USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1940 > Part 16
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the sidewalk appropriation. The Board is fully aware of the need of more sidewalks of a permanent nature and each year constructs as many permanent sidewalks as the yearly appropriation will permit. It is also aware that to greatly increase the yearly amount of permanent sidewalk construction would necessitate large increases in the yearly appropriations. The continuous yearly construction will, in time, show a definite improvement in the condition of the sidewalks. The Board is, however, quite willing to follow the dictates of the Town in this matter and is prepared to attempt the construction of more permanent sidewalks yearly, if the Town so desires.
Every possible effort, within the financial limitations of the yearly appropriation, was made to improve and extend the facilities of the Parks and Playgrounds. The trend toward outdoor recreational activi- ties increases yearly. More tennis courts, wading pools, baseball and softball diamonds are needed if the demand is to be met. The present yearly appropriation for Parks and Playgrounds is woefully insufficient to meet the demands of the citizens. Use of relief recipients has enabled the Board to extend the Park and Playground facilities somewhat, and to better maintain the existing facilities, not, however, to the extent of meeting the popular demand for increased facilities.
The elimination of Chapter 90 construction by the General Court in 1940 curtailed to some extent the work of the Department in the past year. It is expected that the General Court will provide funds for Chapter 90 construction in 1941 and 1942.
Increased building has raised an increased demand for street better- ment construction. It is the opinion of the Board that this demand should be met yearly on a "Pay as you go" policy. Any other policy would be financially imprudent.
The number of sewer house connections made yearly is steadily increasing. It should be remembered that the cost of sewer house connections may now be apportioned over a period of years thus elim- inating the necessity of the property owners making a deposit in full before construction starts although this may still be done if the owner so chooses.
We believe that this report and the report of the Superintendent giving in detail the accomplishments and expenditures of the Depart- ment of Public Works for 1940, contains all information concerning this Department and its activities that the interested citizens will de- sire. The Board is always receptive to criticism or suggestions of a constructive nature designed to improve the methods or service of the several departments under its jurisdiction, many of which in the past have proven of value.
211
The Board wishes to extend its thanks to the other Town Depart- ments for their courtesy and co-operation during the past year. Respectfully submitted,
WENDELL P. DAVIS, Chairman HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Secretary EDWARD A. BROPHY, ALEXANDER LINDSAY ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON, Board of Public Works.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118 of an Act authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration the twentieth annual report of the Department of Public Works (Water, Highway, Sewer and Park) in- cluding a financial report of each department, and a chronicle of the principal work performed with recommendations for the coming year.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Maintenance Account :
Appropriation and Transfers
$ 53,027.81
Expenditures :
1. Office Maintenance :
Pay Roll $ 2,188.30
Supplies, Printing, etc. 620.42
Insurance
1,078.31
$
3,887.03
2. Pumping Station Costs :
Station No. 1 Mill St.
Pay Roll
$ 839.88
Light, Phone and Fuel 435.27
Misc.
10.37
$
1,285.52
212
Station No. 2 Strout Ave.
Pay Roll $ 1,775.46
Light and Power 5,435.48
Heater Oil 175.97
Misc. Supplies and Repairs
292.62
$ 7,679.53
Filtration Plant :
Pay Roll
$
403.00
Engineers, Weston & Sampson 300.00
Misc. Supplies
114.68
$ 817.68
3. Maintenance of Meters :
Pay Roll
$
2,011.32
Supplies and Misc. 319.63
2,330.95 $
4. Maintenance of Service Pipes :
Pay Roll $ 1,465.99
Supplies and Misc. 1,071.29
$ 2,537.28
5. Maintenance of Main Pipes :
Pay Roll $ 417.48
Supplies, Tools and Misc. 172.60
$ 590.08
6. Maturing Bonds $ 11,000.00
7. Bond Interest 1,567.50
8. Truck and Equip. Maint. :
Repairs and Misc. Supplies $ 82.45 Gas and Oil 388.24
213
Tires and Tubes ... 69.20
$
539.89
9. Garage Maintenance :
Pay Roll
$ 575.76
Fuel Oil
289.11
Supplies and Misc.
357.90
$
1,222.77
10. Main Pipe Construction :
Pay Roll
$ 5,388.31
Pipe
8,082.49
Check Valve Const.
1,002.68
Supplies and Fittings
924.78
Tools
205.72
Misc.
210.18
$ 15,814.16
11. Service Pipe Construction :
Pay Roll
$ 1,140.28
Pipe
917.23
Supplies and Fittings
1,500.23
Misc.
51.55
$
3,609.29
12. Meter Construction :
New Meters $ 832.65
13. Hydrant Maintenance :
Pay Roll $ 260.24
New Hydrants
292.98
Repairs and Misc.
248.70
$ 801.92
14. Miscellaneous
$ 545.83
Grand Total Expended
$ 55,062.08
Balance December 31, 1940
82.93
214
1940 Receipts
Meter Rates
$ 51,505.73
Service Pipe Maintenance
339.43
Service Pipe Construction
1,390.34
Rent
180.00
Fines
62.00
Hydrant Rental
5,562.00
Hydrant Repairs
19.78
Drinking Fountains
100.00
Sprinklers
42.00
Misc. Sale of Junk
19.88
Total
$ 59,221.16
Total Cost of Water System from beginning to January 1, 1940
$788,732.29
Main Extension-Maint. Account
$ 15,814.16
Meters 832.65
$ 16,646.81
Total Cost December 31, 1940
$805,379.10
Water Bonds and Interest
There were $11,000.00 in bonds payable in 1940.
The interest on serial bonds for the year 1940 amounted to $1,567.50.
There are $10,000.00 in bonds and $1,232.50 interest due in 1941 as follows :
Payable
Interest
Bonds
March 15, 1941
$ 40.00
April 15, 1941
380.00
$ 2,000.00
June 1, 1941
245.00
3,000.00
Sept. 15, 1941
40.00
1,000.00
Oct. 15, 1941
345.00
4,000.00
Dec. 1, 1941
182.50
$ 1,232.50 $ 10,000.00
215
Rainfall at Pumping Station
Normal Rain- Fall-Inches 1940-Inches Deficiency-1940
Month
January
3.41
2.22
-- 1.19
February
3.29
4.34
+1.05
March
3.73
3.68
- . 05
April
4.01
4.65
+ .64
May
2.92
3.52
+ .60
June
3.6
2.4
-- 1.20
July
3.31
2.58
- . 73
August
3.32
.80
-2.52
September
3.82
4.59
+ .77
October
2.94
1.05
-1.89
November
3.18
2.67
+3.49
December
3.44
2.73
- . 71
Totals
40.98
39.24
-1.74
The average rainfall for Massachusetts as deduced by the State Department of Public Health from long continued observations in various parts of the Commonwealth is 44.54 inches.
As may be seen by a table in this report showing the amount of rainfall for the years 1900-1940 inclusive, the average rainfall at the Reading Pumping Station No. 1 on Mill Street is 40.98 inches.
The rainfall in 1940 in Reading was a deficiency of 5.30 inches com- pared with the State observations and a deficiency of 1.74 inches com- pared with the Reading Pumping Station observations.
There was a deficiency of rainfall in the months of January, March, June, July, August, October and December of 8.29 inches, and an excess in the months of February, April, May, September and October of 6.55 inches, comparing each month with an average rainfall at Reading Pumping Station between the years 1900-1940 inclusive.
The greatest amount of rainfall in 1940 for any one month was in November, with a fall of 6.67 inches; in any one day, Thursday, Novem- ber 14, 1940 with a fall of 1.75 inches. The year's total rainfall of 39.24 inches was 5.76 inches more than the total rainfall of 1939, which was 33.48 inches. The elevation of the Hundred Acre Meadow Pumping Station is approximately 80 feet above sea level.
216
Rain-Fall in
Excess or
Table Showing Amount of Rain and Melted Snow
Day of Month
Jan.
Feb.
|Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1
T
.02
T
T
.09 1.10
.05
1.39
3
.28
.06
.19
.02
.03
4
1.17
.17
.82
.03
5
T
.15
.48
.01
.09
.01
6
.22
.14
.16
7
.01
T
.10
8
.02
.54
.26
.05
.10
10
1.16
.07
11
.16
T
.03
.07
.72
.07
.06
12
.30
1.03
.10
.06
.85
.14
13
.05
T
.98
14
1.65
1.40
.6
15
T
.33
T
.28
.01
16
.10
.02
.94
17
.41
.03
18 19
.08
1.23
.35
.04
.11
.06
1.58
T
22
.07
.26
.14
. 15
.01
.02
24
T
.28
.52
.06
.02
25
.20
.45
.18
1.26
.01
26
.03
.19
1.10
.01
27
.04 .03
T
.12
.07
.02
.78
29
.05
.01
.04
.07
.01
.33
30
80
.05
.23
.03
.50
.26
31
T
1.04
.01
Monthly Totals . .
2.22
4.34
3.68
4.65
3.52
2.41
2.58
.80
4.59
1.05
6.67
2.73
Totals to Date.
2.22
6.56
10.24 14.89
18.41
20.82
23.40
24.20
28.79
29.84
36.51
39.24
2
T
.16
.97
T
.17
9
.05
T
. 16
.10 .29
.05
20
.16
.16
1.15
21
T
T
.36
.01
.03
T
T
T
23
.06
.01
.01 T
.07
28
.54
.19
T
...
217
Water Department
.07
.27
.17
1.75
T
AMOUNT OF RAINFALL FOR YEARS 1900 TO 1940 INCLUSIVE
Year
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
1900
5.32
8.69
5.03
2.15
4.60
3.13
1.90
3.17
4.15
3.31
5.05
2.44
48.94
1901.
1.33
1.08
5.88
9.59
7.21
1.74
4.65
2.66
3.59
2.76
3.06
8.10
51.65
1902.
1.80
6.11
4.69
6.22
1.69
1.98
3.02
3.75
4.01
4.91
0.99
5.60
44.77
1903
3.84
3.16
6.38
4.95
0.48
8.91
3.40
3.42
2.29
3.69
1.33
2.59
44.44
1904
4.42
2.21
2.21
9.90
3.56
2.56
1.88
4.26
5.16
2.02
1.80
2.25
42.23
1905
5.44
1.47
2.92
2.59
1.39
6.11
1.19
3.30
7.87
1.20
2.22
3.72
39.42
1906
2.60
2.53
6.48
2.84
5.14
2.63
5.88
4.18
1.36
2.38
3.31
3.08
42.41
1907
3.97
2.10
2.40
3.21
2.89
3.80
3.58
1.33
7.90
3.36
6.83
3.60
44.97
1908.
3.07
4.28
2.72
1.71
4.00
1.58
3.09
4.07
0.86
3.56
1.10
2.66
32.70
1909.
4.17
5.33
3.57
3.95
1.97
2.14
3.59
2.75
3.74
1.23
4.06
3.60
40.10
1910.
4.54
3.14
1.58
2.32
1.19
4.36
1.98
2.61
2.45
1.48
4.30
1.92
31.87
1911.
2.25
2.94
3.12
1.89
0.67
3.43
4.79
3.80
2.94
2.91
4.14
3.57
36.45
1912.
2.68 2.48
2.64
4.51
3.76
3.45
0.93
1.68
3.48
3.66
7.56
2.13
3.24
39.52
1914.
3.34
3.65
4.09
6.32
2.76
1.44
2.34
2.78
0.23
1.51
2.92
3.69
35.07
1915
5.52
3.54
0.00
2.72
1.68
4.60
8.76
6.66
0.70
2.80
2.93
5.47
45.38
1916.
1.22
5.37
3.37
5.14
4.59
5.86
3.13
2.30
3.11
1.01
1.94
2.01
39.05
1917.
2.92
2.41
4.18
2.90
4.00
4.78
1.19
3.70
1.46
5.75
1.39
2.65
37.33
1918.
3.08
3.02
2.02
4.10
0.85
3.04
2.99
2.81
8.37
1.02
2.24
2.48
36.02
1919.
3.24
3.61
4.01
2.46
5.44
0.88
3.22
3.83
5.65
2.63
6.20
1.53
42.70
2.75
6.46
4.21
5.75
3.27
5.24
1.94
2.02
4.27
1.16
4.67
4.82
46.56
2.09
3.43
2.43
5.48
1.86
4.02
9.79
1.96
1.74
1.57
6.50
2.28
43.15
1.77
2.72
4.27
1.37
5.08
11.27
4.88
3.29
3.68
2.73
1.06
3.12
45.24
1923.
6.95
1.67
2.60
5.17
1.56
2.79
1.98
3.17
0.82
3.63
4.13
4.83
39.30
1924.
3.77
2.55
1.71
4.25
3.10
2.53
2.70
4.80
7.95
0.05
2.56
1.52
37.49
1925
2.14
7.66
2.95
2.05
5.62
3.13
2.37
2.16
4.66
3.94
5.53
46.49
1926
2.53
4.41
2.83
2.24
2.19
1.80
2.08
3.30
1.32
3.95
3.89
3.08
33.62
1927
2.32
3.18
1.30
1.43
2.19
2.27
3.04
5.28
2.68
4.10
4.18
4.77
36.74
1928.
2.17
3.37
1.45
5.13
2.77
6.63
3.65
3.84
4.18
2.96
2.28
2.57
41.00
1929
3.14
3.76
3.49
6.81
3.50
1.21
1.19
4.53
2.41
2.49
2.87
3.63
39.03
1930.
2.48
2.05
3.29
1.90
3.38
2.19
4.07
2.77
0.79
4.45
3.68
2.20
33.25
1931.
3.27
2.72
4.94
3.07
3.53
6.47
3.76
4.11
1.97
2.43
1.26
3.72
41.25
1932.
3.92
1.90
4.83
2.01
1.17
1.81
2.04
5.09
7.24
7.26
5.25
1.29
43.81
1933.
2.27
3.46
7.22
6.51
2.70
1.27
1.47
4.41
9.97
3.50
0.96
3.47
47.21
1934
3.17
3.29
5.13
3.09
2.52
4.00
1.25
1.73
6.43
3.89
2.03
2.70
39.23
1935
6.13
3.23
1.06
4.72
1.44
6.21
2.67
1.98
4.03
0.58
4.36
0.90
37.31
1936.
6.60
3.09
7.23
3.01
2.05
2.73
1.75
4.49
4.15
1.59
1.37
8.24
46.30
1937
4.50
1.80
3.21
4.61
3.13
3.45
0.97
3.91
3.04
4.48
5.18
4.89
43.17
1938.
4.08
2.07
2.11
3.12
3.51
7.18
11.42
2.19
8.33
2.93
1.86
2.85
51.65
1939
2.08
3.48
4.00
4.47
2.02
2.77
0.73
3.13
2.45
4.66
0.77
2.92
33.48
1940
2.22
4.34
3.68
4.65
3.52
2.41
2.58
0.80
4.59
1.05
6.67
2.73
39.24
Average. .
3.41
3.29
3.73
4.01
2.92
3.61
3.31
3.32
3.82
2.94
3.18
3.44
40.98
2.42
5.04
4.05
5.73
0.29
6.44
2.02
3.02
1.45
3.10
4.80
41.04
1913.
1920
1921.
1922.
4.28
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS For the Year Ending December 31, 1940 Reading Water Department Reading, Middlesex County, Massachusetts General Statistics
Population by census of 1940: 10,861.
Date of Construction : 1890, Mill Street; 1931, Grove Street.
By whom owned : Town of Reading.
Sources of Supply : Filter Gallery and Artesian Wells.
Mode of Supply : (whether gravity or pumping) : Pumping. Pumping Statistics
Builders of Pumping Machinery: Sullivan Machine Co., George F. Blake Mfg. Co., Platt Iron Works, DeLaval Steam Turbine Co. Electric Pumps at Grove Street Station
Description of Pumps :
(A) Pumping Unit No. 1 -:- 2-stage 5/4 DeLaval, 75 H. P. 1750 R. P. M. 3 phase 60 cycle, 440 volts, 650 G. P. M.
(B) Pumping Unit No. 2 -:- 2-stage 8/6 DeLaval, 125 H. P. 1750 R. P. M. 3 phase 60 cycle, 440 volts, 1000 G. P. M.
K. W. H. used for year : 310,000.
Power cost for year : $5,435.48.
Total Pumpage by Venturi Meter : 245,786,000 gallons.
Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons, Power Only : $22.11.
Average number gallons pumped per K. W. H .: 792.86.
Cost of Pumping figured on Total Pumping Station No. 2 expenses per Million Gallons Pumped : $31.24.
Cost of Filtration per Million Gallons, figured on Filtration Plant Ex- penses : $3.33.
Total cost of supplying water, per Million Gallons, figured on Total Maintenance, plus Interest on Bonds : $99.06.
Average Static Head against which pumps work: 227.
Average Dynamic Head against which pumps work: 258.
Statistics Relating to Distribution Mains
Kind of Pipe: Cast Iron, Galvanized Iron.
Sizes : 11/4 inches to 12 inches.
Extended : 1,685.00 feet of 12" Cast Iron Main, 1,374.10 feet of 8"
Cast Iron Main, 3,272.90 feet of 6" Cast Iron Main, 638.10 feet of 11/4 " Galvanized Iron Main.
Total in use at present : 50.83 miles (6" to 12").
Cost of Maintenance per mile : $11.61.
Number of hydrants added during year: 3.
Number of Hydrants in use (Public and Private) : 312.
Number of Stop Gates added during year: 15.
Number of Stop Gates now in use: 825.
219
Number of Stop Gates smaller than 4": 152.
Number of Blow Offs added during year : None.
Number of Blow Offs now in use: 28.
Range of Pressure on Mains : 45-90 1bs.
Statistics Relating to Suction Mains
Kind of Pipe: Cast Iron.
Sizes of Pipe : 16", 12", 10", 8".
Total number of feet in use: 116 feet of 16", 1270 feet of 12", 940 feet of 10", 2,713 feet of 8". Total-5,039 feet.
Gates in use on Suction Mains : 1-16", 4-12", 3-8", 92-21/2" Gates.
Wells in use: Line A-14 Wells; Line B-17 Wells; Line C-11 Wells;
Line D-12 Wells; Line E- 9 Wells; Line F-12 Wells; Line G -- 7 Wells; Line H-8 Wells. Total-90 Wells.
Statistics Relating to Services
Services : Kinds of Pipe: Cast Iron, Galvanized Iron, Lead Lined, Ce- ment Lined, and Copper Tubing.
Sizes : 3/4" to 6".
Extended : 5,193.80 feet.
Total in use : 41.91 miles.
Number of active service taps added during year : 92.
Number of service taps in use : 2,654.
Average length of services-1940: 56.45 feet.
Average cost of service to owner-1940: $16.50.
Number of water meters tested: 415.
Number of water meters repaired : 216.
Number of water meters added: 82.
Number of water meters junked: 7.
Number of water meters now in use: 3,077.
COMPARATIVE TOTAL PUMPAGE DURING PAST TEN YEARS 1931 to 1940 inclusive
Year
Annual Pumpage (Gallons)
Increase or Decrease (Gallons)
Average Daily Pumpage (Gallons)
Increase or Decrease (Gallons)
Cost per Million Gallons Pumped Figured on Total Maint. and Int. on Bonds
Esti- mated Popu- lation
1931
144,923,924
2,263,049 Dec.
397,051
6,206 Dec.
211.95
9,747
1932
161,609,500
16,685,576 Inc.
441,423
44,372 Inc.
120.73
9,747
1933
171,847,300
10,237,800 Inc.
470,389
28,966 Inc.
113.22
9,747
1934
221,260,400
49,413, 100 Inc.
606,192
135,803 Inc.
115.05
9,767
1935
248,075,400
26,815,000 Inc.
679,658
73,466 Inc.
90.61
10,703
1936
249,110,100
1,034,700 Inc.
680,629
971 Inc.
100.70
10,703
1937
212,484,400
36,625,700 Dec.
582,149
98,480 Dec.
129.81
10,703
1938
213,853,400
1,369,000 Inc.
585,900
3,751 Inc.
122.24
10,703
1939
245,937,000
32,083,600 Inc.
673,800
87,900 Inc.
106.93
10,703
1940
245,786,000
151,000 Dec.
671,546
2,254 Dec.
99.06
10,861
220
IRON REMOVAL PLANT Chemical and Microscopic Character of Raw Water-1940 (Unfiltered-Direct from Tubular Wells) (Parts per Million)
Carbon Dioxide
Dissolved Oxygen
Manganese |P. H. Value*
Month
No. of Test Days
Iron
Hardness
Ave.
Max.
P.P.M.
% Sat.
January. .
1
1.60
41.0
...
....
. . .
February.
1
1.60
...
46.0
55.0
1.6
13.3
0.16
6.1
April . .
6.0
May.
1
1.50
32.0
46.0
1.8
15.8
0.18
6.0
June. ..
1
1.60
34.0
...
....
0.18
6.0
August.
1
1.40
37.0
42.0
1.6
14.2
0.16
6.1
September.
1
1
1.50
37.0
. ..
·
..
1
1.60
38.0
47.0
0.8
7.1
0.16
6.1
December
1
Total .
12
.. .
1.52
40.2
1.5
12.6
0.18
6.1
Average.
Chemical and Microscopic Character of Water Delivered to Mains-1940 (Filtered Water as Delivered from Iron Removal Plant) (Parts per Million)
Carbon Dioxide
Dissolved Oxygen
Month
No. of Test Days
Iron
Hardness
Ave.
Max.
P.P.M.
% Sat.
Manganese
P. H. Value*
January.
1
0.22
3.0
...
February.
1
0.25
2.0
March
2
0.22
3.5
12.4
103.9
0.011
7.3
April . .
1
1
0.20
3.0
10.8
97.6
0.010
7.3
June. .
1
0.22
3.0
. . .
0.006
7.2
August.
1
0.21
4.0
September.
1
0.20
3.5
10.9
98.9
0.006
7.3
October.
1
0.19
2.5
. .
. . .
0.006
7.3
November
1
0.18
3.0
11.6
101.3
0.006
7.3
December
1
0.19
4.0
Total.
12
. ..
.. ..
....
Average.
0.21
3.2
.
11.4
100.4
0.007
7.3
March
2
1.43
49.5
. .
....
0.18
0.16
6.0
July .
1
1.50
43.0
0.24
6.2
October .
0.20
6.1
November.
1.50
45.0
...
...
...
0.006
7.2
May. .
0.20
4.0
0.004
7.3
July .
0.006
7.4
0.006
7.3
0.008
7.4
0.18
6.2
0.18
6.1
*Hydrogen Ion Concentration.
1.45
39.5
YEARLY RECORD OF HUNDRED ACRE MEADOW PUMPING STATION January 1, 1940 to December 31, 1940
Month
No. Days
No. Hrs.
No. Min.
Gals. Pumped | Total Head
Power K.W.H.
Gallons Per K. W. H.
Rain- fall
Fuel Oil
DailyAverage Gal. Pumped
January. .
31
388
15
20,110,500
227
25,300
794.88
2.22
503
648,725
February.
29
383
30
19,916,500
227
24,900
799.85
4.34
552
686,775
March .
31
409
00
21,225,500
227
26,500
800.96
3.68
525
684,693
April.
30
383
15
19,713,200
227
24,800
794.88
4.65
200
657,107
May. . .
31
419
15
21,528,600
227
27,200
791.49
3.52
170
694,471
June. .
30
396
30
20,351,100
227
26,100
779.73
2.41
678,370
July .
31
464
30
24,091,700
227
31,200
772.16
2.58
777,151
August. .
31
482
15
25,505,400
227
31,900
799.54
.80
. .
.
30
362
30
19,069,000
227
24,100
791.24
4.59
635,633
October . .
31
364
15
19,194,300
227
24,300
789.88
1.05
275
619,139
·November. . . .
30
325
00
17,253,600
227
21,200
813.84
6.67
270
575,12C
December .
31
343
30
17,826,600
227
22,500
792.29
2.73
315
575,052
Totals
366
4,721
45
245,786,000
227
310,000
792.86
39.24
2,810
671,546
..
.
822,755
September.
Venturi Meter
MAIN WATER PIPE EXTENSIONS
Street
Section
12"
8"
6"
114"
Total
John Carver Rd ..
Priscilla Rd. to Hartshorn St ..
787.9
787.9
Hartshorn St ...
John Carver Rd., Westerly
188.5
188.5
Virginia Rd.
32 Virginia Rd., Westerly .
178.7
178.7
F Street. .
Libby Avenue, Westerly.
170.6
170.6
Charles St.
Main St. to Pearl St. .
1,374.1
45.5
1,419.6
Grove St.
Strout Avenue, Southerly .
517.0
Strout Ave.
Grove St. to Pump. Sta. #2.
1,168.0
195.0
195.0
Wescroft Rd.
West St., Westerly
467.0
467.0
Line Rd.
77 Track Rd., Easterly
213.5
213.5
Barrows Rd ..
Lowell St., Southerly .
154.0
154.0
Longfellow Rd.
Weston Rd., Northerly. Weseroft Rd., Northerly
225.8
225.8
Indiana Ave.
25 Indiana Ave., Northerly.
155.5
155.5
Granger Ave. .
10 Granger Ave., Westerly Coolidge Rd., Westerly
319.5
319.5
Hampshire Rd.
36 Hampshire Rd., Easterly
78.0
78.0
Bond St.
26 Bond St., Northerly.
70.5
70.5
Pilgrim Rd.
14 Pilgrim Rd., Southerly
48.0
48.0
High St.
264 High St., Northerly.
59.0
59.0
Totals
1,685.00
1,374.10
3,272.90
638.10
6,970.10
NEW HYDRANTS SET
Make
Location
Gated
Corey.
Hartshorn St., North Side, East of No. 52.
Yes
Corey.
Charles St., North Side, Opp. Harrison St ..
Yes
Corey.
Charles St., South Side, East of Main Street.
Yes
HYDRANTS MOVED, RAISED OR REPLACED
Make
Location
Operation
Make Set
Gated
Chapman.
South St., Qpp. No. 291 ... Glen Rd., North Side, Front of No. 14
Replaced Hydrant, Gated Replaced Hydrant, Gated
Corey. . . . Chapman
Yes
Chapman
Haverhill St., West Side,
Replaced Hydrant
Co ey.
Yes
Corey.
Green St., North Side, Front of No. 18
Chapman
Yes
Chapman
Salem St., North Side, West Corner Bay State Rd.
Chapman
Yes
Corey.
Lewis St., North Side, West of No. 25
Replaced Hydrant, Gated Raised, Set Back and Gated Raised Hydrant 1 foot ...
Corey. . .
Yes
1,168.0
Vista Ave ..
14 Vista Ave., Easterly
517.0
386.0
386.0
Coolidge Rd.
168.0
168.0
Springvale Rd.
North
Corner Wakefield
St.
223
Water Department
Yes
Chapman
Size and Length of Extension
KIND AND SIZES OF METERS IN USE JANUARY 1, 1941
Make
3/"
1 "
11/2
3"
4"
8"
Totals
Nash . .
1454
13
12
1
3
3
.
Hersey.
534
11
24
6
9
7
1
1
1
594
Empire.
257
1
2
1
2
263
Gamon.
182
2
. .
2
159
Trident .
147
2
.
.
149
Crown .
69
2
2
3
9
85
Lambert.
49
2
51
Union
46
1
1
48
Worthington ..
35
36
Keystone
1
9
Federal.
8
8
Thompson
2
1
·
. .
Columbia
1
Gem.
.
. .
. .
1
. .
. .
. .
Totals.
2929
42
46
17
17
21
3
1
1
3077
MAIN PIPE CONSTRUCTION
Increased activity in home building in Reading during the year re- sulted in substantial expensions of water mains. Twenty separate ex- tensions were made, seventeen of which were 4% guarantee installations to service newly erected houses, one was a replacement and extension of an existing main, and two were extension of direct supply mains.
The seventeen 4% guarantee main pipe extensions were laid to connect thirty-six newly erected houses with the water system. Several new developments were responsible for the greater number of new dwelling houses, the larger of which, Wescroft Park, connected eleven new water services. These 4% extensions ranged in length from 48 feet to 787.9 feet, the longest single extension being on John Carver Road to Hartshorn Street, which was extended in three sections.
The replacement main was installed on Charles Street, from Main to Pearl Streets. The existing 11/4" main, which was "dead ended" on either end, was replaced with an eight inch cast iron main, and tied in to the 12" main on Main Street and the 6" main on Pearl Street. This main extension eliminates two "dead end" 11/4 mains, provides improved circulation of water in the entire Salem-Charles-Haverhill-Pearl Streets sector, gives greater fire protection for the new Pearl Street School, and in later years will allow an 8" main to be extended on Charles Street to connect with the present 8" main on Haverhill Street when that section of Town is developed. The main was also laid prior to the reconstruction of Charles Street by a State Aid W. P. A. project, to eliminate necessity of excavating the new roadway.
The 12" auxiliary supply main to Hundred Acre Pumping Station, started as a W. P. A. project in 1938, was completed in the fall of 1940.
Water Department
224
..
184
Pittsburg.
144
13
. .
3
1
.
..
1
1486
1
8
W. P. A. laborers excavated and backfilled the trench, the pipe being laid and jointed by Departmental employees, who supervized the entire project. The completion of this main is a valuable addition to the water distribution system, as now two 12" supply mains are available, may be used either singly or jointly, and eliminates the formerly exist- ing danger of a break in the supply main cutting off the Town's water supply.
As of January 1, 1941, the Reading water distribution system com- prises 50.83 miles of water mains in sizes 6" to 12", besides other mains of smaller size.
Main Pipe Maintenance
Twelve main pipe breaks occurred during the year, seven of the breaks being due to blown joints, three were caused by failures of lead goosenecks on 11/4" mains, and the remaining two were actual breaks in the supply mains.
The blown joints were in each case excavated and recalked; the gooseneck leads removed and replaced with new leads. On Hampshire Road, blasting of ledge in a near-by cellar caused a 6" main to split entirely around the pipe. A repair sleeve was used to repair this break.
Friday evening, December 7, a break, caused by two blown joints. in a fitting in the 12" supply main in the check valve chamber at Hun- dred Acre Station, occurred at 7:30 P. M. The pumps in the station were shut off immediately, as were the 12" main gates. Water was pumped from the check valve chamber, the fitting replaced, and new joints run. While this work was still under way, the Police Department cruising car at 1:30 A. M. called at the pumping station with notification of a break on Ash Street.
This second break proved to be a cracked 6" main on Ash Street south of Cross Street. The 6" main on Ash Street was shut off at Avon and Brook Streets, the broken pipe located and excavated, and a repair sleeve installed. The 6" main was shut off from 2:00 A. M. to 11:00 A. M., causing some inconvenience to the residents of that section of Ash Street.
The break in the check valve chamber was repaired at 5:00 A. M., and the pumps turned on. The cause of this break is unknown, but may have been caused either by vibrations from the check valve closing or by the back-surge of water in the main from the standpipes when the pumps shut down. This may also have been a contributing factor in the Ash Street break, although a flaw in the 6" main might have been the cause of the latter break. The standpipes were full at the time of
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