USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1942 > Part 22
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In several locations, existing granite curb, displaced through vari- ous courses, was excavated, and reset. Displaced curbing is both a vehicular and pedestrian traffic hazard, and each year, as appropria- tions permit, a certain amount of old curbing is reset.
Bound Stones
Bound points were set as required by law to define street lines on accepted streets, relocations and alterations, and to replace bounds, dis- turbed by various types of construction. The following table describes the bounds set or reset in 1942:
Bound Stones Set
Street and Location
No. Set Reason Set
275 Haven St.
1 Grano. S/W Construction
34 John Carver Rd.
1 Grano. S/W Construction
Hillcrest and Scotland Rds.
1 Grano. S/W Construction
124 Vine St.
1 Street Line Definition
46 Grand St.
2 Grano. S/W Construction
Harvard St .- P. C.
2 Chap. 83 Bett. Const.
Total
8 Bounds
279
Highway Department
Storm Water Drainage
Nine storm water drain installations were made during 1942, total- ing 1,428 lineal feet of drain pipe in sizes ranging from 12" to 30", ten catch basins and five manholes were constructed, and granite curb in- lets or throatstones set as required.
The following table illustrates the streets, size and length of drain pipe laid, also catch basins and manholes :
SIZE AND LENGTH OF PIPE INSTALLED
Street
30"
15"
12"
C.B.s. M.H.s. Totals
California Road
160
2
1
160
Harrison Street
165
165
Lawrence Road
77
77
Mill Street
60
2
60
Pilgrim Road
150
1
150
Pine Ridge Road
4
36
40
Prescott Street
44
44
Summer Avenue 96
96
Walnut Street
636
6
3
636
Totals
140
4
1284
10
5
1428
Walnut Street drain installation continued and completed a project started in 1941, to eliminate constant flooding of the roadway and over- flowing of surface water on adjoining properties. Prescott Street and Summer Avenue drain installations were in each case a matter of pip- ing large open drain ditches through residential areas. Other drain in- stallations were installed to eliminate existing surface drain problems.
Maintenance of Storm Drains
Several miles of open drain ditches were cleaned and excavated, with channels deepened and/or widened as flowage levels required, and obstructions removed. This work was carried on extensively through the year, when weather conditions permitted.
Drain culverts were also inspected, cleared of debris, and repaired where necessary. At the John Street culvert, part of which had col- lapsed, it was necessary to relay parts of the culvert and erect a low headwall.
The routine program of cleaning out catch basins was accom- plished, and defective grates replaced or repaired. Several sections of storm drain pipes were cleaned with sewer cleaning equipment and flushed with town water pressure from fire hydrants.
Three settling basins were constructed to run off puddles of surface water, in sections where no storm drains existed.
Highway Department
280
It was found in two instances that property owners had caused san- itary sewer connections to be made from their properties to the com- mon storm drain. This practice, of course, is strictly prohibited by law, as it is a serious health menace. The owners involved were im- mediately notified to remove the illegal connections and make other arrangements for sewage disposal, which was done at once.
Dumps
John Street Dump has been efficiently and effectively maintained during the year, with a department employee in attendance during scheduled daylight hours seven days per week. Driveways to and from the dumping area have been kept free from broken glass and sharp metal objects injurious to tires of vehicles hauling material to the dump.
In the early Spring, the debris from the preceding winter months was cleaned up, and a bulldozer used to level off the lips of the dump and approaches to the lips. Gravel was used to grade approaches and cover unsightly objects. On the John Street frontage, evergreen trees were planted to further screen the dump. This section was also loamed. fertilized, seeded and generally landscaped.
Later in the season the dump was again leveled off with a bull- dozer, and all roadways leading into the dump except one were blocked off with large boulders, and signs erected designating certain active dumping areas, in an effort to concentrate and control public dumping. This method of control has worked out fairly well, although not having been generally adhered to by the public, some confusion has resulted. Persons using the John Street Dump are requested to follow instruc- tions as plainly set forth on the signs in the dump.
Roadside dumping still continues to some extent, in direct violation of public health rules and regulations. The John Street Dump is open to public use of all Reading citizens, and all are urged to use the public dump and not create neighborhood nuisances and menace the health of the community by scattering refuse on the roadsides.
Special Labor Account
An appropriation for this account was voted at the annual March town meeting, although greatly reduced from preceding years. From this account, applicants for Welfare aid are assigned to specified week- ly periods of work by the Board of Public Welfare to meet individual budget requirements. The assigned workers are then given employ- ment suitable to their physical fitness and trades.
Although many persons formerly listed on this special labor payroll have now gone into the various war industries, there are others who, through no fault of their own, need part time or seasonal assistance. During the year 1942 this was also true, as the number of assigned workers fluctuated with the seasons.
Highway Department
281
Workers assigned to the several public works departments were- employed at various tasks as their qualifications warranted. During the winter months, certain of them worked at the municipal garage on re- pairs and maintenance of equipment; and were also employed on snow removal work. The steel forms used in granolithic sidewalk construc- tion were all cleaned and reconditioned, and the portable bleachers for parks and playgrounds, as well as playground equipment, overhauled and repaired. At the Hundred Acre Pumping Station, much brush was cleared adjoining the buildings as a measure to more readily ap- prehend possible intruders in this protected area.
Other workers were employed as typists and clerks in various town' department offices and services, and one man was for some time as- signed to the A. R. P. Report Center in a clerical capacity. At the Town Forest, a fire watcher and caretaker was employed from special labor funds.
While forecasts for 1943 special labor demands are of course only suppositions, it may well be that, with the discontinuance of the Fed- eral Works Progress Administration, many of the remaining W. P. A. workers may be still unable, from physical incapacity, age, or other causes, to secure private employment. If this is true, extra demands may be made on the special labor account.
War Emergency
The personnel and equipment of the Board of Public Works has co-operated to the fullest extent in the various activities connected with the war emergency. All requests from the Reading Public Safety Committee have been complied with, such as defense sand distribution, rubber and metal salvage collection, etc. Trucks have been fitted with specified tools and equipment and crews of men, volunteers from the department, trained for possible emergencies. Plans have been worked out and rehearsals held in prompt dispersal of trucks and equipment in event of airplane bombings.
The personnel of the departments have responded to all practise air raid and blackout signals, and the Public Works telephone at the Report Center covered volunteer workers. Practise incidents held dur- ing practise alerts have been covered by necessary department equip- ment.
Defense Sand Distribution
Sand, for use in extinguishing incendiary bombs in private homes, stores, and other buildings in event of enemy air raids, was distributed by the Highway Department on Saturday, January 17, 1942. Twelve trucks, including six Highway Department, four W. P. A., one Sewer Department and one Municipal Light Department, twelve chauffeurs
Highway Department
282
and twenty-four helpers (one chauffeur, two helpers on each truck) were each assigned a separate route in a network designed to cover the entire town.
Publicity in the Reading Chronicle requested property owners de- siring sand to leave proper receptacles on the edge of the curbing in front of dwellings, each single dwelling house to receive 100 pounds of sand, duplex, apartment and business blocks to receive a proportion- ately larger amount.
Trucks started distribution at 8:00 A. M. and were confronted with a heterogeneous array of pails, boxes, coal scuttles, wash boilers, tubs, pots and pans on every street. With two shovelers on each truck, sand receptacles were rapidly filled and trucks finished their routes at dif- ferent times from 4:00 to 6:00 P. M. A total of 140 tons of sand was delivered to property owners.
As some householders neglected to put out receptacles until after the sand trucks had gone by, it was necessary to send sand trucks out again on several other occasions. A stock pile of sand was also main- tained at the municipal garage for the use of citizens, who were in- structed, through the Reading Chronicle, of its location.
Salvage Collection
In line with the national salvage drive, to collect badly needed metals and rubber for the nation's war effort, departmental personnel and equipment assisted the Reading Salvage Committee in filling Read- ing's quota. After due publicity in the Reading Chronicle, citizens were advised that, on the fifth day of each month, beginning September 5th salvage collections would be made on each street in the entire town. Citizens were requested to set out their scrap donations on sidewalks and tree lawns for collection, or to advise salvage officials of any spe- cial scrap too heavy for them to handle.
On Saturday, September 5th and Monday (Labor Day) September 7th, five Highway Department trucks and the Highway crane mounted truck unit assisted in the first Salvage Collection drive. Routes were given each truck driver, and, with one helper on each truck, it was planned to cover every street in town on Saturday, September 5th. All Highway Department units covered their assigned routes as planned, but assisting trucks assigned from the Municipal Light Dept., W. P. A. and Welfare Dept. failed to complete their routes. Therefore, with many streets not covered, and scrap of all descriptions piled on side- walks and tree lawns, it was necessary for five Highway Department truck units to go out again on Labor Day and complete the uncom- pleted routes. The drive resulted in the collection of approximately forty tons of miscellaneous scrap, including iron, steel, copper, brass, aluminum, rags, tin cans, paper and rubber, consisting of everything
Highway Department
283
from nursing bottle nipples to a complete automobile. Volunteers were asked for to sort and stack this collection on Labor Day and also Sat- urday, September 12th, but very few workers reported for duty, and the scrap was later sorted by department employees.
While the scrap could have been sold as collected and dumped in the garage yard, unsorted, only a small sum per ton could have been realized from its sale. The Reading Service Men's Auxiliary was to benefit from the proceeds of the sale of this scrap to authorized sal- vage dealers, the money to be used for the Reading men in the armed forces of the United States. Therefore, the Salvage Committee re- quested the scrap be sorted and hauled by department equipment to an authorized salvage yard in Medford, thus realizing much better prices for the scrap.
On Friday, September 25th, Highway Department trucks and per- sonnel, assisted by trucks and personnel from the Municipal Light Dept. and the W. P. A. hauled the sorted salvage metal from the Sep- tember 5th collection to the Medford salvage reception center. Rub- ber collected in this and following months was sold in the garage yard to authorized dealers and hauled by them.
On Monday, October 5th the second monthly salvage collection was made, using the same personnel and equipment which participated in the September collection. The scrap was sorted on Saturday after- noon, October 10th and Monday morning (Columbus Day) October 12th, the volunteer sorters on both days being mostly Town employees. The sorted scrap was hauled to the Medford salvage center on October 28, and totaled 67 tons.
It was planned to have the November salvage collection accom- plished by volunteer workers and trucks. To this end, the Salvage Com- mittee caused letters to be mailed to all fraternal organizations in Reading, citing the vital need for scrap metal and rubber, and asking for volunteers to collect and sort on November 7th. Although well publicized also in the Reading Chronicle as a "Volunteer Salvage Col- lection" the response of citizens as volunteers was discouraging. On the published date, six private trucks with drivers and ten citizens .as helpers on the trucks and sorters in the yard, reported for work. There- fore, town trucks and personnel were again assigned to the salvage drive.
This salvage collection was somewhat different from previous col- lections in that the school children had, on Wednesday, November 4, canvassed the entire town and carried to fourteen Salvage Depots stra- tegically situated in various parts of Town and the Salvage Bin in the Square, an estimated 30 tons of scrap metal, also two tons of rubber. In addition to these depots, they also turned in 172 special collection slips of places where salvage too heavy for them to move was located.
Highway Department
284
Therefore, besides covering the entire Town with route trucks for sidewalk salvage collection, it was also necessary to haul the salvage from the depots, collect the special collections, and visit some 32 loca- tion where the services of crane trucks were required to load extra- heavy objects such as automobiles, steel safes, iron rollers, ice cream counters, furnaces, etc.
With Board of Public Works, Municipal Light Dept., Tree Dept., Cemetery Dept., Welfare and W. P. A. trucks and private trucks, a total of 24 truck units and two crane trucks were organized for the col- lection. Starting at 7:30 A. M., the entire town was covered and spe- cial calls made, the last truck checking in at 6:00 P. M. This collec- tion proved to be the largest of the year, approximately 95 tons being collected. Some of this was sorted the day collected by Town and vol- unteer workers. On Thursday, November 12th, approximately 50 boys and girls from the Senior High School sorted salvage all day, and ac- complished much of the necessary sorting. An appeal for volunteer sorters to complete the job of sorting on Saturday, November 14th re- sulted in the appearance of only five men, three of whom were mem- bers of the Salvage Committee and two private citizens.
Due to postponements because of inclement weather, this scrap was not hauled to the Medford Salvage Center until December 2nd, when department trucks again hauled the sorted scrap.
The final collection for 1942 was held on December 5th, and organ- ized along lines similar to that of November 7th. School children spotted salvage locations on December 1, turning in also lists of heavy salvage. Six volunteered trucks with drivers, nine Board of Public Works trucks, three Municipal Light Dept., three W. P. A. and one Tree Department truck started over assigned routes at 7:30 A. M., the last truck checking in at 5:00 P. M. This salvage was sorted by volun- teers and Town employees on the day collected. On this collection, several entire automobiles were donated by citizens. These of course had to be dismantled and the different metals separated. Bodies of these and other cars were cut apart with acetylene torches and then crushed by the department's 15 ton road roller. Early in January of 1943, the last of the scrap was hauled to the Medford receiving center. Forty-three tons of assorted scrap were realized on the December 5th collection.
Approximately 250 tons of metal and 5 tons of rubber were col- lected on salvage drives in 1942. When salvage operations begin again in the Spring of 1943, Reading citizens should "Get in the Scrap" wholeheartedly, to keep our armed forces supplied with the materials so badly needed to "Scrap the Axis." The department pledges its ut- most co-operation of both personnel and equipment, but volunteers are
Highway Department
285
needed not only to collect and sort salvage on the drives which are planned for the Spring, Summer and Fall but also to locate salvage in their homes, grounds and farms. Farm salvage, known to foundry trade as "country iron," is especially coveted by iron foundrys and steel mills, as it is composed of a pure grade of iron or steel.
Other salvage operations in which the department has been active is the location and survey of abandoned street car rails, which was done on request of the State Salvage Committee. A total of 7,462 lineal feet of car rails, weighing an estimated 222 tons, were located, and plans were supplied the State Committee showing their location. It is under- stood the salvaging of these rails is soon to be started in Reading by private contractors.
The Salvage Bin in Reading Square has been emptied periodically by the department, and the salvage sorted and hauled to Medford.
General
The Municipal Garage has been maintained and several improve- ments made to the machine and blacksmith shops. Several units of equipment have been fabricated at the garage by municipal employees. A mechanical sand spreader is now being built of old automobile parts.
General Recommendations
During 1943, because of a scarcity of manpower and limitations placed on the use of vital materials, the work of the Highway Depart- ment will be confined to maintenance work only. All construction will be postponed.
The great increase in the number of defense workers makes it im- possible for the Highway Department to maintain a working force as large as in previous years. Many materials, ordinarily used by the Highway Department have been placed on the restricted list by the War Production Board and their use limited to maintenance work only. These two factors will make it impossible for the Highway Department to render service to the Townspeople as speedily as heretofore. Many services will necessarily be delayed until materials can be ordered and delivered through specified channels.
Every effort will be made by the Highway Department to furnish service to the Townspeople. In the event factors beyond our control delay any requested service, we ask you citizens of Reading to be pa- tient with us.
Highway Department
286
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-Dodge Pick-Up Truck 1941
2. 1-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1941
3. 1-11/2 Ton Dodge Dump Body Truck Model WF31 C & C .. 1940
4. 1-Adams Road Grader 1940
5. 1-5 Ton Sterling H. C. 105 Truck 1939
6. 1-VT6 4-Cyl. Gas Driven Tandem Roller 11/2 Ton 1939
7. 1-6SCP 6 Cubic Foot Cold Patch Mixer 1939
8. 1-Rotary Street Broom
1939
9. 1-11/2 Ton Winch and Derrick 1939
10. 1-34 Yard Steam Shovel 1939
11. 1-5 Ton Sterling H. C. 100 M. Z. Truck 1937
12. 1-Model 82 Barber-Greene Loader 1937
13. 1-Model E. Cletrac Tractor 1937
14. 1-Chevrolet Chassis Air Compressor Truck 1937
15. 1-Model 80 "Handy Sandy" Sand Spreader 1937
16. 1-5 Ton Sterling H. C. 100 Truck 1936
17. 1-11/2 Ton Dodge Truck with Custom Built Body 1936
18. 1-11/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck 1936
19. 1-Chevrolet Standard Coupe 1936
1-Cletrac Model BG Tractor 1936
20.
21. 1-5 Ton Walters FM Four Wheel Drive Truck 1935
22. 1-21/2 Ton Diamond T Truck 1934
23. 1-Caterpillar Tractor 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
Highway Department
287
PARK DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Park Department: Appropriation $ 6,000.00 Expended :
Memorial Park
Pay Roll
$ 727.79
Lights
9.78
Supplies and Tools
68.52
$ 806.09
Leach Park
Pay Roll
$ 88.50
Miscellaneous
6.50
$ 95.00
Commons
Pay Roll
$ 369.89
Miscellaneous Supplies
69.69
$ 439.58
Walnut Street Rink
Pay Roll
$ 280.54
Lights
27.82
Supplies
33.03
$
341.39
Washington Street Park
Pay Roll
$ 861.90
Miscellaneous Supplies
150.96
$ 1,012.86
Birch Meadow
Pay Roll
$ 1,991.68
Lights
129.50
Misc. Supplies and Repairs
395.34
$ 2,516.52
Park Department
288
Supervised Play Miscellaneous
713.36 71.05
Grand Total Expended
$ 5,995.85
Balance Unexpended
$ 4.15
PARK DEPARTMENT
War time restrictions on travel, gasoline and tire rationing were reflected in the increased use of Reading's park and playground facili- ties during the year. Baseball, softball and tennis were particularly popular with the younger set, while adults enjoyed softball games and tennis. During the Summer and Fall season, many family groups and organizations held picnics in Birch Meadow Playground, with its num- erous out-door fireplaces.
Playground supervisors were employed during the Summer school vacation period to teach the rudiments of many recognized playground sports and to organize and direct playground activities. Qualified by prior training and personal participation in various sports, hand-craft and art, these supervisors diligently performed their assigned duties, as well as keeping order in the playgrounds. During the season, three of the male instructors left to enter the armed forces. During the su- pervised playground period, there was an average daily attendance of sports participants of 448 and a daily average of spectators of 125 in- dividuals.
Skating areas were kept in condition during the Winter months, and ice hockey leagues flourished in January and February. The be- low zero weather of December resulted in excellent skating conditions, but dim-out regulations prohibited the use of electric flood lights on the hockey rinks, thus eliminating night hockey games.
A brief resume of the improvements and activities at each Park, Playground and Recreation Center follows :
Memorial Park
No major improvements were accomplished at Memorial Park dur- ing the year, although the Park was used extensively. The usual maintenance work was carried on throughout the year, and the grounds kept in order.
Park Department
289
Some necessary repairs were made to the Park Barn, and it was used as a headquarters by the playground instructors and for classes in craft work of various kinds, such as painting, sketching, leather-work- ing and paper work. On rainy days it was also used as a game room for indoor games.
Playground apparatus was maintained in the small children's play- yard and used extensively through the season.
A pet show, puppet show, and doll carriage parade, all well at- tended, were organized and directed during the season by the instruc- tors.
The tennis courts received needed repairs and were almost con- stantly in use.
Birch Meadow Playground
This playground was the scene of much activity throughout the year, being equipped for various types of seasonal sports and recrea- tion.
The field-stone storehouse, started in 1941, was completed and the control switches for the playground flood-lights installed therein. It is also used as a store room for smaller items of playground equipment.
A practise tennis court, also started in 1941, was completed early in the Spring of 1942, including a wire mesh fence enclosure. The play- ing area was graded with gravel and rolled to present a hard surface and the surrounding territory landscaped.
The gravel roadway running through the Playground from Ban- croft Avenue to Waverly Road was graded with gravel and levelled and rolled with road machinery.
Very little was accomplished during the year on the extension of a roadway started in 1941 from near the Overlook to Rice Road and Forest Street, as lack of roadway construction resulted in only a minor amount of excavation and available filling. Surplus material from con- struction jobs however will eventually result in the completion of this roadway.
In former years, the Reading Girl Scouts had operated a Girl Scout Day Camp at the Harold Parker State Forest in Andover. In 1942, however, transportation restrictions caused the Girl Scout Committee to investigate the feasibility of conducting a Day Camp in Reading. After due investigation, a location in Birch Meadow Playground was decided on, which was found to be ideal for this purpose, being dry, well drained, and in close proximity to the fireplaces on the Overlook and a Town water supply tap.
Park Department
290
To accommodate the Day Camp, brush was cut from the selected area, gravel fill applied to low and uneven sections and spaces smoothed out for tent sites.
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