USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1918 > Part 18
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Woodland Street.
Bartlett Avenue to Lincoln Street.
40
240
600
Wyman Terrace.
Lake Street, northwesterly . .
324
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
GENERAL STATISTICS
Arlington is situated six miles northwest of Boston, in lati- tude 42°, 25' north; longitude 71°, 09' west, at an elevation above mean tide of from 4 to 377 feet.
Massachusetts Avenue at Pleasant Street, elevation, 48 feet. Massachusetts Avenue at Park Avenue, elevation, 155 feet.
Park Circle at Eastern Avenue (base of standpipe), elevaticn, 377 feet.
Crescent Hill Avenue at Park Place, elevation, 281 feet.
The Town and a part of what is now Belmont were set off from Cambridge and incorporated as West Cambridge in 1807. The name was changed from West Cambridge to Arlington in 1867.
Area ot Town, including that covered by water, 3520 acres, or 512 square miles; area covered by water, 268.2 acres.
Parks: Town, 54.63 acres; Metropolitan, 55 acres.
Total cemetery area, 44.2 acres.
Public streets and Town ways: Macadam, 18.09 miles; gravel, 24.59 miles; granite paving, 0.3 mile. Total miles, 42.71.
Private streets open for travel, 27.84 miles.
Permanent sidewalks: Tar concrete, 7.4 miles; brick, 3.31. miles; artificial stone, 2.24 miles. Total miles, 12.95.
Edgestone, 9.49 mil s.
Paved gutters, 12.32 miles.
Storm drain system, 11.40 miles.
Catch basins, 453.
Sewerage system, 35.80 miles; local Metropolitan sewer system, 3.47 miles. Total, 39.27 miles.
Pa ticular sewer system (2347 connections), 24 miles.
Number of buildings connected, 2423.
Water mains: Reservoir supply, 2.49 miles; Metropolitan low system, 21.82 miles; Metropolitan high system, 26.42 miles. Total, 50.79 miles.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable, the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works for the Town of Arlington:
Gentlemen: I herewith hand you my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1918.
During the year the following cases in which the Town was a party were tried or otherwise disposed of:
Petition of the heirs of William H. Allen for assessment of damages for land taken near Tufts Street was tried before a jury and an award of $10,653.47 was rendered.
The case of Margaret Fitzpatrick against the Town for injuries caused by a defective sidewalk was settled in the middle of trial on the payment of $600.
The case of the Middlesex Acqueduct Co., to establish pipe line rights, was tried before the Land Court and stipulations entered into relative to the rights of the Town in Highland Avenue, the issue in which the Town was interested.
Suit was brought against the Boston Humus Co., to recover land in the Great Meadows on which they had certain contracts and the case was settled in favor of the Town and the contract cancelled. Since then new arrangements have been made for the letting of parts of the Great Meadows.
Suit was brought against Raymond Berry for the breaking of a hydrant and the same was settled in favor of the Town.
Petition was brought by Charles A. Pierce against the Town for assessment of damages for land taken on Forest Street and settled without trial.
The case of Wolfe v. Town for assessment of land damages was tried before a Commissioner and a settlement was made on his report.
The cases of Richard Barry and Pike against the Town for damages caused by land takings were settled by agreement.
Suit was brought by the Suburban Land Co. to establish
325
326
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
certain rights of way over the Great Meadows and several hearings were had before the Land Court and a stipulation was entered into whereby the Town acquires certain rights of way over the land of the Suburban Land Co. to the Pumping Station and the Suburban Land Co. waives rights of way over a part of the Great Meadows in exchange for rights granted by the Town. The final papers are not yet passed.
The Town was represented before the Public Service Com- mission and before the United States Circuit Court relative to the petition of Wallace B. Donham, Receiver, to establish fares on the Bay State Street Railway.
Hearings were had before the County Commissioners relative to the relocation of the lower end of Summer Street, growing out of the proposed widening.
Hearings were had before the Gas and Electric Light Com- mission relative to the rates to be charged by the Arlington Gas Co.
In the Legislature the Town Counsel appeared and repre- sented the Town before the various Committees on the:
Call Firemen Bill.
Board of Survey Bill.
Alewife Brook Bill.
Worcester Water Bill.
At the present time there are pending in the various Courts suits of:
Town v. Souther for taxes.
Petition of Binnig et al. v. Town for abatement of better- ment assessments.
Petition of Simpson v. Town for a similar abatement.
The Central Building Co. v. Town for repairs to the Town House floor.
Hickey v. Town for injuries sustained by falling into a sewer trench.
Reynolds v. Town for blowing down of poles on Broadway in 1913.
McHugh v. Town for damages sustained by flooding.
Town v. Maloney to recover for moneys paid for support of a pauper.
327
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
Siskind v. Town to recover for taxes claimed to have been unlawfully assessed.
Johnson v. Town for an abatement of betterment assess- ments.
Duggan v. Town for assessment of damages for land taken.
Wolfe v. Town, petition for abatement of betterment as- sessments.
Hill v. Town for abatement of betterment assessments.
Sullivan v. Town for injuries sustained by fall on Town House steps.
Gordon v. Town for abatement of betterment assessments.
In addition to the above suits and hearings the case of Boysen v. Town for injuries sustained by fall on defective sidewalk was settled on payment of $75.
The following cases are in process of investigation of settle- ment on which no suits have been brought:
T. M. Hutchinson for fall, claimed to be due to a defective street barrier.
Town v. American Tar Co. for damages caused by fire on Medford Street.
On July 1, 1918, the Town assumed its own workmen's compensation and the Town Counsel was appointed agent to investigate and care for claims under that Act. A small number of claims were made, but the Town has been to no expense on this account for the six months ending December 31, 1918.
In addition Town Counsel has prepared a large number of opinions, investigated contracts and in general attended to the routine matters of his office.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP A. HENDRICK,
Town Counsel.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Tree Warden for the year ending December 31, 1918.
The work of this Department was greatly increased the past year by placing under the supervision of the Tree Warden the care of the several small grass plots and also the Town Hall grounds and the plowing and harrowing for the Public Safety Committee. Owing to the scarcity of labor many calls were made on this Department by private citizens for help in the care of their lawns, and I felt it was my duty as a public servant to co-operate with the citizens of the Town who were unable to procure labor, and I furnished them with men for the price paid by the Town. About thirteen acres of land were plowed and harrowed for the Public Safety Committee, the expense being borne by the persons ordering the work done.
During the month' of August a severe hurricane passed through the Town, doing considerable damage to our shade trees in different sections of the Town. On several streets large trees were blown over and completely uprooted, blocking the streets to travel, and breaking many large limbs on other trees. .
The employees of this Department, the Highway and Wire Departments worked all night and they are to be commended for the able and efficient manner in which they co-operated and had all the streets safe for travel at one o'clock. A severe tar fire occurred on Medford Street, and the trees on the left hand side were so badly damaged that it was necessary to remove nine of them. A claim for damage has been referred to the Town Counsel for adjustment. Many of our shade trees were damaged by the extreme cold of last winter, and in some cases where the roots were exposed or near the surface the tree was killed, while in other cases the roots have been so badly winter
328
329
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
killed that in my opinion they will not survive another year.
There were three hundred and fifty trees planted, and the usual amount of pruning and removing of dead wood was attended to. Many young trees which have not fully developed their root systems are pulled over and broken by boys, and I would suggest that the teachers in the grammar and high school grades caution the pupils from time to time about this mis- chievous practice.
The trees of the Town are as a whole practically free from leaf-eating insects, but the leopard moth is still with us and is very destructive. I would recommend that the sum of $1350 be appropriated this year. The increase is due to the increase of wages.
LOCATION AND NATURE OF WORK
TREES REMOVED
Medford Street, ten; Mount Pleasant Cemetery, four; Wellington Street, one; Appleton Place, one; Palmer Street, one; Massachusetts Avenue, seven; Cleveland Street, one; Appleton Street, one; Lake Street, nine; Davis Avenue, one; Bow Street, two; Broadway, one.
TRIMMING AND LEOPARD MOTH WORK
Town Hall, Claremont Avenue, Gray Street, Ravine Street, Lake Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Kensington Road, Jason Street, Norfolk Road, Brantwood Road, Mount Vernon Street, Pleasant Street, Marathon Street.
SCALE SPRAYING
Menotomy Rocks Park, Massachusetts Avenue, Spy Pond Field, Highland Avenue, Wyman Street, Gray Street, Jason Street, Bartlett Avenue.
330
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TREES PLANTED
Massachusetts Avenue
37
Lowell Street
1
Paul Revere Road
5
Harvard Street
4
Acton Street
2
Harlow Street
2
Everett Street
5
Freeman Street
4
Orvis Road
9
Whittemore Street
9
Webster Street
1
Palmer Street
4
Wyman Street
8
Broadway
1
Lombard Terrace
4
Brantwood Road
10
Gray Street
3
Mount Vernon Street
14
Brattle Street
10
Wyman Terrace
13
Fairmont Street
16
Magnolia Street
21
Newcomb Street
18
Lake Street
1
Trowbridge Street
14
Hopkins Road
16
Addison Street
16
Devereaux Street
1
Swan Street
11
Oxford Street
16
Grafton Street
4
Prescott Street
1
Russell Street
2
Warren Street
11
Beacon Street
9
Water Street
1
Park Street
1
Mystic Street
5
-
331
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
Draper Avenue
1
Davis Avenue
2
Park Avenue
14
Bow Street
3
Lincoln Street
7
Woodland Street
1
Jason Street
4
Windsor Street
5
Varnum Street
1
Milton Street
1
Lombard Road
2
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
2
Total
353
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$1,250.00
Labor
$1,298.87
Private work
461.67
Supplies
613.78
Sale of wood
80.00
Team
77.50
Transfers
283.25
Unexpended balance
90.02
Sale of trees
5.25
$2,080.17
$2,080.17
Respectfully submitted,
D. M. DALEY, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
ARLINGTON, MASS., January 10, 1919.
To the Board of Selectmen.
The parks and various plots in Arlington under charge of this Department, have received as good care during 1918, as the appropriation awarded to it would permit. No attempt was made at improvements on account of lack of funds.
Respectfully submitted,
GORHAM H. DAVIS, Chairman.
1
1
332
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1918.
At the Town Meeting held on March 4, 1918, Samuel E. Kimball was elected member of the Board for the term of three years vice Robert W. Pond whose term of office then expired. The Board organized on March 5 with the choice of Arthur Birch as Chairman.
On July 1 Samuel E. Kimball tendered his resignation as member of the Board of Public Works because of his physical condition. On July 15 Loren W. Marsh was elected by the Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works to fill until the next annual election the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Mr. Kimball.
APPOINTMENTS
At a meeting held March 5 Harold N. Willis was appointed Clerk of the Board, Water Registrar, Purchasing Agent and Bookkeeper. On March 11 George E. Ahern was appointed Superintendent of Public Works. These appointments were for the year ending April 1, 1919.
MEETINGS
The regular meetings are held each Monday evening. Dur- ing the year the Board held fifty-one regular and two special meetings.
The following are the net expenditures made under the direc- tion of the Board.
Highway Division
$63,781.74
Sewer Extensions
18,241.81
Sewer Maintenance
2,775.88
Water Extensions
10,344.13
333
334
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Water Maintenance (includes interest, Town debt and Metropolitan Water Assessment)
$72,321.73
Health Department
19,806.88
Snow and Ice
6,335.43
$193,607.60
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Sixty-four thousand, two hundred dollars were appropriated by the Town at its March meeting for the use of the Highway Department during the year 1918. This appropriation was for general maintenance work and did not contemplate the recon- struction of any streets and consequently no reconstructing was done.
With the funds at its command, the Board endeavored to maintain its roads in good condition, to improve the condition of the sidewalks, maintain its surface drainage system and keep its buildings and equipment in repair. The Board feels, taking into consideration the very high cost of all materials used and an increase of from twenty to forty per cent in rate of wages, that this work was well done. The streets were patched wher- ever holes appeared and surfaces made as smooth as possible. To preserve the surfaces and to prevent dust, streets were treated with wearing coats of tar.
Breaks and holes in permanent tar sidewalks were patched and the dirt sidewalks, as far as possible, were improved with cinders or stone dust. Not as many tempo ary tar sidewalks were laid as contemplated as the government placed an embargo which made it impossible to procure tar during certain parts of the year.
Storm drains were repaired where necessary and systemati- cally cleaned.
To maintain the surface of Massachusetts Avenue in good condition becomes each year more difficult and expensive. The present macadam surface cannot withstand the strain put upon it by the heavy traffic which passes over it and has con- stantly to be patched and should each year receive two treat- ments with tar to at all preserve the surface. Even then, the
335
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
roadway cannot be kept smooth, as the heavy trucks roll same into a wavy condition.
In 1917 on the north side of Massachusetts Avenue, between the Cambridge line and Teel Street, a strip of concrete roadway was built. The winter of 1917-1918 was extremely severe, yet this strip of road passed through same without cracking, and the surface is today in practically as good condition as when first constructed.
The Board believes that the whole of the roadway of Massa- chusetts Avenue should be reconstructed in a permanent man- ner and for 1919 will request an appropriation to continue permanent reconstruction.
The Board is of the opinion that as soon as the finances of the Town warrant, a start should be made toward the development of a Town yard, in which buildings and other structures prop- erly located and constructed in a permanent manner to meet the requirements of the Highway, Sewer, Water, Health and other departments as may appear necessary should be placed; that all construction there done should be part of a carefully laid out and comprehensive plan, capable of expansion as requirements may develop.
Reference to tables 1 and 2 will show the details of mainte- nance and construction.
The value of the property controlled by the Highway Divi- sion, January 1, 1919, amounted to $27,891.20, classified as follows:
Horses, vehicles, machinery and tools $21,932.09
Buildings and appurtenances 4,500.00
Material available for new work 1,459.11
336
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TABLE 1
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Appropriation for 1918 Total net expenditure
$64,200.00
63,781.74
Balance January 1, 1919
$418.26
Net Expense
Care and repair of streets.
$15,456.59
Constructing storm drains and catch basins.
820.12
Care and repair of sidewalks.
6,137.99
Care and repair of storm drains and catch basins.
3,489.56
Tar treatment and prevention of dust.
18,433.08
Care and purchase of horses and teams.
3,442.92
Street signs.
698.04
Tools and equipment.
2,581.29
Construction and repair of temporary tar sidewalks.
1,162.15
Maintenance of stable and shed, Summer Street.
956.46
Summer Street Extension construction
350.00
Cleaning Town brooks.
135.73
Care and repair of permanent sidewalks.
598.43
*General expense.
9,917.32
Work outside of division
169.36
¿Material used that was on hand January 1, 1918.
567.30
Total
$63,781.74
*Automobiles $2,029.86; office, $391.18; pension, $200.20; engineering, $63.33; miscellaneous, $200.35; holidays, Saturday afternoons and vacations, $5,439.41; salaries, $1,347.50; timekeeper, $245.49.
+Credit.
Material on hand January 1, 1918 $2,026.41 Material used that was on hand January 1, 1918 567.30
Material on hand January 1, 1919, available for 1 new work.
$1,459.11
TABLE 2
Appropriation for 1918
$6,000.00
Transfer from Emergency Fund 335.43
SNOW AND ICE
Available for 1918 $6,335.43
Expenditure
6,335.43
. .
.
337
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
On February 4 of this year the Board of Public Works took over from the Board of Health the collection of offal, ashes, rubbish, etc. This change was made because, after several conferences, it was the opinion of both Boards that this work could be done more economically by the Board of Public Works, which has under its control a sufficient number of horses for this work, whereas the Board of Health had to hire its horses. Furthermore, especially during the winter months when street . work, with the exception of that on snow and ice, is practically at a standstill, more employment for Town horses could be found and the Superintendent be able to dovetail in the collec- tion of waste material with his other work. The results have been most satisfactory, for despite the fact that labor costs rose during the year to a point beyond that estimated at the time the appropriation was asked for, the work was done within that appropriation.
During the year, the equivalent of 7291 single cart loads of ashes were collected and hauled by the various teams, an increase of about 17 per cent over the previous year; 1081 wagon loads of waste paper were collected, an increase of about 9 per cent. The collection of garbage amounted to 320 cords, an increase of 7 per cent for the year.
Each year there is a natural increase over the previous year in the amount of ashes, offal and rubbish to be collected and the cost of this collection depends not only upon the increase of quantities, but more particularly upon the cost of labor, as labor either man or horse, constitutes almost the entire expense. Details of this work will be found in Table 3.
338
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TABLE 3
Appropriation for 1918 Reimbursement
$19,800.00 7.65
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Available for 1918
$19,807.65
Expenditure 19,806.88
Cash balance January 1, 1919
$0.77
.
Expense
Offal.
$7,919.57
Ashes.
8,141.13
Paper and rubbish
2,672.66
Superintendence.
509.59
Repairs.
233.71
Supplies and sundries
330.22
Total
$19,806.88
SEWER DIVISION
Four thousand, one hundred and five feet of main sewer were laid during the year and fifty-four connections were made with the mains. Details of this work, together with the cost of maintenance, will be found in Tables 4 and 5.
The value of property controlled by the Sewer Division January 1, 1919, amounts to $6,765.35, as follows:
Tools and equipment
‘$1,561.45
Buildings and appurtenances
400.00
Two pumping plants
1,900.00
Material available for new work
2,903.90
339
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
TABLE 4
SEWER CONSTRUCTION
Cash balance January 1, 1918 Net expenditure
$18,507.26 18,241.81
Cash balance January 1, 1919
$265.45
LOCATION
Size of Pipe in Inches
Length in Feet
Net Cost
Cost per Foot
Bow Street (Park Avenue northeasterly)
8
248
*$1,320.58
$5.32
Bow Street (From dead end through private lands) .
8
178
Norcross Street (North Union Street easterly) .
8
588
+2,412.66
4.10
North Union Street (Decatur Street southerly)
8
1612
+7,772.89
4.82
Oakland Avenue (Park Avenue to Hillside Avenue)
8
331
726.61
2.19
Perth Road (Williams Street to Selkirk Road)
8
126
315.71
2.50
Waldo Road (Teel Street westerly)
8
1022
2,651.01
2.59
Meadow Brook.
. .
342.41
Total
$15,541.87
Particular sewers
§125.76
Material purchased during year but not used.
195.35
Tools and equipment.
75.72
+General expense
2,554.63
Grand totals
4105
$18,241.81
Much ledge encountered. tQuicksands and much water encountered; average depth of cut, 11 feet. #Salaries, $666.25; office, $100; automobile, $250; miscellaneous, $158.23; holidays, Satur- day afternoons and vacations, $1,380.15.
§Credit.
Material on hand January 1, 1918. $2,708.55 195.35
Material purchased during year but not used. Material on hand January 1, 1919, available for new work. $2,903.90
340
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TABLE 5
Appropriation for 1918 Net expenditure
$3,000.00
SEWER DIVISION MAINTENANCE
2,775.88
Cash balance, January, 1, 1919
$224.12
Net Expense
Repairing, cleaning and flushing mains.
$702.77
Brattle Street sewer pump.
808.59
Grove Street sewer pump.
788.29
Care and repair of particular sewers.
344.89
*General expense.
131.34
Total.
$2,775.88
*Lost time, $112.17; miscellaneous, $19.17.
SUMMARY OF SEWERAGE STATISTICS
GENERAL
Population by census of 1915, 14,860.
Total area of city or town, 5.5 square miles.
Area served by sewerage system, 3 square miles. .
COLLECTION SYSTEM 1.
For sewage only, 39.17 miles, includes 3.47 miles Metropolitan sewer.
For sewage and surface water, 0 miles.
For surface water only, 10.09 miles.
Method of disposal, sewerage into Metropolitan sewer, surface water into brooks.
COLLECTION
Mains. (Everything but house and catch basin connection.)
For Sewage Only Water Only
For Surface
1. Lineal feet pipe
206,835 feet 53,318 feet
2. Lineal feet extended during year 4,105 feet 0 feet
3. Number of inverted siphons, 2.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
4. Number of manholes, 818.
5. Method of flushing. Water service at manholes end of lateral lines.
6. Method of cleaning. By special brush drawn from manhole to manhole.
7. Number of automatic flushing tanks, 0.
8. Number of direct connections with water mains for flushing, 37.
9. Number of flushings of entire system during year, 1.
10. Cost of flushing per mile, $8.97.
11. Cost of cleaning per mile, $8.97.
12. Number of stoppages, 0.
13. Method of ventilation, manhole covers.
14. Miles of permanent undermains, 3.19.
HOUSE CONNECTIONS
1. By whom made, Sewer Division, Board of Public Works.
2. Sizes, 5, 6, and 8 inches.
3. Number made during year, 54.
4. Lineal feet laid during year, 2278.
5. Lineal feet discontinued during year, 0.
6. Total miles in use, 23.9.
7. Average cost per foot, connections made during year, 84 cents.
8. Number of stoppages coming to attention of department, 37.
DISCHARGE OF SEWER
1. Estimated population using sewer system, 14,150.
2. Number of buildings connected, 2416.
3. Daily discharge for year .*
4. Daily discharge for each user .*
5. Daily quantity of factory waste .*
6. Daily leakage into sewers .*
7. Daily leakage per mile of sewers .*
8. Are quantities given under three to seven estimated or measured ?*
*NOTE: See Metropolitan Sewerage Board Report.
342
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
GENERAL
Total cost of collecting mains, $369,603.17.
Bonded debt at date, $136,500.
Value of sinking fund at date, $36,028.97
Average rate of interest on bonds, 4 per cent.
Proportion of cost of system assessed on abutters, 45 per cent. Yearly assessment for maintenance, none.
Method of assessing abutters and rate of assessment, as fixed by Acts of 1896, Chapter 282, is 28 cents per lineal foot frontage and 52-100 cents per square foot for area within 100 feet of street line.
FINANCIAL - CONSTRUCTION
Receipts
Cash on hand January 1, 1918
$18,507.26
Stock on hand January 1, 1918
2,708.55
House Connections
1,999.68
$23,215.49
Expenditures
Mains
$15,541.87
House Connections
1,873.92
General Expense
2,554.63
Tools and equipment
75.72
Stock on hand January 1, 1919
2,903.90
Balance, cash on hand January 1, 1919
265.45
$23,215.49
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
Receipts
Appropriation from public funds $3,000.00
Expenditures
Repairs on mains
$83.73
Brattle Street Sewer Pump
808.59
Grove Street Sewer Pump
788.29
Cleaning and flushing sewers
619.04
Care and repair of Particular Sewers
344.89
General Expense
131.34
Balance, cash on hand January 1, 1919
224.12
$3,000.00
343
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
WATER DIVISION
This section of the country was visited the first three months of this year with a protracted period of cold weather, which from a water supply standpoint may well be called a calamity. The frost penetrated the ground in some cases to a depth of over seven feet and water mains and water service connections were everywhere frozen. This department was called upon to work day and night to relieve the situation. Six hundred and fifty- one frozen services and nine frozen mains were thawed; ninety · by the use of electricity; the balance with hot water or steam. After the ground thawed out, thirty-seven leaks appeared in service pipes and were repaired. The cost of the care and repair of services for the first four months of the year was $6500, against a normal expense of but $1000.
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