USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1938 > Part 17
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67.5
70.0
9
3
5
183.5
Grove St .
804.0
6
4
804.0
Vine St .
258.5
3.0
16.0
5
2
277.5
High St
93.5
1
1
93.5
Summer Ave.
283.0
6
3
1
412.0
Oak St. .
690.8
6
4
6
690.8
Village St .
7.5
32.7
1
1
1
40.2
Hillcrest Rd
56.5
1
1
56.5
Lawrence Rd .
19.0
10.0
5
107.0
Bancroft Ave.
13.0
7.0
2
20.0
Hartshorn St.
54.0
2
54.0
Minot St.
25.0
1
25.0
Totals
378.7
421.0 380.5 221.5 6,432.0 107.0 192.0 71.0
94
39
47
8,203.7
Lowell St.
58.0 373.0
419.0
24.0
8
3
6
874.0
Prescott St
249.7
2
249.7
.
Highway Department
219
78.0
129.0
46.0
Two drain easements were secured from property owners and drain pipes installed to relieve drainage conditions. One easement drain started in 1937 was completed. A section of a large open drain ditch between Prescott and Woburn Streets was piped with 30 inch pipe. This open drain ditch flows through a residential section, and has caused much trouble to the abuttors by overflowing, caving in, and creating a health menace.
MAINTENANCE OF STORM DRAINS
Many open drainage ditches that had not received proper atten- tion, due to lack of funds, during the past few years were cleaned, deepened and widened, by Welfare recipients. Reading has miles of these open ditches, many of them located in the outlying sections al- though some are in residential districts. They are a constant source of trouble, as the earth slopes often cave in, grass and weeds growing thereon in dry weather clog the ditches and dams form from the debris which is thrown in them. A W. P. A. project, sponsored by the Board has been approved to rip-rap with stones the bottom and sides of certain ditches, with sump-holes or sand traps located upstream from culverts. This will, when completed, in some measures improve certain of these open ditches-the only actual and permanent remedy will be to pipe and fill in the ditches.
The near-record rainfall in 1938 necessitated several cleanings of catch basins and culverts. After the September hurricane, conditions were especially bad, with leaves and twigs littering the streets. Fortu- nately, no heavy amount of rain-fall occurred until after the streets and gutters were swept and cleared of debris.
SPECIAL LABOR ACCOUNT
At the annual March Town Meeting under Article 4, the sum of $13,000.00 was raised and appropriated to be expended by the Board of Public Works for the employment of labor for the construction and maintenance of highways, sidewalks, drainage, common, parks, water works and sewers. Through an agreement with the Finance Committee and the Welfare Board, a weekly list of employables on relief was fur- nished the Board of Public Works by the Welfare Board, and these employables were assigned to work on various projects and paid at the rate of 40 cents per hour from the special labor account. Super- vision of projects and men was under the direction of the Board of Public Works. The special labor fund was, introduced as a partial so-
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lution to the welfare problem, in that those on relief, physically fit to work, should be employed, and on projects that would give the Town a definite return for the money expended on relief.
The system has proven satisfactory, in that much needed work has been accomplished outside the regular routine work of our various departments.
Over 50% of the appropriation was expended in the Parks, Play- grounds and Commons. Because of small appropriations in recent years, the grounds have necessarily been neglected. Special labor ac- count employees worked in the different parks throughout the season, and were responsible for the majority of the work done in the parks in 1938. Reference is hereby made to the Park Department section of this report, wherein a detailed account of the various projects and improvements accomplished is set forth.
On High Street, between Woburn and Chute Streets, Welfare la- borers set curb stone on the Easterly side; then rebuilt the roadway, which was scarified, graded, a sub-base of crushed stone laid, and sur- faced with hot-top mix.
Many open drainage ditches were cleared and deepened, culverts cleared of accumulated debris, etc. Brush was cut on roadsides, and burned at the John Street Dump. Much work was also accomplished at the dump, both in clearing up rubbish in the dump and landscaping, setting shrubs and trees on the John Street frontage of the dump.
Many gravel sidewalks were constructed in locations not hitherto containing sidewalks. After the torrential rain-storms in July, catch basins were cleaned, gutters swept, and culverts opened.
During the hurricane reconstruction period, Welfare laborers worked diligently to clear away the debris, on streets, parks and commons.
HURRICANE-STORM EMERGENCY RECONSTRUCTION
A brief account of the events during and after the unprecedented September hurricane as concerns this department may be of interest. Reading apparently was in the Easterly edge of the hurricane's path, and did not receive its full force for as long a period as that section nearer the middle of the Commonwealth.
The day of the hurricane, Wednesday, September 21, was cloudy and overcast with a moderate Southerly wind until noon-time. The wind then gradually increased to half-gale force. The wind steadily increased until by 4:00 P. M. it was blowing a full gale. Some limbs were torn from trees, but no serious damage occurred until between 5:00 and 7:00 P. M., when the wind suddenly strengthened to hurricane
Highway Department
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force, attaining a maximum velocity of over 100 miles per hour. Be- tween the hours of 5:00 and 7:00 P. M., damage to trees, buildings and other structures was considerable.
Woburn, Lowell, Prescott, Salem, Franklin and West Streets were completely blocked by fallen trees, some of which measured from four to five feet in diameter. Practically every street in Reading was blocked with trees, limbs, poles and wires. Howard Street, between Sigsbee Avenue and West Street, was particularly hard hit, with prac- tically every tree and pole blown down.
The full crew of regular employees was called to duty at 6:00 P. M., also as many extra employees as could be contacted. Armed with axes and saws, the debris on main traveled streets was first at- tacked, and the streets of secondary importance later. No attempt was made to haul trees away at this time. After the tree trunks were sawed off from the stumps, a truck or tractor was used to shunt them to the side of the road. All electric street lights except those in the Square having failed, this work had to be illuminated by truck head- lights, flood lights and hand torches. By midnight, September 21, all of the streets in Reading were passable for automotive traffic, with the exception of sections of some streets in outlying districts. Work con- tinued until 3:30 A. M., when most of the crew were sent home for a rest, in order that they might be more fit for continuing the work in daylight. Two trucks and their crews were kept on duty continuously for emergencies.
At 7:30 A. M., September 22, work got underway with a full com- plement of men and equipment. A systematic job of "mopping up" was begun, taking the most heavily traveled streets first, namely Wo- burn and Lowell Streets. We were very fortunate in having available two power shovels, one gasoline and one steam operated. These had been hired for Chapter So construction, which was to have started the day following the hurricane, September 22. These shovels proved in- valuable in digging out tree stumps, loading stumps and sections of tree trunks on trucks, etc. Many of the stumps moved were so large as to each constitute a maximum load for our five-ton trucks. The removal of these stumps left cavernous openings in streets, sidewalks and tree-lawns. A crew of men and trucks were assigned to fill these stump holes with gravel until more permanent repairs could be made.
Tree stumps were disposed of at the John Street Dump, many having since been worked into firewood by Welfare employees. The tree trunks and large limbs were hauled to wood storage yards to be used as firewood by the Welfare Department. Small limbs, brush and litter were burned at John Street Dump.
Work of removing stumps and trees continued through September
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23, 24, 25, and 26, during which time a total of 134 tree stumps had been ex- cavated and removed, and the trees hauled away. Stumps were also re- moved from private property at the owners' request, and in several instances, aid was given the Tree Warden in removing fallen trees from houses. A special climbing crew was assigned to cruise the town to spot and remove if possible, limbs on wires or hanging limbs liable to fall and cause damage. By Monday night, September 26, the streets and sidewalks had been cleared to such an extent that most of the departments' employees were removed from storm emergency work and returned to their regular duties.
During the emergency, Welfare laborers were assigned to this work, also all W. P. A. laborers assisted. A special Storm Emergency W. P. A. project assigned 50 laborers to sweep up streets and gutters, remove the accumulated debris, and generally assist in cleaning up.
For several weeks following the hurricane, crews of regular and ex- tra employees were engaged in storm emergency reconstruction. Grano- lithic sidewalks, granite curbing and street surfaces were displaced by the roots of fallen trees, walls and fences knocked down, and other havoc wrought. Repairs to sidewalks and streets have been com- pleted-granolithic sidewalks rebuilt, curbing reset, walls rebuilt and pipe and cable guard rails replaced, and street surfaces replaced with the type of material of which they are constructed. Particular damage to the surface of Woburn Street occurred in the locus of 1937 Chapter 90 construction, the Class I bituminous concrete pavement having been torn up in several places by uprooted trees.
GENERAL
The Highway Department is now completely settled in the Public Works Garage on John Street. The old barn at the corner of John and Union Streets has been razed and the lumber reclaimed.
A machine shop has been set up, using shafting and equipment from the old barn. A new forge was purchased, and the blacksmith shop set up in the alcove set aside for it. The machine shop and smithy are used extensively in repairs to equipment by all Town de- partments.
Lockers were built in the locker room, and each regular employee assigned one, in which to keep changes of clothes, raincoats and per- sonal belongings. The shower baths were greatly appreciated by the men after a hard, hot day's work during the summer months and long, cold hours on snow work during the winter months.
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ROLLING EQUIPMENT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
The following chart will illustrate the rolling equipment of the Highway, Water and Sewer Departments, and the year purchased :
No. Item
Year Purchased
1. 1-5 ton Sterling H. C. 100 M. Z. Truck 1937
2. 1-Model 82 Barber-Greene Loader 1937
3. 1-Model E Cletrac Tractor 1937
4. 1-Chevrolet Chassis Air Compressor Truck 1937
5. 1-Model 80 "Handy Sandy" Sand Spreader 1937
6. 1-Ford V-8 Pick-Up Truck 1937
7. 1-5 ton Sterling H. C. 100 Truck 1936
8. 1-11/2 Ton Dodge Truck with Custom Built Body 1936
9. 1-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1936
10. 1-Chevrolet Standard Coupe 1936
11. 1-Cletrac Model BG Tractor 1936
12. 1-5 Ton Walters FM Four Wheel Drive Truck 1935
13. 1-21/2 Ton Diamond T. Truck 1934
14. 1-Caterpillar Tractor 1934
15. 1-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1934
16. 1-15 Ton Gasoline Driven Road Roller 1931
17. 1-Master 7 Cement Mixer 1931
18. 1-5 Ton Autocar Truck 1930
19. 1-Fordson Tractor 1927
20. 1-Trailer 1923
21. 1-K. P. Mixer 1922
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224
PARK DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
$ 3,500.00 Expended :
Memorial Park
Pay Roll, Care of Park
$ 320.81
Lights
21.81
Misc. Supplies and Tools
186.23
$ 528.90
Washington St. Park
Pay Roll
$ 623.38
Lights
9.00
Misc. Supplies
272.16
Fence
100.00
$ 1,004.54
Birch Meadow Playground
Pay Roll
$ 745.30
Lights
134.39
Resurface Tennis Court
260.00
Misc. Supplies
303.96
Fence
146.00
$ 1,589.65
Common
Pay Roll
$ 105.07
Loam and Grass Seed
62.00
Misc. Supplies
28.44
$ 195.51
Leach Park
Pay Roll
$ 61.60
Grass Seed
6.00
$ 67.60
Curtis St. Skating Rink
Pay Roll
$ 76.44
Lights
14.86
$ 91.30
Total Expended
$ 3,477.50
Balance Unexpended
$ 22.50
Park Department
225
The following is the yearly report of the Park Department :
Appropriation
PARK DEPARTMENT
Recreational activities at the various parks and playgrounds reached a new peak in 1938. Tennis, baseball, softball, hockey, and horse-shoe clubs and leagues played regularly scheduled games in their respective sports which were well attended by inte. . ed spectators. Perhaps the most popular sport, in season, was softball, which received added im- petus by the forming of teams from local business establishments, fra- ternal organizations, and town departments. Tennis continued popular, with the courts always in great demand.
The younger children greatly enjoyed the wading pool at Birch Meadow Playground, and see-saws, swings and other playground appa- ratus were in constant use during the summer months.
During the winter months, the skating areas and hockey rinks were maintained, and hockey clubs continued active.
A brief resume of the improvements accomplished at each park, playground and common is as follows :
MEMORIAL PARK
Maintenance work was accomplished during 1938 by Welfare re- cipients under the supervision of department employees. Walks were trimmed' and edged, shrubs and trees pruned and shaped, lawns kept mowed, etc. The crest of the gravel knoll situated west of the barn was leveled off, and the excavated sugar gravel spread on walks and drives.
In order to facilitate drainage in the area near Salem street gate- way, which is low and swampy, a system of French drains (ditches filled with stones and rubble, then sodded over) was installed by Wel- fare recipients, carrying surface and ground water to the main drain- age ditch. These drains have greatly improved the area serviced. The main drain ditch was also cleaned out and rip-rapped walls replaced and repaired where necessary.
The stone retaining wall east of the Brown estate, which was in bad repair and hazardous, was rebuilt. A chain link fence was erected on the south boundary of the Park abutting properties of Krook and Brown to prevent users of the Park from trespassing on private prop- erty. The masonry foundation of the Barn was repaired and pointed, and minor repairs made to the building.
The Park Barn is old, drafty and obsolete. It is impossible to heat in cold weather and needs extensive repairs. This department is pre- paring a plan for a new building to be built approximately on the lo- cation of the present building. It is hoped that by the use of W. P. A.
Park Department
226
labor and available funds the building may be completed without any request for special appropriations being made.
The W. P. A. Recreation Project was again in charge of supervised play and functioned in its usual efficient and satisfactory manner. In- structors were employed also by the department to augment the W. P. A. personnel and teach the rudiments of tennis, baseball, foot- ball and other sports at the various parks. These instructors were Reading young men who have majored in college or high school in the sports they taught at the parks.
During the winter months, the Park pond has been kept flooded and excellent ice skating enjoyed.
The September hurricane did not cause much damage at the Park, although several trees were tipped by the wind. These were all straight- ened and guyed, and are apparently recovering. The flag-pole at Salem street gateway was blown down, and found to be defective. It was replaced with a new pole.
This department hopes, this coming year, to raise the grade of the horse-shoe courts so that they will be more attractive and usuable.
BIRCH MEADOW PLAYGROUND
Many improvements were made at the playground, of a constructive and permanent nature.
Early in the spring, a system of French drains was installed around the tennis courts to facilitate drainage; and two catch basins and twenty feet of drain pipe installed at the intersection of Bancroft Avenue and Hartshorn Street at the Bancroft Avenue entrance of the playground to prevent surface water from Bancroft Avenue washing into the playground. These basins were connected to a main drain ditch.
The wading pool, constructed in 1937, proved very popular with the younger children and was constantly overcrowded. Using the walls and bottom of the old pool, which was constructed of rip-rapping grouted with cement, a new and larger pool was built. The new pool measures 56 feet by 36 feet, and is similar in construction to the former pool. Sprinkler heads built in the pool supply a constant flow of town water, when in use, and a flood gate facilitates draining the pool for cleaning. A chain link fence was erected to enclose the pool and pre- vent its unauthorized use. During regular scheduled hours the pool was opened for use, and an instructor employed by the department kept in attendance. Sanitary conditions at the pool were maintained by regular drainings, flushings, and cleanings.
Three of the five tennis courts were surface treated with applications
Park Department
-
227
of Tarvia and covered with washed stone dust. New canvas net covers were installed, the wire fences around the courts repaired, and wooden foot-boards installed at the bottom of the fences to more thoroughly prevent tennis balls from rolling out of the courts.
An attempt was made to resurface three of the tennis courts inex- pensively. The attempt was only slightly successful. The application of tar and fine stone dust was helpful in preserving the existing sur- faces and preventing deterioration. It did not, however, when finished, present as good a playing surface as had been hoped.
Construction was started of a new roadway, from the intersection of Bancroft Avenue and Hartshorn Street to the westerly terminus of Waverly Road as accepted as a public town way at the March 1938 town meeting. When completed, entrance to the playground will be possible from Main Street providing the residents of the Main Street section with a more convenient route to the playground. Earth fill for this road was secured from the excavation of Lowell Street during Chapter 90 reconstruction. The area between these roads and the southerly and westerly property lines of the playground will be filled as filling becomes available during the years. An extensive area will then be available for playground purposes.
The shade trees on the overlook encurred considerable damage during the hurricane. The damaged trees were removed and the usable firewood salvaged. The stumps will be removed during the winter months.
The hockey rink was set up, and floodlights installed for night hockey games. Good skating ice was maintained in season, by periodi- cally sweeping, spraying and/or flooding the rink. The department hopes to be able soon to excavate a new area for skating purposes northeast of the present area. The present area is too small and pre- sents an unsightly and unhealthy condition during the summer months, being quite muddy and swampy.
A softball diamond was laid out on the play area and was the scene of much activity, games being played by several industrial, fra- ternal, neighborhood and W. P. A. softball leagues.
The see-saws, swings and other playground devices were erected in the early spring and were much in demand. The "Ocean Wave" device was out of commission during part of the season from damage caused by vandals, requiring extensive repairs before it could again be used.
WASHINGTON STREET BALL PARK
Early in April, the entire grounds were put in condition for the coming season. Loam was spread in depressions on the baseball field, all bare spots seeded, fertilizer and horticultural peat moss applied, and the entire field raked and rolled. Walks were edged and raked, shrubs
Park Department
228
trimmed and pruned, and general maintenance of the grounds accom- plished.
The horseshoe courts were reconditioned, boxes re-filled with clay, and stakes reset. A dry well was built to accommodate the overflow from the drinking fountain.
Playground equipment was overhauled and repaired, sand boxes re-filled, and maintained.
An easement was secured from the owners and a fenced passage- way constructed from Warren Avenue westerly to the ball park through lands of the Reading Greenhouses, Inc., to provide a means of access to the park from Warren Avenue and at the same time prevent trespass on private property by users of the park.
The surfaces on the tennis courts were rough and uneven and con- sequently unfit for good tennis. The old surfaces were removed, a gravel sub-base and top placed and rolled, and penetrated and sealed with Tarvia. The tennis court fence was extensively repaired.
The annual Fourth of July Field Day, sponsored by the Board, was held at the park the morning of the Fourth, and was well attended. At 11:00 a. m. heavy rain forced the postponement of the remaining field day events, which were held the following Saturday, and prizes, donated by the Board and Town merchants, awarded to the winning contestants.
READING COMMON
Regular maintenance work was accomplished on the four grass plots comprising Reading Common-depressions loamed, rolled and seeded, bare spots reseeded, and fertilizer spread over grass. Walks and paths were edged, trimmed and raked, and stone dust applied.
The Common flag-pole was blown down during the September hur- ricane. Fortunately no damage was caused by its fall except to the pole itself. Upon examination, it was found that by cutting off a por- tion of the base of the pole, where the wood had rotted in the cement base in which it had been set, and a short section of the top, which was shattered by the fall, the pole could be reclaimed and re-set. This was done, the old cement base of the pole removed and the pole cut by department employees. The pole was then re-set, and a new lignum- vitae truck and ornamental ball installed to replace those which disap- peared when the pole was blown down.
Several trees on the Common were destroyed by the hurricane, and many limbs broken. The down trees were removed, stumps excavated and pulled out, and stump-holes graded over. The damaged trees were trimmed, broken limbs removed and the trees saved when possible.
The Common presented a green, attractive appearance all sum- mer. This was due, in the main, to the applications of fertilizer and the manual care given during the past two years. This department hopes the town will continue to appropriate funds for this purpose as
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229
the Common is seen by hundreds of persons driving through town and should present at least a pleasing appearance if not a beautiful one.
LEACH PARK
Leach Park received its usual attention during the year; grass cut, walks edged and graded, shrubs and trees trimmed and pruned.
The beautiful blue spruce tree located in the center of the park was blown down by the hurricane. This was a particularly well-shaped tree, adding much to the park's appearance.
This tree was cut up and removed by some unknown person. Ar- rangements had been made to replant the tree. When the men reached the park to replant the tree they found, to their dismay, that it had been cut up and removed by some well meaning but unthinking person. This department was greatly disturbed by the incident as this was a beautiful and well-shaped tree.
After much search, a blue spruce was finally secured as a replace- ment which conforms, in some respects, to the tree destroyed.
DICKIE'S POND
The hockey rink was maintained in season and used continuously. Benches were erected adjacent to the rink for use of players and spec- tators. Hockey clubs and leagues continued active and many league games were played at this rink. The rink was lighted for night games.
General ice skating conditions were good during the early and late months of 1938, and devotees of ice skating used Dickie's Pond con- stantly.
The town is indebted to Mr. Logan Dickie for his generosity in al- lowing his pond to be flooded and used as a public skating area each year.
INTERSECTION GRASS PLOTS
The grass plots constructed in 1937 at intersections of streets in various locations have proved their worth; in addition to compelling traffic to stay in proper lanes they are more ornamental than the old haphazard islands. The grass was kept mowed, in season.
PARK DEPARTMENT General Recommendations
The number of persons in attendance at the parks and playgrounds has increased greatly in the past few years. The increase in the num- ber of older children is especially noticeable. This is probably due to unusual social and economic conditions. The problem of present- ing and supervising attractive activities is one that should be seriously considered. While the W. P. A. supervisors are doing excellent work, both personally and as a group, they are handicapped by the rules, regulations and working hours under which they must labor. This de-
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