USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1939 > Part 11
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1,829.00
Grand Total $111,885.46
Expenditures and Balances of the above Appropriations : Item.
1. Highway Dept .- Appropriation for Maintenance and Const. 45,125.00
17. Received from State and County for Chap. 90 Main- tenance
2,000.00
18. Gasoline Refunds
215.94
19. Transfer from Reserve Fund 1,829.00
Total $ 49,169.94
Expended :
Pay Roll
$18,785.41
General Repairs 2,933.75
Road Material
13,092.89
Highway Department
128
Chap. 90 Maintenance
3,000.00
Haven St. Widening
1,244.42
Misc. Supplies and Tools
10,072.21
Total Expended
$ 49,128.68
Balance Unexpended
$ 41.26
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
$ 7,844.10
12. Removal of Snow and Ice
4,000.00
Total
$ 11,844.10
Expended :
Transfer to Reserve
$ 844.10
Pay Roll
6,839.72
Plowing and Hauling Snow
1,156.23
Repairs and Supplies
3,438.48
Total Expended
12,278.53
Deficit
$ 434.43
3. Maintenance of Storm Drains
Expended
..
$ 1,861.00
Analyses
42.00
Supplies
97.00
Total Expended
$ 2,000.00
Balance Unexpended
.00
4. Sidewalk Construction
Expended :
Pay Roll
4,726.56
Supplies for Construction
2,273.44
Total Expended
$ 7,000.00
Balance Unexpended
$ .00
5. Development of Storm Water Drainage
$ 6,500.00
Pay Roll
$ 3,308.53
Pipe and Misc. Supplies
3,191.43
Total Expended
$ 6,499.96
Balance Unexpended
$ .04
129
Highway Department
$
2,000.00>
Pay Roll
1
$ 7,000.00
Expended :
6. Care of Dumps $ 1,200.00
Expended : Pay Roll Misc. Supplies
$
1,162.35
35.22
Total Expended
1,197.57
Balance Unexpended $ 2.43
7. Construction of Prospect Street $ 480.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 407.58
Supplies
72.42
Total Expended 480.00
Balance Unexpended $ .00
8. Construction of Belmont Street $ 896.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 529.19
Supplies
366.81
Total Expended 896.00
Balance Unexpended $ .00
9. Construction of Washington Street $ 1,500.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 346.85
Supplies
1,145.09
Total Expended $ 1,491.94
Balance Unexpended $ 8.06
10. Appropriation for Special Labor Expended :
$ 13,000.00
Pay Roll
$ 11,000.00
Transfer to Welfare Dept.
2,000.00
Total Expended 13,000.00
Balance Unexpended $ .00
Highway Department
130
11. Purchase of Equipment $ 8,000.00 Expended :
Equipment
$ 7,929.28
Total Expended
7,929.28
Balance Unexpended $ 70.72
13. Construction of Waverly Road-1938 Bal. Forward. $ 381.00
Expended
Pay Roll
$
167.69
Supplies
204.24
Total Expended 371.93
Balance Unexpended 9.07
14. Construction Granger Avenue-1938 Bal. Forward
. .
$
787.75
Expended :
Pay Roll
$
623.48
Supplies
164.27
Total Expended $ 787.75
Balance Unexpended
$ .00
15. Chapter 90 Const. Lowell St .- 1938 Bal. Forward Expended :
Pay Roll $ 2,817.12
Supplies and Misc.
3,615.66
Road Machinery Acct.
1,347.85
Total Expended
$ 7,780.63
Balance Unexpended
$ 69.57
16. Chap. 90 Const. Woburn St .- 1938 Bal. Forward $ 1,276.47 Transfer from Road Machinery Acct. 84.77
$ 1,361.24
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 66.02
Supplies and Misc.
57.95
Road Machinery Acct.
1,110.12
Total Expended $ 1,234.09
Balance Unexpended
$ 127.15
131
Highway Department
$ 7,850.20
TOTALS
Appro. and
Items
Transfers
Expended
Balance
1-17-18-19
$ 49,169.94 $ 49,128.68
$ 41.26
2-12
11,844.10
12.278.53
434.43
3
2,000.00
2,000.00
.00
4
7,000.00
7,000.00
.00
5
6.500.00
6,499.96
.04
6
1,200.00
1,197.57
2.43
7
480.00
480.00
.00
8
896.00
896.00
.00
9
1,500.00
1,491.94
8.06
10
13,000.00
13,000.00
.00
11
8.000.00
7,929.28
70.72
13
381.00
371.93
9.07
14
787.75
787.75
.00
15
7,850.20
7,780.63
69.57
16
1,361.24
1,234.09
127.15
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The withdrawal in 1939 of State and County Chapter 90 Construc- tion funds, with the exception of a portion of Lowell Street uncomplet- ed from 1938 appropriation, enabled the Highway Department to con- centrate its efforts on other projects, although greatly curtailing the employment of extra labor.
Lowell Street, from Grove to High Streets, was completed on the balance of 1938 funds; Washington Street, from Main to High Streets, was constructed from a special account; a section of Haven Street widened; and Waverly Road, Belmont Street and Prospect Street ex- tensions constructed under the Betterment Act.
The granolithic sidewalk and granite curbing program was further- ed substantially on many streets, both as Betterments and abutting Town property.
Highway maintenance work was carried on extensively, both from regular appropriations and Chapter 90 Maintenance funds and the high- ways are for the most part in excellent condition.
The major accomplishments of the Highway Department for 1939 of work of a permanently constructive nature, separated into the dif- ferent phases of work done, is briefly outlined in the following report :
Highway Department
132
Snow and Ice
There were seven snow-storms during 1939 of such intensity as to require operation of plowing units, totaling 46.5 inches. In addition, there were several storms classified as "traces" only, from which slight falls of snow resulted.
The first storm of any consequence occurred January 30, starting at 7:00 A. M. Temperature 33°, wind slight N. E., Barometer 29.90 inches, snow light and fine. Snow did not accumulate until 11:00 A. M., when 21/2 inches had fallen. Truck plow units were sent out at 1:00 P. M. Snow fall gradually increased in volume, accompanied by a rising Northeast wind of half-gale force, drifting the snow badly. The temperature dropped to 12° by midnight, when the snow had stopped except for occasional squalls. The total snow fall was approximately 81/2 inches.
Truck plow units continued plowing through the night, widening streets, clearing drifts, etc. Horse-drawn sidewalk plows covered their routes twice. Tractor sidewalk plows covered their own routes and then covered in on horse-drawn plow routes. The tractor sidewalk plows have, on all occasions used, proved very efficient, often covering sections of horse-plow routes after their own routes were completed.
The second storm of the year occurred on February 7, resulting in 4 inches of snow. Truck plows quickly covered their routes and tractor sidewalk plows, after covering their regular routes, covered in on horse- plow routes, which were not called out during this storm.
On February 15, with temperatures at normal levels, a slight snow- storm started. This snow, with rising temperatures, soon turned to rain and the temperature continued to rise rapidly to a high of plus 66° for the day. Due perhaps to the sudden rise in temperature, a thunder- storm occurred, accompanied by heavy rain-fall, which amounted to .71 inches. The accumulated snow from previous storms quickly melted and caused numerous flooded streets. As snow melted off the ice-coated roads, extremely slippery conditions occurred, and when sanded, the rain washed off the sand, nullifying the work of the sand crews. At 11:00 P. M. this day, February 15, the temperature dropped rapidly and the rain turned to snow. The water on the streets rapidly froze and, covered by a light coating of snow, again caused slippery conditions on streets and sidewalks, which were immediately sanded. During the night, the temperature dropped to plus 5°, showing a change of temperature in less than 24 hours of 61 degrees.
The next storms of major proportions occurred on March 11, 12 and 13. Snow started falling at 5:00 P. M., Saturday, March 11, 1939. Tem- perature 28° plus, wind moderate. Snow light and dry. Sand trucks were
Highway Department
133
sent out, as roads became slippery from traffic-packed snow. Snow- fall gradually increased in volume and at 4:00 A. M., Sunday, March 12, 4 inches of snow had accumulated and still snowing heavily. Truck plows had been rigged by the regular snow crew, and started plowing at 5:00 A. M .: tractor sidewalk plows started at 5:00 and 7:30 A. M. respectively. One tractor plow had been under repair before the storm started and had to be re-assembled before operating. Horse-drawn sidewalk plow drivers were notified to start plowing at 5:00 A. M., and started out as soon as the horses could be fed and harnessed.
All streets and sidewalks adjacent to churches were cleared of snow before church services opened. By noon Sunday all plow units had covered their respective routes and the snow-fall had practically ceased with the skies clearing and six inches of snow fallen.
Snow removal work started from the Square and Haven Street at 11:30 A. M., with a crew of 20 men and 5 town trucks and was quickly and easily accomplished, being completed at 4:00 P. M.
No breakdowns of equipment occurred during this storm.
Snow again started falling at 5:00 P. M., Sunday, March 12, tem- perature plus 30°, moderate to fresh wind. By 7:00 P. M., the wind had freshened to gale force and approximately 4 inches of snow had accumulated, with more snow rapidly piling up. Truck plows, which had been dismantled for hauling snow, were quickly rigged and sent out. Tractor sidewalk plows were also sent out. Horse-drawn side- walk plows were called at midnight and started around 2:00 A. M. By this time, approximately 12 inches of snow had fallen and the high wind caused drifts to form in many sections. Snow continued to fall steadily until near noon Monday, March 13, when it had again prac- tically stopped. Snow removal started on Woburn Street from the Square to Sanborn Street in anticipation of the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for that night in Security Hall. Woburn Street was quickly cleared, and operations transferred to the Square and Haven Street. A fleet of 10 hired trucks and a crew of 41 shovelers were employed in snow removal work, which continued until midnight Monday, March 13. Approximately 14 inches of snow fell during this second storm.
One breakdown of equipment occurred during this storm, a section of the plow hoist on a Sterling truck. The break was welded immedi- ately and plowing resumed. The horse-drawn sidewalk plows were un- able to cope with the heavy fall of snow, even although some of the drivers hitched their horses up tandem, two horses to a plow. The side- walk tractor plow units quickly covered their own routes and were then sent out to cover the horse-plow routes, continuing through Wednesday, March 15.
High winds caused much drifting of snow and street plows were
Highway Department
134
continually engaged in widening streets until Wednesday, March 15. Wednesday evening a thaw had melted the packed snow on the roads and rain began. All street plow units were sent over their routes to push back the resulting snow and slush.
The rain continued through Wednesday night, and Thursday morn- ing the melted snow had flooded the highways. Crews of men were immediately sent out to open catch basins and culverts and drain pools of water from roadways wherever possible.
Slush and melted snow were plowed from streets again on Thurs- day, March 16. Falling temperature Thursday night caused icy streets, which were sanded. The temperatures throughout the week were such that the traffic-packed snow on the roads would not melt enough to allow the plows to strip the snow to the street surfaces, necessitating repeated plowings to clear the roads.
Other snow-storms during the year were as follows :
February 22-Snow-fall 1 inch, Temperature plus 20°, wind slight. March 9-Snow-fall 5 inches, Temperature plus 28°, wind moderate. December 11-Snow-fall 3 inches, Temperature plus 24°, wind moderate. December 30-Snow-fall 5 inches, Temperature plus 20°, wind moderate.
Sanding of icy streets and sidewalks was necessary practically daily during the early months of 1939. The two mechanical sanders were used continually and proved effective, enabling sand crews to cover more roadway with less sand than by the old method of hand-casting and also more evenly.
No major breakdowns of equipment occurred during the year. The snow-plowing equipment was augmented during the year by the ac- quisition of a new Sterling 5-Ton truck, similar to the two already owned by the Department. As no truck was turned in on the purchase, it was necessary to re-route all plow units, assigning shorter routes for each truck.
Snow fences were repaired during the summer months and erected in the fall in their usual locations. The wooden horse-drawn sidewalk plows, most of which are many years old, are in very poor condition. Although repairs were made during the early fall, several plows be- came broken during the storm of December 30. It has been determined that these plows can be more economically replaced by using the iron castings and frame parts from the old plows and completely rebuilding the wooden portions than by purchasing new plows, except in the case of the two large plows. These large plows are beyond repair and since the metal parts are not worth salvaging, it would be advisable to buy new ones.
Highway Department
135
GENERAL HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
Cold weather during the early part of 1939 caused deep frost, which, when drawn out by continued rainfall in March and April, caused some break-up of road surfaces by frost boils and raveling. The highway surfaces as a whole, however, were in fair condition.
Inclement weather delayed spring roadway maintenance, the first application of road oil being made on June 5. The Adams Road Hone was used to hone sections of or the entire lengths of 27 streets. Sev- eral unevenly surfaced sections of streets, shaped with the road hone in former years, have retained the crown and slope obtained by honing, which has proved an economical, semi-permanent method of renovat- ing and reshaping street surfaces. Honing is also a much faster method of maintaining road surfaces than the old method of scarifying, grading and rolling, although in some instances, on very rough and uneven streets, scarifying must still be done. In 1939, sections of 11 streets were scarified. Sections and/or entire lengths of 83 streets were sur- face treated with road oil, sand covered by means of a mechanical sand spreader. A total of 128,101 gallons of road oil were applied to street surfaces during roadway maintenance operations.
Early in the spring, it was necessary to gravel-patch frost boils, sunken trenches and soft shoulders on several streets. One gravel road, Walnut Street, South of South Street, received extensive gravel patching as did Longfellow Road, North of Tower Road. K. P. patch- ing was accomplished throughout the year as required, with gravel, sand, and pea stone used as a base for the patching mixture. A new K. P. mixer was purchased to replace a mixer used by the Department for twenty years. A total of 7,498 gallons of cold patch liquid was used.
Gravel berms were constructed in several locations at roadsides to prevent surface water from entering private property-these berms serve the purpose only of diverting the water, in outlying sections where sidewalks and curbing are lacking. The longest berm constructed was on Franklin Street, South side, Westerly from Pearl Street; and on Pearl Street, West side, Southerly from Franklin Street; measuring 300 feet on Franklin Street and 500 feet on Pearl Street.
Although Chapter 90 Construction funds were withdrawn in 1939, Chapter 90 Maintenance funds were allotted. With these funds, Haver- hill Street was tarvia sealed and sanded for its entire length, brush re- moved from the roadsides, cement guard rail posts repaired and painted, and a new Town Line post and sign purchased and erected on the Reading-Wakefield Town Line. On Lowell Street, a section of road- way from Woburn Street to High Street was tarvia sealed, pea stone covered and honed; and in front of the milk depot near the Wilmington Line, where milk trucks had worn away a gravel shoulder causing
Highway Department
136
raveling of the roadway, granite curbing was set nearly flush with the normal shoulder elevation for a distance of 150.0 feet and six cement guard rail posts were set to compel use of two driveways.
CHAPTER 83 CONSTRUCTION
The following listed streets were accepted as public town ways un- der the provisions of Chapter 83, Section 26, General Laws, which statute authorizes the assessment of betterments for road construction, at the Annual March Town Meeting, March 13, 1939.
Belmont Street : Orange Street Northerly to Dead End 481.56 feet. Prospect Street : Acceptance of March, 1927, Northerly to Dead End 184.0 feet.
Both of these streets have been constructed. Prospect Street re- quired the use of a power shovel for excavation, after which the road- way was gravel filled, graded, and surface treated with road oil. Stone dust surfaced gravel sidewalks completed the construction.
Belmont Street was excavated and rough graded with a bulldozer, earth and gravel borrow placed, graded, and seal-coated. It was also necessary to install drain pipes, catch basins and manholes to insure drainage.
Granger Avenue, accepted as a public way in March 1938 under the Betterment Act, was constructed in 1939. A power shovel excavat- ed the roadway and many large boulders were encountered, some of which required blasting before removal. The road surface was con- structed of tar treated gravel and stone-dust surfaced gravel sidewalks were also installed.
Waverly Road, also accepted and partially constructed in 1938, was completed. The Northwesterly intersection of Waverly and Hillside Roads, containing a high earth embankment, was excavated with a power shovel and a mortared stone retaining wall erected. The road- way was surfaced with tar treated gravel.
A tract of land was acquired in Birch Meadow abutting the Birch Meadow Playground and a right-of-way from Forest Street obtained to it, through lands of the Fathers and Mothers Club. This right-of- way, 907.0 feet in length, was roughed out, trees and brush cut, stumps removed and sections of a stone wall removed and rebuilt, most of this work being done with Welfare labor. A power shovel then excavated the roadway, earth and gravel borrow placed, and rough graded. A finished surface was not laid, as it was deemed advisable to allow the deeper fills to settle before so doing. When completed, access to Birch Meadow Playground will be possible from Forest Street.
Highway Department
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Alterations and Relocations
Two relocations or alterations to existing street lines were voted at the Annual Town Meeting March 13, as follows :
Southwesterly corner of Woburn Street and Copeland Avenue.
Southerly and Westerly line of West Street, north of Longwood Road, 324.92 feet.
In both instances, the owners of properties affected have voluntari- ly deeded the Town the portions of their land included in the reloca- tions. Due to pressure of other work, the relocations were not started in 1939 but will be done in 1940. It is intended to round the corner of Woburn Street and Copeland Avenue on a radius of 20.0 feet, and install granite radius curbing; and on West Street a traffic hazard will be eli- minated by widening a narrow roadway at a sharp curve, flattening the curve and cutting and sloping back a high bank which, at present, causes a blind corner.
At a Special Town Meeting held October 17, one other relocation was voted, being the Southerly line of Haven Street from High Street to Gould Street. This relocation was occasioned by the acquisition of the Town of the property known as "Black's Block" for the erection of a building for the use of the Municipal Light Department. Haven Street being quite narrow at this point, the street was widened sub- stantially, curbing removed and reset, a new granolithic sidewalk con- structed and the section of roadway between the new curb location and the old roadway was excavated and constructed with a penolithic pene- tration type of surface.
Special Construction-Washington Street
A section of Washington Street, between High Street and Main Street, was reconstructed by means of a special appropriation, using Welfare labor for the reconstruction on all hand-labor operations. The roadway was excavated with a power shovel, catch basins rebuilt and storm drains relaid, gravel borrow placed, graded and rolled, and a penolithic penetration type of surface laid.
CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION
At the Annual March Town Meeting, the following sums were raised and appropriated for the improvement and construction of por- tions of Lowell and Charles Streets: for Lowell Street, $4500.00, for Charles Street, $4500.00. The State Legislature, however, saw fit to cancel all State Chapter 90 allotments, the County Commissioners did likewise with County grants, and the Town's funds, appropriated with the specific proviso that they were to be used in conjunction with funds
Highway Department
138
allotted by the State and County, were not usable. Therefore, no new Chapter 90 Construction was possible.
A section of Lowell Street, from Grove Street to High Street, be- ing an uncompleted portion of 1938 Chapter 90 Construction, was com- pleted. Excavation was accomplished with a power shovel, gravel borrow from the Town Pit placed, graded and rolled, drainage com- pleted, including building a large culvert near Intervale Terrace and the construction of concrete head-and-wing-walls, and a penolithic sur- face constructed on the roadway. Rip-rapping of an open drain ditch near Intervale Terrace was also included in this construction.
Granolithic Sidewalks
Granolithic sidewalk construction was furthered by the installation of 3,285.48 square yards of sidewalks on a total frontage of 4,977.03 lineal feet, abutting 57 different properties. Included in these totals. were 46 sidewalks, constructed, on application by abutting property owners, under the Betterment Act, totaling 2,548.19 square yards on a frontage of 4,168.67 lineal feet, varying in width from 4.5 feet to 7.5 feet. The average total cost per lineal foot of frontage for normal widths of granolithic sidewalks in 1939 was $0.824 or $0.412 per lineal foot of frontage to the abuttor. On three streets, namely Highland, Hunt and Green Street, groups of neighboring property owners made mass appli- cation for sidewalks, resulting in unbroken stretches of granolithic side- walk, the longest of which, Highland Street, measured 569.52 lineal feet.
On several other locations, granolithic sidewalks were constructed abutting Town-owned properties, such as the World War Memorial, Center School, Laurel Hill Cemetery, etc.
It was necessary on Highland Street, prior to sidewalk construc- tion, to remove a granite block retaining wall at the Westerly inter- section of Lowell Street, which protruded from 6 feet to 9 feet on Town property. The wall was set back and rebuilt and a flight of steps re- built. Several low protruding cement block retaining walls were also set back and steps rebuilt on Green Street prior to sidewalk construc- tion, the wall set-back on Green Street being accomplished largely with Welfare labor.
In several locations, sections of granolithic sidewalks, lifted or broken by growing tree roots, by trees uprooted during the hurricane, and other causes, were removed and replaced. Several stepping blocks were built across tree lawns at owners' requests and on Main Street, East side, South of Pleasant Street, a section of old granolithic sidewalk was replaced. In two instances, granolithic driveways were widened at
Highway Department
139
the owners' request; and in another instance, two concrete sidewalk slabs were removed and rebuilt as a driveway apron.
Several applications for granolithic sidewalk construction under the Betterment Act, received in 1939 but not installed due to lack of funds, will receive priority in 1940 construction.
The following table illustrates granolithic sidewalk construction in 1939:
GRANOLITHIC SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION BY STREETS
Street
Number Lots
Feet Frontage
Square Yards
California Road
3
225.00
133.20
Chute Street
2
214.25
132.35
Federal Street (off)
1
111.80
60.00
Gould Street
1
68.22
59.67
Grand Street
1
84.40
48.06
Green Street
6
295.00
185.04
Hanscom Avenue
2
220.30
127.83
Haven Street
2
290.04
296.30
Hillcrest Road
1
108.80
61.50
Hunt Street
8
690.00
356.20
Lowell Street
1
118.55
81.83
Main Street
2
247.20
196.20
Pleasant Street
2
95.20
73.68
Salem Street
4
433.95
353.18
Sanborn Street
1
32.15
20.29
Summer Avenue
2
160.00
98.23
Vine Street
1
99.20
58.89
Washington Street
4
234.30
147.61
West Street
1
183.37
139.43
Willow Street
1
50.00
29.00
Woburn Street
3
445.78
266.79
57
4,977.03
3,285.48
Highway Department
140
8
569.52
360.20
Highland Street
STONE DUST SIDEWALKS
A total of 84.48 tons of stone dust was applied as a temporary sur- face treatment for dirt sidewalks on a total frontage of 5,170.0 lineal feet covering 3,009.0 square yards of sidewalk surface averaging 5.0 feet in width. While stone dust is at best but a stop-gap in lieu of more permanent construction, it does dry up muddy earth walks and somewhat improves walking conditions.
Stone dust was also applied to new gravel sidewalks on streets con- structed under the Betterment Act in 1939, and applied to all sidewalks abutting the Commons.
GRAVEL SIDEWALKS
Gravel sidewalks were constructed in 35 separated locations on a total frontage of 3,833.0 lineal feet, covering 3,250 square yards. In- dividual gravel sidewalk installations averaged 127.76 lineal feet in length.
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