USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1914 > Part 6
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$1,000 00
EXPENDED
Reading Water Works, water
$300 00
Oiling
90 10
Pay roll
237 67
Storing cart
5 00
$632 77
TRANSFERRED
To highways
$300 00
To oiling
10 27
To contingent
56 96
$1,000 00
OILING STREETS
Appropriation
$3,000 00
RECEIPTS
From sundry parties
. .
87 13
TRANSFERRED
From street watering
10 27
$3,097 40
.
-
123
EXPENDED
Transferred to Highway Department
$200 00
Pay roll .
177 01
Indian Refining Co., oil
964 35
Alden, Spears' Sons Co., oil
1,709 37
Freight
28 00
Supplies
2 70
Repairs .
15 97
$3,097 40
NEW STREET LIGHTS
Appropriation
$1,200 00
EXPENDED
Municipal Light Department
$1,200 00
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
Appropriation
$300 00
EXPENDED
Reading Water Dept.
150 00
Balance to 1915 due Water Dept.
$150 00
CONCRETE SIDEWALKS
Appropriation
$500 00
Balance to 1915
$500 00
STREET LIGHTING
Appropriation
$4,500 00
EXPENDED
Municipal Light Department
$4,500 00
124
CHARITIES POOR DEPARTMENT RECEIVED
Appropriation
$3,200 00
City of Somerville .
45 26
E. L. Hutchinson, refund salary, 1913 .
25 00
Sundry receipts
102 00
$3,372 26
EXPENDED
General Administration-Salaries :
Otis B. Ruggles
$100 00
Edwin L. Hutchinson
100 00
James W. Killam, 2 months .
16 67
Edgar O. Dewey, 10 months
83 33
300 00
Office supplies
10 50
Groceries and provisions
316 43
Fuel
93 25
Cash aid and board
603 09
Nursing .
15 50
Boots and shoes
14 50
Professional services and medicine
9 50
Cities and Towns :
City of Malden
70 10
City of Boston
228 57
City of Everett
29 00
City of Woburn
136 41
Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
State Board of Charity
291 50
$2,118 35
Overdraft from Town Home acct.
2,035 75
4,154 10
Transferred from Contingent 781 84
$3,372 26
125
TOWN HOME ACCOUNT
RECEIVED
From board .
$141 00
From sale of milk and produce
448 49
$589 49
EXPENDED
Salary, L. A. Deming, Supt.
$500 00
Services of Mrs. Heilge
172 50
Cider vinegar
19 15
Shoeing .
28 90
Groceries and provisions
354 20
Fuel
160 68
Hay and grain
590 71
Lighting
37 00
Water
33 86
Telephone
17 72
Repairs .
162 66
Cleaner .
33 33
Live stock
9 50
Slaughtering
6 00
Seeds
25 35
Shoes
9 30
Clothing
18 35
Professional services and medicines
114 94
Burial of two inmates
70 00
Ice
13 85
Barrels
10 00
Freight .
17 50
Supplies
151 66
Incidentals
68 08
$2,625 24
Less receipts .
589 49
Balance to Poor Account
$2,035 75
126
MOTHERS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN, Chap. 763, Acts 1913
Appropriation ·
$1,500 00
RECEIVED
From City of Chelsea
$44 00
From City of Everett
30 67
EXPENDED
$1,574 67
For aid sundry parties .
$1,376 20
Balance to Contingent account
198 47
--
$1,574 67
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASS., CHAP. 763, ACTS 1913 Balance from 1913 $305 65
RECEIVED
From the Commonwealth .
$1,483 33
EXPENDED
For aid sundry parties .
. $1,703 80
$2,009 45
Balance due to 1915
526 12
$2,009 45
CITY OF SOMERVILLE, Chap. 763, Acts 1913
RECEIVED
From City of Somerville
$476 00
Balance from 1913
.
$192 00
EXPENDED
For aid sundry parties .
.
530 00
Balance due to 1915
$722 00 246 00
$ 722 00
127
. CITY OF SOMERVILLE-POOR DEPT.
Balance from 1913
$114 51
Transferred to poor dept. 45 26
$159 77
From City of Somerville
RECEIVED
$159 77
TOWN OF METHUEN
Balance from 1913 . $104 97
RECEIVED
Town of Methuen .
$104 97
EXPENDED
For fuel and groceries $194 97
Balance due to 1915 .
$194 97
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD Chap. 763, Acts 1913
EXPENDED
For Aid .
$32 00
Balance to 1915
$32 00
CITY OF BOSTON
Balance due to 1915, for Aid
$7 55
CITY OF SALEM, POOR DEPARTMENT
EXPENDED
For Aid .
.
$38 00
For Aid .
$38 00
TOWN OF NORFOLK
Balance from 1913
$128 25
RECEIVED
For Aid .
$128 25
EXPENDED .
For groceries and provisions .
$133 88
Balance due to 1915
RECEIVED
128
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASS.
Balance due from 1913 . ·
$606 87
RECEIVED
From Commonwealth of Mass.
166 74
EXPENDED
For Aid .
$164 27
Balance due to 1915
$604 40
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS SOLDIERS' RELIEF
Appropriation
$750 00
EXPENDED
For pay roll and aid
$542 25
Transferred to Contingent
207 75
$750 00
BURIAL OF SOLDIERS
Balance from 1913
$31 00
RECEIVED
From the Commonwealth of Mass.
$37 00
EXPENDED
Burial of two soldiers
. $100 00
$131 00
Due from the Commonwealth $94 00
STATE AID
Balance from 1913
. $1,694 00
RECEIVED
From the Commonwealth of Mass.
$1,702 00
For pay roll . EXPENDED
. $1,674 00
1,666 00
$3,368 00 $3,368 00
$131 00
Balance due from Com. of Mass. ·
$440 13
129
EDUCATION SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
$40,500 00
RECEIVED
Tuition from North Reading
1,766 25
Tuition from J. W. Manning
20 00
Tuition of State minor wards
31 20
Tuition of Boston minor wards .
62 50
Reimbursement, Industrial Schools .
127 50
Rent of John St. Schoolhouse
66 00
Rent of High School Hall .
3 00
Telephone tolls
12 57
Sale of books
9 42
$42,598 44
EXPENDED
Teachers' and Supt's. salaries
. $28,463 70
Janitors' salaries
3,474 50
Truant Officer
104 00
Medical Inspector
200 00
Census Enumerator
65 00
$32,307 20
Transportation of pupils
850 00
Tuition paid Industrial School
408 50
Books .
1,291 17
Supplies for pupils
1,771 34
Apparatus for Teaching
290 00
General Expenses :
Printing and advertising
157 51
Office supplies
40 39
Telephones .
124 46
School Committee, expenses
30 80
Superintendent's expenses .
4 65
Fuel
. 3,153 74
130
Building Maintenance :
Lighting
$147 06
Water
291 76
Removal of ashes
122 01
Janitor supplies
397 24
Repairs :
Building
813 08
Furniture
232 18
Grounds
163 35
-$42,596 44
Balance to Contingent
$2 00
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SPECIAL REPAIRS
Appropriation $1,050 00
EXPENDED
Henry D. Stokes, painting Chestnut St. School
$60 00
166 31
D. F. Horne, painting Centre School . E. J. Roundy, shingling Chestnut St. School
156 50
H. L. Park, repairing Centre School 80 00
Hodson Bros., tinting room, Highland School
100 00
562 81
Balance on hand to 1915 for shing- ling Union St. School $487 19
NEW TYPEWRITERS
Appropriation
.
$600 00
EXPENDED
Underwood Typewriter Co.
600 00
131
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Appropriation .
$1,445 00
RECEIVED
From Middlesex County Dog Tax
672 22
From fines, etc.
83 00
2,200 22
EXPENDED
For salaries :
Bertha L. Brown
$300 00
Grace J. Abbott
52 51
C. H. Stinchfield
55 36
Janitor service
35 00
Fuel and heating
138 31
Books
722 90
Periodicals
74 75
Printing
51 20
Lighting
16 60
Furniture
45 00
Binding books
62 75
Subscription
10 00
Express .
7 18
Supplies and incidentals
9 00
Expenses Bertha L. Brown
9 35
$2,199 91
Transferred to Contingent .
31
FIRE Loss
Balance from 1913
$1,202 68
Transferred to Contingent .
.
1,202 68
$407 87
Rent
600 00
132
RECREATION AND CELEBRATION RENT OF PLAYGROUND
Appropriation
$342 00
RECEIVED
From Wheeler Bros. Circus . 20 00
$362 00
EXPENDED
Delia E. Sweetser, rent
.
$342 00 .
Repairs to field
.
.
.
$357 00
Transferred to Contingent $5 00
CARE AND IMPROVEMENT OF COMMON
Appropriation
$150 00
EXPENDED
Albert Green, services
$41 50
Painting band stand
55 00
Repairs band stand
1 75
Drinking fountains
3 81
$102 06
Balance transferred to Contingent $47 94
MEMORIAL DAY
Appropriation
$200 00
EXPENDED
Post 194, G. A. R.
$200 00
BAND CONCERTS
Appropriation
$200 00
EXPENDED
Chapman's Band .
$100 00
Reading Brass Band
.
.
. 100 00
$200 00
15 00
133
CEMETERIES
LAUREL HILL
Balance from 1912
$210 26
Appropriation
.
1,200 00
RECEIVED
Interest for care of lots
705 50
Sundry receipts
3 00
TRANSFERRED
From sale of lots and graves for re-
moval of ledge
1,500 00
$3,618 76
EXPENDED
Pay roll . .
. $1,607 50
A. W. Danforth, services, Secretary 75 00
A. W. Danforth, expenses
9 75
Bouquets
260 15
Concreting
74 70
Lawn seed
34 50
Survey and plans
14 20
Repairs .
5 70
Supplies
24 06
Lawn mower
5 50
Express .
35
Loam
5 00
Printing
2 00
Removal of ledge, A. Michelini, con-
tractor
1,500 00
.
3,618 41
Balance transferred to Contingent 35
134
MUNICIPAL INDUSTRIES
MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPT. -- UNPAID CONSTRUCTION BILLS Appropriation
$2,932 07
EXPENDED
Municipal Light Board .
$2,932 07
WATER DEPARTMENT MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT ( For details see respective reports)
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS MATURING IN 1914 Appropriation $17,725 00
TRANSFERRED
Transferred from Contingent
2,200 00
Transferred from Grouard Estate
475 00
RECEIVED
From Water Department
3,000 00
Paid by Municipal Light Dept.
9,000 00
$32,400 00
EXPENDED
Municipal. Light Dept. loans $9,000 00
Water Department bonds
. 8,000 00
High School building
5,000 00
Highland School building
3,000 00 .
Lowell Street School building
1,000 00 .
School deficiency loan
2,700 00 .
Current expense bonds
1,200 00 .
Grouard Estate
1,000 00
Auto Chemical Truck
1,500 00
-- $32,400 00
INTEREST ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$4,512 50
RECEIPTS
Interest on deposit
344 13
Interest on sundry account
93
Interest on taxes .
2,224 02
$7,081 58
.
.
135
EXPENDED
Interest on temporary loans . $3,074 93
Interest on general loan
849 50
Interest on cemetery bequest
273 89
Interest on school department
2,463 00
-$6,661 32
Balance to Contingent
$420 26
AGENCY AND TRUST TRANSACTIONS
STATE TAX
From tax levy
$13,037 50
EXPENDED
To the Commonwealth of Mass.
$13,037 50
COUNTY TAX
From tax levy
$7,149 00
EXPENDED
Treasurer Middlesex County
7,149 00
WELLINGTON BRIDGE TAX
From tax levy
$51 84
EXPENDED
The Commonwealth of Mass.
HIGHWAY TAX
From tax levy
EXPENDED
The Commonwealth of Mass.
$329 60
BAY STATE ST. RAILWAY TAX
RECEIVED
From the Commonwealth of Mass. $3,794 58
From the Bay State St. Railway tax 2,774 38
$6,568 96
EXPENDED
For Highway .
$6,568 96
CORPORATION TAX
RECEIVED
From the Commonwealth of Mass.
$6,446 28
$51 84
$329 60
136
EXPENDED
Amount used in tax levy, 1914 $6,000 00
Transferred to Contingent 446 28
6,446 28
NATIONAL BANK TAX
RECEIVED
From the Commonwealth of Mass.
$765 12
EXPENDED
To the Commonwealth of Mass.
$428 55
Transferred to Contingent
336 57
$765 12
SCHEDULE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE TOWN OF READING DECEMBER 31, 1914
SCHOOLS
Buildings and land .
$214,000 00
Personal .
15,000 00
$229,000 00
PARKS
Common .
$10,000 00
Band Stand
500 00
Mayall Park
500 00
Washington Park
500 00
$11,500 00
TOWN BUILDINGS
Town Building
$21,400 00
Grouard Estate
10,700 00
Police (personal)
311 50
$32,411 50
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Houses
$6,600 00
Personal .
20,905 00
$27,505 00
LIBRARIES
Personal .
$3,500 00
WATER DEPARTMENT
Buildings and land
$52,000 00
Machinery and tools
·
31,000 00
$83,000 00
137
HIGHWAYS
Tool house
$500 00
Personal .
. 3,502 10
POOR DEPARTMENT
Town Home
$9,500 00
Personal (Town Home)
3,300 00
LAND
Land off Grove st., near golf links
$200 00
Land west of John street ·
50 00
Land west of John street
50 00
Land Ash street, near railroad
1,200 00
$1,500 00
CEMETERY
Land (estimated)
$25,000 00
Tool house
100 00
Personal .
200 00
$25,300 00
MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Building and land .
$18,600 00
Personal .
·
· 142,300 00 ·
$160,900 00
Total value of real and personal property Dec. 31, 1914 $591,418 60
EXEMPTED PROPERTY
The following is a schedule of property used for religious and other purposes and by law exempt from taxation as reported by the Assessors Dec. 31, 1914 :
Baptist Society $26,000 00
Congregational Society
. 86,350 00
Old South M. E. Church
43,000 00 Christian Union Society 26,500 00 . .
St. Agnes' Roman Catholic Church 48,600 00 .
. Home for Aged Women 5,800 00
Quannapowitt Agricultural Association 13,800 00
Fathers' and Mothers' Club 3,850 00
U. S. Government P. O. Dept., Land
6,500 00
.
$4,002 10
$12,800 00
$260,400 00
H. M. VIALL, COLLECTOR,
DR.
Amount uncollected tax, 1909
$147 00
Uncollected tax, 1910
SS 65
Uncollected tax, 1911
1,914 46
Interest, 1911
5 98
Uncollected tax, 1912
11,157 18
Interest, 1912
956 48
Error, 1912
05
Uncollected tax, 1913
44,065 79
Interest, 1913
1,147 99
Committed warrant, 1914
148,280 09
Committed warrant error, 1914
08
Moth tax, 1914
1,329 50
Moth tax error, 1914
1 00
Excise tax, 1914
2,798 40
Supplementary tax, 1914
1,107 82
Supplementary moth tax, 1914
1 50
Interest, 1914
115 07
Paid after abatement
8 90
Account of certificates .
11 00
Account of redemption
277 20
Account of postage
2 25
$213,416 39
138
IN ACCOUNT WITH TOWN OF READING
CR.
By cash to W. C. Mansfield, Treasurer, account 1909
$90 00
Abatement, account 1909 57 00
· £ Abatement, account 1910
88 65
Cash to W. O. Mansfield, Treasurer, account 1911
972 92
Abatement, account 1911
947 52
Cash to W. C. Mansfield, Treasurer, account 1912
11,289 42
Abatement, account 1912
366 68
Cash to W. C. Mansfield, Treasurer, account 1913 32,901 81
Abatement, account 1913
2,242 35
Cash to W. C. Mansfield, Treasurer, account 1914
100,758 05 .
Abatement, account 1914
587 61
Cash to W. C. Mansfield, Treasurer, account Miscellaneous Receipts 299 35
Uncollected taxes, 1912
457 61
Uncollected taxes, 1913 .
10,069 62
Uncollected taxes, 1914
52,287 80
$213,416 39
H. M. VIALL, Collector.
Reading, December 31, 1914.
Approved :
JOHN H. SHELDON, Town Accountant.
139
REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
Valuation of Real Estate :
Buildings excluding land . $3,836,075 00
Land excluding buildings 2,305,905 00
Total real estate ·
$6,141,980 00
Personal estate excluding resident bank stock 1,349,925 00
Resident bank stock 27,050 00
Total personal estate $1,376,975 00
Total real and personal estate assessed April
1, 1914
7,518,955 00
Real estate increase over 1913
$421,600 00
Personal estate increase over 1913 . 125,572 00
Total increase
$547,172 00
Tax on real estate
$117,926 02
Tax on personal estate
26,438 07
Tax on polls
3,916 00
Tax on real estate for moth work
1,329 50
Total tax assessed April 1, 1914 Personal estate assessed Dec. 18, 1914
$149,609 59
56,495 00
Real estate assessed Dec. 18, 1914 .
1,100 00
Polls assessed since April 1, 1914
2 00
Tax assessed as supplementary on personal estate Dec. 16, 1914 .
1,084 70
Tax assessed as supplementary on real estate Dec. 16, 1914 21 12
Street Railway Excise Tax on 12.047 miles
2,798 40
143
144
Total personal estate assessed in 1914 . $1,433,470 00
Total real estate in 1914 6,143,080 00
Total valuation year 1914, April and Dec. assessments $7,576,550 00
Total assessed from all sources 1914 153,515 81
Total assessed in 1913
142,282 78
Gain in 1914 over 1913
$11,233 03
State highway tax .
$329 60
Wellington Bridge tax
61 84
State tax .
13,037 50
County tax
7,159 78
Total State and County tax 1914 $20,578 72
Total State and County tax 1913 18,170 96
1914 in excess of 1913
$2,407 76
Balance used for Town purposes
$132,937 09
Rate of taxation, $19.20 per $1,000.
Total number of persons assessed on property
2004
Total number of persons assessed on polls only 1107
Total number of separate assessments
3111
Total number of polls April 1, 1914
1958
Number of polls added since .
1
Total number assessed
1959
Decrease of polls over 1913
2
Number of horses
313
Number of cows .
265
Number of neat cattle
72
Number of swine
87
Number of fowls
16,017
Number of dwellings
1540
Number of new dwellings
37
Number of acres of land
5734
.
145
ASSESSORS' REPORT ON THE SURVEY OF LAND UNDER THE BLOCK SYSTEM
During the past year we had two plans made containing 74 lots, and the Civil Engineer has partially completed five other plans containing about 200 lots.
Plot 1-West of Reading Square, between Haven and Wo- burn streets, to Linden street.
Plot 2-South of Haven street and west of Main street to B. & M. R. R.
Plot 3-North of Green street to Pleasant street, east of Main street to John street.
Plot 4-North of Pleasant street to Salem street, east of Main street to John street.
Plot 5-North of Salem street to Charles street, east of Main street to Pearl street.
Plot 6 -- East of Main street, including parts of Charles, Harrison and Pearl streets.
Plot 7-North of Mt. Vernon street to Middlesex avenue, east of Kingston street to Lowell street.
Plot 8-West of Kingston street to School street, south of Middlesex avenue.
Plot 9-West of School street to High street, south of Mid- dlesex avenue.
Plot 10-North of Haven street, vicinity of B. & M. R. R. station.
Plot 11-South of Prescott street to Warren avenue, west of B. & M. R. R.
Plot 12-Sunnyside land, C. S. Pratt's, south of Prescott street.
Plot 13-North of Prescott street, west of Arlington street. Plot 14 -- North of Prescott street to Temple street, east of Summer avenue.
Plot 15-South of Prescott street, east of Summer avenue.
Plot 16-North of Middlesex avenue, east of Bancroft ave.
Plot 17-South of Salem street to Pleasant street, easterly to Eaton street.
146
Plot 18-North of Avon street, between Minot street and Ash street.
Plot 19-South of Mineral street, B. & M. R. R., west of High street.
Plot 20-South of Washington street street, Sweetser Homestead.
Plot 21-South of Woburn street to Howard street on West street, east of West street.
Plot 22-North of Woburn street to King street, west of Summer avenue to West street.
Plot 23-North of Temple street to King street, east of Summer avenue.
Plot 24-West of High street to Temple street, north of No. 1 Washington street.
Plot 25-North of King street to Mineral street, east of Summer avenue to Hancock street extension.
Plot 26 -- North of Mineral street to Woodbine street, east of Summer avenue to Hancock street.
Plot 27-North of Howard street to Woburn street, Perkins estate, etc.
Plot 28-North of Oak street to Howard street, east of West street to Sigsbee avenue, Scotland.
Plot 29-North of Oak street to Howard street, Scotland road, etc., Scotland.
Plot 30-North of Oak street to Howard street, west of Summer avenue, Scotland.
Plot 31-North of Mineral street and east of railroad to Grand street.
Plot 34-West of Bancroft avenue and north of Middlesex avenue.
The Town has appropriated . $2,000 00
There has been expended . $1,672 14
We have a balance on hand unexpended of $327.86, for the reason that the Engineer has actually done the work but has not presented his bill, as he has not completed several plans.
147
We recommend that the sum of $500 be raised and ap- propriated to continue this work the coming year.
We invite inspection of our work by any citizen or citi- zens who are interested.
MILLARD F. CHARLES GEORGE E. HORROCKS ARDINE M. ALLEN Board of Assessors.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
I herewith submit a general summary of the work of the Highway Department for the past year. Owing to the weather conditions of the past winter and the long dry spells through the summer, I feel as though the streets with few exceptions have been in good condition. The surface drainage is one of the most serious problems that this de- partment has to contend with. Drainage is the princi- pal thing in the construction of a highway. In most gravel banks there is a large amount of stone which cannot be used on the streets without being broken up. With the use of a portable stone crusher this could be used, and would show a great improvement in the resurfacing of streets, and I would recommend the purchase of a crusher and 25 horse power electric motor which would cost approximately $1,800. Owing to the increasing demands on this department, and the need of getting from one job to another as quick as possible. I would again recommend the purchase of a motor truck.
CONSTRUCTION
Another section of Lowell St. has been constructed in conjunction and under the direction of the Mass. Highway Commission. This section is 1200 feet long, 15 feet wide, with 4 inches of trap rock bound with sand and a 2-inch wearing surface of trap rock grouted with two applications of refined tar, all on a 9-inch gravel base. Another appli- cation of refined tar, at the rate of one-fourth gallon per square yard, should be applied in the spring. This was
148
149
rather an expensive job, owing to the changing of grades near High St., which necessitated the cutting through of considerable ledge, but is a great improvement over the old road.
Three thousand feet of gravel road has been constructed on Haverhill St., from Pine 'St. (north), average width 18 feet, 8 inches thick in centre, 5 inches at sides. This should be oiled in the spring.
In the south part of the Town gravel grading was done : on South St. 800 feet, Hopkins St. 1100 feet, Walnut St. 1700 feet, Summer Ave. 1500 feet: average width, 18 feet: average thickness, 9 inches. The gravel obtainable in the south part of the town with which these streets were graded was not first-class gravel, but owing to the extreme dryness of the summer they have not been in as good a condition as they otherwise would have been, but after they have weathered the winter they can be put in good condition in the spring with very small expense.
Harrison St., from Salem to Orange St., has been graded with broken stone and gravel 16 feet wide. Owing to the bad condition of the street the grade was raised 15 inches. Copeland Ave., from Woburn St. 300 feet, 15 feet wide and 6 inches thick, was graded with broken stone and gravel. Pearl St., from Charles St. north 2000 feet, 15 feet wide, 6 inches thick, was graded with broken stone and gravel.
The old macadam on Prescott St. has been resurfaced and carried 250 feet west at a cost of $550. Two applica- tions of refined tar was used in this work. On High St., between Haven and Washington St., a tar macadam road was constructed 15 feet wide, 6 inches thick. Considerable repair work has been done on Grove St., Linden St., Woburn St. and numerous small repairs in various sections of the Town. The west end of Prescott St. has been widened to 50 feet, but the grade of Prescott St., between Summer Ave. and West St., should be changed to conform to plans on file at this office.
150
MAINTENANCE
The general routine work of this department has been attended to, such as cleaning of ditches, catch-basins, clean- ing of gutters, cutting grass, disposal of leaves, keeping of culverts in repair, and the use of a push cart in and around the Square. A blanket coat of Tarvia B has been applied to all macadam roads in Town, of which 11,000 gallons were used: 1400 feet of old guard rail has been replaced with new.
SIDEWALKS
There has been a new sidewalk constructed on the north side of Dudley St., 750 feet long, 6 feet wide. Short sec- tions of new sidewalk have been constructed on Oak St., Mineral St., High St., Orange St., Locust St. and Wilson St. About four miles of old sidewalks has been resurfaced with sugar gravel. The sidewalk on So. Main St., near the Stoneham line, was not done owing to the inability to come to an agreement with the engineers of the Mass. Highway Commission over the crossing of an open drain: but I think an agreement can be reached so that this can be done as soon as the weather permits. There has been 3019 square yards of old concrete repaired at an average cost of 35 cents per square yard, some of which was in very bad shape. I would recommend that the Town adopt the policy of build- ing sidewalks of more permanent construction.
DRAINAGE
Three new catch-basins have been constructed at the corner of Mineral and Hancock Sts., which have done away with a very bad place at the approach to the B. & M. R. R. bridge. Two catch-basins with 300 feet of outlet pipe have been constructed on Mt. Vernon St. to change the course of the water. A catch-basin has been built on Minot St., near Main, which has done away with a dangerous gutter owing to the street being narrow at this point. A catch-basin has been built on Summer Ave., near Woburn St. There are
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several bad gutters at intersection of streets which should be done away with by the construction of catch-basins or under drains.
DUST NUISANCE
In addition to the use of the street sprinkler there has been used 53,498 gallons of oil of several kinds, covering 320,988 square yards of road surface, or approximately 30 miles. One great trouble with the oils used as a dust layer is that after a rain they do not dry as quickly as other streets and, therefore, there is more or less mud, especially in the spring when the frost is coming out of the ground. Where we have used an asphalt oil it has given good results and lasted much longer than the other oils, and I would recommend the continued use of it. By the addition of a pressure distributor the oiling the past season has been done in a more satisfactory manner than could possibly have been done under the old method.
SNOW REMOVAL
The heavy fall of snow during the week ending Feb. 21, . followed by the all day rain of March 1, made the travelling very hard for a few days, but was handled in a satisfactory manner by this department.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I would recommed the purchase of a stone crusher, which is much needed ; the purchase of a small motor truck for use of this department; that Woburn St., from Lowell St. to B. & M. R. R., be macadamized, estimated cost $3,000; that tar macadam be laid on Woburn St., between Summer Ave. and West St., estimated cost $1,600; that Prescott St. macadam be continued to Summer Ave., estimated cost $1,000; Main St., from Haven to Washington St., should be re-surfaced, estimated cost $1,500: Haverhill St. to continue gravel road, $1,000; an appropriation to continue the work on Lowell St .; that Haven St., from Main to John St.,
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be rebuilt, estimated cost $1,400; that the south side of Haven St., from Linden St. to the depot, be resurfaced, es- timated cost $800; that gravel grading be done on a number of streets which are in much need of it, to be specified by the Board of Selectmen ; sidewalks of permanent construc- tion should be built on the principal streets, such as Lowell St., from the Square to Middlesex Ave., Middlesex Ave., Lowell St. to Bancroft Ave., Woburn St., from Lowell St. to B. & M. crossing, Prescott St., from Arlington St. to Sum- mer Ave., Main St., from Haven St. to B. & M. crossing, Harnden St., from Pleasant to Salem Sts. Concrete in 1914 cost 55 cents per square yard. Granolithic would cost from $1.25 to $2.00 per square yard, according to conditions.
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