or surface drainage, and the effect due to the settlement of the excavations will be noticed for a long time.
Many methods are being tried in our vicinity to find a form of construction for streets which will withstand the traffic of the present day, and at the same time fulfill all the requisites of a satisfactory street surface without prohibitive initial cost, and expense of maintenance. Progress is being made along these lines, and it would seem that in a short time some method or material will be found that will make possible the improvements so much desired in highways generally.
In accordance with this idea, the portion of Massachusetts Avenue from Pleasant Street to Academy Street was treated with Tarvia (an inexpensive coal tar preparation) ; while the result has not been all that was hoped for, sufficient improvement has been made to warrant the expense, and to prove that under certain conditions of application, the product can be used with success.
There are thirty-three miles of accepted streets in the Town, of which eleven miles are macadam, and the balance is either gravel surface or the natural soil. Effort should be made to macadamize the latter as soon as possible, for in their present condition in rainy and thawing weather they are almost impassible.
Three thousand eight hundred and ninety-one tons of stone were quarried and crushed during the season of 1907. It is probable that 7,000 or 8,000 tons will be required in 1908, and in conse- quence the ledge is being operated during the present winter so that the material will be available at the beginning of the next season. The stone from this ledge is hard trap rock and is first class road building material.
STORM DRAINAGE. Storm drains were laid in Pleasant Street from Massachusetts Avenue to the brook ; in Jason Street from Massachusetts Avenue to the brook; and in Warren Street from Franklin Street to Beacon Street.
121
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
In 1901 a storm drain was laid in Bartlett Avenue from Massa- chusetts Avenue to the brook. This drain in addition to the Pleasant Street and Jason Street drains, just mentioned, diverts the surface drainage from the streets that was formerly discharged into the brook at these points, so that throughout the length of the brook from Highland Avenue east, no surface water from ac- cepted streets now enters this brook.
For many years residences along this brook have been seriously damaged by overflow during times of excessive rains, and while the flow of the brook has not been entirely cut off, or discharged into the storm drains, provision has been made to do so at any time should it be so desired.
In addition to the above, catch basins were built in Summer Street, Old Mystic Street, Medford Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
There are now 6.81 miles of storm drains, and 209 catch basins in operation.
For 1908 construction, I recommend a drain on Academy Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Maple Street; a drain on Massa- chusetts Avenue from Barnes Lane to Tufts Street.
Additional catch basins on Massachusetts Avenue near Grand Army Hall; in Boston Elevated Ry. tracks, at the Boston & Maine R. R. crossing ; and at Schouler Court.
Storm drains on Hutchinson Road; Wollaston Avenue; and Appleton Street, from Park Avenue to Hillside Avenue.
As I have heretofore called attention, in the case of Massachusetts Avenue west of Water Street, the travelways on either side of the car tracks are so narrow that it is impossible to keep the street free from mud during times of wet weather from lack of drainage. The only remedy is to raise the Boston Elevated Railway tracks so that sufficient grade may be obtained to carry the water and mud to the gutters.
PAVED GUTTERS AND CROSSWALKS. The paving of gutters on streets of 5% grade or over has been continued.
Crosswalks were laid on Massachusetts Avenue at Brattle Street ; Massachusetts Avenue at Grove Street; and Gray Street at Jason Street.
Crosswalks were relaid on Massachusetts Avenue at Forest Street; Academy Street ; Water Street; Pleasant Street ; and near Medford Street.
I would recommend that gutters be paved on both sides of Mill Street from Bacon Street to Summer Street ; also extensions made on Claremont Avenue and Hillside Avenue.
Crosswalks of tar concrete should be laid at several points over the Town, as they can be constructed of this material at less expense, are easier to drive over, cost less for maintenance, and are more readily freed from mud.
122
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
EDGESTONE. Two thousand three hundred and fifteen feet of edgestone was set in 1907, as follows : On Teele Street, both sides from Sawin Street to Cross Street, thus completing the work on both Henderson and Teele Streets which was begun four years ago; on Mystic Street, easterly side, extending around the corner of Chestnut Street; Bacon Street, both sides, but not completed ; and short lengths on Medford Street, Warren Street, Pleasant Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
Edgestone is needed where gaps now exist on both sides of Mas- sachusetts Avenue, from Bartlett Avenue to Park Avenue, and should be provided for in 1908.
SIDEWALKS. Practically all the old tar concrete sidewalks have been resurfaced during the last two years and are now in good condition.
Brick sidewalks were laid on Bartlett Avenue opposite estates Nos. 21, 34 and 38, and on Massachusetts Avenue between Palmer and Wyman Streets.
Permanent sidewalks of artificial construction are most urgently needed in many parts of the Town. But little attention has ever been given toward permanent sidewalks on a systematic basis-that is, by laying a certain amount each year and gradually developing a complete system.
I would recommend that this matter be given consideration, for I believe that proper sidewalks are even more appreciated than good travelways for vehicles, as the majority of our citizens use the side- walks. In many other towns permanent sidewalks of four feet in width, constructed of artificial stone give entire satisfaction, and if constructed along the line suggested, a few years would show great improvement in our streets, without noticeable expense.
STREETS. Twenty-six thousand, sixty-six square yards of streets were resurfaced with macadam and gravel, - not including many places where minor repairs were made.
This work was principally on Massachusetts Avenue, Medford and Mystic Streets.
Effort has been made to keep all streets free from loose stone and debris. Fences have been repaired at numerous points, and on Lowell Street, Brattle Street, Dudley and Grove Streets entirely renewed.
The retaining walls on Lowell Street; south side of Pine street, Brattle Street and Grove Street have been concreted at sidewalk grade to render them safe for travel. Cross gutters of concrete on sidewalks and bars of gravel on travelways placed on streets of steep grade have been constructed within the last two years, which has resulted in reducing the cost of maintenance due to damage from rains to a minimum.
123
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
In 1908 a considerable amount of resurfacing of Macadam streets must be done, particularly parts of Massachusetts Avenue, Mystic Street, Pleasant Street, Water Street and Warren Street. Also parts of Franklin Street, Brattle Street, Summer Street, Palmer Street, Tufts Street, Hillside Avenue, Claremont Avenue and Apple- ton Street now of gravel construction should be Macadamized.
NEW STREETS. In accordance with the special appropriation of $7,050, Avon Place, Palmer and Wyman Streets between Warren Street and Broadway, and Tanager Street -- all accepted by the Town in 1906-were constructed.
On Avon Place edgestone was set on both sides, the travelway macadamized and the sidewalks covered with stone dust, with soft coal ashes for under drainage. Surface water is disposed of through two catch basins near the southerly end of the street.
On Palmer Street a storm drain was laid, discharging into the Warren Street drain. The travelway was ballasted with screenings from the gravel pit and surfaced with macadam, as was also the case with Wyman Street. Sidewalks were constructed in the same man- ner as on Avon Place. Edgestone was placed at the intersection of both Palmer and Wyman Streets, with Broadway and Warren Street, making the whole construction complete.
These streets as now constructed should last for years without further expense.
Tanager Street was graded to the accepted grade, necessitating the removal of about 600 cu. yds. of material. A storm drain was laid from Park Avenue to connect seven catch basins, and gutters were paved on both sides for a distance of about 800 feet where the grade required. Private property was regraded to conform to the sidewalk grade; retaining wall rebuilt and sidewalks covered with stone dust. Fencing was required for about 360 feet on the westerly side of the street. Edgestone was set at the southerly junction of Tanager Street and Wollaston Avenue; also at the northerly junction of the two streets, but in the latter case under the Sidewalk Act, which required a special assessment on the abutter. A brick crosswalk was also laid at the northerly junction of Wollaston Avenue and Tanager Street, across Tanager Street. It is intended to lay out a small grass plot at the southerly junc- tion of Wollaston Avenue, around the location of the electric light pole, when Wollaston Avenue is constructed at this point. No macadamizing of the travelway was included in the appropriation for this street, so the work is not so complete as in the case of Avon Place, Palmer and Wyman Streets, but nevertheless the street as now built should be satisfactory for several years.
Owing to the lateness of the season when the work was finished, some minor adjustments will have to be made in the spring, due to settlement of filled areas, freezing weather, etc.
.
124
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
The cost of the entire construction of the four streets mentioned is within the appropriation.
STREET WATERING. The routes for street watering were revised in 1907, and arranged for six carts, for six months' service, and for four carts from October 15 to November 15. The routes are long, and although at times it is impossible to give satisfactory service, I would not recommend any increase in equipment at this time, for I am confident that new processes in the handling of the dust prob- lem will require change of equipment.
Some of the carts will need painting before the season of 1908, and all will need overhauling, - which must be provided for by increased appropriation over last year. As suggested last year it would seem, if the charge to abutters on streets watered was reduced to two cents per lineal foot of frontage, and the balance of the cost paid from direct appropriation, the assessment would be more equit- able, and more consistent to the benefit received, for in many cases large frontages exist where there is no development, and conse- quently, no direct benefit to the owner.
SEWER DIVISION. The Park Avenue Sewer has been extended about three hundred feet to connect house No. 7 Park Circle. This work was done by contract with H. A Hanscom & Co.
A special appropriation of $4000 was made in July for sewers at Whittemore Park and Brattle Street, and in accordance therewith a sewer was built from Henderson Street across Massachusetts Avenue, and thence along the southerly side to Magnolia Street, and in Magnolia Street about five hundred feet. This sewer was to connect the houses now being built on Magnolia Street. and to pro- vide an outlet for the Massachusetts Avenue end of Whittemore Park.
On Brattle Street the lowest point to be drained was about 20 feet below the Massachusetts Avenue sewer at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Brattle Street.
Sometime in the future a main or intercepting sewer will be built along Mill Brook (probably by the State) which will provide an out. let for all the area to the north and east of Massachusetts Avenue. As it was obviously impossible or impracticable to attempt the con- struction of the main sewer at this time, a small pumping plant was decided upon, consisting of a centrifugal pump, operated by an electric motor, to handle the sewerage from the section requiring immediate service until the main sewer is built. It is expected that the pump will be installed and in operation by February 15, 1908.
Sewers were laid in Brattle Street, from Massachusetts Avenue to Dudley Street, including a four inch force main from the pump- well located in the sidewalk near the brook.
125
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
Also sewers were laid in Laurel Street and in Dudley Street, from Brattle Street to the summit of the grade.
At the Town Meeting in November, 1907, an appropriation of $225 was made for laying a sewer in Private land adjoining the Boston & Lowell Railroad location from the main sewer near Whit- temore Street to Lombard Terrace. This work was necessary at this time, so that the playground may be finished in the spring and will not thereafter be disturbed by sewer excavations, when sewers are required in Lombard Road and Lombard Terrace.
The sewerage system now comprises 27.22 miles. There are about 60 per cent of the total buildings on the lines of the sewers connected.
COLLECTION OF OFFAL AND ASHES. The collection of both ashes and offal has cost more in 1907 than in any other year since the service was inaugurated. This was because of the late spring and consequent cold weather. Also to the increase in the number of people availing themselves of the privilege of the service and to increase of wages and shorter hours of work of employees.
The change recommended in offal equipment last year was adopted, and for 1908 I believe that another single-horse wagon should be built, and the area of the Town divided for collection of offal between two men, each using a single horse and wagon. By this ineans I am confident the best results can be obtained at the least expense.
EQUIPMENT. The Departments are well equipped with tools and appliances for their work.
A new 12-ton Buffalo Pitts steam roller was purchased, which has proven satisfactory in all respects.
The exchange of horses provided for in the 1907 appropriation has been made.
The exchange of two horses and the purchase of one additional will be needed for the 1908 work.
Under a special appropriation one shed at the Almshouse stable has been enlarged, and general repairs to the stalls, sheds, horse stalls, cellar drainage, etc., were made.
With the exception of one two-horse cart, steam drill, shovels and a few small tools no extraordinary expense for equipment is con- templated. It is hoped, however, that the Highway Division will be able to purchase a scarifier for loosening old macadam when repairing old surfaces. This machine is on the principal of a har- row and is drawn by the steam roller. The advantage over the present method of using the steam roller picks is that more work can be done in the same time and without injury to the foundation of the roadway.
STONE CRUSHING PLANT. Since the installation of this plant in 1869 the local conditions have greatly changed, and now the build-
126
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
ings need a thorough overhauling and remodelling to make an eco- nomical plant. This is almost impossible with the present building. The plant is run by steam and the boiler can probably only be oper- ated another season without extensive repairs.
The crusher now installed is not of the pattern or size to obtain the best results with the least cost of operation. It can readily be understood that with a crusher of larger size much of the expense in breaking stone by hand to a size suitable to feed the present crusher would not be necessary.
I recommend, therefore, that no change be made in the plant during 1908, but that next winter an entirely new plant be erected on a new location, and that a larger crusher be installed.
PARKS. Plans for the development of the area at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Lowell Street (known for many years by the older residents of the Town as the "Foot of the Rocks ") were prepargd early in the year.
The necessary funds to complete the improvement were contri- buted by William E. Wellington, of Dubuque, Iowa, a native of Arlington. The plans included the grading, curbing, erection of a flag pole, gravel paths, large rockery of great boulders, and shrub- bery. It is the intention that ivy be grown over the rockery, and shrubs be planted at the westerly end of the grounds. The com- plete cost will be about $1250.
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.