USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1936 > Part 14
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Bound Stones
Bound stones were set as occasion warranted to define street lines on highways.
Granite Curbing
Granite curbing installation under the Betterment Act totaled 661.5 feet of straight curbing, 45.5 ft. of radius curbing and 16 driveway re- turns, and was set abutting eleven different properties. Five applications are on hand received in 1936 but not installed through lack of funds and will be given first preference in 1937.
171
Prior to the construction of Woburn Street, granite radius curb- ing was set to define the corners of intersecting streets at the follow- ing locations : Woburn Street and Gilmore, Perkins, Copeland and Sum- mer Avenues; Pratt and Wenda Streets, and Bancroft Avenue. A to- tal of 250.35 feet of radius curb and 47.0 feet of straight curb was set in the above locations. Old curbing reset on Woburn Street totaled 375.0 feet of straight curbing and 47.7 feet of radius curbing. At the northwesterly corner of Main and Washington Streets, 12.0 feet of radius curbing was set.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 1936 Granite Curbing Installation by Streets
Curbing Installed Total Length
Street
Straight
Radius
in Feet
Kingston Street
92.0
92.0
Grand Street
220.0
220.0
Virginia Road
48.0
48.0
Pennsylvania Avenue
55.0
55.0
Woburn Street
121.5
250.35
371.85
John Street
41.0
41.0
Deering Street
131.0
45.5
176.5
Main Street
12.0
12.0
King Street
6.0
6.0
Bancroft Avenue
10.0
10.0
Totals
724.5
307.85
1,032.35
Granite Curbing Installed - New
No.
Location
Straight Curbing
Radius Curbing
1. King Street
2. Woburn St., S. W. Corner Gilmore Ave. ..
3. Woburn St .- S. E. corner Gilmore Ave. ..
3.0
26.91
4. Woburn St .- S. W. corner Perkins Ave. ..
7.0
15.63
5. Woburn St .- S. E. corner Perkins Ave. ..
8.0
12.64
6. Woburn St .- S. W. corner Copeland Ave.
4.0
15.63
7. Woburn St .- S. W. corner Summer Ave. ..
8. Woburn St .- S. E. corner Pratt St. 9. Woburn St .- S. W. corner Wenda St.
4.0
16.00
10. Woburn St .- S. E. corner Wenda st.
11. Woburn St .- S. W. corner Bancroft Ave. '
5.0
12.50
12. Woburn St .- S. E. Corner Bancroft Ave. .
5.0
13.00
13. Main St .- N. W. corner Washington St. ..
12.00
Totals
47.0
250.35
172
...
...
28.26
29.00
36.00
11.00
32.78
STORM WATER DRAINAGE
Storm drains totaling 4,458 feet in length were installed in 1936, for the most part being the result of W. P. A. storm drain projects.
The W. P. A. storm drains on King Street, Willow Street and Low- ell Street started in 1935 have been completed. The drain on Sum- mer Avenue from Willow Street to Woodbine Street, also a W. P. A. project has also been completed.
On Hopkins Street, opposite No. 72, two large settling basins were constructed in an effort to drain the water off the roadway at that point. These basins operate efficiently in light rains but in heavy downpours, the water does not leach off fast enough. A storm drain should be in- stalled in this section.
A table showing all drains installed in 1936 follows :
During the floods in March 1936, the culvert across Pleasant Street by Hunt's Nipple Factory proved to be too small to carry off the water from Memorial Park watershed, with the result that Pleasant Street was inundated. To remedy this condition a battery of three 18" cor- rugated metal culvert pipes were installed, which to date have proved sufficient to accommodate normal flood waters.
The open drain ditch off Kingston Street has been piped and the drain from John Street easterly, which runs through private property, was lowered along its entire length and two invert catch basins built at angles in the drain.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Storm Water Drainage
Location
Size and Length of Pipe Installed
30"
24"
21'' 20" 18"
15"
12"
10"
8"
C B
M H Tots.
King St.
46.0
306.0
102.0
9
1 454
Summer Av.
1430.0
860.0
88.0
10
5
2378
Grove St.
28.0
28
Pleasant St.
126.0
126
Linden St.
38.0
2
38
Walnut St.
76.0
1
76
John St.
91.0 110.0
2
201
Hopkins St.
2
Kingston St.
140.0
140
Woburn St.
1
210
Lowell St.
52.0
225.0
210.0 90.0 60.0
14
2 427
Fairview Av.
186.0
4.0
2 190
Sun'y'de Ave.
12.0
2
12
Penn. Ave.
3.0
3
Willow St.
153.0
22.0
1
1 175
Totals
387.0 110.0 3.0 1827.0 186.0 1619.0 60.0 266.0 46
9 4458.0
173
.
Due to good planning in past years and the installation in most cases, of drainage structures of adequate size the Town of Reading did not suffer any particular damage or inconvenience during the extreme flood conditions in the spring of 1936.
Many towns suffered considerable physical damage and much in- convenience. The damage in other towns necessitated large expendi- tures on repairs. In Reading the cost of repairs was practically negli- gible.
OPEN DITCHES
Cleaning of open ditches was accomplished in the following loca- tions : Knollwood Road to Percy Avenue; Salem St. ditch; Elliott to John St. ditch; Walnut St. and South St. ditch; Bolton St. and Ash St. ditch, and several other minor locations.
In Birch Meadow Playground the main drain ditches were deepened and widened and a section near the tennis courts piped.
Headwalls were constructed in several locations at culverts, and in one instance a stone retaining wall was built to prevent washing out of property abutting an open ditch.
Several culverts were badly damaged during the severe spring floods. Many had to have extensive repairs and several had to be rebuilt entirely.
The drainage conditions in several locations are deplorable. A definite plan for the correction of these conditions has been drawn up by the Department and it is strongly urged the funds be appropriated by the Town each year so that this program may be followed regularly until these deplorable drainage conditions are eliminated.
The Highway Department is greatly handicapped by the lack of proper garaging and storage facilities. Also because of being terribly cramped in a small area. It is necessary, at present for the Department to rent several spaces in nearby garages. The barn is in deplorable con- dition, having reached the point where it is unfit for use by any Depart- ment for any purpose. It is in very poor condition structurally and will either have to be repaired and strengthened at considerable cost or razed. It does not seem economical to spend any money on the prop- erty. I therefore recommend that a new garage be built either in part or whole on a new and much larger location and that the barn be razed.
During the past year the demand made upon the Highway Depart- ment equipment and personnel by W. P. A. projects has been consider- ably less than in previous years due to the co-operation of the Board of Selectmen and the local W. P. A. officials. It is still necessary, how- ever, for the Department to give considerable service, both with equip-
174
ment and personnel, to W. P. A. projects. It is impossible, economically, to do away entirely with these services. Certain things must be done by the Department as the W. P. A. officials have not the equipment necessary to do certain types of work and it would not be economical to so equip them. I feel, however, that the extent of the services ren- dered to W. P. A. projects by the Department should be kept at a mini- mum so that the Department will be in a position to give as prompt and efficient service to the townspeople as conditions permit.
Due to a lack of funds in late ycars the maintenance work done on streets has been considerably less than in previous years. As a result the Town's streets have reached a condition where the majority of them are badly in need of repairs. It has become necessary to spend a large and constantly increasing amount of money for patching. This is hardly an economical situation. I therefore strongly urge that the appropriation for Highway Maintenance be greatly increased in 1937.
ROLLING EQUIPMENT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
The following chart will illustrate the rolling equipment of the dif- ferent departments and the year bought.
Item
Year Bought
1-15 Ton Gasoline Driven Road Roller 1931
1 - 5 Ton Walters F. M. Four Wheel Driven Truck 1935
5
1 - - Ton Sterling-HC 100 Truck 1936
1 -- 21/2 Ton Diamond T Truck 1934
1 -11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1936
1 Ford Chassis Air Compressor Truck 1930
1 Chevrolet Standard Coupe 1936
1 Chevrolet 5W Coupe 1933
1 Cletrac Model BG Tractor 1936
1 Caterpillar Tractor 1934
1 Fordson Tractor 1927
1
Master 7 Cement Mixer 1931
1 K. P. Mixer 1922
1 Trailer 1923
-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1
1934
1 - 11/2 Ton Dodge Truck
1936
1 - 5 Ton Autocar Truck 1930
175
PARK DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works : Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Park Department :
Appro'n-March Town Meeting $ 3,152.00
Transferred 10/1/36
200.00
Transferred 11/30/36
250.00
1936 Total Appro. & Transfers Expended :
$ 3,602.00
Memorial Park
Pay Roll, Care of Park $ 427.99
Fence
358.45
Supplies, Ins., Repairs, Misc. . 342.36
1,128.80 $
Washington St. Park
Pay Roll, Care of Park
$ 348.77
Grass Seed and Fertilizer
340.00
Lights, Tools, Express, Misc. Supplies
86.23
$ 775.00
Birch Meadow Playground
Pay Roll
$ 220.70
Lights
188.75
Repairs to Lights
54.41
New Equipment
650.00
Tractor Hire
36.00
Lawn Seed and Fertilizer
94.00
Tools and Misc. Supplies
117.02
$ 1,360.88
Common $ 2.70
$
2.70
Unclassified
Curtis St .- Pay Roll
$ 123.34
Charles St .- Pay Roll
37.76
Hockey Rink Material
157.08
$ 318.18
Total Expended
$
3,585.56
Balance Unexpended
$ 16.44
176
PARK DEPARTMENT
The development of Parks and Playgrounds continued through 1936, and was for the most part the result of W. P. A. projects.
Washington Street Ball Park was completed. The Birch Meadow Playground project was continued during 1936 and, although stopped by the advent of cold weather, will be resumed in the spring of 1937.
The playgrounds have been used extensively throughout the year. Tennis courts have proved so popular that tennis enthusiasts from sur- rounding towns have requested the use of them. These requests were of course refused, as the demand by Reading citizens for playing time exceeds the hours available. It is not an uncommon occurrence during the summer months for tennis players to arrive at the courts shortly after daylight, to get the use of a court.
A brief description of the activities in each Park, Playground and the Commons follows :
MEMORIAL PARK
The general care and upkeep of the Park was carried on mostly by Soldiers Relief employees. These men, who because of physical disa- bilities must be assigned light work, kept the grassed areas mowed, edged and weeded foot paths, trimmed and pruned shrubs and trees, and made minor repairs to the playground equipment.
Tennis and horse-shoe courts were kept in repair, and were used constantly in season. The W. P. A. Recreation Project was housed in the Park Barn until late in November, when warmer quarters were se- cured on Haven Street. Indoor horse-shoe courts have been in operation in the Barn during winter months, under the auspices of the Reading Horse-shoe Association.
During the late fall, repairs were made to the causeway abutting the dam at the Park skating area, which was filled to overflowing by excessive rain-fall. Lack of freezing weather during the latter part of 1936 prevented the forming of skating ice; but during the early months of 1936 good skating was enjoyed.
A chain link fence was erected along the Southerly and Westerly boundary of the Park property, to prevent trespass by children on ad- joining private property.
BIRCH MEADOW PLAYGROUND
Birch Meadow Playground was further developed by a W. P. A. Project in 1936. A complete system of French drains were installed in the improved area, open drain ditches were deepened, straightened, and in some instances relocated. Gravel paths were constructed in accord- ance with the approved development plans, and areas between paths and tennis courts loamed, graded, and seeded.
Foundations for two new tennis courts were excavated and filled, and the courts will be completed in 1937.
177
A children's play area was laid out, graded, loamed and seeded.
The wading pool was re-conditioned, and a large sprinkler installed to keep fresh water running into the pool constantly. The pool was used extensively during the summer months. The construction of a modern cement wading pool at Birch Meadow is recommended to the towns- people, as it is impossible to maintain adequate sanitary conditions in a pool such as is at present being used.
The hockey rink was erected early in the winter of 1936-1937, but due to mild weather has not been used as yet this season.
W. P. A. Playground instructors conducted supervised play, under the direction of Coach Edward A. Batchelder, who was employed as Athletic Director during the months of July and August. Classes and instruction in tennis technique were conducted by Coach Batchelder at all playgrounds at regularly scheduled hours. Classes in several other athletic activities were also held regularly. All classes were very. well attended.
WASHINGTON STREET BALL PARK
The reconstruction of Washington Street Ball Park was completed early in 1936. The grass seed, which was sowed in the late fall of 1935, grew fairly evenly and produced a firm tough turf, resulting in a fast baseball field.
The baseball diamond was re-located, with the home plate near the South-Westerly corner of the field. It was found that by so doing areas could be set aside for a small children's play area; tennis and horse- shoe courts.
During the summer months the ball field was in constant use by school, town, and neighborhood baseball teams. In the fall, football and soccer fields were marked out and used extensively.
Flood lights were installed for night football games, and a series of games were played by the Reading Town Team with opponents from surrounding towns.
On the morning of July 4th a field day was held at the ball park for the children, under the direction of Coach Batchelder. Races and contests were held, and the winners were presented awards of mer- chandise, donated by the Board of Public Works and local merchants.
An ornamental fieldstone wall, cement capped and with a curved and stone pillared gate-way has been erected on the Washington Street frontage of the Park. On the Southerly and Westerly boundaries low retaining walls and a chain link fence have been erected. The Park is now completely enclosed with walls and fences.
SPECIAL PLAY AREAS
The special play areas on Salem Street and Willow Street, donated as summer playgrounds by private citizens, were again used as baseball fields by W. P. A. playground supervisors.
178
At Dickie's Pond off Curtis Street, a hockey rink has been installed to accommodate residents of that district. The pond area has been leveled off and the drain repaired, and flood lights installed for night hockey games and skating.
LEACH PARK
General maintenance of Leach Park was carried on as usual. Grassed areas were mowed, walks and paths weeded and edged; shrubs and trees trimmed and pruned, and the entire area kept in attractive appear- ance.
READING COMMON
The Common received its usual care; lawns were repaired, mowed and rolled; walks graveled and edged, shrub beds edged and trimmed. This work was done by Soldiers Relief employees.
W. P. A. RECREATION PROJECT
Supervised Play was again in charge of W. P. A. employees, with Miss Evelie Irving as supervisor, assisted by an experienced corps of instructors.
Coach Edward A. Batchelder of the Reading High School was em- ployed as Athletic Director by the Park Department, and gave instruc- tions in tennis, baseball, boxing, wrestling, etc. He also organized base- ball leagues among the boys and a number of games were played.
Appended herewith is the report of the W. P. A. Supervisor.
W. P. A. PLAYGROUND REPORT
Season June 22, 1936, to September 4, 1936 Adult Recreation Program-Sept. to Dec., 1936
Playground system consisted of 3 playgrounds and 2 baseball fields. Average daily attendance :
Memorial Park 250
Washington Street 65
Birch Meadow 175
Washington Street ballfield. 150
Birch Meadow ballfield 45
685
Program
These activities made up the program.
Active Sports
Baseball, tennis, golf, archery, volley ball, tag football, boxing, deck tennis, ping pong and soft ball.
Quiet and Individual Games
Toss games, dominoes, card games, bean bag, croquet and miscel- laneous tables games.
179
Handcraft
Woodcraft, paper work, coloring, fancy sewing and embroidering, were the crafts offered.
Story Hour
Warm afternoons the youngsters were taken to a cool, shady spot where stories suitable for children were read.
Canning
The Home Economics room at Junior High School was open to the Recreation Canning Group.
A gala celebration marked the opening of the Reading Playgrounds. A parade with awards for the best costumes was organized at Memorial Park.
The parade with a police escort marched through the Square to the Washington Street Playground. The St. Agnes' Boys' Band was in the lead. The Sons of Legion, the Girl Scouts, the Girl Scout Drum and Bugle Corps and the children in costumes made a gay and colorful sight as they paraded.
The workers formed around the flag pole, then the band played "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the flag was raised.
Many W. P. A. officials and town officials were present at the opening. The entertainment, furnished by a Federal Theatrical Unit, consisted of 15 vaudeville acts. Free ice cream at the end of the pro- gram completed the day for the 2000 children that attended.
After the ceremonies at the field, a supper was served to the visit- ing and town officials at the Victory House. The after dinner program was very brief.
The outstanding summer events are as follows :
Baseball
Tennis
Golf
Archery Handcraft
Canning
Baseball-Community League
During June, July, August and September, six teams played 3 games per week. There were 76 games played with 125 players participating. These teams were composed of Reading adults 17 years of age and over. This league not only offered Reading people a change to play baseball but also gave the baseball fans an opportunity to see their fellow towns- men in action. An all-star team was selected from the league to play out-of-town teams. There were 7 all-star games played-4 out of town and 3 on the home diamond.
Junior Park League
This league was for the boys of Reading between the ages of 9 and 16. There were 64 games played in this league with 150 boys partici-
180
pating. These teams played 4 times per week for a period from July to September. In July and again in August 150 boys were taken to Braves' Field and to Fenway Park to see the big league players. The Selectmen of Reading furnished the transportation for the trips and the playground instructors had charge of the boys.
The season was closed by a Baseball Field Day, held at Washing- ton Street Park. The events were: Base running, fungo hitting, throw- ing for accuracy and for distance. The boys divided into 3 different groups according to their ages.
Inter-town matches with Winchester Playgrounds were played. There were 6 games played, Reading lost 2, won 3 and tied one. Tennis
Classes in tennis instruction were held 3 times a week. Fundamen- tal form strokes were taught to the beginners while the advanced play- ers were given opportunities to improve their game.
Inter-town matches were again played with Winchester. There were six matches played in this sport-Winchester took 3 of the six matches and Reading boys were able to tie the last three matches. Golf
Golf has become a very popular sport on the playground at Memo- rial Park. A 9-hole golf course was installed by one of the recreation staff who also formed classes in golf instruction. There were two tour- naments played in golf during the season.
Archery
This sport is as popular with the girls as with the boys. It does not involve large muscles but rather calls for a definite skill which can be obtained by careful practice. High School boys and girls formed groups for practice. There were several shoots held to determine form and highest score. One of the recreation instructors constructed 3 new targets of rice straw which saved the town about $30.00.
Handcraft
This includes jig-saw, painting, coloring, plain and fancy sewing and embroidering. There was also a large enrollment in the paper work ยท class. Samples of sewing, jig-saw, embroidering, painting, paper work, and canning were sent to Boston to be displayed with other articles which had been made on W. P. A. Recreation projects throughout the state.
Canning
Preserving fruits and vegetables and making jellies.
Seven hours each week were set aside to can fruits and vegetables. This was done in co-operation with the 4-H Club. There were 16 en- rolled in this work which was done at the Junior High School in the Home Economics room. There were 369 jars of fruits, vegetables, jellies and jams preserved at the school. Six boys and girls of the group canned 135 jars at their homes. This made a total of 504 jars. The vege-
181
tables included rhubarb, carrots, beans, peas, tomatoes, string and shell beans; the fruits were: plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, cur- rants, peaches, grapes, crabapples, apples, and 8 jars of mustard pickle.
Samples of the canners' work were included in the exhibition which was displayed at the Park Square Building, Boston. The exhibition held at Memorial Park on the closing day also included a canning dis- play. Prizes were awarded to the first and second year canners for the 1st, 2d, and 3rd places.
Special Event Days
Each Wednesday afternoon was set aside as a Special Event Day. The activities conducted on these days were: Pet Show, Checker Tournament, Ping Pong Tourney, Track Meet, Doll Show, Tennis Matches and awarding of Junior Patrol Badges.
Patrol Leaders
Boys and girls who showed definite signs of leadership were given a chance to develop their ability as a Junior Patrol member. Patrol leaders were chosen to serve for two-week periods. Their duties were: to care for equipment, to watch over the little tots, to assist staff workers when necessary, to raise and lower the flag at the beginning and ending of the day, to assist the younger children across Salem Street.
In August the annual Playground Tournaments were started. The tourneys included tennis, golf, ping pong, archery, for both juniors and seniors, checkers, toss games, and contests in handcrafts and jig-saw. There were 17 loving cups awarded to the winners on Sept. 4, 1936, the closing day of the season.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Sewer Department :
Construction and Maint. Account
Appropriation
$ 11,200.00
Construction Expenditures :
Pay Roll $ 146.94
Supplies for Const.
163.45
Tools and Misc.
9.30
$ 319.69
Maintenance Expenditures :
Pay Roll
$ 3,230.80
Interest on Bonds
3,750.00
Insurance .
232.27
Truck Maintenance
349.23
182
Printing 15.00
Gasoline and Oil
193.08
Tools, Supplies and Misc. ..
336.43
Total Expended-Const. and Maint.
$ 8,426.50
Balance Unexpended
$ 2,773.50
House Conn. Acct. Appro.
$ 1,000.00
Pay Roll $ 314.17
Pipe and Fittings
119.18
$ 433.35
Total Expended-House Conn. Acct. $ 433.35
Balance Unexpended
$ 566.65
SEWER DEPARTMENT
The main trunk sewer on John Street was extended to the Reading Custom Laundry, upon application from the proprietors of the laundry to connect their premises with the common sewer. Formerly the waste water from the laundry ran into an open ditch and eventually found its way to Lake Quannapowitt, and, because of the alleged foreign matter contained therein, was the cause of several complaints from abutting property owners. As the laundry has its own water system, a special meter has been installed. A total length of 86.0 feet of 8-inch sewer main, three Y connections for future house services, and a man-hole were included in this extension. Because of the increased income from such a large user the Dept. is considering a general reduction in the sewer rental rates.
On Woburn Street, several man-holes were re-set to conform with the new Chapter 90 road construction, and after construction was com- pleted, the sewer main was cleaned and flushed. In an effort to antici- pate future house sewer connections in the portion of Woburn Street which was reconstructed, questionnaires were sent to owners of all abut- ting properties not connected with the sewer asking their co-operation in the matter, and as a result several house connections were made. Stubs were also laid to the curb lines at vacant lots, for future use.
Eighteen house sewer services became clogged during the year, and were promptly cleared. Roots were responsible for the majority of the stoppages, and insoluble foreign matter for the remainder. Three house connections were re-laid for a portion of their length. Flushing of main trunk sewers was carried on periodically during the year.
183
.
$ 8,106.81
Ten new house sewer connections were made, totaling 494.81 feet.
Although sewer entrance charges were substantially reduced two years ago, home owners have been slow in taking advantage of the saving .
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