USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1910 > Part 15
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The Act establishing this Board was accepted by the Town February 8, 1904, and the operation of the Board appears to have given good satisfaction to the Town.
STREET WATERING.
Under Chapter 289, Acts of 1909, which reads as follows:
Section 1. Any city or town may sprinkle or spread on its public ways, or parts thereof, water or any liquid or material suitable for laying or preventing dust and preserving the surface thereof, and
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REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
for sanitary purposes, and all statutes providing for watering such public ways shall apply to the use of such liquids and materials, including the appropriation of money, the expenditure thereof at the expense of the city or of the abutters, the assessment upon abutting estates, and the collection of such assessments and pro- ceedings therefor."
The Street Watering for the past year has not been let by con- tract owing to the increased use of tar and other dust preventa- tives. The Board of Public Works has taken charge of this work, and it is in their discretion to use water or other means of pre- venting dust and preserving the surface of the streets. For details relative to the matter attention is called to the Report of the Superintendent of the Streets .:
The cost for the treatment of the streets for the past year was $4500, of which $1500 was raised by general tax, $200 by con- tribution, and the balance, $2800, by assessments on the abutters.
The assessment this year is two and six-tenths cents per front foot; last year it was two and one-half cents per front foot. On streets which were watered only occasionally the assessment has been one-half of the general assessment.
PERMANENT SIDEWALKS.
For detail relative to the extension and renewal of permanent sidewalks attention is called to the reports of the Town Engineer and Board of Public Works.
Thirty-five hundred dollars was appropriated in March for per- manent sidewalks, not less than $1500 of that amount to be used for extension carried out under the sidewalk act, Section 43 of Chapter 49 of the Revised Laws. In addition to this $523.54 were received from abutters and materials sold.
The net amount expended during the year is $3885.89, of which $2380.12 is for extensions and $1505.77 for renewals, leaving balance of $137.65.
Seven petitions for sidewalks were received and all granted except one. Two were for granolithic, two for edgestone only, and three for brick. In each case the abutter paid his proportion of the cost.
Sidewalk assessments committed to the Collector of Taxes amounted to $618.64.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The Board continues the policy of installing brick sidewalk where possible. No apportionments of sidewalk assessments are authorized as the statute permitting does not appear to have been accepted by the Town.
All sidewalk construction of whatever character must be done in accordance with Town specifications and to the satisfaction of the Town Engineer.
In the cost of permanent sidewalks the Board allows abutters for tar concrete, one-half the cost; brick, one-half the cost; grano- lithic, 55 cents per square yard.
POLE LOCATIONS.
Nine petitions for pole locations have been granted to the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston, and three to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, on all of which hear- ings were given as required by law. Nine petitions have been received and granted to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company to attach wires on the poles of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, on all of which hearings were given and notices sent as required by law.
STREET LIGHTING.
During the past year four 40 c.p. and two 80 c.p. incandescent and two arc lights were added to the system. One arc light and one 40 c.p. incandescent light were discontinued, making a net increase of three 40 c.p., two 80 c.p., and one arc light. The total number of lights in service December 31, 1910, is as follows: Arc Lights 425 Watts a. c., 85
Incandescent Lights 80 c.p.,
4
Incandescent Lights 40 c.p.,
249
Total, 338
For details of location of new street lights installed see report of the Superintendent of Wires.
All incandescent lights in use are of the Tungsten type. This class of incandescent lighting appears to give the best of satis- faction. Very few interruptions of the lighting system have occurred during the past year, and on the whole, it may be said that the service has been satisfactory and up to contract require-
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REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
ments. Petitions for new lights have received careful considera- tion, and in most cases have been granted. No petitions for lights on private ways were granted. A petition was received from the Arlington Business Men's Association for better street lighting in the centre of the Town. This petition was referred to the Super- intendent of Wires to submit plans and estimate for an improved lighting system in the business district which will be presented to the Town at the annual meeting.
PLANS APPROVED RELATIVE TO PROPOSED STREETS.
Petitions asking for the approval of plans relative to the follow- ing streets were received, hearings were given and the Board of Survey approved same as follows:
Laurel Street, Trowbridge Street, Windsor Street, and Amsden Street in section known as Squire Park, east of Marathon Street; Grafton Street, at Massachusetts Avenue; Robbins Road Exten- sion; Sylvia Street; Temple Street; Gloucester Street Extension; Plymouth Street; Trent Street, off Highland Avenue; West Street from Wollaston Avenue; Orvis Road; Freeman Street, Newcomb Street, Randolph Street, in section known as Lakeside Terrace, near Lake Street; Upland Road, near Old Mystic Street; Marion Road, opposite Tufts Street; Brooks Avenue; Spring Street; Lorne Road, off Tanager Street, and Elmhurst Road, formerly known as Barnes Lane. Sherborn Street through Lawrence Field and Dow Avenue, off Appleton Street, were not approved.
NEW STREETS LAID OUT OR CONSTRUCTED.
Lombard Road and Lombard Terrace were laid out by the Joint Board in due form under provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments. Whittemore Street and foot way were constructed under the betterment act as authorized by the Town appropriation made therefor at the March town meeting.
UNDERGROUND CONDUITS. . ..
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company of Massachusetts was granted permission to lay and maintain under- ground conduits and manholes with wires and cables, to be placed therein under Medford Street from Warren Street to the Medford line. The Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Boston was
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
granted permission to lay and maintain an underground conduit and manholes with wires and cables, to be placed therein under Broadway, from Warren Street to Somerville line, the same being an extension of conduit laid in 1908, through Warren Street, Chestnut Street and Mystic Street.
HENDERSON STREET EXTENSION.
This matter has been given considerable consideration by the Board during the past year. It is a matter which is of importance to the residents of the lower end of the Town to give them easy access to Broadway in Somerville. Upon information received by this Board it would seem that no definite action has been taken by the City of Somerville in the matter, and therefore it was deemed expedient to have Arlington move in a different manner, and through the conference of some of the residents more par- ticularly interested, a bill was drafted and will be presented to the legislature asking that the Metropolitan Park Commission be given authority to make such takings of lands as may be needed, and to construct a bridge over Alewife Brook. At the hearings the Town will be represented and will urge the passage of the bill.
SUMMER STREET EXTENSION.
Nothing definite has been done in this, although the matter has been before the Board a number of times, and a committee from the Board is now out. This would seem to be an improve- ment which would be of great benefit to the Town and would relieve in a large measure the congestion of traffic on Massa- chusetts Avenue.
GRAY STREET EXTENSION.
The Board has voted its intention to lay out this street, but no hearings have yet been held.
THE WIDENING OF MEDFORD STREET.
This matter was presented at the November meeting and the Town authorized the Selectmen to petition the County Com- missioners for a re-location. This has been done but no finding as yet has been received from the County Commissioners.
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REPORT OF JOINT BOARD
WIDENING OF MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE.
During the year the Selectmen, at the request of the Arlington Business Men's Association, conferred with a representative of the Arlington Business Men's Association, representatives of the Boston Elevated Railroad, and the Board of Public Works, sitting informally relative to the congestion of street car traffic on Massa- chusetts Avenue near Water Street. For details of such con- ference, see Selectmen's Report. It developed during the con- ference that the traffic on Massachusetts Avenue was considerably more at the present time than a few years ago, and it is safe to assume that this traffic will increase in the future rather than diminish. On looking the ground over carefully it seems to this Board that some action by the Town should be taken in the near future, particularly before any improvements are made on the Town House Site to widen Massachusetts Avenue at this point. Between Water Street and Academy Street, Massachusetts Avenue narrows down to a throat, and while it might be advisable to look into the widening along the line of Massachusetts Avenue to a considerable distance towards Arlington Heights, the Board would strongly recommend that some action be taken at this time to widen this small stretch. All the land to be taken is owned by the Town situated on the southerly side of the avenue.
WATER STREET EXTENSION.
During the year a petition for a layout of Water Street from its present terminus at Russell Street across the mill pond to connect with Mystic Street near Glen Avenue was filed. Hearings were held and a vote to lay out was passed by the Board. The matter coming in conjunction with other matters affects the whole terri- tory on the northerly side of the Boston & Maine Railroad loca- tion, and was referred to a 'committee to act in conjunction with the Board of Survey. This committee will report at some future Town Meeting.
DEATH OF MR. HARDY.
Mr. Horace D. Hardy, for five years Town Counsel, died during the year. All members of the Board felt his loss very keenly both as a Board and as individuals. Suitable resolutions were passed and spread upon the records.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
DEATH OF MR. FREEMAN.
Mr. Horace A. Freeman, Clerk of the Joint Board since its in- ception, died during the latter part of the year. In appreciation of his services, as Clerk, suitable resolutions were passed.
APPOINTMENT OF CLERK.
Mr. Thomas J. Robinson was appointed Clerk of the Board temporarily to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Free- man.
POLICY OF THE BOARD.
The following votes indicating the policy of the Board have been passed.
(a) Width of Streets. At a meeting held October 14, 1907, it was
Voted, That it was the 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 October 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 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 Decem- ber 9, 1907, it was
Voted, That after January 1, 1908, no water or sewer pipes shall be laid in streets approved by the Board of Survey until such streets, including sidewalks, have been brought to subgrade satisfactory to the Town Engineer.
PHILIP A. HENDRICK, JACOB BITZER, HERBERT W. RAWSON, WILLIAM N. WINN, HENRY W. HAYES, . RODNEY T. HARDY,
Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER AND SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 28, 1911.
To the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Gentlemen: Herewith is respectfully presented a report con- cerning work under my charge for the year 1910.
The general organization and character of work has remained the same as last year.
There is no separate appropriation for engineering; therefore the expense is charged each week to the department or appropria- tion for which services are rendered.
The classification is shown in the same form as in previous years, so that comparison can easily 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,
$542.64
Sewer Division : For all surveys, plans, profiles, lines, grades and records, including superintendence and inspection on sewer construction,
879.07
Superintendence and inspection on sewer cleaning and flushing, and all work incidental to the main- tenance of the sewer system,
338.26
Superintendence and inspection on particular sewer construction,
203.30
Water Division : For all lines for new mains and loca- tions, and records of gates, hydrants, specials, ser- vice boxes, work on registration data and office records, and reading meters,
257.43
New Streets: For all engineering work required in the construction of new streets by Highway Division under special appropriations, 49.18
Sidewalks: For all lines, grades, measurements of edge- stone, concrete, brick and artificial stone walks, and data for assessments, 49.73
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Board of Survey : For all surveys, plans and profiles of streets laid out by the Board, and studies in con- nection with the street locations under consideration by the Board,
Storm Drains: For all surveys, plans, grades and superintendence on construction, 184.62
Cemetery Trustees : For all plans, surveys, grades, etc., in connection with new travelway construction, grading, and locating additional areas, 20.51
Assessors' Plans : For surveys and plans in connection with general survey of the Town for assessors' use, 293.29
Miscellaneous: Copying plans and deeds from Registry at East Cambridge, description of real estate and tax titles, street numbering plans, work for Park Commissions, and all miscellaneous work for the various boards and committees,
$125.53
107.75
Total, $3,051.31
It should be understood from the above classification that the amounts charged to engineering include about $500 for clerical work in the Board of Public Works' office.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
For details of work under the direction of the Board concerning locations, costs, quantities, etc., reference is made to the statistical tables contained in their report.
HIGHWAY DIVISION.
The greater part of the work under this division is the general care and maintenance of streets and sidewalks, and all matters relating thereto.
No special construction work has been carried on; it being the continued policy to endeavor to maintain a general standard of conditions throughout the Town, giving special attention to those portions of the highways where the greatest travel occurs.
The condition of Massachusetts Avenue heretofore referred to for the past several years remains practically unchanged and the need of changes of a permanent character as regards drainage and renewal of car tracks and paving is becoming very much more imperative.
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
I can only continue to recommend that the Town should adopt a policy of reconstruction of certain of its highways,-particularly, Massachusetts Avenue west of Water Street,-which will result in a permanent improvement and be of some real value to the community. I am aware that it will require a large expenditure to accomplish this but I believe it can be satisfactorily proven that only by this means can any considerable saving in the cost of the maintenance of this street be made.
There are in connection with this matter several problems to be discussed and considered and I believe the first of importance is the relaying of the Boston Elevated Company's car tracks at a proper grade to provide sufficient drainage for the street surface. Also to require the company to place a smooth paving of brick between their tracks so that it will be possible for that portion of the street to be used a part of the time for automobile traffic.
There has been five thousand square yards of macadam resur- facing done on Massachusetts Avenue, and forty-five hundred square yards of tar macadam on Pleasant Street near the Belmont line. In this latter construction it was endeavored to obtain a tar surface which would present a good footing for horse travel as well as a good wearing surface. At the present writing it would seem as though these results had been successfully accom- plished. This particular work approximates the best form of construction to be obtained for a reasonable expenditure of money, and at present no better form of construction for streets subjected to the class of traffic passing over this street has been found.
Undoubtedly, all methods of street construction and main tenance will be revolutionized within a few years owing to the rapidly changing conditions occasioned by motor trucks now coming into general use. The public must bear in mind that it is largely due to the changes now taking place in motor vehicles that the old form of construction of streets is no longer adequate and municipalities must therefore turn their attention seriously to the consideration of a permanent pavement which will with- stand this traffic and will not produce the disagreeable features caused by dust and mud that are now so evident.
The use of tar and oil on the highways has been continued during the past year for the prevention of dust, and in this way
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
it has been kept largely under control; certainly, in a manner which would be no longer possible with the use of watering carts. The cost has been about two and one-half cents per square yard, which is approximately equal to the cost of water under the old system, taking into consideration the value of the water used.
By these methods the streets have been preserved from wear impossible to estimate, because with the use of water in a sufficient amount to be effective as a dust layer, the street must at all times be kept wet, which softens the surface of the road and hastens to a great degree the speedy disintegration of the sur- facing material.
STORM DRAINAGE.
Under a special appropriation at the March Town Meeting a twelve-inch storm drain was laid on Academy Street from the old water way at the Town House site to Maple Street where two catch basins were located. By the construction of this drain it was possible to regrade the junction of the two streets mentioned and obtain proper drainage conditions. For many years it has been impossible to relieve the junction of these streets from the surplus of water during times of heavy rains.
Also under the above mentioned appropriation, a fifteen-inch and eighteen-inch storm drain was constructed on Hutchinson Road to the top of the hill, and four additional catch basins connected. In conjunction with this work the gutters were paved and the street regraded. The grade up this hill is con- siderable and for many years has been an expense to the Town to maintain in a passable condition, owing to the severe washouts caused by drainage over the narrow area of this street from private lands.
At the November Town Meeting, appropriation was made for the construction of storm drain from opposite Pond Lane to Wyman Street on Massachusetts Avenue. The work of laying the pipes and building catch basins, etc., has been completed, but it was impossible to regrade the junctions of Wyman Street and Palmer Street owing to weather conditions. This work therefore will have to remain until the spring of 1911.
In the Lakeside Terrace district, so-called,-near Lake Street Station,-the Board of Survey required the J. P. Squire Estate to construct at their expense a fifteen-inch storm drain connecting
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
the lowest point of their land with Spy Pond. As an extension of this drain the Town laid a fifteen-inch pipe to Lake Street and later the catch basins now discharging into the railway ditch near the railroad crossing can be connected thereto.
The Town has the right of control over the drain laid by the Squire Estate and when necessary can extend same to Massa- chusetts Avenue and beyond for the drainage of Massachusetts Avenue from the vicinity of Tufts Street and the new streets opened between Massachusetts Avenue and Broadway.
I would recommend that a pipe be laid from the Barnes Lane drain to opposite Tufts Street there to receive the storm water from four catch basins to be located on both sides of the Avenue.
SIDEWALKS.
Tar concrete sidewalks have been resurfaced on the following streets : Academy Street, Bartlett Avenue, Chestnut Street, Court Street, Jason Street, Lake Street, Maple Street, Massa- chusetts Avenue, Medford Street, Mystic Street, Russell Street, Water Street and Wellington Street, amounting to about four thousand seven hundred square yards.
The tar concrete sidewalks have practically all received atten- tion within five years, and are generally in good shape. By making repairs as soon as evidence of disintegration is shown these walks can be maintained at small expense for years.
A brick sidewalk was laid on the northerly side of Massa- chusetts Avenue from near Bartlett Avenue to near Schouler Court. This sidewalk should be extended to Arlington Heights.
Brick sidewalks were laid on Academy Street along the Town House site property. On Massachusetts Avenue below Hender- son Street, and Massachusetts Avenue · opposite Henderson Street, and opposite number 196 Summer Street.
Granolithic sidewalks were laid on Broadway opposite Winter Street, and at the corner of Lakeview and Pleasant Streets.
In the case of the brick sidewalks the Town paid one-half the cost except at the Town House site, and fifty-five cents per. square yard toward the cost of the granolithic.
The total new permanent sidewalk laid was one thousand and ninety-five square yards.
Approximately one thousand and twenty feet of edgestone
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
was laid on Academy Street near Maple Street, Gray Street near Pleasant Street, Massachusetts Avenue opposite Henderson Street; Mystic Street near Russell Street, and Ravine Street near Gray Street.
Exclusive of that used in connection with catch basin con- struction, there were one thousand and thirty square yards of paved gutters laid on Academy Street, Claremont Avenue, · Hutchinson Road, Ravine Street and Russell Street.
NEW STREETS.
Under a special appropriation made at the March Meeting, Whittemore Street has been regraded and macadamized, brick sidewalks laid and the drainage connected with the main outlet under Hornblower Field. This work cost $1940.30 but does not include cost of work in connection with the subway under the railroad which was done by decree of the Superior Court at the expense of the railroad company. The completion of Whitte- more Street and subway provides an entrance to Hornblower Park and has accomplished the abandonment of the crossing of the railroad tracks at this point.
Also it has allowed the closing up of the private way across the railroad at Avon Place which was exceedingly dangerous to all classes of travel. In place of the latter crossing a new right- of-way has been extended from the south side of Pond Lane Bridge to accommodate the passage of vehicles, so that the whole proposition has resulted in the elimination entirely of all grade crossings between Massachusetts Avenue and Linwood Streets.
Whittemore Street, including Lombard Road and Lombard Terrace,-which were accepted by the Town in November, -- make the number of accepted streets one hundred and twenty- three; representing a total length of thirty-four miles.
SEWER DIVISION.
There were fifteen thousand two hundred and fifty-two feet of pipe laid on sewer extensions during the year [see Board of Public Works' Report for details], which makes total mileage of sewers in the system thirty and a half miles.
Ninety-three sewer connections were made, and the usual maintenance requirements, such as flushing, cleaning, etc., have been attended to.
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TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT
There are at present no applications on file for extensions in 1911, although I would recommend that a sewer be built on Westminster Avenue from Lowell Street to Park Place, so-called. This work will prove rather expensive but should be undertaken by the Town as soon as possible because the occupants of houses now completed on Lowell Street will suffer from lack of proper drainage about the buildings not connected on Westminster Avenue which stand on higher ground.
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