USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1936 > Part 11
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c. Departmental expenditures (all departments)
d. Departmental receipts (all departments)
e. Maintenance statistics (all departments)
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14. A detailed study of sidewalk construction in Massachusetts towns in preparation for a possible P. W. A. or State Sidewalk project.
15. Compilation of Zoning laws, Police Regulations, Board of Sur- vey Regulations.
16. A study of the question of the Consolidation of Town Offices, data and experiences of other towns.
17. A survey of the burnt or dangerous buildings in Reading as also the unsightly dumps. Spot maps were made and laws in relation thereto copied.
18. A statistical table of foreclosures for non-payment of taxes and property taken by the town.
19. Child safety study with special reference to coasting in the win- ter and bicycling in the summer. By-laws as to use of sidewalks.
20. A study of bus lines in Reading-routes-time tables-rates- terminals-maps of routes.
21. Census Studies in Reading.
Business houses in Reading-opportunities for unemployed.
Vocational statistics of unemployed.
Old Age Statistics (over 60).
Statistics of organizations-social-fraternal-educational- re- ligious, etc.
Studies were made of :
Public health clinics in Reading.
A public market for Reading.
A restoration of salary cuts (town and school).
A town physician for Reading.
Where our tax dollar goes-graphs.
Street acceptance regulations.
Reading tax rate compared with other towns.
Safety program in schools.
Finance Committee reports of other towns.
Town reports other towns-methods-forms, etc.
22. Numerous maps and spot maps were made :
Spot maps of automobile accidents, 1933-34-35.
Spot maps of unsightly dumps in Reading.
Spot maps of fires in Reading.
Spot maps of new buildings.
Spot maps of fire alarm boxes (present and proposed).
Fire alarm circuits.
Bus line routes.
Zoning maps.
Tax rate map of Mass. towns.
Map of sewer system (present and proposed). Block system map.
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23. Histories of Reading :
A brief outline history, dwelling for the most part on "Ye Olden Dayes."
One volume of a large two volume history of Reading.
A number of shorter historical articles.
24. The reference file of service records of veterans of the World War has been completed.
The Civil War, Spanish-American and Revolutionary War records are now being collected.
25. The descriptive materials in a booklet "An Invitation to Read- ing" was mainly collected by this project.
The project at the present time is awaiting Federal funds from Washington and it is hoped that this project will again be in operation.
THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING REPAIR PROJECT
The Municipal Building Repair Project sponsored by the Board of Selectmen, employed during the year 1936 an average of about 18 skilled painters, carpenters, blackboard finishers and electricians. Work was done in the various Municipal Buildings as follows :
Senior High School
The gymnasium, administrative offices, teachers' rooms, chemical laboratory, physic's laboratory and storeroom, bookkeeping room and biology storeroom were painted. The Swan Treatment was applied to part of the floors. This was in the process of being done at the close of the year.
Electrical wiring throughout the building was checked and neces- sary additions were made. New system of lighting for the gymnasium was installed.
Three large flower boxes were constructed over the front entrance.
Junior High School
Several additions to the electrical wiring in the Junior High School was installed in the coal pockets and boiler room. A switch was in- stalled on the flood lighting system.
Highland School
Six class rooms were completely painted and varnished. All the Aoors in the biulding were sanded and refinished with the Swan Treat- ment. A wire fence around the playground was painted. A new oak floor was installed in one of the class rooms and in the second floor corridor.
Several new lighting circuits were installed in the basement.
Lowell Street School
Floors in the Lowell Street School were sanded and treated with Swan Treatment. New floors were laid in the first floor corridor.
Union Street School
The fence around the play area was painted.
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Prospect Street School
New floors were laid throughout this building and were finished with Swan Treatment. New entrance floor was laid.
The outside of the building was painted two coats.
Chestnut Hill School
The chain link fence around the play area was painted one coat.
Blackboards in Various Schools
The blackboards in the Highland, Lowell Street and Prospect Street Schools were refinished.
Police Station
Acoustic tile was installed on the first floor of the police station and the corridor of the basement, reducing the noise which had been the subject of complaints by people living nearby the station house.
Town Farm Building
The old wooden shingles on the main part of the building were removed and new fire-proof shingles put on.
Washington Street Playground
The wooden bleachers and the fence were given two coats of paint. Birch Meadow
The woodwork around the tennis courts was painted.
Memorial Park Building
New outlets were installed for additional lighting facilities.
The wire fence enclosing the play area and the playground equip- ment were painted two coats and miscellaneous repair work done around the building.
This project will continue in 1937.
Lowell Flood
On Thursday, March 19, 1936, the local W. P. A. office was notified that there was serious danger of flood in the city of Lowell. The Board of Selectmen immediately telegraphed the State Administrator that W. P. A. workers in Reading were organized and ready to go to the city of Lowell if necessary. At four o'clock that same afternoon, a telephone call was received by the Sponsor's Agent that the W. P. A. would like to have all available men and equipment rushed to Lowell as soon as possible. Over one hundred W. P. A. workers from Read- ing carried in Board of Public Works' trucks were rushed to Lowell, and there they worked all night, building a dyke over the railroad tracks near the New England Southern Mills. Accompanying the party was a portable lighting outfit, owned by the Lexington Fire Department and operated by Acting Chief of the Department, Capt. Roy A. Cook. Capt. Cook and his men supplied light to the dyke over the railroad tracks all night. Reading Post 62, American Legion, manned a portable field kitchen and supplied Reading W. P. A. men with hot coffee, sand- wiches and doughnuts. Supt. Welch of the Board of Public Works was in charge of building the dyke and this dyke prevented the river from
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flowing down the cut made by the Boston and Maine railroad tracks into the center of the city. On Friday, March 20th, a call again came for all available men and equipment to relieve the workers in Lowell who had been working continuously for over twenty-four hours and again the American Legion field kitchen visited all of the employees, supplying them with hot coffee and sandwiches. The river ceased to rise after midnight, and the Reading men were sent home about three o'clock. On Sunday March 22nd, the Reading men were again sent to Lowell to assist in cleaning up some of the principal thoroughfares. On all three occasions the Reading men were accompanied by members of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Works.
Planning Board Map Project
The above project started during the Civil Works Administration and continued under Emergency Relief Administration, employing an average of 15 men during the year 1936.
Under the Works Progress Administration, this map is now near completion, showing lot lines, street layouts, pipe lines and five foot contours over approximately ten square miles.
This map will be of considerable value to the town in later years as the information contained thereon can be used in figuring possible additions to traffic highways and future building developments in the town.
Forest Glen Cemetery
This project, sponsored by the Board of Cemetery Trustees, was begun November 12th, 1936. The present project calls for developing approximately two thirds of an acre on the southeast corner of the Cemetery. A steam shovel turned over the land to a depth of five and a half feet. Considerable ledge was encountered, which is in the pro- cess of being removed. It is expected that a more comprehensive pro- ject will replace the present one and it is estimated that there will be available for burial purposes, five hundred four grave lots, which at the regular price will be worth $110,000.00. Upon completion of this de- velopment, the burial requirements for the town in this cemetery will be taken care of for a period of a least fifty years.
Tree Trimming Project
The above project sponsored by the board of Selectmen and under the direct supervision of the Tree Warden, has trimmed about 80% of the shade trees along public highways.
Gypsy Moth Project
The above project is sponsored by the Board of Selectmen, under the direct supervision of Henry Donegan, Moth Supt., and employs four men, creosoting gypsy moth's nests. These men also inspected trees for elm tree beetles, brown tail moths and other tree pests.
This project continues in 1937.
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Storm Water Drains
This project, sponsored by the Board of Public Works, has re- sulted in the extension of the Storm Water Drainage System by 3420 feet on the following streets.
King Street, from Summer Ave., to Hancock Street, Extension, 196' of 18" concrete pipe, 556' of 12" concrete pipe, 9 catch basins, 1 manhole, and 102' of 8" vitrified clay pipe connecting catch basins. This roadway was shaped and treated with 1506 gallons of tarvia.
Summer Ave. from West Street to Hancock Street 1430' of 18" concrete pipe, 860' of 12" concrete pipe, 10 catch basins, 5 manholes and 88' of 8" vitrified clay pipe connecting catch basins. This section of Summer Ave. was later shaped and treated with 1870 gallons of tarvia.
Lowell and Willow Streets, 225' of 18" concrete pipe, 153' of 12" con- crete pipe, 3 catch basins, 1 manhole and 22' of 8" vitrified clay pipe connecting catch basins.
Colburn Road
The construction of Colburn Road, sponsored by the Board of Public Works, which was started in 1934 was completed. The road- way, 1536' in length, has been graded and widened to 24' and surfaced with gravel. 3000' of gravel sidewalks, 8' wide have been constructed on each side of roadway.
Franklin Street
The widening of Franklin Street at the intersection of Grove Street sponsored by the Board of Public Works, has been completed, elimin- ating a very dangerous corner. This necessitated, during the past year, the removal of 521 cu. yds. of ledge. The length of widening is 209' and the width of the road way increased by 25'. This section was gravel surfaced and sealed by the application of tarvia.
Farm-to-Market Projects
The Farm to Market road project have resulted in the great im- provement of four of the outlying streets of the town.
Hopkins Street from Main Street east to the Wakefield line, a distance of 1274', has been graded and widened to 24', gravel sur- faced and sealed with the application of 2,518 gal. of tarvia.
South Street from Main Street east to Wakefield line has been widened to 30', gravel surfaced and sealed with application of 2,039 gal. of tarvia. ,
Wakefield Street from Pearl to Charles Street, a distance of 3558' has been widened to 24', gravel surfaced and treated with 5,258 gal. of road oil and 2,741 gal. of cut back asphalt.
Pearl Street from Charles to Wakefield Streets has been widen- ed to 24'. The bad curve, a short distance in from Charles Street has been eliminated by a cutoff across town owned property. This cutoff required a gravel fill of 3,200 cu. yds. From Main Street to Frank- lin Street, a distance of 1,648 has also been improved by widening and
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eliminating bad curves. This street will later be graded and surfaced.
Willow Street from the crossing to Summer Ave., a distance of 1,230' has been widened to 24'.
Birch Meadow
The development of Birch Meadow, sponsored by the Board of Public Works, continued during the past year.
2,080' of French drains have been constructed and 620' of 18" concrete pipe installed in drainage ditch.
A total area of 103,630 sq. ft. has been graded and 67,210 sq. ft. of that area has been loamed and seeded.
1,374 lin. ft. of walks have also been constructed.
Dead End Water Mains
On Vale Road, sponsored by the Board of Public Works, a 6" water main, 303' in length was installed.
Street Survey Project
A field crew of engineers, under the sponsorship of the Board of Public Works, have been engaged under this project in surveying 20 streets in the town. No records or plans of these streets have up to now, been available. These streets total 29,015' in length. Location and profile plans have been drawn by draftsmen and are now on file at the office of the board of Public Works.
Sewing Project
The W. P. A. Sewing Project, continued from the Emergency Relief Administration under the Boards of Selectmen and Public Wel- fare, has furnished employment to an average of 55 women throughout the year. The town furnishes quarters in the building on Pearl Street, where the entire second floor is used by the workers. The town also supplies the equipment, light and heat, while the W. P. A. furnishes materials and supplies used in the manufacture of various articles of clothing. These garments are sent to a commissary at the Watertown Arsenal and the local commissary draws from this central point the garments needed for distribution in Reading. The Welfare Depart- ment has co-operated with the local unit by trucking garments and material to and from Watertown.
There have been many benefits derived from this project aside from the monetary benefits to those employed. Many of the women when first assigned to work, knew little or nothing about sewing and the operation of electric sewing machines. These women have now become proficient in the making of simple garments and will be able to make wearing apparel for their families. The families certified for clothing by the Welfare and Soldiers' Relief Departments have been supplied with warm and servicable garments.
The town has been saved a considerable amount of money on account of their federal activity.
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Appended herewith is an itemized account of the materials, sup- plies and expenditures by the town in connection with the maintenance of this project.
Materials Furnished by the Federal Government
Colored Broadcloth
8946 yds.
Thread
301
boxes
White Broadcloth
915
W. Binding
61 rolls
Percales
250 "
P.
"
2520
yds.
Chambray
3158
Pins
19
boxes
Jeans
4379
Buttons
4851/4 gross
Diaper Cloth
512
Tape
18
reels
Prints
3686
"
Elastic
7
42" sheeting
1650
"
Machine needles
151
pkgs.
81"
6330
"
Hand Needles
14
pkgs.
Muslin
12572
Snap fasteners
73
gross
Machine oil
1
gal.
Lawn
4001
"
Flannel
7939
Denim
700
Articles Made By Sewing Project
Men's & boy's shirts
5155
Women's & girl's n-gowns
2196
"
pants
1432
pajamas
1358
u-suits
120
"
slips
3114
"
dresses
2249 4349
" khaki aprons
8
smocks
67
Men's & boy's jackets
3
"
combinations 162
Boy's suits
288
Pillow cases
2118
blouses
144
Sheets
1031
Towels
258
Canning Project
The Canning Project started August 18, 1936. The average number of workers employed from that date until December 31, 1936 has been seventeen.
At the start of the canning season a second-hand high-pressure 7-horse power boiler was installed to give adequate supply of steam for canning purposes, and also to relieve the employees working in the Town Farm Building from the heat of the boiler.
The United States Government furnished a semi-automatic power sealer which has improved the quality of the product a great deal. During the past year the canning products have been inspected by Federal Experts regularly, and very little spoilage has been found. The Federal Government furnishes the labor, sealing machine and cans, while the Town furnishes the raw materials, power, light and fuel.
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"
shorts
984
panties
blouses
6
Men's & boy's nightshirts
36
pajamas
2866
Crepe
2915
Following is a table of the kind of products canned during the season :
Cans
Commodities
Raised on
Bought
Furnished Pro-
Town Farm
by Town
by W.P.A. duced
12,000 lbs. beets
- 9,900 lbs.
2,100 1bs.
8,692
15,500 1bs. carrots
5,350 1bs.
10,150 1bs.
7,479
15 boxes grapefruit
15 boxes
62
5 bushels pears
5 bu.
145
1,361 lbs. dry peas
1361 1bs
4,180
50 1bs. prunes
50 1bs.
82
5,400 lbs. string beans 5,400 1bs.
3,539
3,000 lbs. Swiss chard
3,000 1bs.
2.545
27,000 lbs. tomatoes
27,000 1bs.
8,741
Total
35,465
National Youth Administration Project
On April 28, 1936, the National Youth Administration approved a project to bind, repair, and recondition damaged and worn out books owned by the town. The school department donated the use of the metal shop in the basement of the Junior High Scool and the machinery formerly used by the print shop.
Under the competent supervision of a trained book-binder, twenty young men and women were taught book-binding and repairing. A dis- play of the work done by this group was shown in Willis' Drug Store window and provoked much favorable comment. The work is avail- able to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 years, from families certified for Federal employment.
During the year, the following work was accomplished :-
School books bound 3067 vols.
Library
329 "
Other town depts. books bound
88
Town Clerk (Death, Marriages and Births) 74
Sheet music (Re-inforced and mended) 1446
Pads made for J. H. S. .
129 „
Note book covers (cleaned and renovated) 180 "
Pads made for Water Dept. 21
"
Cost of Material:
Federal Government $ 148.00
From Town W. P. A. Fund 70.32
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Federal Funds Expended For Emergency Relief Since 1933
Direct Grants (through December 1936) $ 24,570
C. W. A. Program (through December 1936) 72,819 E. R. A. Program (April 1934 through Dec. 1936) 257,503 W. P. A. Program (Earnings Only-Oct. 1935 through De- cember, 1936) 230,975 Value of Surplus Commodities Distributed (through De- cember 1936) 66,457
Total
$ 652,324
Federal Funds Expended for Emergency Relief During 1936
W. P. A. Program (earnings only, through December 1936) $ 228,347 E. R. A. Program (December 1936) 821
Value of Surplus Commodities Distributed (through De- cember 1936) 35,591
Total $ 265,759
The co-operation which has been extended to the W. P. A. Depart- ment by all of the Boards in town has been greatly appreciated. Equip- ment has been loaned from one department to another, particularly from the Board of Public Works to projects operated by other Boards, the only cost being to the borrowing Board, the salary of the employee operating the equipment. I wish to thank particularly the members of the Board of Selectmen for their helpful co-operation and advice throughout the year.
I believe that the employees of the W. P. A. as a whole, have done a splendid job. Foremen and supervisors have been co-operative and have taken a great personal interest in doing their respective jobs well.
In another part of the Town Report will be found an intemized ac- count of the expenditures of the funds appropriated for W. P. A. ma- terials.
Respectfully submitted, FOREST H. BRYANT
Sponsor's Agent
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SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
of the
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1936
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
The first major event in our year's operation occurred between January 18 and 20 when we had a severe snowstorm and many citizens expressed their satisfaction with the efficient operation of the improved Snow Equipment and felt that the expenditure had been fully justified. This machinery still further proved itself through the Winter season. The addition during 1936 of a five-ton Sterling truck and a two and one-half ton Cletrac, each with plows to be attached, replacing some of the older equipment, gives us still greater snow hand- ling ability. If the ten-year program adopted last year is followed, and we are able to obtain six sidewalk tractor plows we will be able to promptly clear any storm we are likely to have.
Highways
In the Spring it was found that serious damage had come to many of our roads. Lack of money in the last few years had left them open to the heavy frost and late Spring rains. The new Road Hone was used to advantage on many of them and some, too far gone for honing, were scarified and rolled. Patching continued through the entire sea- son. The State furnished materials for the State aid roads and this lifted the burden somewhat. The condition of the roads necessitates a large amount of patching. This is not economical. A substantial increase should be made in the funds for Highway Maintenance.
Main Street, at the crossing, was resurfaced with a temporary honed surface. This section should be relaid with permanent type of roadway in the near future. Winthrop Avenue, Colburn Road, Sunny- side Avenue and Fairview Avenue were completed and Hartshorn Street nearly so.
West Street from the end of 1933 construction to Woburn Street and Woburn Street to Pratt Street were finished in a State and County Aid project and Lowell Street from the Wilmington line to a point about 700 feet South of the Railroad Bridge was finished in a similar project. The Town appropriated $7,000.00 toward the two jobs and $7,803.97 was expended on the payroll to residents of the Town.
Some 12,000 lineal feet of streets have been improved under the supervision of the Board and largely under W. P. A. "Farm and Mar- ket" projects. These were all "side roads" and the work consisted prin- cipally of removing ledges and boulders, straightening the road and improving grades and installing culverts and cutting back and sloping banks. Approximately 40,000 lineal feet of roadway was surface treated by the regular Department forces. Sidewalks
This Department installed about 1400 lineal feet of granolithic side- walks and about 700 feet of curbing, nearly all on a Betterment basis. About 400 lineal feet of Tarvia walk, 1,700 feet of gravel walks were installed and 5,500 lineal feet of walk was topped with stone dust.
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The time is not far distant when the Town should seriously con- sider constructing permanent Sidewalks and installing Curbing at least throughout the Central district.
Drainage
Approximately 4,500 feet of Storm Drain was constructed during the year, largely through W. P. A. projects. Some open drains were piped and much work was done on open ditches and culverts. The ex- treme spring flood conditions necessitated relaying several culverts.
A definite plan for drainage correction, to be carried out over a period of years, has been drawn up and should be followed as closely as the Town's finances permit.
Sewers
The Sewer Department extended its mains but 86 feet and but ten new house connections were made, totaling 495 feet, during the year 1936.
About 63 per cent of those to whom the Sewer is accessible are connected. With the reduced cost of entrance, more should enter.
The Department will within a year or two at most require a mech- anical cleaner for trunk lines as they need thorough cleaning after all these years of use.
Parks and Playgrounds
The development of Parks progressed favorably during the year. Washington Street Park was completed and fair progress was made at Birch Meadow.
All of the Parks and Playgrounds were in constant use. The fence at Memorial Park was extended and the entire field was fenced at Washington Street.
Special play areas on Salem and Curtis Streets, donated by private citizens, were leased and used and a Hockey Rink installed at Dickie's Pond and flood lights furnished.
The Board employed Edward A. Batchelder as Athletic Director in charge of athletic activities and supervised play was conducted by Miss Irving and a corps of instructors working under a W. P. A. project.
Miss Irving reports an average daily attendance of 685. This at- tendance would seem to fully justify the expenditure on Parks and especially on supervised play.
With the Parks now in good condition, funds should be provided each year for caretakers in the summer months to preserve the work already done.
Garage
The Special Committee on Town Garage reported to the General Committee to the effect that the Board of Public Works needs a garage immediately and that it should be so located and constructed that whatever construction is undertaken it could readily be expanded
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to take care of all Departments of the Town as they wish to come into the project. The Committee did not favor the Town Dump for a lo- cation. It has since developed that the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway would sell the 17 acre plot on John Street beyond the foundry and running back to the B. and M. R. R. for $3600. A refusal of this land has been taken subject to the approval of the Town. It is hoped that a bond issue may be approved at the Town Meeting to provide this garage as it is seriously needed and cannot be built at any im- mediate later date as cheaply as now. In the meantime the Board is spending some sixty dollars per month for rents and it will be necessary to spend possibly $500.00 strengthening the present valueless building on John Street, if they are to spend another year there.
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