USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1940 > Part 19
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Maintenance work at all Parks, Playgrounds and Commons was accomplished by them in 1940, as was also the sweeping and cleaning of the Square and adjacent business sections. Construction of gravel and stonedust sidewalks and tree lawns was also done.
At the gravel pit, trees and brush were cut and cleared from a large area, and burned. Much of the brush cut on outlying roadways was also done by them.
An earth embankment on Chestnut Road, East, side, at Auburn Street, encroached on the traveled way of Chestnut Road and created a traffic hazard. This embankment was excavated and removed, and a stone retaining wall 135 feet in length, varying in height from three to seven feet erected. A gravel sidewalk was then constructed at the base of the wall. At the Southwesterly corner of Fairmount Road and Hopkins Street a similar condition existed, and, on application of the abutting property owner for a granolithic sidewalk, it was necessary to excavate the bank and erect a stone retaining wall. A retaining wall was also erected at the corner of Highland and Lowell Streets, also in the locus of granolithic sidewalk construction. After the construction of Eaton Street an existing stone retaining wall was relocated. This wall was at the South-westerly corner of Eaton Street and Lakeview Road, and was 105 feet long, with an average height of two feet. A retaining wall was also erected on Pinevale Avenue.
Two intersection triangles were constructed by these workers, at Charles and Pearl Streets, and Brook Street and Summer Avenue. The
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details of these grass plots are further described in the Park Depart- ment section of this report.
During the winter months, the Washington Street Ball Park bleachers were completely rebuilt, using the old iron frame-work and new lumber for seats and braces. After completing repairs, the bleach- ers were painted. New see-saw boards were also fitted by these workers.
In various locations on outlying streets, several unauthorized road- side dumps existed. These dumps were unsightly and a health menace to the neighborhood. Special labor workers leveled off these dumps, removed the largest pieces of rubbish, and covered the dumps with gravel. "No dumping" signs were then posted at the dumps, in an attempt to prevent a recurrence of unauthorized dumping.
At the Municipal Garage, the grading, loaming, and seeding of the front lawns was completed. A storm drain and two catch basins were installed at the intersection of John Street and the garage driveway.
In the garage, these men built storage and tool bins in the stock and tool rooms, and assisted in the machine-and-blacksmith shop. Hockey rink board walls were repaired, oiled, and stored by them.
Much repair work on tennis courts was accomplished, tennis nets repaired and tightened, fences repaired, etc. The horse-shoe courts were also renovated. Cracks in wading-pools were filled, and the pools cleaned.
On the whole, work accomplished by these workers in 1940 was of a permanently constructive nature, and the town received substantial returns for the money expended, which otherwise would of necessity have been spent 'for direct welfare relief.
General
The Municipal Garage has been maintained during the year, and additional necessary equipment installed. A band saw was purchased and set up in the machine shop, and was used extensively in repair work, especially while rebuilding the bleachers and constructing new wooden sidewalk plows.
A new compressed air unit replaced the old outfit which, through years of constant use, had become unsafe to operate. The new unit is a modern, up-to-date outfit, and is useful in many ways.
New storage bins were built in the stock rooms for storing tools, fittings, and other supplies.
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The back yard area at the garage has been graded, gravel-surfaced, and penetrated with road oil.
General Recommendations
The Special Labor Account, which was instituted in 1938, is work- ing well. Under this system persons receiving relief from the town who are physically able to work are assigned to this department for work. They are then assigned by this department to some particular project. The department has endeavored to assign them to projects which do not require any large expenditures for materials, except in cases where particular appropriations are made for their use. Much work of a constructive nature has been accomplished and the town thereby has received a definite return for the money expended on relief.
The number of granolithic sidewalk applications received from property owners continues to increase. Several applications remain from 1940. Also several applications have been received so far in 1941. Owners who are contemplating the construction of granolithic side- walks are advised to file applications immediately.
The Legislature did not make provisions in the State Budget for Chapter 90 Construction during 1939 and 1940. This action curtailed the activities of the Department during 1939 and 1940, and also resulted in distinct reduction in the payroll. The proposed State Budget for 1941 and 1942 contains provisions for Chapter 90 Construction. It is hoped that the Legislature will vote to include funds for Chapter 90 Construction in the State Budget for 1941 and 1942.
The department has been able, in the past three years, to remedy several situations which have been causing annoyance and irritation to townspeople for the past several years. Many small jobs of a con- structive nature have been done such as: removing dangerous traffic hazards of various kinds, correcting poor drainage conditions, rounding particularly sharp corners, and several others. If the appropriations are kept at the same relative level in the next few years as they have been in the past three years, the department will be able to continue to remedy these situations to the benefit of the townspeople. It is more economical to do this type of work gradually by remedying a few situa- tions each year than it is to raise large sums occasionally for the same purpose.
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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 :
Year
No.
Item Purchased
1. 1-11/2 Ton Dodge Dump Body Truck Model WF31 C & C 1940
2. 1-Adams Road Grader 1940
3. 1-5 Ton Sterling H. C. 105 Truck 1939
4. 1-VT6 4-Cyl. Gas Driven Tandem Roller 11/2 Ton 1939
5. 1-6SCP 6 Cubic Foot Cold Patch Mixer 1939
6. 1-Rotary Street Broom 1939
7. 1-11% Ton Winch and Derrick 1939
8. 1-34 Yard Steam Shovel 1939
9. 1-5 Ton Sterling H. C. 100 M. Z. Truck 1937
10. 1-Model 82 Barber-Greene Loader 1937
11. 1-Model E Cletrac Tractor 1937
12. 1-Chevrolet Chassis Air Compressor Truck 1937
13. 1-Model 80 "Handy Sandy" Sand Spreader 1937
14. 1-Ford V-8 Pick-Up Truck 1937
15. 1-5 Ton Sterling H. C. 100 Truck 1936
16. 1-11/2 Ton Dodge Truck with Custom Built Body 1936
17. 1-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1936
18. 1-Chevrolet Standard Coupe 1936
19. 1-Cletrac Model BG Tractor 1936
20. 1-5 Ton Walters FM Four Wheel Drive Truck 1935 21. 1-21/2 Ton Diamond T Truck 1934
22. 1-Caterpillar Tractor 1934
23. 1-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1934
24. 1-15 Ton Gasoline Driven Road Roller 1931
25. 1-Master 7 Cement Mixer 1931
26. 1-5 Ton Autocar Truck 1930
27. 1-Fordson Tractor 1927
28. 1-Trailer 1923
29. 1-K. P. Mixer 1922
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PARK DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Park Department :
Appropriation
$ 4,750.00
Expended :
. Memorial Park
Pay Roll $ 156.22
Lights
19.30
Maint. Tennis Courts
215.92
Supplies and Tools
248.30
$ 639.74
Leach Park
Pay Roll
$ 21.51
Seed, Loam and Fertilizer
40.00
$
61.51
Commons
Pay Roll
$ 93.15
Seed, Loam and Fertilizer
47.25
Misc. Supplies
42.26
$ 182.66
Sturges Rink
Pay Roll
$ 60.83
Lights
34.83
Supplies
42.15
$
137.81
Washington Street Park
Pay Roll
$ 654.86
Lights
9.00
Maint. Tennis Courts
211.68
Repairs to Bleachers
370.48
Misc. Supplies
342.03
1,588.05 $
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255
Birch Meadow Playground
Pay Roll
$ 743.31
Lights
252.87
Maint. Tennis Courts
231.29
Misc. Supplies and Repairs
552.79
$ 1,780.26
Supervised Play
$ 342.85
Grand Total Expended ...
$ 4,732.88
Balance Unexpended
17.12
PARK DEPARTMENT
Recreational activities continued unabated throughout the entire year, with tennis courts, base-ball and soft-ball diamonds, wading pools, horse-shoe courts, skating areas, etc., extensively patronized in season. While many needed improvements should be made to our Parks and Playgrounds, Reading's Park System offers to devotees of many sports many opportunities for local seasonal recreation.
Soft-ball leagues continued active, as well as base-ball leagues, par- ticularly among the younger ages. Tennis courts were always well filled, and a tennis tournament was held in the Fall, which attracted a large entry.
Several local young men and women, all qualified by prior training or personal participation in one or more outdoor sports as instructors, were employed during the Summer school vacation months as play- ground supervisors, acting in co-operation with the W.P.A. Recreation Project playground supervisors. Regularly scheduled hours were set aside each day for instruction and supervision in all popular sports, and athletic activities, as well as for classes in craftmanship such as model plane construction, woodworking, metalcraft, etc. A class in sketching was also organized.
Skating conditions were exceptionally good during the early and late months of the year, and ice hockey teams were active.
A brief resume of the improvements accomplished at each Park, Playground and Recreation Center follows :
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256
Memorial Park
Maintenance work at this Park was accomplished mainly by Relief recipients, assigned as laborers to the Park Department. These men, physically unsuited for hard manual labor, were employed as grounds keepers, and mowed grass, edged and leveled walks, pruned shrubs, and performed other light duties.
During the extremely cold months of February and March, the Park Barn was used as a work shop to rebuild and paint the portable bleach- ers used at Washington Street Ball Park, which was accomplished by Welfare employees.
The W.P.A. Recreation Project again used the Park Barn as head- quarters during the Summer and Fall months, and conducted classes in various types of handicraft and hobby work.
Play equipment in the enclosed play yard for smaller children was repaired; and new see-saws constructed in the Municipal Garage mach- ine shop by departmental employees, were installed. The play yard was opened at scheduled hours daily and supervised by playground instruc- tors.
A pipe rail was installed at the top of the chain link fence on the south property line of the Park, from the Salem Street driveway West- erly, to prevent trespass by children on abutting private property. . .
One tennis court was resurfaced with a hot mix asphalt material. The end areas of both courts were also paved with the same material, New canvas covers were attached to the tops of the tennis court nets.
Memorial Park Pond was drained in the Spring, maintenance work accomplished, and the ditch cleaned and deepened. The Pond was again flooded in the early fall, and, due to flooding by heavy rainfall early in November, furnished excellent skating in December.
A W. P. A. project which started the latter part of December, is at the time of this report engaged in rip-rapping the open drain ditch from the Pond dam to Salem Street culvert. The ditch, when com- pleted, will be paved with stones on bottom and sides, with a 11/2 on 1 slope to the sidewalls. The rip-rapping work will prevent the frequent cave-ins which occur in common earth-walled drain ditches.
Birch Meadow Playground
Birch Meadow Playground, which contains the facilities for a diver- sity of outdoor recreational activities, was in use throughout the year. In season, tennis, softball, baseball, horse-shoe pitching, skating, and -
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hockey, as well as wading and swings, seesaws, etc., are indulged in by young and old.
The extension of Waverly Road, which permits entrance to the Playground from Main Street, was graveled, graded and rolled, and plowed during the winter months.
The softball diamond received particular attention in the Spring, runners' lanes were cut out and filled with a suitable material, field fertilized and rolled, and a small section of spectators' bleachers erected. Softball continues to be one of the most popular competitive games at the Playground, with several well organized leagues active, games be- ing played until late in the evening under flood lights.
Tennis courts were maintained and repairs made as required. One tennis court was re-surfaced with a hot mix asphalt material, and the end areas of this and other courts were paved with the same type of material. One new court is under process of construction at the North- erly end of the present bank of courts. This court is complete with the exception of a final hot mix playing surface, which will be applied in the Spring of 1941. The present surface is Tarvia penetrated gravel, sand covered, which will serve as a base for the finished hot mix top.
The wading pool received its usual attention during the summer months, and was taxed to capacity during the hot, dry summer. A playground supervisor was present at scheduled periods during which the pool was opened to prevent accidents. Instruction in swimming was given to the younger children.
A new skating area was constructed in a position Westerly from the Over-look, for the use of all skaters, but on which the playing of ice hockey is restricted. This area was excavated by the bulldozer, earth ramps or dikes thrown up for walls or dams, and a flood gate in- stalled at a brook which will serve as an outlet.
The illuminated hockey rink was maintained in season and was in daily and nightly use. Ice hockey leagues continued active, and many good amateur hockey players are being developed.
Playground equipment for the younger children-swings, seesaws, sand boxes, etc., were repaired and maintained in season. A new senior type "Wave Stride" playground device was installed on the center post formerly used for the "Ocean Wave" swing, the "Ocean Wave" having been completely demolished by vandals in 1939.
Several drainage ditches in Birch Meadow were cleaned, widened and deepened to improve drainage conditions and make available new areas in the Playground. Part of the ditch in the center of the play area was piped with perforated pipe and the ditch filled in to permit
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enlarging the field as filling becomes available. Filling from various road and construction jobs is dumped in the Meadow from time to time as available and will materially increase the Playground acreage at only a slight cost.
Washington Street Ball Park
Early in April the ball park was prepared for the season's activi- ties. The usual raking, fertilizing and rolling operations were accom- plished and the ball field made ready for the High School team's spring practice.
The re-built bleachers were erected in the Spring and maintained during the season. In the fall, the bleachers were loaned to the Stone- ham Park Department, transported to Stoneham by truck, and erected on their new football field for the Reading-Stoneham Thanksgiving day game. They were later returned to Reading and stored for the winter.
The wading pool was repaired early in the Spring, cracks filled, fence and gate repaired, etc. A new section of chain link fence was erected adjacent to the pool. The pool was in constant use during the hot summer months by a large number of children with a playground supervisor in attendance during scheduled open periods.
Tennis courts were maintained and repaired, one court was resur- faced with a hot mix asphaltic material, and the end areas of both courts paved with the same type of material. The height of the fence adjacent to the wading pool was extended six feet to prevent tennis balls going over fence into the pool.
The flag pole was removed to a new location away from the ball diamond, and reset. Children's play equipment was maintained and was in constant use during the summer season.
The annual July Fourth Field Day, sponsored by the Board for the benefit of Reading children and scheduled to be held the morn- ing of the Fourth, was postponed because of rain until Saturday morn- ing July 6. The children turned out en masse for the contests, which were held in three classes with three events held in each class : Midgets, Age 9-12, Boys and Girls; Juniors, Age 12-15, Boys and Girls; Seniors, Age 15 and over, Boys and Girls. There were also three special events, open to all ages : A Bicycle Race, a Boy Scout knot tying contest, and a Girls' Softball distance throw. Prizes were awarded to first and second place winners in each event, a total of 42 merchandise prizes being awarded. A representative of the Board was in charge of the Field Day activities, assisted by regularly employed playground super- visors.
-
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Reading Common
Reading Common received its regular care, and presented an at- tractive appearance during the year. Walks were edged, surfaced with gravel and/or stonedust, shrub beds edged and trimmed, fertilizer and loam applied to grassed areas, and rolled. Three new cement and wood park benches were constructed and installed.
A black-top crosswalk on the Northwest Common, which runs be- tween Salem Street opposite the Old South Methodist Church on Lowell Street near Woburn Street, was in very poor condition, with deep and wide surface cracks causing a menace to pedestrians. This walk was excavated in its entirety, and a new granolithic walk installed in its place. Granolithic walks were also installed on the Lowell Street front- age between Woburn and Salem Streets, and the Salem Street frontage between Lowell Street and the crosswalk abutting this common, replac- ing the existing gravel walk.
All four plots comprising the Common were brilliantly and beauti- fully illuminated by the Municipal Light Department during the Christ- mas holiday season, with hundreds of colored lights strung on all of the many trees growing in the Common, besides on many spruce trees temporarily set in the ground for decorative purposes.
Leach Park
Leach Park received its usual maintenance, fertilizer applied in early Spring, loam and grass seed applied to bare spots, entire area rolled. Grassed areas and shrub beds were mowed and trimmed at regular intervals as required.
The trees on Leach Park were also decorated by the Municipal Light Department with colored lights during the Christmas season.
Sturges' Public Ice Skating and Winter Sports Center
This area, generously opened to public use by the owner, Mr. Allan H. Sturges of Walnut Street, was in constant use during the winter months. The skating area was drained in the early spring to enable the flooded land to be used for farm purposes during the summer, and flooded again in the fall for winter use. No difficulty was experienced in collecting sufficient water for flooding purposes.
Ice skating was particularly good during January, February and December 1940, the ice being cleared of snow after all snow storms.
Skiing was also very good during February at this winter sports center, which contains several slopes suitable for tyro skiers.
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260
The winter Sports Center is a valuable addition to the playground system of Reading, and the town is indebted to Mr. Sturges for the use of his property for such purpose.
Intersection Grass Plots
All intersection grass plots or traffic guides received periodic main- tenance throughout the summer months-raked, mowed, bare spots loamed, fertilized, seeded and rolled.
These intersection plots have proven successful in not only guiding vehicular traffic, but also act as safety islands for pedestrians, as well as beautifying otherwise unsightly or barren wide street intersections.
Two new intersection grass plots were constructed during the year, at the intersection of Charles and Pearl Streets and also at Brook Street and Summer Avenue. They were constructed of a triangular curbing of large field stones, set after the pattern of an English type wall, filled with loam, and seeded.
War Memorial
The grassed area and shrubbery surrounding the War Memorial were maintained during the year. Due to the hot, dry summer, it was necessary to water the grassed area frequently to prevent burning.
General Recommendations
The softball field at Birch Meadow is rapidly increasing in popu- larity. Not only are regular league games played but also a great num- ber of "scrub games". The field is used continuously during daylight hours making it necessary for those persons who are not members of League Teams to play under floodlights. These lights are not of suf- ficient capacity to provide good playing conditions. It is hoped that the Town will provide sufficient funds in 1941 to install a regulation floodlight system for the field.
A definite trend toward outdoor activities by the adult citizens has developed in the past few years in addition to the increased activities of the younger people. This trend has naturally increased the number of requests to the Department for enlarged facilities for outdoor activi- ties. Each year now brings requests for new equipment, new developed area and more supervision and instruction. Most of the requests are of a reasonable nature and meet with the approval of the Department. In most cases the Department would be glad to furnish the facilities requested but is unable to do so because of the lack of necessary funds. The appropriations made for Parks and Playgrounds are woefully in- adequate to meet the requests for new and extended facilities. If the Town wishes to extend and enlarge the outdoor play facilities to meet the growing demand it will be necessary to greatly increase the Park and Playground appropriation.
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261
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SEWER DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Sewer Department : Construction and Maintenance Account :
Appropriation $ 11,500.00
Construction Expenditures : Pay Roll
$
1,955.62
Supplies for Construction ..
1,320.67
$
3,276.29
Maintenance Expenditures :
Pay Roll $ 4,323.47
Interest on Bonds
2,390.00
Insurance
387.69
Equipment Maintenance ..
330.06
Misc. Tools and Supplies ..
790.00
$ 8,221.22
Total Expended
$ 11,497.51
Balance Unexpended .. $ 2.49
House Connection Account
Appropriation
$ 1,700.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 1,253.26
Pipe and Fittings
406.56
Total Expended
$ 1,659.82
Balance Unexpended $ 40.18
Sewer Construction
The main trunk sewer extension on Harrison, Orange and Pearl Streets, made necessary by the construction of the Pearl Street School,
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262
and started as a W. P. A. Project in June 1939, was completed May 21, 1940. As the school was opened early in January 1940, sewage from the school was by-passed around the uncompleted section of trunk sewer by means of a gasoline pump, pipe line and suction hose. Unusual deep cuts on Pearl Street and much ledge were contributing causes to retard the installation of the sewer main. As statistics relative to this sewer extension were included in the annual report of 1939, they are not re- stated herein.
Four other main trunk sewer extensions were made by the Sewer Department in 1940, which made sewerage disposal available to ten possible house sewer connections, as shown in the following table :
Main Trunk Sewer Extensions
Location
12" R.C. 10" V.C. 8" V.C. 6" C.I.
M
Yʼs
H
Totals Poss. (Pipe Conn. only)
John St.
110.0
1
110.0
1
Elm St.
383.28
1
14
383.28
4
Echo Ave
79.0
95.4
1
4
174.40
4
Sunnyside Ave.
264.0
1
8
264.00
1
Totals
79.0
359.4
383.28
110.0
4
26
931.68
10
Also the following underdrains :
Elm Etreet-383.28 feet of 5" V.C. Pipe. Echo Avenue-159.00 feet of 6" V.C. Pipe. Sunnyside Avenue-222.00 feet of 6" V. C. Pipe.
Each extension was made at the request of property owners on the streets listed, and in each instance the reason for the request was be- cause of improper functioning of private cesspools. On Echo Avenue, it was necessary to run the sewer from Prescott Street down Sunny- side Avenue to Echo Avenue, thence westerly along Echo Avenue to number 20. . On John Street, due to a shallow cut made necessary by road grades, 6" cast iron pipe was installed for extra strength under heavy vehicular traffic.
Underdrain, to accommodate excessive ground water, was laid
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263
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...
under the trunk sewer on Elm Street, Sunnyside and Echo Avenues, and outletted into conveniently located storm water drains.
Sewer Maintenance
The regular yearly cleaning and flushing of trunk sewers laid on flat gradients in various streets was accomplished in September. using the Departments' trailer-mounted sewer cleaning equipment. Experience has proven that annual cleaning and flushing of certain trunk sewers is necessary to eliminate possibility of sewer stoppage and resulting inconvenience to property owners.
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