USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1908-1909 > Part 49
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I think from the results obtained that these treatments should be continued and extended. In fact, the treatment of street sur- faces for the prevention of dust has become imperative under present travel conditions, and I recommend that the street water- ing service be practically abolished, and appropriations made to allow for the extended use of dust preventatives. The use of water in a sufficient quantity to lay the dust under the travel of the present day is so great that serious injury must result to any
197
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
street surface, for in order that street watering may be effective, enough water must be used to at all times keep the street sur- faces wet or damp. This softens the surface of the street and hastens to a great degree the speedy disintegration of the surfac- ing material.
I recommend for 1910 the resurfacing of the following streets now of macadam construction: Massachusetts Avenue, from Lake Street easterly on both sides; Massachusetts Avenue, near the Lexington line, on both sides; Water Street, Warren Street and Pleasant Street ; portions of Brattle Street, Claremont Ave- nue, Franklin Street and Hillside Avenue, now of gravel construc- tion, should be macadamized.
STORM DRAINAGE: An 18-inch drain was built from Bow Street across the location of the Boston and Lowell Railroad to connect with Mill Brook at Forest Street Place. This drain was to take the place of a former pipe which discharged into the Rail- road ditch near the factory of Arthur Birch, Esq. Provision was made in this work not only for the present requirements of Bow Street, but for the future drainage area of the easterly portion of the Crescent Hill district.
At the November Town meeting an appropriation of $600.00 was made for the construction of a storm drain in Appleton Street, between Park Avenue and Hillside Avenue.
Four new catch basins were connected with this drain at the corner of Hillside Avenue and Appleton Street, including the outlet of one catch basin at the corner of Park Avenue. 'A con- siderable expense was caused from washouts at this point for many years, owing to the large drainage area tributary to this section of the street, which the construction of this drain has remedied.
It is very necessary that the storm drainage system of the Town be extended in several localities. As the area of the Town is developed by building, the need of better storm drainage in the streets is greatly increased. I, therefore, particularly refer to the recommendations made last year, namely, the construction of storm drains in Academy Street, between Massachusetts Ave- nue and Maple Street; in Massachusetts Avenue, from Barnes Lane to Tufts Street, and between Franklin Street and Wyman Street ; also in Hutchinson Road, near Old Mystic Street, and the installation of additional gratings in Boston Elevated Rail- way Company's tracks at several changes of grade.
PAVED GUTTERS AND CROSSWALKS. About 300 yards of new granite block paving in gutters were laid; 172 square yards of tar
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
concrete crosswalks were laid on Massachusetts Avenue, Jason Street and Park Avenue.
The use of tar and oil in new street construction will eliminate the need of crosswalks to a large extent, and in consequence a great annoyance to the occupants of passing vehicles can be avoided.
SIDEWALKS. Tar concrete sidewalks were resurfaced on por- tions of the following streets : Massachusetts Avenue, Park Ave- nue, Pelham Terrace, Medford, Pleasant, Brattle, Ashland, Wal- nut and Gray Streets, amounting to 3396 square yards.
Brick sidewalks were laid under petition of the owners of abut- ting estates on Massachusetts Avenue at the new block near Park Avenue; at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Bartlett Avenue ; opposite No. 44 Academy Street ; also at No. 72 West- minster Avenue. Brick sidewalks were laid by order of the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works on the southerly side of Irving Street, near Ravine Street, to prevent damage caused by washouts ; also on Park Avenue, near Paul Revere Road, and on Park Avenue, near Appleton Street.
Artificial stone walks were laid on Bartlett Avenue under peti- tion of the abutting owners.
I again recommend that the Town extend the construction of permanent sidewalks, especially along the avenues of through travel. It is particularly necessary that a permanent sidewalk be extended to Arlington Heights on Massachusetts Avenue, and on one side, at least, of Mystic Street, and on Broadway.
NEW STREETS. Under a special appropriation made by the Town at the March annual meeting, Woodland Street, between Jason Street and Bartlett Avenue, was accepted and an appro- priation of $1,350 for its construction made. Also at the same time Bartlett Avenue, from Gray Street to Woodland Street, was accepted, and an appropriation of $1,750 for construction made.
In accordance therewith these streets have been built and con- structed with edgestones, paved gutters and macadam surfacing.
At the Town meeting in November, Whittemore Street was ac- cepted from Massachusetts Avenue to the Railroad location, al- though no appropriation for the reconstruction of the street was made at this time, owing to the lateness of the season. The acceptance of this street was in connection with the construction of a proposed Footway ordered under the decree of the Su- perior Court, to be built by the Boston and Maine Railroad. This decree also abolished the grade crossing at Avon Place and estab- lished a new right of way between Pond Lane to Avon Place on the southerly side of the railroad.
199
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
The addition of these streets makes the number of accepted streets in the Town 101, representing a total length of 331/4 miles.
SEWER DIVISION'. Comparatively little sewer construction was done during 1909; 1,747 feet of sewer was laid in the following streets : Albermarle Street, Appleton Street, Francis Avenue, Harvard Street, Wachusett Avenue and Walnut Street. The total mileage of sewers now is 27.61 miles.
There were 67 sewer connections made and the usual mainten- ance requirements were attended to. It would appear from the applications now received that several large extensions will be required the coming year.
ยท COLLECTION OF OFFAL AND ASHES. The methods formerly applied in this department have been continued. The work is constantly increasing and the amount of ashes and paper is now so great that I believe it would be more advantageous and economical to employ a permanent force of men and teams each day of the week to make the collection, as in the case of the offal collections.
The practice of using several of the Highway Division teams from two to three days each week conflicts with the work of that division, and oftentimes results in delays and unsatisfactory service.
About 300 cords of offal, 3,000 loads of ashes, 500 loads of paper were collected.
Under a special appropriation of $1,000 a building has been erected in the Town yard, designed especially for the transfer of offal from the teams in which it is collected by the department to the teams of the contractor. This building is completed and will be put into operation early in the Spring.
EQUIPMENT. The equipments of the Highway and Sewer Di- visions are in good condition, with the exception of the crushing plant. I think that it is no longer advisable to take stone from the crusher ledge. The farther the excavations go the more un- even the grade of stone becomes. And I do not believe that a farther outlay of money on this ledge would be warranted, taking into consideration also the unsightly appearance and injury to the surrounding property which would result if the work were continued.
The crushing plant itself, as mentioned in the previous years, is entirely inadequate and extensive repairs will have to be made before the machinery can be used again. From experience in the purchase of stone during 1909, I think the Town can save money
200
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
by making contracts for delivering crushed stone at the new Town yard. If arrangements for the proper handling of crushed stone were made at the yard, by the construction of storage bins, no further expense would be needed for crushing machinery until the time arrives when a portable crushing plant becomes a neces- sity. The portable plant would be used wherever the department was making large ledge excavations and could easily be run with power from the steam roller, or portable engine. In the mean- time, the present plant can be put into shape to crush what surplus material is obtained from excavations made by the departments in their work.
Twelve hundred and three tons of crushed stone were pur- chased and 3,409 tons were crushed at Arlington in 1909.
BOARD OF SURVEY. Twelve plans were examined on which hearings under petition for locations and grades were to be held by the Board. Of this number two plans were not ap, proved.
Studies were made during the early Spring for the location of a street from the junction of the new Boulevard at Medford Street, extending around the shores of Mystic Lake, and through a portion of the park lands, owned by the Town, to Summer Street; thence continuing through Summer Street, in accordance with the line of the street established by the Board of Survey several years ago, to Brattle Street ; thence through private lands to the junction of Forest Street and Bow Street, and thence through Bow Street to Lowell Street and Park Avenue. No hearings as yet have been given on this layout. The plan con- templated includes a street fifty feet wide for the entire length, and ultimately an extension from the junction of Lowell Street and Park Avenue through Lowell Street and private lands, or Maple Street, Lexington, to make connection with the State Road at East Lexington, thereby establishing a new through thorough- fare for travel over the new boulevards from Cambridge, Somer- ville, Medford and Winchester to Lexington, Concord and towns beyond. This proposed street, if built, will relieve the congestion on Massachusetts Avenue, between Arlington Centre and Arling- ton Heights, and open the way for the development of the north- erly part of the Town.
Preliminary plans for the widening of Medford Street to 75 feet have been made with the intention of taking the matter be- fore the Town at the March meeting.
GENERAL: The several highway bridges are in good condition, the railing only having to be renewed on the River Street bridge.
June 23, 1909, work was begun by the Metropolitan Park Com-
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
mission on the new channel of Alewife Brook, from Mystic River to Spy Pond. The locks at Craddock Bridge, Medford, are now in commission, and it is expected that this splendid project will be completed by July, 1910.
In the construction of the new channel the old channels under the Broadway and Massachusetts Avenue bridges have been ex- cavated, and the foundation walls lowered to conform to the new grade of the brook, the widening of the arches being left for a future date. At the B. & M. R. R. bridge it was necessary to. siphon the Town sewer where connection is made with the Metro- politan sewer. This work was done by the Commonwealth with the consent of the Board of Public Works.
The details of construction for a bridge across the new chan- nel of Alewife Brook, at the foot of Henderson Street, to con- nect Henderson Street with Woodstock Street, Somerville, are being considered with the Metropolitan Park Commission. This bridge is necessary for the convenience of the residents of the vicinity in both Arlington and Somerville.
Seventy permits were granted to the various public service cor- porations to open streets for repairs and extension of service.
At the Town House site a gravel path has been built diagonally across the lot from Massachusetts Avenue to Academy Street for the convenience of the High School and residents of the vicinity. Additional shrubs and trees have been set out on this lot, and also at Wellington Park.
At Russell Park the tar concrete walks have been extended so that all the walks across the park are now of a permanent nature.
The work on a new set of Assessors' plans of the Town, for which an appropriation was made in March, 1909, will be carried forward during the Spring months of 1910. This work is most important, and if small appropriations are made each year the plans can be systematically completed and kept up to date.
ROBT. W. POND,
Town Engineer and Supt. of Streets and Sewers.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES.
Arlington, December 31, 1909.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works :-
GENTLEMEN :- I respectfully submit my tenth annual report as Superintendent of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1909 :
INSPECTION OF WIRES IN BUILDINGS. The rapid increase in the use of electricity for illumination, power and other electrical devices increases the inspection work each year of wiring and other fittings used for this class of service. Each year shows marked improvement in the fittings and workmanship furnished for electrical construction. Careful attention has to be given in the inspections of an electrical installation to see that all require- ments have been complied with. Numerous small defects are found which are in many cases not intentional but which are over- looked by the contractors in the rush to complete the work. The Rules and Requirements of the National Electrical Code are strictly enforced and no permit will be issued for service where defects exist until requirements have been fulfilled.
The following schedule is a summary of the work done on Interior Inspection during the year 1909.
Contractors' Applications received. 268
Number of Inspections made. 433
Incandescent Lights wired for. .3,386
Motors wired for, I-2 to 7 1-2 H. P. 6 Total H. P. of Motors wired for above I-2 H. P. 28.5
Dynamos Installed (private installation) .. 1, 3 K. W. Mercury Arc Rectifier Installed. ..... 1, 30 Ampere Total number of Permits issued for service to build- ings 354
Total Incandescent Lights installed as per Permits 4,049
Total H. P. of Motors installed as per Permits (above .5 H. P.) 21
Mercury Arc Rectifier Installed for Charging Stor-
age Batteries 1, 30 Ampere
203
SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
POLES AND WIRES ON STREETS. Seventeen (17) Poles were set in new locations. These new locations being granted the com- panies filing petitions after hearings were held in accordance with Chapter 237, Acts 1903, as follows :
Petitioner Co.
Street.
Poles. Date Plan.
Date Granted.
Edison E. I. Co., Wollaston Av. at Tana- ger St., Edison E. I. Co., Wollaston Av.,
1 Nov. 23, 1908
Nov. 23, 1008
Edison E. I. Co.,
Forest St., 1375 ft. north- west from Bow St., 3
Mar. 4, 1909
Mar. 13, 1909
Edison E. I. Co.,
Linden St.,
3
Mar. 29, 1909
Apr. 24, 1909
Edison E. I. Co.,
Crescent Hill Av.,
1
Apr. 24, 1909
May 8, 1909
Edison E. I. Co.,
Florence Av.,
2 June 4, 1909
June 12, 1909
Edison E. I. Co.,
Cliff St.,
1
June 4, 1909
June 12, 1909
N. E. T. & T. Co.,
Linwood St.,
3 Nov. 1, 1909
Nov. 13, 1909
N. E. T. & T. Co.,
Mass. Av.opp Medford St. 1
Mar. 19, 1909
Apr. 10, 1909
Permits were granted the Edison Company to relocate one pole on Medford Street, near Metropolitan Boulevard, also to remove two poles on Wollaston Avenue. Permits were granted the New England Tel. & Tel. Company to relocate one pole on River Street, near Metropolitan Boulevard, and to remove four poles on Linwood Street and one pole on Massachusetts Avenue, opposite Medford Street. All poles removed being necessary on account of new locations granted to properly equalize distance between poles as required by the Wire Department. Thirty per- mits were granted to replace sixty-four poles found unsafe, as follows :
EDSON E. I. Co. Broadway, 4; Crescent Hill Avenue, I; Decatur Street, 3 ; Forest Street, 5 ; North Union Street, 14; Oak- land Avenue, 5; Park Street, 2; Park Avenue, 3; Pelham Ter- race, 3; Winslow Street, I ; total, 41 poles replaced.
NEW ENGLAND TEL. & TEL. Co. Broadway, 3; Hillside Avenue, I ; Medford Street, 2; Massachusetts Avenue, 4; Mystic Street, 4; Park Avenue, 2 ; Pleasant Street, 1 ; Summer Street, 4 ; Wollaston Avenue, 2 ; total, 23 poles replaced.
All poles replaced with numbers are on record at the Wire Department Headquarters.
The class of pole and wire construction built by companies owning locations in the Town has been very satisfactory during the past year and all local requirements have been complied with. The Edison Company and the New England Tel. & Tel. Co. were requested to paint all poles throughout the Town that had not been recently painted. A uniform system of stenciling was
2 Nov. 23, 1908
Nov. 23, 1908
204
SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
decided on between these companies and the Wire Department which, when fully completed, will give the Town one of the best systems of this kind in use in any municipality. One thousand and seventy-five poles were repainted. Five hundred and eighty- one (581) by the New England Tel. & Tel. Co., and four hundred and ninety-four (494) by the Edison Company. The general appearance of the pole lines in our Town at the present time will compare most favorably with any city or town in New England.
STREET LIGHTING. The Street Lighting System has given good satisfaction during the past year and the new Tungsten Incandescent Lamps are an improvement over other types of lamps used heretofore. The only serious interruption to the street lighting service during the year was caused by the severe storm on December 26th. Owing to the breakage of poles and wires caused by this .storm it became necessary to order all cur- rent shut off from the Town early in the morning of that date. The dangerous condition that wires were in on many streets made it imperative for the public safety that no risk should be taken from a life or fire standpoint. Permission was given by this Department on the morning of December 28th to the Edison Company to turn on current on its commercial, power and street lighting circuits as soon as these circuits were absolutely cleared of contact with other wires, etc. The commercial and one street lighting circuits were re-established that night between 7.30 and 8.30 P. M. The other street lighting circuits were put in com- mission on the night of December 29th. Your Superintendent has none but the highest words of commendation to give the con- struction crews of the Edison Company who worked hard under most trying conditions to repair damage done by this storm. These men were the ones who did the work and knew what con- ' ditions were electrically in our Town. To some of the heads of departments and employees it would be well in a future case of this kind if they, as representatives of the Edison Company, would thoroughly inform themselves as to existing conditions before sending out reports to the public through the press and otherwise that they were ready to furnish service, but could not do so as the current had been ordered off by the Town Wire Superintendent. The current was turned off of the Town of Arlington for the safety of the public, as it will be again whenever it is deemed necessary, and your Superintendent is and always will be ready to shoulder any responsibility in this line when it is up to him, as he is in this case.
The following additions and changes have been made in the street lighting system for the year 1909:
205
SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
NEW STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED.
Date of
Street
Location
Pole No. Inc.Arc. Installation
Gray St., 250 ft. southeast from Ravine St., N. E.
T. Co. 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Brattle St.
cor. Laurel St.,
810-2 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Bow St.
1210 ft. east of Lowell St.,
906-8 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Westminster Av. 50 ft. southeast from Park Pl.,
883-10 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Park Av.
270 ft. north of Mass. Av.,
860-12 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Linden St.
3rd pole from Park Av.,
3 1 June 9, 1909
Paul Revere Rd. near Locke School
877-14 1 May 14, 1909
Warren St.
opp. Webster St.
880-16 1 Mar. 4, 1909
Elmore St.
cor. Ashland St.
911-61-80c.p. Oct. 28, 1908
Mass. Av.
near Amsden St.
847-12 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Totals
9 1
STREET LIGHTS REMOVED, 1909.
Street.
Location.
Pole No.
Inc. Date removed.
Mass. Ave.,
near Amsden St.,
847-11 1 Jan. 1, 1909
Appleton Pl.
near Mass. Ave.
804-1
1 Sept. 1, 1909
Ashland St.,
near Elmore St.,
805-3 1
Oct. 28, 1909
Totals
3
One additional incandescent light is to be installed on Robbins Road on or soon after Jan. 1, 1910, as per vote passed Dec. 13, 1909. The two additional incandescent lights authorized Nov. 23, 1908, to be installed, one on Henderson Street and one on Teel Street, have not, as yet, been put in commission. The delay in installing these lights being due to changes in pole lines to be made on these streets in accordance with new locations granted, and which up to Dec. 31, 1909, have not been made by the com- panies petitioning for said locations.
SUMMARY OF STREET LIGHTS FOR 1909.
Total number of lights in use Dec. 31 332
Incandescent Lights, 40 candle power 246
Incandescent Lights, 80 candle power
2
Arc Lights, 1200 candle power
84
Totals
332
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. The operation of this system has been satisfactory during the past year and no trouble of a serious nature was experienced in the maintenance of same. Three breaks occurred in the aerial wires of system; one on April 8th
206
SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
being caused by the breaking off of a large tree on Massachusetts Avenue, near Lowell Street; two breaks occurred on December 26th, caused by the severe storm on that date. These broken wires were repaired and at no time during this storm was the Fire Alarm System out of service. The circuits broken were repaired as quickly as possible considering the severe conditions existing at that time. At all times every Fire Station in the Town was connected by other circuits in commission with the Fire Alarm Headquarters and Air Whistle in Town Hall Building. The Fire Alarm System is divided into four outside and one inside circuit and if every circuit on the streets were put out of com- mission by a storm or otherwise the Air Whistle at top of Town Hall Building would be in commission to sound a Fire Alarm. This whistle is sufficiently powerful to be heard in all parts of the Town under any conditions that might exist. The system has been carefully repaired and strengthened during the past year and new additions were made as follows: One new signal box, No. 64, was placed on Hose No. I House, Park Avenue, and Box No. 54, located on the Station, was placed at corner of Park Avenue and Lowell Street. Box. No. 56 on Appleton Street was changed to Box No. 65. These changes were made on June Ist. With the change in numbers the boxes in the fifties are now located north of Massachusetts Avenue in the Crescent Hill Section, and all boxes numbered in the sixties are located in the Heights sec- tion of the Town. One six-inch gong was placed in commission on June 4th in the Metropolitan Pumping Station, off Brattle Street. The installing of a gong in this station is an additional safeguard from a fire standpoint, as the engineers stationed there are always informed of a fire alarm and are ready to increase the pressure on water mains as required. One hundred and ninety-two feet of three-inch iron pipe was laid on Franklin Street from Massachusetts Avenue to basement of Hose No. 3 House (Central Fire Station). This conduit is to replace one now in use which is too small to allow installing additional under- ground wires. One manhole was built in Franklin Street as a junction for underground wires now entering Station from Massachusetts Avenue and to allow for additional wires that will be installed from Broadway at a later date. Iron, fire-proof cabi- nets have been purchased for terminating all wires entering the Central Fire Station from the Fire Alarm Circuits. These cabi- nets will also be used as testing points of all fire alarm and other signal wires entering this building. Six hundred and fifteen feet of No. 14 lead-covered Duplex Cable has been purchased to re- place wires now connecting the Central Station from Massachu- setts Avenue conduit system. Three special signal boxes were purchased for switchboards in the Fire Stations for sounding
207
SUPERINTENDENT OF WIRES
still alarms on Tower Bells of their stations. These boxes are numbered 6, and when operated strike six blows on the Tower Bell of the station where located without sounding an alarm else- where. Two of these boxes are now in commission, one at Hose No. 2 and one at the Central Station. The Whistle Machine in tower of Town Hall and Hose No. 3 Bell Striker were taken apart and thoroughly cleaned. A copper flange was placed around the Air Whistle to replace galvanized iron flange in use in the past. All Fire Alarm Boxes were painted during the summer, also the roof over Bell Striker No. I at Arlington Heights and Bell Striker No. 4 in the Henderson Street District. No wires were purchased other than specified above for the extension of underground or to replace old aerial wires, as the appropriation would not permit such purchases. With material now on hand and with the 1910 appropriation additions to the system can be made in a most advantageous manner.
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