USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1936 > Part 13
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After passing through the sand filters the water passes directly to
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the filtered water basin, and from there is pumped through the pumping station to the distribution mains.
Regular monthly analyses of samples of water taken both before and after filtration by the Water Department and by Weston and Sampson, Consulting Engineers, show that the raw water, while clear when first drawn from the wells develops a heavy turbidity and high color on standing. It contains a high amount of iron and carbon dixoide and a small amount of manganese, and indicates the timely construction of the filter plant. The samples of filtered water show a perfect re- sult, being clear, colorless and are practically free from iron, man- ganese, and carbon dioxide.
The filters have been raked once since being put in operation, to permit more rapid filtration. This raking was very shallow, on the sur- face only, to prevent a too deep penetration of iron hydrate.
Since the advent of filtered water in the distribution mains, com- plaints due to discolored, odorous water, have ceased from consumers. Dead ends have been well flushed by blow-offs and hydrants period- ically throughout the year.
The regular annual inspection of fire hydrants was made, and re- pairs made where necessary. The hydrants were freshly painted a bright red with aluminum trimmings to improve their visibility. Sev- eral hydrants were moved or raised where conditions warranted, due to road construction, curbing installation, and other causes. Two hy- drants were broken by automobiles during 1936, at the following loca- tions Salem Street, corner Belmont; Main Street, near No. 958. In both cases the owners of cars striking the hydrants were of the "Hit and run" type, and were not apprehended. Six new hydrants were set, in each case being installed on extensions of water mains, one each be- ing set on the following streets : Vale Road, Lawrence Road, Priscilla Road, Puritan Road, Fairview Avenue and Oak Ridge Road.
There were 62 new house services installed in 1936 and one service relaid. These services totaled 3,466.10 feet in length, or an average length of 55.02 feet per service. Prior to the Chapter 90 construction of Woburn Street and Lowell Street, all house service taps that had been in for a long period of years were excavated and where necessary, new leads and pipes were installed.
Several services were laid to vacant lots for future use. A total of 101 house services were repaired during the year, and 67 new cellar shut-offs were installed. On 44 services it was necessary to repair the service pipe at the cellar wall. The State Dept. of Public Works Main St. sidewalk and curbing project made it necessary to reset many curb boxes to grade, and in several instances lower the service pipe itself, to prevent freezing where grade had been lowered. One house ser- vice was lowered, at the owner's expense, to prevent freezing.
Meter maintenance for 1936 included 380 meters removed for tests,
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stoppage or replacements. Of these, 294 have been repaired, tested and reset, 86 meters from services shut off have been repaired and are waiting to be reset when the services are turnd on again; 56 new meters have been set, and 2 old meters junked. Fifty-two of the new meters were on new services, four were replacements for old meters. Twenty-two meters were frozen during the year. In the early fall, the customary examination of meter boxes was made, and meters felted to prevent freezing. New brick meter boxes, to replace wooden meter boxes in danger of collapse were installed in seven locations. In sev- eral instances, where possible, meters were taken from street boxes and installed in cellars.
The annual inspection of driven wells was made and each well was plumbed and measured to ascertain the amount of sand in the well, after which each well was washed and cleaned. Tests were also made of the water in each well. One well on Line A was cut off from the system because of fine sand strata in which well is driven. Because of defec- tive well connections from well to suction main, four connection leads were replaced, on wells No. 30, No. 32, No. 12 and No. 8, on Lines B. C. and F, respectively.
There are now 77 wells in operation at Hundred Acres.
Mill Street Pumping Station has been held in readiness for emer- gency use, but has not been in operation during 1936. Repairs have been made to the boilers and pumps, and buildings. The lime shed has been used as a store house for pipe and fittings.
After completion of the Ash St. 12" water main, I recommend the installation of a 12" main to Hundred Acre Pumping Station from Grove and Franklin Street. Although Grove Street has a 12" and 8" main from Franklin St. to Lowell and High Streets, and Franklin Street an 8" main from Grove to Main Street, there is but a single 12" main on Grove St. from Hundred Acre Station to Franklin Street. A break in this single main might well cause a serious shortage of water under certain conditions. The dual 12" main would eliminate this haz- ard. I also recommend the installation of an auxiliary power line to Hundred Acre Station. The present line enters from Wilmington, and during the severe wind and rain storm on August 17, 1936, the wires were down and power cut off for over 1 1-2 hours. This condition might also occur during sleet and snow storms, and if not repaired promptly, be of grave consequence. A power line could be installed up Grove Street from Lowell Street.
The Municipal Light Department is co-operating in this matter and have already done considerable work towards making this auxiliary line a fact. I also recommend that a new line of wells be driven each year for several sucessive years so that the supply of water will always be more than adequate for the Town's needs.
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Highway Department : Appropriations and Balances voted in March Town Meeting :
1. Highway Maintenance and Construction $ 39,000.00
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
14,300.00
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains
1,000.00
4. Sidewalk Construction 2,000.00
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage
3,500.00
6. Construction of Fairview Ave.
983.00
7. Construction of Sunnyside Ave.
1,060.00
8. Construction of Hartshorn St. 2,349.00
9. Chapter 90 Const., West and Woburn Sts. 4,000.00
10. Chapter 90 Const., Lowell St.
3,000.00
Total
$ 71,192.00
Unexpended balances from previous appropriations :
11. Construction of Colburn Road $ 1,327.12
12. Construction of Chapin Ave. 307.23
13 Construction of County Rd. 69.39
14. Construction of Winthrop Ave. . .
17.94
1,721.68
15. Transfer Oct. 1, 1936 for Maint. of Dumps
200.00
16. Transfer Nov. 30, 1936 to Highway Dept. 200.00
17, Chapter 90 Maintenance
2,000.00
18. Refund to Highway Dept.
13.65
19. Transfer Oct. 1, 1936 to Sidewalk A/C ..
300.00
20. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Construction, West and Woburn Sts.
6,500.00
21. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Construction, Lowell St.
7,500.00
Total $ 89,627.33
Expenditures and Balances of above Appropriations Item
1. Appro. for Maint. and Const. $ 39,000.00
16. Transfer 11/30/36
200.00
17. Chapter 90 Maint.
2,000.00
18 Refund
13.65
$ 41,213.65
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Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 14,778.98
General Repairs
2,426.99
Road Material
7,714.09
Misc. Supplies and Tools
16,282.99
Total
$ 41,203.05
Balance Unexpended
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
$ 14,300.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 9,008.29
Sidewalk Plowing
$ 1,472.22
Hired Trucks
1,284.25
Repairs, Equipment and Supplies
4,533.91
Total
$ 16,298.67
Overdrawn
$ 1,998.67
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains
$ 1,000.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 869.12
Supplies and Miscellaneous
130.86
Total
$ 999.98
Balance Unexpended
$ .02
4. Sidewalk Construction
$ 2,000.00
19. Transfer Oct. 1, 1936
300.00
$ 2,300.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 1,713.91
Supplies and Miscellaneous
583.63
Total
$ 2,297.54
Balance Unexpended $ 2.46
163
$ 10.60
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage .. $ 3,500.00
Expended : Pay Roll Supplies
$
2,426.51
1,071.73
Total
$ 3,498.24
Balance Unexpended
6. Construction of Fairview Ave.
Expended : Pay Roll
$ 381.65
Supplies
598.25
Total
$ 979.90
Balance Unexpended
$ 3.10
7. Construction of Sunnyside Ave.
$ 1,060.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 493.48
Supplies
566.05
Total
$ 1,059.53
Balance Unexpended
$ .47
8. Construction of Hartshorn Street
$ 2,349.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 455.21
Supplies
547.70
$ 1,002.91
Balance Unexpended
$ 1,346.09
9. Chapter 90 Const., West and Woburn Sts.
$ 4,000.00
20. Received from State and County
6,500.00
$ 10,500.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 3,700.99
Supplies and Miscellaneous
6,799.01
Total
$ 10,500.00
Balance Unexpended
$ .00
10. Chapter 90 Const., Lowell St.
$ 3,000.00
21. Receved from State and County Total
7,500.00
$ 10,500.00
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$ 1.76
$ 983.00
Expended : Pay Roll
$
3,818.49
Supplies and Miscellaneous
5,899.19
Total
$ 9,717.68
Balance Unexpended
$ 782.32
11. Construction of Colburn Road
$ 1,327.12
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 450.70
Supplies
205.19
Total
$ 655.89
Balance Unexpended
$ 671.23
12. Construction of Chapin Ave.
$
307.23
No Expenditures 1936
13. Construction of County Road ..
$
69.39
No Expenditures 1936
$
17.94
Expended : Pay Roll
$
17.27
Balance Unexpended
$
.67
15, Maintenance of Dumps
$
200.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 200.00
Balance Unexpended
$
.00
TOTALS
Item
Appro. and Transfers Expended
Balances Bal. Fwd.
1-16-17-18
$ 41,206.09 $ 41,203.05
$ 3.04
2
14,300.00
16,298.67
1,998.67
3
1,000.00
999.98
.02
4-19
2,300.00
2,297.54
2.46
5
3,500.00
3,498.24
1.76
6
983.00
979.90
3.10
7
1,060.00
1,059.53
.47
8
2,349.00
1,002.91
1,346.09
$ 1,346.09
9-20
10,500.00
10,500.00
10-21
10,500.00
9,717.68
782.32
782.32
11
1,327.12
655.89
671.23
671.23
12
307.23
.00
307.23
307.23
13
69.39
.00
69.39
69.39
14
17.94
17.27
.67
15
200.00
200.00
.00
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14. Construction of Winthrop Ave.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The Highway Department during 1936 accomplished much, both in routine repair and maintenance of streets, drains, and kindred activities as well as new work. The use of Town equipment on W. P. A. pro- jects continued, but was relieved to some extent by the acquisition by W. P. A. of two trucks for their own use.
Sections of three streets, namely, West, Woburn and Lowell, were constructed under Chapter 90 appropriations, and three streets under Chapter 83 appropriations, namely Sunnyside and Fairview Avenues and Hartshorn Street.
Installation of granolithic sidewalks and granite curbing under Chapter 83, which permits the assessment of betterments, was extended appreciably more than for several years past.
Storm water drainage construction for the most part was accom- plished by W. P. A. labor, although several drains were installed by Department employees.
A brief resume of the work accomplished by the Highway Depart- ment follows
Snow and Ice Removal
The first snow storm of major proportion in 1936 started on Satur- day, January 18. The plows were called out at 4:00 P. M. and covered their routes twice, and were through plowing at 10:00 P. M., the storm having stopped. Work started immediately on removing snow from the Square and Haven Street, and at 4:00 A. M. Sunday, January 19, the work was finished.
At 6:00 A. M. on January 19, snow again began to fall, increasing in volume to such an extent that plowing again started at 10:00 A. M. with all Department equipment and two hired truck plows, owned by local truckmen. The storm increased in intensity during the day and in late afternoon was accompanied by a 50 M. P. H. wind of gale velo- city and a rapidly falling temperature. Roads were kept passable at all times, however, and the storm was over at 10:00 P. M. on January 19. By Monday morning, January 20, all public roads were fully opened. Approximately 13 inches of snow-fall was recorded.
During the storm, the following plow units suffered mechanical breakdowns; Chevrolet K. P. Truck, burnt clutch-time lost for re- pairs, 4 hrs .; 31/2 ton Diamond T. Truck, bearing on drive shaft in trans- mission gave way-time lost for repairs, from 9:30 P. M., January 19, to 9:00 P. M. January 21; Caterpillar tractor, burnt out main clutch- time out for repairs, from January 20 to January 25. Of all breakdowns, that of the 31/2 ton Diamond T. Truck was the most serious, as this unit was laid up during the height of the storm.
Snow removal from the Square, Haven St., churches, public build- ings and filling stations, was started at 11:00 P. M. Sunday, January
166
19, and completed Wednesday, January 22 at 8:30 P. M. Thirteen hired trucks, two W. P. A. trucks, and a crew of shovelers were engaged in this work.
Sidewalk plows were called out at 4:00 P. M. Saturday, January 18, and plowed at intervals throughout the storms; however, they were unable to keep up with the heavy snow-fall, and it was necessary to send crews of shovelers with each horse-drawn plow unit.
W. P. A. projects having been stopped by snow and cold weather on Monday, January 20, permission was granted to use these men on snow removal. A crew of 144 men were thus available, and, equipped with snow shovels, were sent out to open private ways, lanes, side- walks and intersections; and to clear hydrants and catch basins. Valu- able service was rendered the Department by these men, who worked for two and one half days on snow removal work.
Snow was removed from streets in front of three private homes where deaths had occurred, one private lane was shoveled because of illness in a residence situated thereon, and a path on private property was shoveled for an elderly crippled person.
While some few complaints were received during this storm, they were not of a serious nature, being for the most part from citizens residing on private ways or lanes not plowed due to failure of horse- drawn units to cover their routes.
On February 9, another snow storm occurred, with two inches of snow fall. This storm was easily taken care of, as was the storm of February 14, when two more inches of snow fell. On March 3, a storm measuring 61/2 inches occurred. This storm was readily taken care of. Again on March 5, 21/2 inches of snow fell. This snow was not plow- ed, but streets were sanded continually during the storm, as falling tem- perature caused icy streets.
Throughout the winter streets were sanded at intervals, as chang- ing temperatures caused fresh ice to form nightly. Also, in several lo- cations, thick ice had to be removed by hand from streets and gutters, namely, King Street at Jr. High School, and Franklin Street between Mansfield's and Stone's property.
The last snow storm of 1936 occurred on November 24, with three inches of snow fall. This storm was readily cleared.
All snow plowing equipment was thoroughly repaired during the fall months, and all equipment painted a uniform color, "Omaha Orange" to improve their visibility while plowing.
Snow plowing units were augmented in 1936 by the addition of a new 5 ton Sterling chain drive truck and a 21/2 ton Cletrac Tractor. The Sterling has been equipped with a Frink snow plow and the Cletrac with a Sargent plow and a bulldozer.
The privately owned truck units are available for snow plowing on call. Both truck and sidewalk plow routes were re-districted in the
167
fall of 1936, because of additional equipment, and the drivers familiarized with the new routes by study and trial.
GENERAL HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
The condition of the highways in the Spring of 1936 were again in a deplorable condition, due to intense cold, heavy snow, and, in the early spring, the abnormal rain-fall which caused disastrous floods in surrounding communities.
Maintenance work started as early in the spring as weather condi- tions permitted, the first application of Tarvia being on May 5. The new steel Adams Road Hone was used on several streets, and satisfac- tory results obtained by its use. In time, streets that have been honed on succeeding years will regain a proper shape, with a crowned center and low gutters, presenting a convex surface instead of the present con- cave surface of many of the Town's streets. Other streets where hon- ing was inadvisable were scarified, graded and rolled. A total of 51,816 gallons of Tarvia B and Retread B, 2,740 gallons of M C 2 cutback asphalt, and 5,258 gallons of 45% Road Oil were applied to road sur- faces.
K. P. patching was carried on continuously during the year when weather conditions permitted. Both gravel and pea stone were used as a base for the cold patch liquid. In all, 5,660 gallons of Tarvia K P and 1,640 gallons of asphalt Cold Patch were used. In addition to the cold patch mixed by Highway Department employees, 86 tons of Type E Fine Patch were purchased ready mixed from the Barrett Company and used for highway patching.
Funds were allotted the Town in 1936 from the State Department of Public Works for Chapter 90 Maintenance. These funds were used solely on roads constructed in the past under Chapter 90. From the moneys received, the following streets were treated: West Street, from the Woburn Town line to Prescott Street, and Salem Street, from Harnden Street to the Wakefield Town line, were seal coated with RC-1 Asphalt and covered with pea stone; Haverhill Street, from the North Reading Town line to the Wakefield Town line, was treated with Tarvia Re-treat B and honed; on Main Street, from the State Highway at north of Salem Street to Washington Street, the Square, and Post Office Square, all joints between concrete slabs were poured with As- phalt Joint Filler.
The following streets were accepted as Public Ways under the provisions of Chapter 83, Section 26, General Laws, which authorize the assessment of betterments for road construction, at the March Town Meeting :
Hartshorn Street, from the acceptance of March, 1900 to Ban- croft Avenue; 1375.96 feet.
Sunnyside Avenue, from Prescott Street to Fairview Avenue ; 694.53 feet.
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Fairview Avenue, from Pratt Street to Sunnyside Avenue; 481.32 feet.
There were two alterations or relocations voted at the annual Town Meeting. At the South-East intersection of Main and Washington Streets the corner was rounded with a radius of 20 feet, and at the South-east intersection of Lowell Street and Bancroft Avenue the cor- ner was also rounded on a 20 foot radius.
The construction of Sunnyside Avenue and Fairview Avenue has been completed. On Fairview Avenue, it was necessary to install drains, and to secure an easement for drainage through private property. Since the completion of this road, five new houses have been constructed on abutting lots. Sunnyside Avenue, formerly almost impassable during certain seasons, and Fairview Avenue are valuable additions to our sys- tem of Public Ways.
Hartshorn Street construction is practically completed, the street having been excavated, graded with gravel, and one coating of tar ap- plied. In the spring of 1937 a final coat of tar will be applied, shoulders and slopes graded, and the street completed. This is one of the most valuable additions of public roads for some years, inasmuch as it opens up a traffic route from the Bancroft Avenue section to Lowell Street also providing a means of entrance to Birch Meadow Playground for residents of the Lowell Street section.
The construction of Winthrop Avenue, accepted as a Public Way in 1935, has been completed. Colburn Road, also accepted in 1935, and carried on as a W. P. A. project, is completed with the exception of sur- face applications of tar, which will be applied as early in the spring as weather permits.
That section of Main Street between Washington Street and the B. & M. R. R. Crossing, which was not included in the concrete con- struction of Main Street and had only a tar surface, was badly in need of repairs. The entire section was excavated, to remove the loamy sub- soil, and replaced with gravel fill. After grading and rolling, an appli- cation of Tarvia was applied. The tar surface was then allowed to cure, and after a suitable period had elapsed, a second application of Tarvia was applied, and pea stone used as a covering material. The road was then honed and due to the top covering of pea stone, appears to have a penetration type of surface. This is however only a temporary job, and due to the heavy traffic a permanent type of road should be constructed in the near future.
CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION
At the March Town Meeting the following sums were appro- priated under Section 34, Chapter 90, General Laws, for the purpose of improving and constructing portions of West, Woburn, and Lowell Streets; for West and Woburn Streets, $4,000.00, for Lowell Street, $3,000.00 The State and County granted the sums of $6,500.00 for West
169
and Woburn Streets and $7,500.00 for Lowell Street, making the total sum available for West and Woburn Streets $10,500.00 and for Lowell Street $10,500.00.
West Street was constructed from the end of the 1933 construction at Prescott Street to the intersection of Woburn and West Streets, and Woburn Street was constructed from West Street to Pratt Street. Pre- liminary to the actual road construction drainage was installed, curbing reset, and catch basins rebuilt and brought to grade. The roadway was constructed with a Penolithic penetration type of surface.
Lowell Street was constructed from the Wilmington Town line to a point some 700 feet south of the railroad bridge. Drainage, consist- ing mainly of lateral drains, catch basins, culverts and head walls were installed, and the road-way constructed with Penolithic penetration type of surface. Cable guard rails were installed on approaches to the rail- road bridge.
All Chapter 90 construction in 1936 was accomplished by the regular Department employees plus several temporary employees. None was let out to contractors. It might be well here to call attention to the fact that the amount of money expended on payrolls on Chapter 90 pro- jects exceeds the amount of money appropriated by the Town for this purpose. It might also be well to call attention to the fact that on Chapter 90 projects the hourly rates of pay are established by the State Department of Labor and Industries under a new law enacted in 1935. The rates of pay established by this Department in 1936 on Chapter 90 projects in the Town of Reading were, in all cases except unskilled la- borers, far in excess of the hourly rates paid in previous years. In some cases the hourly rates required by the Department of Labor and In- dustries seemed to be entirely unjustified. In most cases the required hourly wage rate, while greater than paid in previous years seemed reasonable. The necessity, however, of paying greater wages on these projects naturally increases the unit cost of same and results in less yardage being laid than in previous years.
A gasoline shovel and hired trucks were employed in earth ex- cavation and gravel fill, the gravel for West and Woburn Streets being taken from the Town pit, and that for Lowell Street being purchased delivered in place from the owner of a private pit on Lowell Street. The pit on Lowell Street being located on the site of the job it was cheaper to buy gravel there than to haul it from the Town Pit off Grove Street.
GRANOLITHIC SIDEWALKS
Granolithic sidewalks totaling 857.12 square yards on a total frontage of 1,457.14 feet were constructed in 1936 abutting fourteen different pro- perties. Thirteen of these were installed as betterments.
The joints in the granolithic sidewalks on the Westerly side of Main Street and the Northerly side of Haven Street were filled with
170
Embeco Joint Filler. A cement apron was installed on a driveway at 128 Summer Avenue to prevent washouts by storm water, and to elimin- ate a severe bump at the driveway entrance.
Five applications for granolithic sidewalk construction totaling 373.62 feet frontage, received in 1936 but not installed because of lack of funds will be given first preference in 1937.
Granolithic Sidewalk Construction By Streets
Street
Frontage 100.00
Square Yards
King Street
54.00
Parkview Road
59.80
34.90
Prescott Street
122.12
66.80
Kingston Street
120.12
70.80
Middlesex Avenue
147.25
81.43
Summer Avenue
160.00
90.27
Deering Street
403.05
224.20
Virginia Road
70.81
39.40
Pennsylvania Avenue
79.11
42.55
Harnden Street
195.00
152.77
Totals
1,457.14
857.12
Stone Dust Sidewalks
A total of 709 tons of stone dust was applied on gravel sidewalks located in various sections of the town. Square yards of surface so treated was approximately 3,264 on a frontage of approximately 5,500 lineal feet.
Gravel Sidewalks
Construction of gravel sidewalks covering approximately 1164 square yards on a frontage of approximately 1745 lineal feet was accomplished during the year. Gravel sidewalks were constructed abutting new houses, and in several instances old gravel sidewalks were rebuilt.
Street Signs
Street signs were erected as needed, to replace broken signs and to designate newly accepted Public Ways. All signs erected in 1936 were of wood with painted names. A definite effort should be made to erect signs of a permanent nature on all street corners.
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