USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1935 > Part 10
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Total $ 54,374.25
Total $ 54,374.25
$ 48,881.52
Total from Consumers
$ 48,881.52
Total from Municipal Depts. ... $ 1,600.00 $ 1,600.00
WATER DEPARTMENT
Rainfall at Pumping Station
Month
Normal Rain-
fall-Inches
Rainfall in 1935-Inches
Excess or Deficiency 1935
January
3.34
6.13
+2.79
February
3.33
3.23
. . 10
March
3.68
1.06
-2.62
April
4.02
4.72
+ .70
May
2.93
1.44
-- 1.49
June
3.60
6.21
+2.61
July
3.29
2.67
- . 62
August
3.38
1.98
-1.40
September
3.73
4.03
+ .30
October
2.94
.58
-2.36
November
3.19
4.36
+1.17
December
3.34
.90
-2.44
Totals
40.77
37.31
-3.46
Rainfall
The average rainfall for Massachusetts as deduced by the State Department of Public Health from long continued observation, in various parts of the State, is 44.54 inches
As may been seen by a table in this report showing the amount of rainfall for the years 1900-1935 inclusive, the average rainfall at the Reading Pumping Station No. 1 on Mill Street is 40.77 inches.
The rainfall this past year was a deficiency of 7.23 inches com- pared with the state observations and a deficiency of 3.46 inches com- pared with the Pumping Station observations.
There was an excess of rainfall in the months of January, April, June, September, and November of 7.57 inches; and a deficiency in the months of February, March, May, July, August, October, and De- cember of 11.03 inches; compared each month with an average rainfall between the years of 1900-1935 inclusive.
The greatest rainfall in 1935 for any month was in June, with a fall of 6.21 inches; in any one day, Wednesday, January 9, with a fall of 3.00 inches. The elevation of the Hundred Acre Meadow Pumping Station is approximately 80 feet above sea level.
123
YEARLY RECORD OF HUNDRED ACRE MEADOW PUMPING STATION January 1, 1935 to January 1, 1936
Month
No. Days
No. Hrs.
No. Min.
Gallons Pumped Venturi Meter
Total Power
Gal. Per Head K. H. W. K. H. W.
Rain- fall
Fuel Oil
Daily Aver. Gals. Pumped
January
31
507
50
19,977,300
227
25,700
777.33
6.13
495
644,429
February
28
474
15
19,257,100
227
24,375
790.03
3.23
290
687,753
March
31
480
45
20,475,300
227
24,750
827.28
1.06
175
660,494
April
30
365
30
20,393,100
227
20,375
1000.88
4.72
200
679,770
May
31
417
45
20,955,900
227
23,725
883.28
1.44
675,997
June
30
389
30
19,446,800
227
22,350
870.10
6.21
. ...
648,226
July
31
513
30
24,571,100
227
29,300
838.60
2.67
792,616
August
31
541
30
24,653,000
227
30,400
810.95
1.98
795,258
September
30
409
00
19,334,700
227
22,675
852.68
4.03
...
644,490
October
31
431
45
20,365,300
227
23,850
853.89
.58
250
656,945
November
30
394
30
18,759,300
227
21,850
858.54
4.36
.
625,310
December
31
405
00
19,886,500
227
22,450
885.81
.90
44.5
641,500
Totals
365
5,330
50
248,075,400
227
291,800
850.15
37.31
1,855
679,399
.
.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
For Year Ending December 31, 1935 Reading Water Department Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
General Statistics
Population by census of 1935 : 10,703.
Date of Construction : 1890, Mill Street; 1931 Grove Street.
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 Machine Co., George F. Blake Mfg. Co, Platt Iron Works, DeLaval Steam Turbine Co. Electric Pumps at Grove Street Station
Description of Pumps :
(A) Pumping Unit No. 1-2-Stage 5/4 DeLaval 75 H. P. 1750 R. P. M. 3 phase, 60 cycle, 440 volt, 650 G. P. M.
(B) Pumping Unit No. 2-2 Stage 8/6 DeLaval 125 H. P. 1750 R. P. M. 3 phase 60 cycle, 440 volt, 1000 G. P. M.
K. W. H. used for year : 291,800.
Power Cost for year : $5,311.02.
Total Pumpage by Venturi Meter : 248,075,400 gallons.
Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons, power only : $21.41.
Average number of gallons pumped per K. W. H .: 850.15.
Cost of Pumping figured on Total Pumping Station No. 2 Expenses, per Million gallons pumped : $28.62.
Total Cost of Supplying water, per Million gallons, figured on Total maintenance, plus Interest on Bonds : $90.58.
Average Static Head against which pumps work: 227.
Average Dynamic Head against which pumps work: 258.
Statistics Relating to Distribution Mains
Kind of Pipe: Cast Iron, Galvanized Iron.
Sizes : 11/4 inches to 12 inches.
Extended : 7893 feet of 6" Cast Iron Main; 463 feet of 11/4" Galv. Iron Main.
Total in use at present : 45.82 Miles (6" to 12")
Cost of Maintenance per Mile : $12.03.
Number of Hydrants added during year: 13.
Number of Hydrants in use (Public and Private) : 287.
Number of Stop Gates added during year: 30.
Number of Stop Gates now in use: 722.
Number of Stop Gates smaller than 4": 148.
125
Number of Blow-Offs added during year: 2. Number of Blow-Offs now in use : 29.
Range of Pressure on Mains : 45-90 1bs.
Statistics Relating to Suction Mains
Kind of Pipe : Cast Iron.
Sizes of Pipe : 16", 12", 10", 8".
Total number feet in use : 116 feet 16"; 1270 feet of 12"; 940 feet of 10"; 1995 feet of 8".
Gates on Suction Mains : 1-16"; 4-12"; 2-8"; 78-21/2" Gates.
Wells in use : Line A-16 wells; Line B-17 wells; Line C-11 wells ; Line D-12 wells; Line E-9 wells; Line F-13 wells. Total 78 wells.
Statistics Relating to Services
Services : Kinds of Pipe: Cast Iron, Galvanized Iron, Lead Lined, Cement Lined, and Copper Tubing.
Sizes : 34" to 6".
Extended : 2,771.20 feet.
Total in use : 38.46 miles.
Number of active service taps added during year : 41.
Number of service taps in use : 2629.
Average length of services: 1935: 60.24 feet.
Average cost of service to owners: 1935: $12.73.
Number of water meters repaired: 397.
Number of Water meters added: 32.
Number of water meters junked : 3.
Number of water meters now in use: 2823.
WATER BONDS AND INTEREST
There were $13,000.00 in bonds payable in 1935.
The interest on serial bonds for the year 1935 amounted to $2,580.00. There are $15,000.00 in bonds and $3,180.00 interest due in 1936 as
follows :
Payable
Interest
Bonds
Mar. 15, 1936
$ 140.00
Apr. 15, 1936
437.50
$ 5,000.00
Apr. 15, 1936
420.00
June 1, 1936
777.50
4,000.00
Sept. 15, 1936
140.00
1,000.00
Oct. 15, 1936
350.00
Oct. 15, 1936
420.00
5,000.00
Dec. 1, 1936
495.00
$ 3,180.00
$ 15,000.00
126
COMPARATIVE TOTAL PUMPAGE DURING THE PAST TEN YEARS-1925 to 1935 INCLUSIVE
Year
Annual
Pumpage
(Gallons)
Increase
or
Decrease
(Gallons)
Average Daily
Pumpage Gallons
Increase or
Decrease (Gallons)
Cost per Million Gal.
Pumped Figured on
Total Main. and Int.
Estimated
Population
1926
116,481,586
3,630,601 Dec.
319,127
9,947 Dec.
$212.90
8796
1927
119,057,792
2,576,224 Inc.
326,185
7,058 Inc.
212.37
8796
1928
131,714,708
12,656,916 Inc.
359,876
33,691 Inc.
237.31
8796
1929
139,983,143
8,268,435 Inc.
383,515
23,639 Inc.
213.75
8796
1930
147,186,973
7,203,830 Inc.
403,257
19,742 Inc.
494.92
9747
1931
144,923,924
2,263,049 Dec.
397,051
6,206 Dec.
211.95
9747
1932
161,609,500
16,685,576 Inc.
441,423
44,372 Inc.
120.73
9747
1933
171,847,300
10,237,800 Inc.
470,389
28,966 Inc.
113.22
9747
1934
221,260,400
49,413,100 Inc.
606,192
135,803 Inc.
115.05
9767
1935
248,075,400
26,815,000 Inc.
679,658
73,465 Inc.
90.58 10703
WATER DEPARTMENT
1935 Main Water Pipe Extension
Street
16"
12"
10"
8"
6"
11/4"
1"
Total
Howard St.
1050.0
1,050.0
County Rd.
1888.6
427.0
2,315.6
Chapin Ave.
35.5
35.5
Colburn Rd.
1527.0
1,527.0
Palmer Hill Ave. .
215.3
215.3
Longview Rd .... . .
142.3
142.3
Lowell St.
300.0
300.0
Pine Ridge Rd. ..
720.5
720.5
Summer Ave.
255.0
255.0
Vine St.
354.5
354.5
Bond St.
215.0
215.0
Lee Street
312.4
312.4
Hunt St.
318.0
318.0
Bancroft Ave.
594.5
594.5
Totals
7,893.1
462.5
8,355.6
on Bonds
127
WATER DEPARTMENT
There were substantial increases made in the water main distribut- ing system during 1935, E. R. A. and W. P. A. projects being respon- sible for the majority of the installations.
Early in January, construction was begun on a 6" Main from West Street up Howard Street to County Road, thence northerly on County Road to the property of William Roberts. Working conditions were not good, due to cold, snow, and rainy weather, and stumps, boulders, etc. were encountered. The extension on County Road was put in under a 4 % Guarantee, and seven house services were connected to it. Four fire hydrants were also installed, one on Howard Street and three on County Road, for fire protection.
A 6" Main was also installed on Colburn Road, under a 4% Guaran- tee, using E. R. A. labor. An extremely hard ledge impeded construc- tion at one point, and large boulders and stumps were present in quan- tities. Two fire hydrants were set on Colburn Road, and nine house services connected to the new main. On both County and Colburn Roads, the residents had for the past several years requested that water mains be laid, but due to lack of funds and labor and the fact these roads were not accepted as public ways, the installations had not been made.
Four other 6" and one 11/4" water main extensions were made under the provision of the 4% guarantee on Palmer Hill Ave., Longview Road, Pine Ridge Road, Lowell Street, and Chapin Ave. The Town is guaranteed, by the owners of property served by these mains a revenue of 4%, payable semi-annually, of the original cost of construction of said mains.
The construction on Palmer Hill Ave. and Longview Road served two new houses and also eliminated two dead ends. On Pine Ridge Road three houses were connected, and on Lowell Street and Chapin Ave. one house on each main was connected. The construction of these mains was accomplished solely with regular Water Dept. em- ployees.
The policy inaugurated several years ago of eliminating "dead end" water mains i. e .; mains in which water could not circulate, was continued in 1935 'by a means of a W. P. A. Project for elimination of dead end mains. By means of this project, 6" mains were laid on Vine Street and Summer Ave. Six inch mains also laid on Bond, Lee, and Hunt Streets, replacing inadequate present 11/4 " mains. The house services in the aforesaid locations were tapped on the new 6" mains, and fire hydrants set on mains as needed.
A six inch main was also laid on Bancroft Ave., from Tower Road to Birch Meadow Playground, for the purpose of supplying the wading pool and hockey rink with water. A fire hydrant was set at the cor-
128
ner of Hartshorn Street. W. P. A. labor was used on this project.
On all W. P. A. water works projects, the work was carefully sup- ervised at all times by regular Water Department employees, and the actual work of laying pipe, caulking joints, tapping mains, and setting gates and hydrants was accomplished by said regular employees. Ade- quate water supply mains are an indispensable adjunct to the com- munity, and furnish a practical use for relief labor.
Two new blow-offs were installed on Dead Ends, one on Long- view Road, and one on Colburn Road.
Hydrants and blow-offs have been systematically flushed in an effort to clear the mains and keep the number of complaints of poor water at a minimum.
The regular annual inspection of fire hydrants was made, and after a few minor repairs, are now in first-class condition. Repairs, such as digging drips, greasing, packing, straightening bent rods, run- ning threads, painting new hydrants, etc. were accomplished in Octo- ber. Tables appendant to this report include lists of new hydrants set in 1935, hydrants moved or raised, and hydrants repaired. Three hydrants were struck by automobiles and broken, at the following 1c- cations : Main Street, corner Salem Street; Center Avenue, near No. 13, and Main Street, near No. 306. In the first two named, the owners of the cars involved were billed for the amount of damage done; the last mentioned hydrant was hit by a hit-and-run driver whose identity remains unknown.
Forty-six new house service taps were made during the year, to- taling 2771.20 feet, or an average length of 60.24 feet per service. Of these 46 new taps, five were replacements for services already in use. All service taps on Howard Street, Vine Street, Bond Street, Lee Street, Hunt Street and Bancroft Avenue were changed from the old 11/4' mains to the new 6" mains, and the 11/4" mains on these streets were discontinued.
The building increases in Reading in 1935, which necessitated the majority of these new services, were due to three new land develop- ments, which apparently will continue in 1936. A total of 105 house services were repaired during the year, 63 new cellar shut-offs were installed, and on 61 services it was necessary to repair the service pipes through the cellar walls. A steady increase in service pipe maintenance work is noted each year, as the services laid years ago deteriorate.
Meter maintenance for 1935 included 338 meters removed for tests, stoppage, or replacements. Of these 279 have been repaired, tested and reset, 59 meters from services shut off have been repaired and are wait- ing to be reset when the services are turned on again, 43 new meters have been set, and 3 old meters junked. Twenty-eight of the new me- ters set were on new services, fifteen were replacements for old meters Twenty-four meters were frozen during the year. In October, an ex-
129
ammation of meter boxes was made and, where necessary, were felted in préparation for cold weather to prevent freezing. A new brick meter box was installed at 299 Lowell Street.
As may be noted by a table in this report showing Rainfall for 1935, there was a deficiency from the normal of 3.46 inches. Due in part to the dry weather, a total pumpage of 248,075,400 gallons of water was recorded at Hundred Acre Pumping Station, an increase of 26,815,000 gallons over the record pumpage of 1934. Complaints of bad water increased tremendously over those of previous years. The Reading Chronicle, in an effort to ascertain the sentiment of the townspeople in regard to constructing a filtration plant, published in the Chronicle blank forms for the purpose of allowing those interested to register personal protests on the condition of the Town's water supply, and to request that steps be taken to rectify the objectionable condition. A total of 112 of these protests were returned by the citizens, and turned over to the Board of Public Works by the Reading Chronicle.
Weston & Sampson, Consulting Engineers, were retained by the Board of Public Works to investigate the condition of the water supply with a view to its improvement, and after a series of tests of the water at various points in the system, determining the amount of dissolved gases, iron and manganese present, made the following recommenda- tion : "We recommend the construction of an Aeration and Filtration Plant as soon as it can be authorized and financed. We recommend also the examination of the well system to determine whether tempor- ary relief may be gained by eliminating those wells yielding water of higher iron content."
At the annual Town Meeting, in March, 1935, an article was in- serted in the warrant pertaining to the installation of an Aeration and Filtration Plant. The Finance Committee, however, recommended that action on subject matter of this article be postponed until such time as more definite information as to necessity and actual cost was ob- tamed.
Following is quoted the summary from Weston & Sampson's com- plete report on the improvement of the Town's Water Supply :
"The present supply of Reading is abundant and will be entirely wcisfactory if aerated and filtered to remove its objectionable iron and reduce corrosion.
"The treated water will be of excellent quality and far less costly than the Metropolitan water, the use of which would add about $192 a inillion gallons to the other costs of maintenance.
"A supply from the enlarged Wilmington Works would possess no advantage. It is doubtful if the source has a capacity great enough to supply both Reading and Wilmington, and it is predicted that if so used the greater draft would cause the small amount of iron now found in the water to increase and require removal, as at Reading.
130
"The cost of a deferrization plant consisting of pumps, aerators, filters and appurtenances is estimated at $65,000 and the annual cost of operation at $1490. The additional cost of water, including fixed charges and operation, is estimated at $26.97 a million gallons, or less than $6,000 a year on the basis of present consumption. After twenty years, when the bonds will have been retired, the additional cost of water will be less than $6.73 a million gallons as estimated on the basis of the consumption in 1934.
"If, to the present cost of water in Reading, namely $115.05 per million gallons including interest on bonds, there be added $26.97 for deferrization, the cost of water would be brought to $142.02 which is the lowest cost of supplying a water of high grade to the Town of Read- ing."
At a special Town Meeting, held May 1, 1935, the Board was au- thorized by vote of the citizens to present an application to the State Advisory Board, Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, for a loan to finance the construction of an Aeration and Filtration Plant and the necessary appurtenances thereto, amounting to the sum of $65,000.00.
This application for a Federal grant was filed at once, but no ac- tion was taken on it for some time by the Federal authorities. Mean- while, working conditions at Hundred Acre Meadow were excellent, as, due to the lack of rain, the ground water level was very low. There- fore, after due consideration, the Board advertised for bids on the con- struction of a Filtration Plant, without recourse to the requested Fed- eral grant.
After having received a number of sealed bids, but before the date on which they were to be opened, on August 13, notification was re- ceived from the Federal Emergency Administrator of Public Works that the Town's request for a Federal grant had been approved, and that the Federal government would grant 45% of the estimated cost of the project .
This necessitated the calling of another special Town Meeting, at which the original motion was rescinded and a new motion authorizing the Board to accept the Government's offer and reappropriating cer- tain funds was passed.
The project was then re-advertised under P. W. A. rules and regu- lations, and contracts were awarded to the Tuller Construction Co. of Red Bank, N. J., for the general construction of the Deferrization Plant, and to Rideout, Chandler & Joyce of Boston for the Pumping Equipment.
The Tuller Construction Co. started work on October 25, 1935, and are progressing satisfactorily, and on schedule. At the time of this report, the cement work underground has practically been completed. It is expected the plant will be in operation in the Spring of 1936.
131
Weather conditions have been excellent considering the season of year, and ground water was low enough to not materially affect the excavation and concrete work.
It is confidently expected that with the completion of the Filtration Plant and the cleaning and flushing of the entire water supply system, that the quality of water supplied will be excellent
The driven wells were again cleaned and flushed, in accordance with the policy adopted in 1934 of yearly cleaning and general care. Tests were also made of each well to determine the iron content, as recommended by Weston & Sampson in their report.
The Mill Street Pumping Station has been held in readiness for possible emergency use through the year, but it has not been necessary to use this station during the year. Minor repairs have been made from time to time on the buildings, and also the pumping equipment. The chlorine tank and compensator were also repaired.
A W. P. A. project for making cement blocks is in operation at the Mill Street Station, in the coal bin. A radiator has been placed in the bin room to supply heat for curing the blocks.
The old Chevrolet water department truck has been replaced with a new Dodge truck, and the old Chevrolet turned over to the Board of Selectmen for use on W. P. A. projects.
I recommend the installation of a 12" water main under Ash Street connecting with the Bear Hill standpipe. A W. P. A. project has been filed to cover this work but to date has not been returned. Work should be started as soon as the project is returned.
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:
1. Highway Maintenance and Construction
$ 25,000.00 10,000.00
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains 500.00
4. Sidewalk Construction
2,000.00
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage
2,500.00
6. Construction of Colburn Road 1,781.86
7. Construction of Winthrop Avenue 301.75
8. Appropriation for new Equipment . .
4,500.00
$ 46,583.61
132
Unexpended Balances from Previous Appropriation :
9. Construction of County Road $ 71.29
10. Construction of Chapin Avenue 841.03
912.32
Insurance Refund to Highway Department
25.29
Appropriation Special Town Meeting 12/31/35 Snow and Ice Account 2,000.00
$ 49,521.22
Expenditures and Balances of above Appropriations :
1. Appro. for Main. and Const.
$ 25,000.00
Insurance Refund
25.29
$ 25,025.29
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 12,945.24
General Repairs 2,592.47
Road Material
2,372.58
Misc. Supp. and Tools
7,114.94
Total
$ 25,025.23
Balance Unexpended
$ .06
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
$ 10,000.00
Special Appropriation 12/31/35
2,000.00
$ 12,000.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 6,276.44
Sidewalk Plowing
1,248.28
Repairs, Equip. and Supplies
4,424.26
Total
$ 11,948.98
Balance Unexpended
$ 51.02
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains
$ 500.00
Pay Roll $ 408.62
56.90
Total
$ 465.52
Balance Unexpended
$ 34.48
Supplies
133
4. Sidewalk Construction
$ 2,000.00 Pay Roll
$ 1,163.73
Supplies and Misc.
822.85
Total
$ 1,986.58
Balance Unexpended $ 13.42
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage
$ 2,500.00
Pay Roll
$ 878.07
Supplies
1,603.01
Total
$ 2,481.08
Balance Unexpended
$ 18.92
6. Construction of Colburn Road
$ 1,781.86
Pay Roll $ 185.53
Supplies
269.21
Total
$ 454.74
Balance Unexpended
$ 1,327.12
7. Construction of Winthrop Avenue
$ 301.75
Pay Roll $ 264.81
Supplies
19.00
Total
$ 283.81
Balance Unexpended
$ 17.94
8. Appropriation for new Equipment Expended :
$ 4,500.00
New Equipment
$ 4,500.00
$ .00
9. Construction of County Road
$ 71.29
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 1.90
Total
$ 1.90
Balance Unexpended
$ 69.39
134
10. Construction of Chapin Avenue
Expended : Pay Roll
$ 158.96
Supplies
374.84
Total
$
533.80
Balance Unexpended
$
307.23
TOTALS
Appropriation and
Item
Transfers
Expended
Balances
Bal. Fwd.
1
$ 25,025.29
$ 25,025.23
$ .06
2
12,000.00
11,948.98
51.02
3
500.00
465.52
34.48
4
2,000.00
1,986.58
13.42
5
2,500.00
2,481.08
18.92
18.92
6
1,781.86
454.74
1.327.12
1,327.12
7
301.75
283.81
17.94
17.94
8
4,500.00
4,500.00
.00
9
71.29
1.90
69.39
69.39
10
841.03
533.80
307.23
307.23
EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENTS ON E. R. A. - W. P A. PROJECTS IN 1935
Department
Labor
Material
Totals
Also Hired Equip.
Board of Public Works
$ 1,000.00
$ 104.13
$ 1,104.13
Water Department
1,771.65
6,743.83
8,515 48
Sewer Department
35.87
153.02
188.89
Highway Department
6,416.87
3,387.24
9,804.11
Park Department
263.86
944.97
1,208.83
Drainage Account
476.35
622.32
1,098.67
Unlisted Projects
15.45
15.45
Grand Total
$ 9,964.60 $ 11,970.96
$ 21,935.56
135
$ 841.03
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Regular routine work of this department has been carried on dur- ing the year, although greatly handicapped by the necessity of con- tinually using the department equipment on E. R. A. and W. P. A. pro- jects.
E. R. A. and W. P. A. projects have been instrumental in permanent improvement on several roads, notably Franklin Street, Grove Street and Colburn Road.
Storm water drainage construction has been curtailed, owing to lack of funds and other causes. Open ditch work has been carried on by means of an E. R. A. project.
A brief resume of the work accomplished by the Highway Depart- intent follows :
Snow and Ice Removal
Snow and ice removal started on January 1, and continued through- out the season. Snow plowing equipment, which consisted of two 31/2 ton trucks, one 21% ton truck, two 11% ton trucks, two 212 ton tractors, and the wooden sidewalk plows, all of which had been overhauled the previous fall, were able to combat successfully all storms until the rec- cord blizzard of January 23-24, an account of which follows :
Accompanied by a bitter, driving wind of gale velocity, the snow- storm began Wednesday afternoon, January 23. At four o'clock an inch of snow had fallen, with prospects of an all night storm ahead, and the Highway Department employees were instructed to commence plowing at 6:00 p. m., at which time two inches of snow was recorded.
The plows covered their regular routes once which included every street in Town, and then started over them again. By midnight the streets previously plowed had drifted full of snow, and the storm had developed into a blizzard. At this time the heavy plowing began to tell on our equipment.
The 31/2 ton Diamond T truck was the first to go, the transmission giving away. The truck was towed to the Highway Barn and repairs started. However, it was 4:00 A. M. Friday before it again took the road, and at 6:00 A. M. Friday the transmission again broke down. When the truck was again repaired, it started plowing at 8:00 P. M. Thursday, and at 4:00 A. M., Saturday, the worm and rings gears in the rear end broke. At 6:00 P. M. Sunday, it again took the road, only to break a connecting rod at 6:00 A. M. Monday, January 28. These four breakdowns on one of our two largest truck-plows seriously handicapped the work of snow removal
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