USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1925 > Part 7
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For hydrants
6,685.00
Total from municipal departments ..
6,785.00
Rents, interest, etc. 272.63
Service pipes .
2,742.81
Extension of services 6,319.52
Extension of meters 1,303.95
New supply of hydrants
2,371.88
Total construction .
$23,575.64
Balance
2,725.57
Total
$47,600.37
Total
$47,600.37
Total maintenance $ 6,451.66
Interest on bonds 2,847.50
Payment of bonds 12,000.00
$21,299.16
Water Works Construction :
Extension of mains $13,580.29
96
RAINFALL
The average rainfall for Massachusetts as deduced by the State De- partment of Health from long continued observation in various parts of the State is 44.54 inches.
As may be seen by a table in this report showing the amount of rainfall for the years 1900 to 1925 inclusive, the average rainfall at the Reading Pumping Station is 41.36 inches. The rainfall this past year was a deficiency of 3.18 inches compared with the State observations and an excess of 5.13 inches for the Pumping Station. There was an excess of rainfall in the months of January, March, June, October, November and December of 11.38 inches and a deficiency in the other months of 6.25 inches, comparing each month with an average rainfall between the years 1900-1925 inclusively.
The greatest rainfall in any one day was on January 29th, 1.87 inches.
The elevation of the Reading Pumping Station is approximately 80 feet above sea level.
Month
Normal
Rainfall
(Inches)
Rainfall
in 1925
(Inches)
Excess or
Deficiency in
1925 (Inches)
December
3.54
5.53
+1.99
January
3.42
4.28
+ .86
February
3.41
2.14
-1.27
March
3.73
7.66
+3.93
April
4.14
2.95
-1.19
May
3.09
2.05
-1.04
June
3.68
5.62
+1.94
July
3.58
3.13
.45
August
3.25
2.37
.88
September
3.58
2.16
-1.42
October
2.71
4.66
+1.95
November
3.23
3.94
+ .71
95
KINDS AND SIZES OF METERS IN USE January 1, 1926
MAKE
& in.
₹ in.
1 in. 1} in.
1} in. 2 in.
Total
1 Federal .
1
1
2
Niagara .
1
2
3 Gem
5
5
4 Keystone.
1
....
8
9
5 Pittsburg ·
14
1
15
6
Thompson
18
1
19
7
Worthington
25
1
1
27
8
Columbia
30
30
10
Lambert
41
2
43
11
Gamon
63
2
65
12
Crown
74
2
2
2
7
87
13
Neptune.
115
115
14
Hersey
235
4
13
7
2
261
15
Empire
276
3
279
1050
13
12
5
2
1082
Total .
1981
20
37
8
15
17
2078
YEARLY RECORD OF PUMPING SERVICE From Jan. 1, 1925, to Jan. 1, 1926
MONTH
No. Days
Hrs.
Min.
Gallons Pumped
Total Head
Pounds Coal
Gals. to Lbs Coal
Rain- fall
January
31
294
00
9,817,481
219
57,378
171
4.28
February
28
255
00
8,409,131
219
50,336
167
2.14
March
31
263
30
8.729,930
219
52,188
167
7.66
April ..
30
282
15
9,374,722
219
52,144
180
2.95
May
31
298
45
9,891,396
219
56,669
174
2.05
June.
30
333
45
11,492,995
219
63.084
182
5.62
July
31
329
15
11.219,056
219
58,842
191
3.13
August
31
328
45
11,295,468
219
57.516
196
2.37
September
30
323
00
10,698,530
219
56,674
189
2.16
October
31
300
15
10,387,691
219
55.129
188
4,66
November
30
270
00
9,382,329
219
53.052
177
3.94
December
31
276
00
9,413,440
219
54,713
172
5.53
Totals
365
3554
30
120,112,169
219
667,725
180
46.49
9
Union
32
2
1
3
38
16
Nash
SIZES
1
. ..
TABLE SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF RAIN AND MELTED SNOW FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1925
Day of Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Day of Month
1 ....
.55
.09
.44
.1
2 .. . .
.03
.04
.32
.50
.2.
3 .. . .
.01
.01
.03
.72
.40
1.59
.3
4 .. ..
T
.75
T
.18
.08
1.23
4
5 ... .
1.62
.03
.06
.54
.95
.19
.28
5.
6. . . .
.08
.03
.15
7 .. . .
.13
.37
T
8 ... .
T
9. ..
T
.10
.67
.86
.9
10 ....
.12
.28
.06
.87
11 .. . .
.01
.72
.29
.02
.11
12 .. . .
.64
.52
.29
13. . . .
.33
.17
.06
.03
13
14 .. . .
.18
.37
.16
.30
65
.09
.45
15 .. .
45
.48
.09
.88
.04
.40
.67
16 ....
.71
.11
.06
.11
.24
T
.16
17 .. ..
.02
.42
.04
.06
T
.. 17
18 ...
.49
.01
.18
19 ... .
.02
.79
1.35
T
19
20. . . .
.71
.51
21 .. . .
T
.02
.52
21
22 ...
.05
.03
.08
24
.43
.19
22
23 ....
.05
.11
.05
.02
.23
24 .. . .
.35
.57
.24
25 .. ..
.08
.08
.15
.72
.78
.58
.13
.25
26 ....
.16
.20
T
.26.
27 ...
.28
28 .. . .
.93
.95
.02
1
28
29 ....
1.87
1.75
.02
.34
1.09
.29 +
30 ..
.15
.06
.20
T
.30.,
31. . . .
.31
.40
.. 31
Total
4.28
2.14
7.66
2.95
2.05
5.62
3.13
2.37
2.16
4.66
3.94
5.53
Total
Tto D
4.28
6.42
14 08
17.03
19.08
24.70
27.83
30 20
32.36
37.02
40.96
46.49
Tto D
.26
.10
.10
.03
11
1.58
T
12
.14
15
.01
T
T
.05
.29
.08
49
.27
.60
.50
.&
T
RAINFALL AT PUMPING STATION 1900-1925
Year
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
1900
5.32
8.69
5.03
2.15
4.60
3.13
1.90
3.17
4.15
3.31
5.05
2.44
48.94
1901
1.33
1.08
5.88
9.59
7.21
1.74
4.65
2.66
3.59
2.76
3.06
8.10
51.65
1902
1.80
6.11
4.69
6.22
1.69
1.98
3.02
3.75
4.01
4.91
0.99
5.60
44.77
1903
3.84
3.16
6.38
4.95
0.48
8.91
3.40
3.42
2.29
3.69
1.33
2.59
44.44
1904
4.42
2.21
2.21
9.90
3.56
2.56
1.88
4.26
5.16
2.02
1.80
2.25
42.23
1905
5.44
1.47
2.92
2.59
1.39
6.11
1.19
3.30
7.87
1.20
2.22
3.72
39.42
1906
2.60
2.53
6.48
2.84
5.14
2.63
5.88
4.18
1.36
2.38
3.31
3.08
42.41
1907
3.97
2.10
2.40
3.21
2.89
3.80
3.58
1.33
7.90
3.36
6.83
3.60
44.97
1908
3.07
4.28
2.72
1.71
4.00
1.58
3.09
4.07
0.86
3.56
1.10
2.66
52.70
1909
4.17
5.33
3.57
3.95
1.97
2.14
3.59
2.75
3.74
1.23
4.06
3.60
40.10
1910
4.54
3.14
1.58
2.32
1.19
4.36
1.98
2.61
2.45
1.48
4.30
1.92
31.87
1911
2.25
2.94
3.12
1.89
0.67
3.43
4.79
3.80
2.94
2.91
4.14
3.57
36.45
1912
2.68
2.42
5.04
4.05
5.73
0.29
6.44
2.02
3.02
1.45
3.10
4.80
41.04
1913
2.48
2.64
4.51
3.76
3.45
0.93
1.68
3.48
3.66
7.56
2.13
3.24
39.52
1914
3.34
3.65
4.09
6.32
2.76
1.44
2.34
2.78
0.23
1.51
2.92
3.69
35.07
1915
5.52
3.54
0.00
2.72
1.68
4.60
8.76
6.66
0.70
2.80
2.93
5.47
45.38
1916
1.22
5.37
3.37
5.14
4.59
5.86
3.13
2.30
3.11
1.01
1.94
2.9.1
39.95
1917
2.92
2.41
4.18
2.90
4.00
4.78
1.19
3.70
1.46
5.75
1.39
2.65
37.33
1918
3.08
3.02
2.02
4.10
0.85
3.04
2.99
2.81
8.37
1.02
2.24
2.18
33.02
1919
3.24
3.61
4.01
2.46
5.44
0.88
3.22
3.83
5.65
2.63
6.20
1.53
42.70
1920
2.75
6.46
4.21
5.75
3.27
5.24
1.94
2.02
4.27
1.16
4.67
4.82
46.56
1921
2.09
3.43
2.43
5.48
1.86
4.02
9.79
1.96
1.74
1.57
6.50
2.28
43.15
1922
1.77
2.72
4.27
1.37
5.08
11.27
4.88
3.29
3.68
2.73
1.06
3.12
45.24
1923
6.95
1.67
2.60
5.17
1.56
2.79
1.98
3.17
82
3.63
4.13
4.83
39.30
1924
3.77
2.55
1.71
4.25
3.10
2.53
2.70
4.80
7.95
.05
2.56
1.52
37.49
1925
4.28
2.14
7.66
2.95
2.05
5.62
3.13
2.37
2.16
4.66
3.94
5.53
46.49
Average 3.42
3.41
3.73
4.14
3.09
3.68
3.58
3.25
3.58
2.71
3.23
3.54
41.36
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH Water Analysis-(Parts in 100,000)
APPEARANCE
Residue on
Evaporation
AMMONIA
NITROGEN AS
Hardness
Iron
Remarks
1924
179844 Nov. 20 Distinct iron 179845 Nov. 20 None
Considerable None
.40
11.70 18.60
.0202 .0004
.0070 .0046
1.48 1.26
.0080 .0060
.0000 .0001
3.5 7.9
.047
.240 Filter Gallery Filter Weir
1925
180753 Jan. 18 Very slight 180755 Jan. 18 Very slight
Considerable None
.47
11.80
.0276
0100 .0054
1.54
0120 0060
.0000 .0000
8.0
.043
Tap in Boiler R'm
181640 Mch. 21 Very slight 181642 Mch. 21 Very slight --
Considerable None
.35
8.80
.0110
.0136
.92
.0070
2.7
.165
Filter Gallery Tap on Pumps
182600 May 13 Very slight 182629 May 22 Very slight
None
28
16.90
.0004 .0104
.0074 .0142
. 73 .90
.0040 .0070
0000 .0000
7.3 2.5
.155
Tap on Pumps Filter Gallery
183891 July 22 Very slight 183893 July 22 Very slight
Considerable None
.43
21.50
.0068
1.06
.0060 .0050
0000 0000
9.4
.080
Filter Gallery Main Pump
181641 Mch. 21 Very slight
None
.20
16.50
.0012
.0062
.94
0080
0004
7.3
.055
Filter Gallery
182630 May 22 Very slight -
None
.43
17.90
.0000
.0092
.88
.0040
0000
9.7
.055
Filter Gallery
183892 July 22 None
None
.40
19.60
.0000
0098
1.28
.0050
.0000
13.2
.010
Filter Gallery
180754 Jan. 18 Very slight 180752 Jan. 18 Very slight -
Slight
.45
10.30
.0024 .0404
.0034 .0148
1.22
.0050
.0001
8.3
.056
Filter Gallery Ipswich River
181639 Mch. 21 Very slight
None
1.00
5.40
0050
.0218
.43
1.6
.018
Ipswich River
182599 May 19 Very slight
Slight
1 48
7.30
.0100
.0316
.88
1.8
.095 Ipswich River
183890 July 22 Very Slight
Slight
1.00
9.70
.0128
.0196
1.48
1.7
.110
Ipswich River
No.
Date of Collec- tion
Turbidity
Sediment
Color
Free Total
Chlorine
Ni- trates trites Ni-
0000 .0005
7.9
.048
065
Considerable
.90
9.40
.95
9.90
.0144 .0004
.0146
1.32
2.5
.180
4.3
.290 |Filter Gallery
.20
17.50
.0014
1.22
.0080
.96
.0080
.20
15.50
.0014
1.68
2.7
.069
None
.22
17 30
.20
100
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS For Year Ending December 31, 1925
Reading Water Department, Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
General Statistics
Population by census of 1920: 7424.
Date of construction : 1890 and 1891.
By whom owned: Town of Reading.
Sources of supply : Filter gallery and artesian wells.
Mode of supply: (Whether gravity or pumping) : Pumping.
Pumping Statistics
Builders of Pumping Machinery: Sullivan Mch. Co., Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co., and Platt Iron Works.
Description of fuel used :
Kind: Coal.
Brand of coal: New River.
Average price of coal per net ton delivered: $9.24.
Percentage of ash:
Wood, price per cord :
Coal consumed for the year: 667,725 lbs.
Total pumpage for the year: 120,112,169 gallons with allowance for slip.
Average static head against which pumps work: 219.
Average dynamic head against which pumps work: 240.
Number of gallons pumped per pound of equivalent coal: 180.00.
Gallons pumped x 8.34 (lbs) x 100 x dynamic head (240) Duty equals :
Total fuel consumed
Equals 36,005,319.1 including heating.
Cost of pumping, figured on Pumping Station expenses including filtration, viz: $10,766.03.
Per million gallons pumped : $89.63.
Per million gallons raised one foot (dynamic) : $.37.
101
DISPOSITION OF BALANCE-Carried to New Account
Net cost of works to date: $449,842.83
Bonded debt to date
$ 73,000.00
Cost of supplying water per million gallons on total maintenance of Pumping Station and Filter: $89.63.
Total cost of supplying water per million gallons figured on total maintenance plus interest on bonds: $176.02.
Statistics Relating to Distributing Mains
Kind of pipe: Cast iron.
Sizes: From 6 inches to 12 inches.
Extended: 3189 feet during year of six-inch pipe.
Total now in use: 3510 miles.
Cost of repair per mile: $5.75.
Length of pipe less than 4 inches in diameter: 1 mile.
Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use: 215.
Number of stop gates added during the year: 15 on hydrants.
Number of stop gates now in use: 325.
Number of stop gates smaller than 4 inch: 0.
Number of blow-offs: 14.
Range of pressure on mains: 45 lbs. to 90 lbs.
Services :
Kind of pipe: Cast iron, galvanized iron, lead and cement lined.
Sizes: 34 to 6 inches :
Extended: 6075.91 feet.
Discontinued : 0 feet.
Total now in use: 30.72 miles.
Number of service taps added during the year: 110. Number now in use: 2127.
Average length of service, 1925: 55.24.
Average cost of service, 1925: $57.70.
Meters:
Number of meters added: 103. Number now in use: 2078. Percentage of services metered: 98. Number of motors and elevators added: 0. Number now in use: 0.
102
WATER DEPARTMENT
General Maintenance and Construction Pumping Station
The following repairs were done at the Pumping Station other than minor repairs :
1. The filters have been cleaned.
2. The clear well washed and cleaned twice during the year.
3. A new belt to the upper lime rig has been installed.
4. A new flue and roof to the chimney between the station and the stack have been erected.
5. A new unloader has replaced the old one on the air compressor.
6. No. 2 Blake pump has been restudded on the steam end.
7. No. 1 boiler rebricked with new check and arch plates.
8. Set of Tripp metallic packing installed on the air compressor.
For the coming year, other than minor repairs, would recommend the following :
1. No. 1 boiler rebricked with new arch plates.
2. New set of rings for the H. P. cylinder for No. 1 Blake pump.
3. New set of water rings to No. 2 Blake pump.
4. Either shingle or tar paper north side of store house roof.
5. Repair gutters to the Pumping Station.
General Maintenance and Construction
1. One hundred and ten water services have been constructed during the year, which is an increase of thirty-one over last year. The average length of these services is approximately 55.24 feet, and their total linear length amounts to 6075.91 feet.
Since 1893 when one hundred and twenty-four services were con- structed, the Department has not put in as many water services as they have this year.
2. One hundred and four new meters of different sizes have been bought, and three hundred and twenty-five have been tested, repaired, cleaned and reset during the year.
3. On account of the delay in the laying out of Forest Street by the County Commissioners, it was not possible to install the 6" water main this year, and a temporary service of 11/4" pipe was laid on the surface for a distance of about 2400 feet. This has been removed on account of cold weather. The materials necessary for the 6" main are either ordered or are on hand and the work of laying the main will be undertaken as early in 1926 as conditions will permit.
103
4. Ninety-nine service pipe repair jobs have been attended to during the year.
5. The stand-pipe was cleaned and washed out inside.
6. The distributing mains have been extended on 26 different streets in town. The most important of these were the construction of 2040 feet of six inch main in Libby Avenue, with 812 feet of 11/4 inch laterals feeding 24 houses. The replacing of the 11/4 inch main in Park Street off Auburn with a 6" main; extending the 8" main on Lowell Street from Deering Street easterly, and the 6" water main on West Street to Cottage Park Road. The total linear feet of water main extensions for the year amounts to 7490.70 feet.
7. All hydrants have been inspected and put in proper condition. Five have been replaced at the following locations:
Hartshorn Street, front of No. 18.
Haverhill Street, North corner Wakefield Street.
Lowell Street, East corner Bancroft Avenue.
Woodward Avenue, Junction of Vale Road.
Summer Avenue, corner King Street.
Ten hydrants have been set at the following new locations: High Street, South of Green Street.
Salem Street, Junction of Libby Avenue.
Libby Avenue, Junction of C. Street.
Libby Avenue, Junction of F. Street.
Park Street, S. E. corner Elm Street.
West Street, opposite Cottage Park Road.
1
Prescott Street, opposite Sunnyside Road.
Bancroft Avenue, West side, between Middlesex Avenue and Mt. Vernon Street.
Green Street, Junction of Eaton Street.
Pleasant Street, Junction of Manning Street.
Other work of minor importance has been done, such as the repairing of meter boxes, putting on new shut-offs in cellars, cleaning and re- pairing of shut-off boxes, repairing leaks, etc.
A new large tapping machine has replaced the one the Department has had for over 20 years and also a small tapping machine used on 114" mains. The latter will relieve further shutting off of the mains when new services are desired.
The number of new meters which the Department will need in 1926 will depend upon building operations. Approximately $1,000.00 ought to cover the meters needed as dwellings are ready for them.
104
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works:
Gentlemen :- The following is the yearly report of the Highway Department:
Appropriations and Balances:
Voted in March Town Meeting, 1925:
1. Highway Maint. and Const. $60,000.00
2. Removal of Snow and Ice 5,000.00
3. Cleaning Drainage Ditches 3,000.00
4. Const. of John St. Drain 15,000.00
Total
$ 83,000.00
Unexpended Balances From Previous Appropriations:
5. Survey and Plans for Special Drainage $ 1,000.00
6. North Main Street Sidewalk 175.06
7. South Street re-surfacing 96.38
8. Establishment of Building Lines 810.88
Total 2,091.32
Total Appropriations and Balances .. $ 85,091.32
Expenditures and Balances of the Above Appropriations:
1. Highway Maint. and Const. $ 60,000.00
Refund .50
Total
$ 60,000.50
Pay Roll Distribution :
1. General $ 3,530.62
2. Maintenance 8,431.11
3. Catch Basins 422.36
4. Gutters
579.04
5. Drains and Culverts
340.79
6. K. P. Patching
1,837.57
7. Repairs to Equipment
480.98
8. Shop
29.73
8. Burning Leaves
132.34
10. Crushing Stone 111.61
11. Cutting Brush 636.57
12. Sidewalks 310.34
105
13. Sand Pit
104.55
14. Miscellaneous
178.32
Total
$17,125 93
Purchases :
1. General Repairs $ 4,481.45
2. Tools and Supplies 920.87
3. Oil and Gasoline 1,270.96
4. Asphalt Oil
2,212.74
5. Signs 83.03.
6. Auto Registration
14.00
7. Tarvia B 7,578.25
8. Tarvia X 4,513.75
9. Tarvia K. P.
346.57
10. Crushed Stone
4,680.47
11. Curbing
1,440.78
12. Freight and Express
384.49
13. Sidewalk Construction
1,612.25
14. Municipal Light Dept.
55.61
15. Telephone
64.96
16. Printing
29.34
17. Coal
88.88
18. Office Supplies
370.10
19. Labor
8,994.94
20. Miscellaneous
3,730.02
Total
$42,873 46
Grand Total
$ 59,999.39
Balance Unexpended ..
$ 1.11
2. Appropriation for the Removal of Snow and Ice:
$ 5,000.00
Expended :
1. Pay Roll $ 2,107.41
2. Cost of Snow Plowing 883.40
3. Repairs to Equipment 131.94
4. Gasoline and Oil 158.55
5. Freight and Express 43.91
6. Tools and Supplies
1,293.53
7. Miscellaneous 7.20
Total
$ 4,625.94
Balance unexpended ..
$ 374.06
106
3. Appropriation for Cleaning Drain-
age Ditches:
$ 3,000.00
Expended :
1. Pay Roll $ 749.40
2. Supplies 2,020.15
Total
$ 2,769.55
Balance unexpended ..
4. Appropriation for John St. Drain Expended :
1. Engineering $ 1,144.42
2. Contractor 12,316.83
3. Supplies 169.92
4. Miscellaneous 597.09
Total $ 14,228.26
Balance unexpended ..
$ 771.74
5. Appropriation for Survey and Plans for Special Drainage Expended : No expenditures in 1925
$ 1,000.00
$ 000.00
Balance unexpended ..
$ 1,000.00
6. Balance to be spent on Sidewalk No. Main Street $ 175.06
Expended :
1. Pay Roll
$ 94.95
2. Supplies 80.11
Total
$ 175.06
Balance unexpended ..
7. Balance to be spent on South St. Expended : No expenditures in 1925
$ 000.00
Balance unexpended . .
$ 96.38
8. Appropriation for Building Lines Expended : Bills
$ 819.88
$ 100.00
Balance unexpended .
$ 719.88
$ 230.45
$ 15,000.00
$ 000.00
$ 96.38
107
TOTALS
Balance carried forward to 1926
Items
Appropriations
Expenditures $59,999.39
$
1.11
2.
5,000.00
4,625.94
374.06
3.
3,000.00
2,769.55
230.45
4.
15,000.00
14,228.26
771.74
771.74
5.
1,000.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
6.
175.06
175.06
96.38
96.38
7.
96.38
8.
819.88
100.00
719.88
719.88
Totals
$85,091.82
$81,898.20
$3,193.62
$2,588.00
The principal work performed by the Highway Department this last year may be divided into four sections: namely, Snow and Ice, Mainte- nance, Construction and Drainage.
SNOW AND ICE:
Acting in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 482 of the Acts of 1923, the State Dept. of Public Works loaned to the Highway Dept. a F. W. D. truck for the purpose of keeping Main Street clear of snow, from the Stoneham line to the North Reading line. This act states that the town in which a state highway lies shall at its own expense keep such highways sufficiently clear of snow and ice to be reasonably safe for travel. Not only did it take the State's truck to cope with some of the storms which we had, to keep clear even No. Main Street, but both of the Department's trucks. The daily progress reports kept in the office of the Board of Public Works show that on Jan. 20th, this added work of the Department kept two trucks running 24 hours, the other 12 hours; and on Jan. 30th, the notation is, that truck No. 1 and truck No. 2, with the state truck, worked from 8 A.M. Thursday till 5 P.M. Friday, total hours, 99, or, 33 consecutive hours per truck. The Board realizing the magnitude of this work, that is to say, trying to keep open approximately 50 miles of streets with three trucks and two tractors, hired a five-ton Mack truck to do Prescott Street and Summer Avenue, and all streets between Prescott and Main Streets. This greatly helped the Department. As soon as the streets were plowed, cross-walks had to be shoveled, catch basins cleared, and the snow removed from the square.
When the men were not needed on the above work they were occu- pied in the overhauling and painting of the maintenance equipment, the mending of sidewalk snow-plows, the brushing out of out-lying streets, the cleaning of ditches and culverts, patching of road surfaces, painting of street signs, etc. This work kept the Department busy during the first three months of the year.
Balance
1.
$60,000.50
108
MAINTENANCE WORK:
Gutters and catch-basins were cleaned, constant K. P. Patching was carried on, the dragging of outlying streets, and the filling in of mud- holes with cinders that the Department bought from the Boston & Maine R.R. Although the Department obtained fifteen carloads of cinders, it was not nearly enough to cover this latter work. Streets which had not in the past been treated with road surfacing material were extremely muddy. The bulk of the above cinders was put on Forest Street, Eaton Street, Orange Street, Belmont Street, Cross Street, Curtis Street, Frank- lin Street, Scotland Road, and Sigsbee Avenue. The Superintendent would recommend that the same method of repairing streets be con- tinued in 1926.
The Department resurfaced a section of roadway in the cemetery at the request and expense of the Cemetery Department.
Following this work, the general street maintenance was started. The section lying north of Salem Street, from Harrison Street to Winter, being the first to receive attention. Following the completion of this section, similar work was done in other sections of the town. During the course of the season, 61,650 gallons of Tarvia "B" were applied with 370 loads of sand for covering. Six hundred and nine gallons of 45% asphalt oil were laid on King Street, after it had been shaped to prevent dusting, before the permanent macadam could be laid. The above application covered an approximate area of 282,726 sq. yds. at an average of a gallon applied to every four square yards.
The above application of this maintenance work, by no means cov- ered all the streets in town. Roughly speaking, we have an approximate area of maintenance work of 705,652 square yards, which would require around 160,000 gallons of Tarvia "B" at a cost of $20,000, with an addi- tional labor charge of $10,000, to prepare the streets before the material is applied and to cover it with sand. CONSTRUCTION:
Bituminous macadam surface has been laid on the following loca- tions : Salem Street, at the junction of Spring Street; Lowell Street, south side from near Linden Street to Woburn Street; Woburn Street, between High and Chute Streets; Bancroft Avenue, between Woburn Street and Mt. Vernon Street; Mt. Vernon Street, between Bancroft Avenue and Chute Street ; High Street, between Green and Washington Streets; West Street, north shoulder from Woburn Street, to Mr. Lewis' estate and King Street, between Summer Avenue and Prospect Street. The total amount of work covered being 25,640 sq. yds. at an average cost of $.95 per sq. yd. The aggregate amount of materials used was 33,990 gallons of Tarvia "X", 13,600 gallons of Bermudez Asphalt and 3700 gallons of Texas Asphalt, with 3058.80 tons of different grades of stone, hauled en- tirely by the town trucks. The granite paving on Haven Street, from Sanborn Street to Lincoln Street, was relaid with grout joints by the C. W. Dolloff Co., who also reset the curb in that section of the
109
street at a cost of $2,157.63. Haven Street, from Linden Street to and in- cluding the junction with High and Chute Streets, was reconstructed with bituminous macadam by the M. McDonough Co., under the super- vision of the State Highway Department, who drew up the specifications, contracted for, and engineered the work without expense to the Town of Reading, the cost of this section being $6,654.26. The work of this section consisted of 569 cu. yds. of earth excavation, the construction of 130 linear feet of old curbing and furnishing 219 feet of new curbing. 1466 tons of broken stone were used in stoning the street, with 10,600 gallons of bituminous building material. The repairing of the sidewalk in back of the reset curbing added $470.10, making a total of $9,281.99.
Two hundred eighty-four and six-tenths tons of different grades of stone have been used in patching about town this year; and approxi- mately five hundred eighty-nine and seventy-five hundredths tons of stone dust have been hauled and spread on sidewalks.
SIDEWALKS:
In accordance with the general custom, the Board of Public Works advertised in the Reading Chronicle that the Highway Department would construct sidewalks during the latter part of the year, half the cost to be paid by the abutters. This work was let out by contract, and one thousand and eighteen sq. yds. were laid in different sections about town. There being no sidewalk in front of the Co-op Bank, the Board obtained the right from the bank property to move out their curbing to a suitable distance, giving space for a proper sidewalk. This work was accomplished and a granolithic walk was laid.
CURBING :
Curb-stone has been laid in five places about town, namely: Summer Avenue, near the junction of Woburn Street, along the Unitarian Church property; in front of Mr. Sweetser's property on Woburn Street; Vine Street, from Mineral Street to Middlesex Avenue Extension; Chute Street, junction of Woburn in front of the Episcopal Church, and High Street along Mr. Green's property.
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