USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1937 > Part 15
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On Puritan Road, a short extension of the 6" main was laid pre- liminary to the Chapter 83 construction of Puritan Road, and a fire hydrant installed. Due to the construction of Curtis Street, from South Street southerly, and the resulting lowering of the street grade, it would have been necessary to relay 660 feet of 11/4 inch main. As a new development is underway on George Street, (off Curtis Street), and the present 11/4 inch main was of inadequate size to supply the number of houses constructed thereon, the 11/4" main was replaced with a six-inch main, and a fire hydrant set.
The eight-inch water main in John Street was extended 340.5 feet from the Boston Stove Foundry to the driveway at the new Public Works Garage, and 356.5 feet of six-inch main was laid to the Garage from John Street. A fire hydrant was set in the Garage yard.
Previous to the Chapter 90 construction on Lowell Street, three six- inch taps were made at intersecting streets : i. e., Bradford Road, Field- ing Road, and Proposed Street No. 1; and 6" pipe laid to the gutter line
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of Lowell Street for possible future connections. A new real estate de- velopment is now under way in this section.
A section of the 6" water main in Longwood Road was broken, caused by too rapidly opening a fire hydrant, which resulted in a water hammer. The broken section was removed and replaced with new 6" pipe.
It is expected that requests for extensions to the distribution system in 1938 will be greater in number than in 1937. Several applications for extensions in 1938 are now at hand. Some of these were filed in 1937 but because of a lack of funds the Department was unable to install them. It is, therefore, apparent that sufficient funds must be made available in 1938 for these applications plus any new ones received. It is the duty of the Town to furnish water to property owners whenever possible. Besides being of hygienic value in that it removes the pos- sibility of spreading disease by the elimination of private water sup- plies, it also is an important source of income to the Town. The present system could service many more properties without increasing the pres- ent cost of operation materially.
Service Pipe Construction
New house services totaling 56 were installed in 1937, and one ser- vice was relaid with larger pipe at the request and expense of the owner. A total of 3,036.30 feet of service pipe was laid, with an average length of 53.27 feet per service. On Lowell Street, 18 service taps for possible future use totaling 314.30 feet were made and run to the gutter line at vacant lots, preliminary to the Chapter 90 construction of 1937. A pro- posed development in this section made the installation of these service taps advisable. Two service taps were made on Woburn Street and run to vacant lots prior to Woburn Street Chapter 90 construction. Prior also to the construction of Woburn and Lowell Streets under Chapter 90 and Pleasant Street under Chapter 464, all house service connections in the locus of said constructions that had been installed for a number of years were excavated and inspected and where, necessary were re- newed, and all gate and service boxes raised and brought to grade.
During the year it was necessary, due to breaks, to repair 82 house service connections, and 65 new cellar shutoffs were installed. On 42 services it was necessary to repair the service pipe at the cellar wall.
It is expected that the number of applications for services in 1938 will be greater than in 1937. Several applications are now on file and the services will be installed as soon as the weather permits.
Meter Maintenance
Meter maintenance for 1937 included 330 meters removed for stop- pages, etc., and tested; of these, 180 meters required repairs. There are 90 meters on hand to be reset when the services to which they are
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assigned are again turned on, 43 new meters have been set on new ser- vices, and 7 old meters have been replaced by new meters. Five meters only were frozen during the year, due to the mild winter. The annual inspection of meter boxes was made in the early fall and where neces- sary were repaired and felted to prevent freezing. Two new brick meter boxes were built to replace old wooden boxes that had failed after years of service, and one new brick meter box was built to accommodate a new house service where the meter could not be placed in the cellar.
It is expected that more new meters will be installed in 1938 than in 1937. The increase will correspond to the increase in the number of new services.
Fire Hydrants
The annual inspection of fire hydrants was made in October and November, and repairs were made where necessary. On Woburn Street, three hydrants were moved, raised to meet the required grade, and gated. On Mineral Street, a leaking hydrant was set back to the prop- erty line and gated, and on Main Street one hydrant, partially buried when the sidewalk grade was raised, was cut off, set back and raised. In each instance, new or repaired hydrants were set to replace the de- fective ones. On Ash Street, two hydrants, one at Cross and one at Avon Streets, were cut off from the old six-inch main and tapped to the new twelve-inch main, for added fire protection by means of in- creased supply. But one hydrant was broken during the year, on Long- fellow Road, by a Highway Department snow plow truck. The hydrant was quickly repaired with no loss of water.
The Department has established the policy of installing hydrants on all newly laid mains when the size of the main is 6 inches or larger. It is useless to install hydrants on mains of a smaller size. The De- partment has also established a policy of installing mains not less than 6 inches in diameter except in rare instances where conditions warrant a smaller size. These policies will allow a greater number of hydrants to be installed. This will provide better fire protection with a con sequent saving in insurance rates to property owners.
Well System
During the dry summer months, an extension of Suction Line F at Hundred Acre Meadow resulted in the laying of 350 feet of eight- inch suction main and the driving of seven 21/2 inch driven wells. This line is situated in one of the best water-bearing sectors of the well field, and each of the seven new wells, driven to an average depth of 39.0 feet, is producing an abundant supply of water. The wells were driven and the suction main laid by the Water Department employees. All wells were again pumped and cleaned, and inspected for leaking well connections. On Line F, one lead gooseneck was found to be defective, and was replaced.
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The Department is planning to extend its well system each year for several years to come, The well field is of such a character that it can readily be extended without undue expense. New wells will re- sult in a more abundant supply of water and will decrease. the cost of operation at both the filter plant and the pumping station.
Filtration Plant
The Iron Removal Plant has been in constant operation throughout the year, and has functioned in a very satisfactory manner. Complaints from consumers relative to discolored or odorous water have almost if not entirely ceased. Also, the pumpage of water at Hundred Acre Meadow Pumping Station for 1937 shows a decrease of 15% from the pumpage of 1936, although the rainfall of 1937 shows a decrease of 3.13 inches from that of 1936, with the month of July 1937 being one of the driest in years with a total precipitation of only .97 inches. In view of the foregoing data, with the apparent need of the use of water for lawns, gardens, etc. above normal, and the total consumption of water 15% less, it would seem logical to assume that the quality of water sup- plied by the Iron Removal Plant is such that the consumers are not now compelled to run off quantities of water from their faucets in or- der to get clear, palatable water as was the case before the filter plant was put in operation. During 1937 Filter No. 1 was raked twice, and Filter No. 2 raked twice and scraped once with approximately 1/2 inch of sand removed by the scraping. That the filter plant is the most im- portant addition to the Reading Water System since the new source of supply at Hundred Acre Meadow was tapped has been proved beyond reasonable doubt. The results obtained have been particularly satisfy- ing. Reference is hereby made to a table in this report showing Chemi- cal and Microscopic character of raw water and water delivered to mains, before and after filtration, from samples taken at Hundred Acre Station.
Standpipes
The Auburn Street Standpipe, which had not been painted on the outside for a number of years, was stripped of paint, repairs were made to the cat-walk, ladder, rivets, etc .; a priming coat was applied, and the entire outside surface coated with aluminum paint, to match the Bear Hill Standpipe. The "READING" aviation guide letters were re- produced in black on the aluminum surface. This work was started by WV. P. A., but after several methods of removing the old paint and applying the new were tried by W. P. A., the contract for stripping and painting the standpipe was awarded to the J. H. Tredinick Co. of Bos- ton, who completed the project in an efficient and satisfactory manner using a patented paint removing machine. It is recommended that the inside walls of this standpipe be stripped, cleaned and surfaced in 1938.
The Bear Hill Standpipe did not require any repairs during the year,
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although regular inspections were made to ascertain its condition.
Pumping Stations
Hundred Acre Pumping Station operated efficiently throughout the year, with two occasions when the power line failed; due, both times, to poles being down on the power line.
The interior of the station, including pumping equipment and other machinery, was cleaned and painted. The lower portion of the out- side walls were treated with a waterproofing compound, and the trim- mings of the station painted. The lawns around the station and ad- joining Iron Removal Plant, graded and seeded in the fall of 1936, grew luxuriantly and were kept in excellent condition. Some minor repairs were made to the station equipment, but no breakdowns of a serious nature occurred.
Mill Street Pumping Station was kept in readiness for possible emergency use throughout the year, but was not in operation in 1937. One of the boilers was relined, and other repairs made to keep the sta- tion in usable condition.
The Department feels that the Mill Street Pumping Station should be kept in good repair for possible emergencies. It is now possible to operate the station. However, the quality of the water would not be as good as the water now delivered to the mains at the filter plant. It is also questionable as to the amount of water that is available at this lo- cation. The Department is planning a survey of the possibilities of this location. It is hoped that the Department will be able to make changes and repairs to the station so that a real supply of good water can be de- lievered in emergencies. It is planned to do any necessary work as finances permit and without causing any increase in the appropriations for the department.
The Water Department has moved from its old quarters on Park- er Street which it had occupied since 1892, to the new Public Works Garage on John Street. The added room and conveniences at the Garage are an aid to the work of the Department.
I again recommend the installation of a 12" water main in Grove Street, from the Hundred Acre Pumping Station to Franklin Street, paralleling the present 12" main. This main would result in lower costs of pumping and also allow repairs to be made to either main without disturbing the supply to any section of the Town. From the corner of Franklin and Grove Streets there are two 8" mains and one 12" main directly connected to the distribution system. I also recommend that the auxiliary power line mentioned in last year's report, and partially installed in 1937, be completed as early as possible. If a major failure of the present power line occurred, the station would be unable to operate. The Municipal Light Department is co-operating in this mat- ter and it is felt that this auxiliary line will be completed in the near future.
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HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Highway Department :
Appropriation Voted in March Town Meeting:
1. Highway Maintenance and Construction .. $ 43,115.00
2. Removal of Snow and Ice 8,450.00
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains 1,500.00
4. Sidewalk Construction 5,000.00
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage
5,285.00
6. Care of Dumps
1,200.00
7. Construction of Municipal Garage 30,000.00
8. Purchase of New Equipment 11,500.00
9. Construction of Waverly Road
319.00
10. Construction of Puritan Road
1,070.00
11. Construction of Priscilla Road 925.00
12. Construction of Laneton Way 342.50
13. Chapter 90 Construction -- Woburn Street . 4,000.00
14. Chapter 90 Construction-Lowell Street ...
4,000.00
$116,706.50
Unexpended Balances from Previous Appropriations :
15. Construction of Colburn Road $ 671.23
16. Construction of Hartshorn Street 1,346.06
17. Chapter 90 Construction-Lowell Street 782.32
$ 2,799.61
18. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Maintenance $ 2,000.00
19. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Construction-Woburn Street 9,600.00
20. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Construction-Lowell Street
9,600.00
21. Transfer Sept. 30, 1937 to Highway Dept.
850.00
22. Transfer Sept. 30, 1937 to Sidewalk Acct. Special Town Meeting, November 15, 1937.
250.00
23. Transferred to Highway Dept. from unex- pended bal. of Chapin Ave., and County Rd. $ 126.62
24. Transferred to Const. of Oak Ridge Rd from unexpended bal. of Chapin Ave. 121.00
25. Transferred to Const. of Pine Ridge Rd. from unexpended bal. of Chapin Avenue .. 80.00
26. Transferred to Const. of Sylvan Rd. from unexpended bal. of Chapin Ave.
49.00
GRAND TOTAL $142,183.23
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Expenditures and Balances of the above Appropriations :
Item :
1. Highway Department
Appro. for Maint and Const.
$ 43,115.00
18. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Maintenance
2,000.00
21. Transfer Sept. 30, 1937
850.00
23. Transfer Nov. 15, 1937
126.62
$ 46,091.62
Expended :
$ 18,830.74
General Repairs
1,983.88
Road Material
13,301.06
Misc. Supplies and Tools
11,967.16
Total
$ 46,082.84
Balance Unexpended
$ 8.78
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
$ 8,450.00
Transfer to Reserve Fund
1,998.67
$ 6,451.33
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 1,551.75
Repairs, Equipment and Supplies
1,687.51
Total
$ 3,239.26
Balance Unexpended
$ 3,212.07
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains
$ 1,500.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 1,489.17
Supplies and Misc.
10.83
Total
$ 1,500.00
Balance Unexpended
.00
4. Sidewalk Construction
$ 5,000.00
22. Transfer Sept. 30, 1937
250.00
$ 5,250.00
219
Highway Department
Pay Roll
Expended : Pay Roll $ 3,534.37 Supplies for Const. 1,715.63
Total
$ 5,250.00
Balance Unexpended
$ .00
$ 5,285.00
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage .. Expended : Pay Roll $ 3,253.27
Supplies
2,025.26
Total
$ 5,278.53
Balance Unexpended
$ 6.47
6. Care of Dumps
$ 1,200.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 1,129.19
Supplies
70.81
Total
$ 1,200.00
Balance Unexpended $ 0.00
7. Construction of Municipal Garage Expended :
Pay Roll
$
11.20
Land Purchase
3,600.00
Architect
900.00
Contractors
20,766.35
Supplies and Misc.
592.27
Total
$ 25,869.82
Balance Unexpended
$ 4,130.18
8. Purchase of New Equipment
$ 11,500.00
Expended
11,500.00
Balance Unexpended
$ 0.00
9. Construction of Waverly Road
$ 319.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 110.92
Supplies
208.08
Total
$ 319.00
Balance Unexpended
$ 0.00
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220
$ 30,000.00
10.
Construction of Puritan Road
Expended :
Pay Roll
$
1,070.00
$ 366.07
Supplies
703.93
Total
$ 1,070.00
Balance Unexpended
$ 0.00
11. Construction of Priscilla Road
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 248.48
Supplies
676.52
Total
$ 925.00
Balance Unexpended
$ 0.00
12. Construction of Laneton Way
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 194.86
Supplies
147.64
Total
$ 342.50
Balance Unexpended
$ .00
13. Chapter 90 Construction-Woburn Street
$ 4,000.00
19. Received from State and County
9,600.00
$ 13,600.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$
5,059.58
Supplies & Misc.
8,540.42
Total Expended
$ 13,600.00
Balance Unexpended
$ .00
14. Chapter 90 Construction-Lowell Street . . .
$ 4,000.00
17. Balance from 1936 782.32
20. Received from State and County 1937
9,600.00
$ 14,382.32
Expended :
Pay Roll
$
6,554.74
Supplies and Misc.
7,812.99
Total Expended
$ 14,367.73
Balance Unexpended
$ 14.59
221
Highway Department
$ 925.00
$ 342.50
15. Construction of Colburn Road 1936.
Bal. Forward
$ 671.23
Expended
Pay Roll $ 125.30
Supplies
411.19
Total
$ 536.49
Balance Unexpended
16. Construction of Hartshorn St.
1936 Bal. Forward
$ 1,346.09
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 344.27
Supplies
408.27
Total
$ 752.54
Balance Unexpended
$ 593.55
24. Construction of Oak Ridge Road
Transfer 11/15/37
$ 121.00
Expended : Supplies $ 8.25
Total $ 8.25
Balance Unexpended
$ 112.75
25. Construction of Pine Ridge Road
Transfer 11/15/37
$ 80.00
Expended : Supplies $ 13.00
Total
$ 13.00
Balance Unexpended
$ 67.00
26. Construction of Sylvan Road
Transfer 11/15/37
$ 49.00
Expended : Supplies $ 4.50
Total
$ 4.50
Balance Unexpended
$ 44.50
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222
$ 134.74
Totals
Item
Appro. and Transfers
Expended
Balance Bal. Fwd.
1-18-21-23
$ 46,091.62
$ 46,082.84 $
8.78
2
8,450.00
5,237.93
3,212.07
3
1,500.00
1,500.00
.00
4-22
5,250.00
5,250.00
.00
5
5,285.00
5,278.53
6.47
6
1,200.00
1,200.00
.00
7
30,000.00
25,869.82
4,130.18
$ 4,130.18
8
11,500.00
11,500.00
.00
9
319.00
319.00
.00
10
1,070.00
1,070.00
.00
11
925.00
925.00
.00
12
342.50
342.50
.00
13-19
13,600.00
13,600.00
.00
14-17-20
14,382.32
14,367.73
14.59
14 59
15
671.23
536.49
134.74
134.74
16
1,346.09
752.54
593.55
593 55
24
121.00
8.25
112.75
112.75
25
80.00
13.00
67.00
67.00
26
49.00
4.50
44.50
44.50
The types of work performed by the Highway Department in 1937 were many and varied. An increase in appropriations made possible much extra maintenance and construction work, and favorable com- ment has been made by citizens upon the improved conditions of streets and sidewalks.
Sections of Woburn and Lowell Streets were reconstructed by means of Chapter 90 appropriations; a section of Pleasant Street by Chapter 464 funds ; and Puritan, Priscilla and Waverly Roads, and Lane- ton Way, under Chapter 83 appropriations.
Added funds were also obtained from the State and County for Chapter 90 maintenance works, and were expended on streets previously constructed under this Chapter; and by means of Chapter 464 mainten- ance funds much work was accomplished on secondary highways.
Granolithic sidewalk and granite curbing installation exceeded that of recent years, with several applications on hand for 1938 construction. On several streets, groups of abutting property owners applied for
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granolithic sidewalks, resulting in unbroken lengths of hard surfaced sidewalks on these locations.
Several storm water drains were installed to relieve property owners in various locations of inadequate drainage facilities.
For several years the Town has purchased gravel by a leasing agree- ment. The leased gravel bank having become exhausted of gravel proper for Departmental purposes, a new source of supply was in- vestigated, with the result that a tract of land in the immediate vicinity was secured, by purchase, from the owner. This tract, comprising 9.46 acres, should furnish an adequate supply of gravel for several years, with the prospect of obtaining more gravel from adjacent property when necessary.
A valuable addition to the Departments equipment was the pur- chase of a Model 82 Barber-Greene Loader, equipped with a 4 cylinder Le Roi engine. The loader was in constant use throughout the season, and operated in an efficient manner. The loader is a mobile self pro- pelling unit, operating on tracter treads.
A gravel plant has also been purchased, and will be erected in the new gravel pit. This unit will crush stone, screen sand and is equipped with storage bins for the screened product. A substantial saving in the purchase of screened sand should be realized when the plant is put in operation.
The following report, designating the several phases of work, shows the major accomplishments of the Highway Department in 1937.
Snow and Ice
There were but four snow-falls recorded in 1937, all of a minor na- ture. The first snow storm of the year began at 5:30 P. M. Wednes- day, January 20, and snowed intermittently through the night, changing to rain Thursday morning. Approximately two inches of snow fall was recorded. Thursday afternoon, January 21, three truck plows were used to push slush off the streets, and snow and slush was removed from the Square. On March 12 and 13 the second storm occurred, with a total fall of two inches. A rapid fall in temperature caused icy con- ditions on streets and sidewalks, which were immediately sanded. The plow units were not used, as the fall was light. On Saturday, November 20, 11/2 inches of snow fell, and again it was only necessary to sand. Thursday, December 16, the last snow storm occurred, with a fall of two inches. The snow turned to rain early in the day, and the resulting slush, coupled with falling temperature, made it advisable to clear the streets and sidewalks. The truck units were sent over their respective routes, and the two sidewalk tractor plows were also used. Horse- drawn sidewalk snow-plows were not called out, nor were they used at any time during 1937. Throughout the winter months icy conditions. necessitated constant sanding.
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The street snow-plowing equipment of the Department was greatly augmented by the purchase of a new Sterling truck, which has been equipped with a Sargent plow. The sidewalk snow-plowing equipment was augmented by the purchase of a Model E-31 Cletrac Tractor equip- ped with a Sargent Model SC-52 Sidewalk snow-plow. Although this tractor unit has been used but once, it is apparently the ultimate ans- wer to sidewalk plowing problems, as it covered its route rapidly and removed the snow and slush to the bare surfaces of the sidewalks.
Another valuable addition to snow and ice equipment was the pur- chase of a Model 80 "Handy Sandy" Sand Spreader, which attaches to the tail gate of the Sterling truck and spreads sand by means of a roller and brush arrangement, geared to its own axle, to any desired thickness, with no bare spots or waste of sand, in a strip eight feet in width. This unit is not only valuable for sanding icy streets, but was used continually throughout the summer months in covering Tarvia treated streets with sand and/or pea stone.
The plow routes were again re-written to include the additional plowing equipment, and arrangements made with two local truck owners for the use of three privately owned snow plow equipped trucks when occasions warranted their use. These hired units were used but once in 1937.
Early in the fall snow-fence was installed in four locations where in preceding years snow had drifted badly: i.e .; West Street, North side, near Woburn line; Wakefield Street, north side, between Charles and Haverhill Streets; Franklin Street, north side, on property of A. E. Batchelder; and Franklin Street, north side, at intersection of Haverhill Street. Permission of the respective property owners was secured be- fore the erection of the snow-fence.
Recent purchases of snow equipment has greatly added to the efficiency of the Department. Many pieces of equipment, however, are still needed. A program of regular addition of new, and replacement of old, equipment has been put in effect. Spread over a period of years this program does not cause a heavy financial burden in any one year but spreads the cost over a number of years. This program is an ex- cellent improvement in the Department. By means of this program the Department will be always well equipped with modern means of com- batting snow and ice and will be able to function more efficiently and economically. It is strongly urged that this program be rigidly followed.
General Highway Maintenance
The unusually mild weather of the winter of 1936-1937 left the road surfaces bare except on rare occasions, permitting K. P. patching and gravel patching to be carried on throughout the year. Freezing tem- peratures, however, would be immediately followed by heavy rainfall,
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with the result that in the Spring of 1937 the roads had broken up, by reason of frost boils and ground water, in many instances to a great extent.
Maintenance work started as early in the Spring as conditions per- mitted, the first application of Tarvia being made on May 4. The "Handy Sandy" sand spreader was used in most instances to cover the applied Tarvia, and operated in a satisfactory manner. The Adams Road Hone was used to hone sections of 24 streets, and sections of 42 streets were scarified, graded and rolled. On Lowell Street, from Wo- burn Street to Middlesex Avenue, a particularly effective surface was obtained by covering Tarvia Retread B with pea stone, and honing. The resulting road surface resembles in texture a Type D construction. Al- though it is realized the surface is not of a permanent nature, it has prevented further deterioration of the road and has produced a smoother riding surface. The hone and sand spreader used in conjunction with each other are a particularly effective combination. A total of 145,249 gallons of road oil was applied on 82 streets. K. P. patching was car- ried on continuously throughout the year. Pea stone and gravel were used as a base for the cold patch liquid. A total of 13,977 gallons of cold patch was used by Department employees in mixing cold patch material, and in addition thereto a total of 148 tons of Type E Fine Patch was purchased ready mixed and used on the roads.
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