USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1932 > Part 15
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A table is included in this report showing the amount expended by the Board of Public Welfare to relieve unemployment under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works, with a list of the work accomplished under the supervision of the employees in the various Town Departments.
Amount of Work Done By Men Paid By Welfare Dept. and Soldier's Relief Under The Direction of The Board of Public Works
Amount of Payrolls
Welfare Soldier's Relief Total
January
$
928.60
$ 923.60
February
1,349.80
$ 148.20
1,498.00
March
1,994.40
288.00
2,282.40
April
2,027.40
353.80
2,381.20
May
1,650.40
292.80
1,943.2)
June
2,033.40
229.40
2,262.80
July
2,872.00
317.40
3,189.40
August
2,030.15
304.40
2,334.55
September
1,819.65
261.00
2,080.65
October
1,646.25
311.80
1,958.05
November
1,362.60
331.20
1,63.8)
December
588.10
360.90
949.0 )
Totals
$ 20,302.75 $ 3,198.90
$ 23,501.65
176
Distribution of Above Payrolls:
Highway Department
Drainage Const.
$ 1,747.00
Street Maintenance
3,586.85
Gutters
901.60
Cutting Brush
644.57
Gravel Pit
372.15
Curbing
35.95
Cleaning Dumps
375.08
Cleaning Ditches
760.38
Const. Gravel Sidewalks
1,259.45
Cleaning Catch Basins
111.12
Equip. Repairs
45.55
Total Highway
$
9,839.70
Water and Sewer Depts.
New Wells
$ 1,260.08
Main and Service Pipes
3,580.35
Repairs Leaks Main Sewer
397.11
Total Water and Sewer
$
5,237.54
Park Department
Memorial Park
$ 7,475.83
Birch Meadow
948.58
Total Parks $ 8,424.41
$ 23,501.65
PARK DEPARTMENT
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Park Department :
General Appropriation Expended :
$ 4,000.00
Memorial Park $ 2,903.25
Supervised Play
784.86
Common and Main St. Parks
126.00
Leach Park
14.50
Ball Park
169.48
Total Expenditures :
$ 3,998.09
Balance Unexpended
$ 1.91
177
Birch Meadow
Appropriation :
$ 100.00
Expended :
84.53
Balance Unexpended
$ 15.47
PARKS
Memorial Park
A large portion of Memorial Park has been unsuitable for play- ground purposes due to poor drainage conditions. To remedy this condition the ditch from Charles Street to Salem Street was deep- ened three feet to improve the drainage and the sides paved with stone procured from the stone wall bordering Harrison St. The old dam, put in by the Reading Woman's Club, being inadequate to hold the head of water obtained by the new drainage system, was removed and a new dam built.
The new dam was built of reinforced concrete, 22 feet long, two feet wide on top, three feet wide at the base and nine feet in height. A twelve-inch outlet pipe and a valve near the bottom of the dam and a sluiceway connected with a fifteen inch overflow pipe at the high water level of the dam insure complete control of the water at all times allowing the pond to be drained at will. A railing of two inch iron pipe was erected on top of the dam and a safety ladder and rescue poles installed in close proximity to the dam as the water at this point is over seven feet deep. This new dam allows an area es- timated at five acres to be flooded for skating purposes, free from all obstructions. Although the open winter has not furnished much skating, the holiday season found the ice in excellent condition, and the ice thronged with skaters. Several ice hockey teams have been organized in Reading, and scheduled games played at the Park.
The hummocks and long grass in the area to be flooded were re- moved, and the entire improved section, comprising approximately seven acres, was plowed, harrowed, graded and sowed with grass seed.
The area so improved comprised roughly, that portion bounded by Charles St., Harrison St., the dam at the head of the pond, and the path from Salem St. to Charles St.
We are fortunate in the fact that Memorial Park has an abundance of fine shade trees on the West side. These trees, however, were choked by a dense growth of bushes and undergrowth, which has been removed and the shade trees pruned and trimmed, making it possible for the children to avail themselves of a delightful play spot. All of the ornamental shrubbery contained in the Park has been carefully trimmed and presents an attractive appearance.
178
All walks and foot paths in the Park area were edged and treated with sugar gravel obtained from the gravel bank located near the ten- nis courts. The roadway from Harrison St. to the dam was widened and repaired.
The edges of the tennis courts were banked and a retaining wall built to hold the edges in place. A study of the rules and regulations governing periods of play on tennis courts was made and a set adopted for the four courts in Reading parks. These four courts (two at Memorial Park and two at Birch Meadow Playground) were in con- stant demand the entire season.
General repairs to the building such as partial shingling of the roof, nailing on of loose boards, repairing window frames and sashes, etc., were made by carpenters receiving work under the employment program. The entire building was then given a coat of oil stain. Several concrete steps were built leading to the drinking fountain.
As may be observed in the preceding paragraphs, Memorial Park furnished the unemployed with an opportunity to earn the sums paid to them by the Welfare Department, at the same time performing work beneficial to the Town in the development of an easily accessible recre- ation center.
The new concrete dam was constructed in such a manner that ex- tensions can be made to either end, and I would recommend that these extensions be made when conditions permit, to further increase the skating area.
The Reading Woman's Club were in direct supervision of the sum- mer activities at the Park. Due to the personal care given to this work by their committee, a successful season was recorded, and the Board of Public Works wishes to express its appreciation of their untiring efforts.
Birch Meadow
With a view to reclaiming some of the swamp land in Birch Meadow for playground purposes, a survey of the drainage ditches was made with the result that 3,200 feet of ditches were deepened, widened and made into an efficient drainage system.
Large crews of unemployed were used to clear brush from other areas which will in time be developed. The knolls lying northeast of the tennis courts, which are heavily wooded and thickly covered with underbrush, were thoroughly trimmed out and the brush removed. These knolls constitute some of the most scenic features of Birch Meadow, and were used extensively by picnic parties during the warm weather.
The tennis courts at Birch Meadow were in constant demand and I would recommend that more courts be built from time to time as funds are available. A skating area should also be developed to ac- commodate residents in this section of town.
179
Leach Park
Leach Park was kept mow x1, trees and shrubs were trimmed, and low places were filled with loam and graded to present a smooth sur- face, preserving its attractive appearance.
Washington St. Ball Park
Washington St. Playground was kept in good condition and was used extensively by baseball and football teams in season. Employees of the Park Department erected the bleachers whenever necessary, and applied two coats of paint to same.
Reading Common
After the new construction in Reading Square was completed, it was decided to beautify the commons. Sidewalks were built of gravel and covered with stone dust surrounding the small common containing the Reading sign, and the center dug up, loamed, graded and edged with sod, and will be seeded in the Spring. A concrete walk was built from each side of the common to the drinking fountain, and the drinking fountain painted red and white to correspond with the new hydrant color.
The other three commons were carefully inspected, loam applied where necessary and lined or edged with sod. Stone dust sidewalks were also installed where required. All shrubs on the common were trimmed and the shrub beds edged. All of this work was done to a great extent by unemployed labor.
REPORT OF THE READING PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
To the Board of Public Works :
The fourteenth season of the Reading Playground opened July the fifth at two o'clock.
Mrs. Mollie Sweetser brought greetings from the Woman's Club. Ice cream was served free to about 500 children.
The season was a most successful and happy one. Miss Louise D. Briggs a graduate of the Leslie Normal School was supervisor. She was assisted by a group of able instructors.
A custodian of buildings and properties was appointed this year. This proved very worth while, inasmuch as no equipment was lost or de- stroyed.
The interest among our young people in the various playground activities is growing. More children are using the grounds and less children are found playing in the streets. Many of them are using their leisure time to advantage as may been seen by the numerous articles exhibited on "Parent's Day". The average daily attendance is about two hundred.
180
The committee sincerely appreciate the courtesy of the manage- ment of the Reading Theatre in allowing the free use of their build- ing for the "Safety Day Program". (About 700 children attended.)
The committee received from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Whitaker a much needed piano, for this we are grateful.
The Playground Committee willingly cooperated with the Board of Public Works in the conservation of funds. They took a 25 per cent reduction, and salaries were cut accordingly.
The committee deeply appreciates the kind helpfulness of the Board of Public Works, its superintendent, Mr. Birnie, and his men.
To the Taxpayers of Reading, we extend our appreciation for their willing support of the Memorial Park Playground.
MRS. AGNES MERCER
MRS. HELEN NICHOLS MRS. IRENE TALBOT
MRS. LAURA S. GORDON. Chairman
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The Playground Committee would recommend that the sum of eight hundred dollars ($800.00) be appropriated by the Town of Reading for the work assigned to it.
I would suggest that the sum be not definitely divided for salaries and expenses.
LAURA S. GORDON, Chairman
SEWER DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Sewer Department : Construction and Maintenance :
Balance Brought Forward
Receipts
$ 9,032.74 9,169.73
Total
$ 18,202.47
Expended :
Construction
$ 1,084.99
Maintenance
14,404.14
Total
$ 15,489.13
Balance
$ 2,713.34
181
House Connection Account :
Appropriation
$ 3,000.00
Expended :
320.63
Balance
$ 2,679.37
There were no main sewer extensions made in 1932, due no doubt to the lack of building construction brought about by the depression. Although the sewer rates were substantially reduced there was a decrease of 37 per cent in the number of house service connections made in 1932 as compared with 1931, thirteen house connections hav- ing been made totaling 581.8 feet.
Several house sewers became plugged during the year and were immediately cleared by the Sewer Department. The annual inspection of sewer man-holes and trunk lines was made and a systematic pro- cess of cleaning and flushing has been carried on in the following streets : Wilson St., Salem St., Woburn St., Wenda St., Minot St., Prescott St., Green St., Lowell St., Sanborn St., Haven St., and War- ren Avenue. The man-hole frame and cover on Pleasant St., near Hunt's Nipple Factory was raised even with the surface of the road- way; also one manhole on Brook St. was raised to the level of the roadway.
Complaints having been received from the Metropolitan District Commission, Sewerage Division, to the effect that there were ap- parently many bad leaks in the Reading main trunk sewers, a thorough inspection was made by means of mirrors and powerful search lights of the interior of all trunk sewers, and in this manner a large number of leaks were discovered.
The most serious of these leaks were in the Eaton St. trunk sewer, where it was found that ground water from the underdrain and swamp lands was entering the sewer through poor construction which was left when the sewer was orignally laid. As the sewer in this section of Eaton St. is laid through low, swampy land, it was deemed ad- visable to relay approximately three hundred feet of the trunk sewer. This was done, using sixteen inch cast iron pipe calked with lead, in- suring a water-tight installation. Another bad leak on Eaton St. was also stopped by excavating at the leak, and patching the open joints with cement.
Although a large amount of ground water was thus excluded from the sewer it was felt that many large leaks remained. This presentiment was justified on receipt of a communication from the Metropolitan District Commission Sewerage Division on October 22, (following the three days of heavy rain storm during which 5.42 inches of rainfall were recorded), containing the record of the pumpage at the Reading Sewage Pumping Station for the storm period as follows :
182
Day
Date
Rainfall
Gals. Pumped
Monday
Oct. 17
None
625,000
Tuesday
Oct. 18
.34
1,040,000
Wednesday
Oct. 19
3.85
2,420,000
Thursday
Oct. 20
1.23
3,333,000
Pumpage during dry season, as low as
350,000 gals. per day
Maximum capacity of Met. Sewer, Read. Div. . 4,000,000 gals. per day
As can be readily seen by an examination of the above table, the enormous increase of pumpage is caused solely by the entrance in the main sewer of ground water, causing an alarming condition inasmuch as the maximum capacity of the Metropolitan Sewer was very nearly reached on October 20, and large portions of Reading are still unconnected with the sewer.
After a careful study, it was determined that the worst leaks were in that section between John St. and the drop-in man-hole on Brook St. An experienced sewer worker from Boston was em- ployed to make a thorough examination of conditions and locate leaks in the above mentioned section. Entering the sewer at the drop-in man-hole on Brook St. this man crawled through the 24 inch trunk sewer equipped with a powerful searchlight and by means of a line attached to his foot, when he discovered leaks he communicated with another man stationed in the bottom of the man-hole where the sewer worker entered, and by the means of the line attached to the foot of the man crawling through the sewer a knot was tied on the line. The sewer worker on reaching the next man-hole came up for air. The line was then laid on the ground and showed exactly where to dig for the leaks. In this manner we will be able to repair all of these leaks. The length of the main trunk sewer where this sewer worker crawled through was from the man-hole at station 5 x 18.4 Brook St. to the man-hole at station 27 x 32.0 John St., a distance of 3,045 feet.
The worst of the leaks thus found were on Brook St. These were at once excavated, and stopped by means of a water-proof coating of cement around the joint. Practically all leaks were found to have been caused by defective joints, made at the time the sewer was ori- ginally laid. As the sewer is twelve feet deep at this point and seven feet below the ground water level, surrounded by swamps, it was neces- sary to crib the excavation with matched planks made water tight by calking, and five gasoline pumps were required to keep the water down below the level of the sewer.
Many leaks have now been stopped and the Sewer Department are continuing their work, augmented by a crew of unemployed work- ers. A rubber suit adapted for sewer work has been purchased and a member of the Sewer Department trained to enter the sewer for fur- ther investigations. This work will of necessity be carried on over
183
STREETS
Streets
Possible Con- nected
Completed Con- nections
Per Cent Con- nected
No Con- struction Started
Connected to Street Line
Partially In talled to House
Revenue Charges 1932
Arlington.
11
3
27
5
2
1
$32.20
Ash.
17
9
53
8
158.48
Bancroft.
22
12
55
9
1
139.17
Berkeley .
27
16
59
11
222.15
Brook ..
1
Center.
10
7
70
3
82.96
Chute.
ยท
7
100
161.04
Dudley
10
4
40
6
47.37
Eaton.
2
2
100
12.00
Elliott.
5
2
40
3
40.19
Fremont.
4
4
100
54.37
Fulton.
1
1
100
16.80
Gardner Rd ..
10
4
40
30.79
Gould
3
3
100
36.10
Green.
53
35
56
10
3
5
430.21
Harnden
8
6
75
2
139.94
Haven
39
28
72
2
666.35
High.
14
5
35
7
2
64.33
Hillcrest Rd.
10
8
80
1
1
105.72
Howard
18
15
83
2
1
202.72
John.
16
7
42
8
1
92.02
King.
5
5
100
77.53
Kingston
15
11
73
4
106.84
Lincoln
7
4
57
3
101.14
Linden.
9
5
56
3
1
79.04
Lowell .
4
3
75
1
40.06
Main ..
44
36
82
1
5
2
1,116.68
Maple.
2
1
50
1
7.23
Middle
2
1
50
1
10.03
Middlesex Ave.
14
77
2
2
218.93
Minot .
12
8
67
2
2
82.73
Mt. Vernon.
23
8
35
15
73.44
Park Ave.
7
6
86
Parker .
7
6
86
1
70.69
Perkins Ave.
100
Pine Ave ..
1
1
100
6.00
Pleasant.
27
14
52
13
188.88
Pratt.
4
3
75
1
27.03
Prescott
53
40
75
1
6
6
449.26
Prospect
15
8
53
7
6
217.02
Sanborn
14
9
64
3
2
326.77
School.
10
4
40
6
52.55
Scotland Rd.
1
1
100
6.00
Smith Ave.
12
12
100
64.36
Summer Ave.
18
8
44
9
1
115.08
Sweetser Ave.
5
1
20
3
1
10.97
Temple.
32
9
28
17
6
254.37
Union.
5
3
60
1
1
34.03
Village
22
13
59
10
1
144.81
Warren Ave ..
17
14
82
2
2
158.14
Washington.
27
13
48
11
2
1
111.94
Wenda .
4
4
100
Wilson .
10
8
80
2
1
68.22
Woburn.
80
42
53
8
26
4
517.32
Totals.
825
510
3,719
171
90
43
$7,858.18
. .
35.94
Copeland.
7
7
143.81
114.95
Salem
18
10
56
2
.
.
41.24
18
1
50.32
1
184
LENGTH OF MAIN SEWERS IN STREETS
Streets
6 inch
8 inch
10 inch
12 inch
15 inch
18 inch
20 inch
24 inch
Total
Arlington ...
399.80
399.80
Ash. .
822.90
258.80
1,081.70
Bancroft.
1,015.00
1,015.00
Berkeley .
1,256.10
1,256.10
Brook.
847.60
847.60
Center
620.60
620.60
Copeland
500.00
Dudley.
374.50
374.50
Eaton.
279.00
279.00
Fremont
456.50
456.50
Gardner Rd.
475.00
475.00
Green.
175.20
1,717.40
821.60
2,714.20
Harnden
559.30
559.30
Haven
1,752.80
1,752.80
High.
1,338.05
736.10
2,074.15
Hillcrest.
770.80
770.80
Howard.
200.00
1,110.00
1,410.00
Interceptors
205.00
2,937.00
John.
266.00
569.60
1,014.10
King.
340.00
175.00
515.00
Kingston
719.30
719.30
Lincoln
573.40
538.10
1,111.50
Linden
735.30
735.30
Lowell .
813.10
813.10
Main .
1,246.10
234.90
2,436.50
Maple.
189.20
189.20
Middle.
313.60
313.60
Middlesex
1,111.50
1,111.50
Minot
1,409.65
1,409.65
Mt. Vernon
698.52
160.00
858.52
Park.
507.30
830.00
Parker
427.00
427.00
Perkins
400.00
400.00
Pine .
226.00
226.00
Pleasant
1,496.80
469.80
1,966.60
Pratt .
555.50
555.50
Prescott.
2,265.30
1174.10
3,439.40
Prospect
1,260.00
1,260.00
Salem.
1,004.90
132.50
1,137.40
Sanborn
716.30
716.30
School
688.25
688.25
Smith Ave. .
475.00
475.00
Summer. .
1,229.40
1,229.40
Sweetser
334.30
334.30
Temple.
896.76
432.89
661.39
1,991.04
Union .
303.60
303.60
Village .
1,015.60
487.80
1,503.40
Warren
715.00
715.00
Washington.
424.90
246.80
312.90
1574.30
2,558.90
Wenda.
300.00
471.40
333.10
804.50
Woburn.
732.80
2,915.70
917.40
4,565.90
Tot. lengths.
2744.76
36,477.82 3773.44
6164.79 2870.60
487.80
1809.20 3758.10
58,086.51
300.00
Wilson .
322.70
955.50
2732.00 178.50
907.70
907.70
Elliott
185
a period of years to its completion, and in this respect I would recom- mend that this work should be completed at the earliest possible date. It is also recommended that a complete sewer cleaning outfit be pur- chased in the near future to facilitate the thorough cleaning of trunk sewers in sections where clogging frequently occurs, as listed earlier in this report.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the executive office :
$ 6,000.00 Appropriation
Expended :
Salaries and Misc. Supplies $ 5,693.17
Total 5,693.17
Balance Unexpended $ 306.83
The following table shows the expenditures made this past year in all departments, the payroll of each, and the entire expenditures of the Board of Public Works.
B. P. W. Water Highway Sewer Park Totals
Pay Roll $ 4,807.92 $14,506.49 $28,518.08 $ 4,053.25 $ 2,136.93 $54,022.67
Bills 885.25 42,756.86 42,868.36 11.756.51 1,945.69 100,212.67
Totals $ 5,693.17 $57,263.35 $71,386.44 $15,809.76 $ 4,082.62$154,235.34
In closing this report, the Superintendent wishes to thank the members of the Board for their many helpful suggestions and kind- ness extended to him during the year, and also to express his apprecia- tion of the co-operation and interest of all those in any way associa- ted with him in carrying on the work of the Department, and to ac- knowledge the helpful suggestions and assistance which he has received from other department heads in the Town.
ALEXANDER BIRNIE
Superintendent
186
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable, the Law Committee of the Town of Reading :
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1932.
There have been many activities in my department during the past year in addition to the usual routine matters, which have been oc- casioned in part by the prevailing economic conditions resulting from the depression.
I have attended to all appeals taken before the Board of Tax Ap- peals of the Commonwealth from the decisions of the Board of As- sessors, have drafted the necessary pleadings and have effected satis- factory settlements in certain of these cases in behalf of the Board of Assessors. There are at the present time three cases pending before the Board of Tax Appeals.
The collection of certain overdue accounts have been handled by me for the Electric Light Department, Water Department and Ceme- tery Department.
Proccedings were commenced in the Superior Court in behalf of the Town for violation of the Zoning By-Law and an injunction was secured from the Court restraining the offender from further viola- tion of the Zoning Law.
During the year there have been ten Court cases, in which the Town was involved as a party, in which cases pleadings have been drafted, trials and hearings have been held, negotiations for settle- ments have been carried on, adjustments in certain cases effected, and all other professional services rendered protecting the interests of the Town. In the course of the year 1932, twelve claims for damages were made against the Town, which have been duly investigated and, in certain cases where personal injuries were involved and it seemed advisable to do so, a physical examination of the injured person was inade by a reputable physician. Six of the pending law suits and claims have been satisfactorily adjusted during the year 1932, as authorized by vote of your Committee. At the present time there are pending in the Courts against the Town, five law suits and six claims for damages, which have not been made the subject of litigation.
Numerous matters from all departments of the Town have come to my attention for action and advice. I have attended hearings of the various Town Boards and hearings before State Departments in which the Town was interested and involved, given advice and opin- ions on Town matters, drafted all documents and legal instruments, prosecuted all suits and claims brought in behalf of the Town, ap- peared in defense of all actions or suits instituted or pending against the Town and performed every professional act pertaining to the office.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL H. DAVIS Town Counsel
Thirty-eighth Annual Report
OF THE
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ended December 31 1932
188
OFFICERS OF ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER DEPARTMENT
Commissioners
HENRY R. JOHNSON, Chairman Term expires 1935
HERBERT G. EVANS, Secretary Term expires 1933 .
HARRY P. BAKER
Term expires 1934
Manager
ARTHUR G. SIAS
Office
177 Main Street, Reading, Mass.
MANAGER'S REPORT
To the Municipal Light Board :
Gentlemen :
It is a pleasure to submit herewith the annual report of the opera- tion of the Municipal Light Plant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1932.
The plant was established in 1894 at an initial cost of $50,000. In the thirty-eight years of its operation the investment has grown to over $875,000. In 1909, when I came to Reading as Manager of the plant, we served 685 customers and had a revenue of less than $30,000 for the year. At the close of business last year we had 5547 customers con- nected to our lines and operating revenue of nearly $287,000. Since 1924 the number of kilowatt hours sent out by the plant has doubled, while the number of customers has increased but 37 per cent.
This is evidence that customers are making greater use of our service and that our rates are such that they can afford to do so. The purpose of a municipal light plant is to furnish service to consumers at as near cost as possible, and this plant has always endeavored to carry out this policy.
With the exception of $81,500 in bonds outstanding and $18,678.26, which several years ago was appropriated in small amounts from the tax levy for construction purposes, the consumers have paid in their rates nearly $775,000 of the present plant cost of $875,000. Having made this investment through their monthly payments for electric service, they are entitled to every possible benefit in the form of lower rates as often as the growth of the business will permit.
189
The reduction in lighting rates since 1921 is shown below:
Year
Maximum Net Rate
1921
12.6 cents per kilowatt hour
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