USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1943 > Part 8
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$ 40,000.00
17. Credit from Victory Garden Account
Total
$ 40,224.12
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 24,226.67
Road Material
4,838.43
Chapter 90 Maint.
750.00
Curbing
199.50
Supplies and Tools
1,522.98
Road Machinery Account
8,014.32
Miscellaneous
670.01
Total Expended
$ 40,221.91
Balance Unexpended
$ 2.21
2. Removal of Snow and Ice
$ 12,000.00
19. Removal of Snow and Ice
1,500.00
$ 13,500.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 2,777.06
Plowing and Hauling
748.88
Repairs and Supplies
1,337.76
Road Machinery Account
1,290.08
Total Expended
$ 12,153.78
Balance Unexpended
$ 1,346.22
.3. Maintenance of Storm Drains
$ 4,000.00
Highway Department
95
224.12
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 3,747.25
Supplies and Misc.
252.75
Total Expended $ 4,000.00
4. Sidewalk Maintenance and Construction $ 3,300.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$
2,372.80
Supplies and Misc.
459.97
Total Expended $ 2,832.77
Balance Unexpended $ 467.23
5. Development of Storm Water Drains $ 4,200.00
Expended : $ 2,403.78
Pay Roll
Pipe and Supplies
1,796.22
Total Expended $ 4,200.00
6. Care of Dumps $ 1,400.00
Expended : Pay Roll $ 1,400.00
7. Construction of West Hill Circle
Balance Forward from 1942 $ 834.06
No Expenditures in 1943
8. Construction of Wescroft Road Balance Forward from 1942 $ 1,850.90
· No Expenditures in 1943
9. Construction of Springvale Road Balance Forward from 1942 $ 162.24
· No Expenditures in 1943
10. Construction of Harvard Street Balance Forward from 1942 $ 341.20
No Expenditures in 1943
11. Construction of Lewis Street Balance Forward from 1942 $ 189.77
No Expenditures in 1943
12. Development Committee
Balance Forward from 1942 $ 500.00.
Highway Department 96
No Expenditures in 1943
13. Chapter 90 Maintenance
Received from State and County $ 1,500.00
Received from Highway Department
750.00
$ 2,250.00
Expended :
Pay Roll
$ 369.54
Road Material
1,437.41
Road Machinery Account
443.05
Total Expended $ 2,250.00
14. Road Machinery Fund
Balance Forward from 1942 $ 216.73
15. Transfer from Road Machinery Account $ 9,850.00
16. Gasoline and Misc. Refunds 256.05
$ 10,322.78
Expended :
Water Department
$ 623.17
Sewer Department 323.91
Park Department 172.23
Highway Department 5,173.20
Snow and Ice
1,429.70
Chapter 90 Maint. 11.87
Quannapowitt Drain
1,259.74
Victory Gardens
392.64
Total Expended $ 9,386.46
Balance Unexpended $ 936.32
18. Victory Garden Account $ 600.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 151.76
Material
448.24
Total Expended $ 600.00
Highway Department
97
Totals
Items
Appro. and Transfers $ 40,224.12
Expended $ 40,221.91 12,153.78
$
2.21
2-19
13,500.00
1,346.22
3
4,000.00
4,000.00
.00
4
3,300.00
2,832.77
467.23
5
4,200.00
4,200.00
.00
6
1,400.00
1,400.00
.00
7
834.06
.00
834.06
8
1,850.90
.00
1,850.90
9
162.24
.00
162.24
10
341.20
.00
341.20
11
189.77
.00
189.77
12
500.00
.00
500.00
13
2,250.00
2,250.00
.00
14-15-16
10,322.78
9,386.46
936.32
18
600.00
600.00
.00
The activities of the Highway Department in 1943 of a maintenance nature were seriously curtailed, due mainly to a lack of appropriations. Appropriations for 1943 were considerably less than those for 1942. Sur- face treatment of road oils was made on a planned schedule in an effort designed to most efficiently preserve the highways with the limited use of materials. Honing and mixed-in-place types of treatment were re- duced to a minimum except where absolutely necessary, surface spray- ing and sand covering methods accounting for 94% of the work done.
Granclithic sidewalk construction and granite curbing installation were limited to one installation of each type, although sidewalk main- tenance work was carried on extensively.
War emergency work, such as plowing and harrowing of Victory vegetable gardens on application of private citizens, and salvage collect- ing, was actively engaged in by Departmental personnel and equipment.
The shortage of experienced manpower continues, with many of our employees serving with the armed forces or working in war industry. Labor of an inexperienced nature was available to some extent during .. 1943 and more will probably be available in 1944.
A resume' of the work accomplished by the Highway Department is outlined in the following more detailed report :
Snow and Ice
Ten snow storms of one inch or more in depth were recorded in 1943-five of these storms required plowing, the others were sanded only. Several lighter snowfalls occurred, did not require plowing, and are not included in the following table showing recorded snowfall dur- ing 1943 :
Highway Department
98
Balance
1-17
Date
Snowfall (inches)
Temp.
Wind Direction
Force
Remarks
Jan. 3
41/2
+19°
N.N.W.
Moderate
Light and fluffy -
Plowed & sanded
Jan. 4
11/2
+20°
N.W.
Slight
Sanded only
Jan. 14
13/4
+18°
N.W.
Moderate
Sanded only
Jan. 16
31/2
+30°
E.S.E.
Moderate
Light - then heavy
Plowed & sanded
Jan. 28-29
14
+24°
N.N.E.
Light to
Plowed-heavy snow
Moderate
Jan. 30-31
7
+22°
N.E.
Light
Light & fine - Plowed
Feb. 26
2
+26°
N.W.
Light
Sanded only
March 3
4
+ 2°
N.N.W. Light
Light & fine - Not
plowed - Sanded only
March 6
5
++-24°
N.E.
Light to
Half Gale
Heavy snow, turn-
ing to heavy rain - Plowed
Dec. 26-27
1
+25°
N.W.
Light
Snow & sleet - Not
plowed - Sanded only
Total
451/4 inches
The first snowfall of the year occurred on Sunday, January 3, total- ing 41/2 inches. Truck plows started at from 5:00 P. M. on and quickly covered their assigned routes. The snow was light and easily handled, and no difficulty was experienced in plowing. Snow was removed from the Square and Haven Street with a small crew of extra men and de- partment trucks.
Sidewalks were not plowed during this storm, and few complaints were received from citizens in relation thereto.
Sanding was necessary both during and after the storm, due to cold freezing weather.
Other snow storms occurred on January 4 and 14, of 11/2 and 13/4 inches respectively, which did not require plowing but did necessitate continued daily sanding. Extremely slippery roadways were experienced this month.
On Saturday, January 16, snow started falling at 8:00 A. M. and accumulated rapidly until near noon time, totaling 31/2 inches, at which time it showed signs of slacking. Truck plows were sent out over their routes at noon, and finished in short time. Sanding was necessary dur-
Highway Department
99
ing and after the storm, as a misty rain set in late in the afternoon, causing extremely slippery conditions.
One sidewalk tractor plow was used during this storm to open side- walks the entire length of North and South Main Street, and the Com- mons. Snow from previous storms had drifted deeply in some locations, and pedestrian traffic forced to walk in the street.
The next snow storm requiring plowing occurred on January 28-29. Snow started falling near noon of Thursday, January 28, Temperature +24°, Wind NNE, light to moderate, Barometric pressure 30.2 inches and steady. During the early afternoon of this day, snow accumulated slowly, and on several occasions precipitation slacked off noticeably. By late afternoon, however, precipitation had increased, and at 6:00 P. M. approximately 4" of snow had fallen and the wind, swinging more Easterly, had increased.
Truck plows were started over their assigned routes starting at 6:00 P. M. and continued throughout the night, all day Friday, and until about eight o'clock Friday night. These men thus completed thirty-six or more hours of continuous snow-plowing labor, made necessary by the fact that no relief drivers were available as in former years. The men made no complaint at the long hours of work, and their loyalty is commendable. All roads were at all times kept open for traffic, although truck routes had to be revised to cover the routes of one department heavy truck plow unit which sustained a major mechanical breakdown and was out of service during the entire storm and one hired truck plow which did not complete its route. Fourteen inches of snowfall was re- corded in this storm, which ended in the early morning of January 29.
Sidewalk tractor plow units were started out at 6:00 P. M., January 28, and continued throughout the night and all the next day, opening sidewalks on main traveled roadways on prescribed routes. Two horse- drawn sidewalk plows only were available during the storm, and were assigned to sidewalks on streets of secondary importance. Sidewalk snow plowing was greatly curtailed during the year due to lack of horse- plow units. Owing perhaps to a letter published in the Reading Chron- icle citing the reasons for curtailment of sidewalk snow plowing, few complaints were received from citizens regarding unplowed sidewalks.
Snow removal work started in the Square at 7:00 A. M., Friday, January 29, with a crew of about 60 shovelers, (most of whom were youths of High School age), seven hired trucks, and three W. P. A. trucks. This work continued until 10:00 P. M. Friday, starting in again Saturday morning and until 10:30 P. M. Saturday. At this hour, snow had been removed from the Square, Haven St., and all churches. On the whole, the youthful snow shovelers performed fairly well, especially after several boys who would not apply themselves properly to the work were weeded out from the shovel crews.
Highway Department
100
Plans had been made for a continuance of snow removal on Sun- day, January 31, but a second snow storm, which started near midnight, Saturday, continued during the night, and early Sunday morning an- other six inches of snow had accumulated, and snow removal work was temporarily suspended.
Truck plows were started over their routes again at 7:00 A. M., Sunday, January 31, plowing continually until 6:00 P. M. Sunday. Routes were again revised, to plow routes of the disabled department heavy truck unit and one hired truck plow, which did not plow at all during this second storm. No difficulty was encountered in highway plowing during this storm, as highways were fully widened on Saturday, Jan- uary 30, in anticipation of possible further snowfall. Although some citizens were exasperated by this highway widening, due to the filling in of driveway and walk openings, this operation is highly necessary for the proper handling of following snow storms.
This second snow storm ended by mid-morning Sunday, and snow removal work started anew at 1:00 P. M. Sunday, with six hired trucks and three W. P. A. trucks. Snow removal work continued daily on February 1, 2, 3 and 4, being completed in the afternoon of February 4. Hired trucks were not used after January 31, as plows were unrigged from Highway truck plow units and these units utilized for removal work.
The Adams motor grader was used to good advantage on several occasions, breaking up traffic-packed snow on Main Street and the Square with scarifier teeth and winrowing it with the grader blade for. easier hand shoveling.
During the storms, the department was greatly assisted by several former employees now working in war industries who volunteered for duty during off-shifts, and by three citizens who volunteered their serv- ices as truck drivers, mechanic and time keeper, respectively. The de- partment appreciates their cooperation.
Tractor sidewalk plows were operated daily through Thursday, Feb- ruary 4, with crews of four shovelers assigned to each tractor to open driveway and walk entrances. This driveway and walk shoveling opera- tion slows down the speed of tractor sidewalk plowing substantially, but is demanded by citizens who bitterly complain if driveway and walk entrances are left filled in.
Light rains and mild weather set in on Thursday, February 4, and caused surface water floods in many locations. Crews of men were as- signed to remove snow from catch basins and open drain ports in snow banks to permit surface water runoff.
Sanding was necessary all through the storm, and on Saturday, Feb- ruary 6 a sleety rain mixed with granular snow coated street surfaces with a particularly slippery covering. Mild weather over the weekend of February 6 and 7 cleared the streets and settled the snow.
Highway Department
101
Private ways were opened by first running dual-wheeled trucks through them, then by hand shoveling, particularly rough private ways or by sending light truck plow units through them.
The next two snow storms-2 inches on February 26 and 4 inches on March 3, were not plowed, although plowing would have been neces- sary on the March 3rd storm, had the precipitation not been slow. This storm started early in the morning of March 3, and was light and fine, accumulating very slowly. Snow continued falling through the day, and was packed on the streets by vehicular traffic. Sanding was necessary throughout the day with unseasonable zero temperatures causing slip- pery conditions.
The next snow storm occurred on March 6. Snow started falling at 7:30 A. M. Saturday, March 6, Temperature +24°, Barometric Pres- sure 29.9 inches and steady, Wind N.E. light to moderate. No accumu- lation occurred until 3:00 P. M., although sanding was necessary before noontime due to slippery conditions brought on by traffic-packed snow.
Truck plows were started out from 3:00 P. M. on, and covered their regularly assigned routes, also the routes of two hired truck plows which were not available for plowing. Sidewalk tractor plows were sent over the main streets on their routes starting at 6:00 P. M.
By 9:30 P. M., approximately 6" of snow had fallen, and the snow was turning to rain. By 10:00 P. M. a heavy rainfall had set in, accom- panied by a wind of half-gale force. The roads, on which snow had been partially traffic-packed before plowing started, were quickly "fluffed up" by the heavy rain, causing the worst road conditions of the winter season. Plows covered their routes a second time, clearing the slush from the roadways.
As soon as truck plows completed their routes, the plows were un- rigged, crews of men assigned to each truck and given a sector of town to patrol opening catch-basins, culverts, and otherwise relieving sur- face water floods. The surface floods were of great extent and major proportion in many places, and the crews were kept at work until nearly daylight Sunday, March 7.
On Sunday, March 7, a cold wave started, which lasted until Wed- nesday, March 10, with temperatures near zero on Monday, March 8. Fortunately the melted snow and slush had been removed from the streets, and road conditions were good. Some sanding was necessary through the week, until rising temperatures on Thursday, March 11, melted the remainder of the snow from the roadways.
No major breakdowns of equipment occurred during this storm. Horse-drawn sidewalk plows were not called out during the storm, and only sidewalks on main streets were plowed by the sidewalk tractor plows.
Highway Department
102
The last snow storm of the year occurred on Sunday and Monday, December 26-27, when a light snowfall turned to freezing rain and sleet, causing roadways and sidewalks to become completely coated with extremely slippery clear ice. Sand trucks operated continuously through the early morning and afternoon, sanding streets and sidewalks. Ris- ing temperatures later in the day of December 27 cleared the streets of ice.
The man-power shortage is felt more acutely during snow storms than in any other phase of highway work, as large numbers of workers are required to not only operate snow-fighting equipment but to act as helpers on trucks, tractors, etc., and to hand-shovel snow. The De- partment was fortunate during the year in obtaining the assistance of several private citizens and former employees who volunteered their services during the larger snowfalls, and who were used to good pur- pose, according to their individual qualifications, as truck and tractor drivers, mechanics, timekeepers, and as snow shovelers.
Two mechanical truck sanding rigs were constructed at the Mu- nicipal Garage machine shop by departmental employees, at but slight cost for materials. Using old automobile rearend assemblys, odds and ends of salvage steel rods, gears and steel plates, one unit was con- structed for large trucks and one for small trucks. The sand unit is attached by removable pins to the tail gate of a truck, and, by elevat- ing the truck body, the wheels of the sand rig come in contact with the street surface, causing a shaft to turn an agitator on a finned sand table. The rigs have been in actual use and work efficiently, and are also quite economical in their use of sand. Due to frequent rain and snowfall and low temperatures, sanding was necessary throughout the winter seasons.
Regular routine preparations were made for snow and ice disposal work prior to the winter season, such as erection of snow fences, dis- tribution of sand barrels, storing of sand in stock piles, etc.
GENERAL HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
Roadway maintenance during the year was greatly curtailed due to seriously reduced appropriations. The approval of the State Department of Public Works was secured to surface treat a list of roadways in need of repair, and an allotment of road oils procured. The amount of approved usage of road oils greatly exceeded the amount which the Department was able to purchase. The majority of the streets were surface treated only on sections most in need of repair. Two street sections were honed, and on Haven and Lowell Streets mixed-in-place surfacing was accomplished with stone' cover. The mixed-in-place sur- facing was accomplished after the salvage and removal of street car
Highway Department
103
rails in both streets. A total of 39,415 gallons of road oil was used in surface treatment of roadways. This approximately is one half the amount ordinarily used and the streets are beginning to deteriorate because of the lack of surface treatment.
Street car rails on Lowell, Haven, Lincoln, Minot, Washington Streets and Summer Avenue were removed by a contractor employed by War Metals, Inc., and the resulting trenches patched by the con- tractor with Type I black-top mix.
Roadway patching was carried on continuously in an effort to pre- vent further damage to the highways. During the winter months, gravel was used liberally as a temporary patching measure, and when weather conditions permitted K. P. and ready-mixed patches were installed. A total of 2100 gallons of cold patch liquid was used by the department in mixing cold patch aggregate at the garage, and 24 tons of ready-mixed commercial patching material was used in street patching operations.
Late in March the usual Spring sweeping, cleaning and removal of accumulated sand and debris from roadways and sidewalks was under- taken.
This work was done both by hand labor and machine, the Roto- Sweeper being used.
During the winter months, brush was cut from roadsides on outlying streets to eliminate traffic hazards. Several stone retaining walls were repaired, and wooden and pipe guard rails were also repaired in several localities.
The gravel plant at the pit was operated and a reserve stock pile of gravel built up.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Chapter 90 Maintenance work was curtailed greatly during the year. Because of reduced appropriations the Department was forced to reduce its allotment for Chapter 90 Maintenance. As the State and County will only match the Town allotment their allotments were like- wise reduced so that the total available was considerably less than is ordinarily available. Surface applications were made to the roadway on Lowell Street, and guard rails were repaired and painted. On Hav- erhill Street, guard rails were painted and repaired, box and pipe cul- verts were cleaned, and brush was cut from the roadsides.
Chapter 83 Construction
No streets were accepted as Public Ways in 1943, nor were any highways constructed under the provisions of Chapter 83 during the year.
Granolithic Sidewalks
Granolithic sidewalk construction was limited to but one new in- stallation, abutting the First Congregational Church on Sanborn Street.
Highway Department
104
Several existing granolithic sidewalks were repaired during the year, by the removal of failed sectors and installation of new. Tree roots and poor sub-soil drainage were responsible for most of the side- walk failures.
Stonedust Sidewalks
To temporarily surface gravel or earth sidewalks, stonedust was ap- plied to 4236.00 lineal feet of sidewalk abutting 49 separate properties and totaling 2360 square yards of sidewalk surface, 54.75 tons of stone- dust being used for this purpose. Practically all of these installations were done at the request of property owners seeking to improve condi- tions abutting their own properties. As available funds for this type of work are limited, an attempt is made each year to accommodate requests in the order received.
Gravel Sidewalks
Gravel was applied to 945 lineal feet of sidewalks abutting 12 sep- arate properties, totaling 521 square yards of sidewalk surface. In most instances, these new gravel sidewalks also received a top surfacing of stone dust.
Tree lawns were loamed, fertilized and seeded in several locations. The hot dry summer period plus lack of care and watering by abutting property owners caused many tree lawn failures.
Granite Curbing
Granite curbing construction was limited to but one new installa- tion under the Betterment Act, on John Street.
At the South-Westerly intersection of Main and Washington Streets, a sharp corner was eliminated by removing the old radius curb- ing and setting new radius curbing. As Ash Street from Washington to Main Streets had been made a one-way street for south-bound traf- fic, the left turn from Main Street into Washington Street for north- bound traffic made this a dangerous corner. The radius curbing at the South-East corner of Main and Green Streets was also set back to a longer radius, and a new radius curb was set at the South-Easterly corner of Woburn and Temple Streets.
Storm Water Drainage
Four storm water drain installations were made during 1943, total- ing 1206 lineal feet of drain pipe in sizes ranging from 12" to 30". Catch basins, manholes and curb inlets or throat stones were set as required.
Highway Department
105
Size and Length of Pipe
Location
30"
24"
18"
12"
C.B.'s
M.H.'s Totals
W'escroft Park
492
3
492
Temple Street .
541
61
4
5 602
Pine Ridge Road
60
60
Sunnyside Avenue
52
52
Totals
52
492
601
61
4
8
1206
Wescroft Park drain installation eliminated an annoying condition caused by a large open drain ditch which was located in the midst of a new housing development. The ditch was piped with 24" drain pipe from Northerly of Springvale Road to Southerly of Wescroft Road. Excavated material from Quannapowitt Drain was used to cover the drain pipe and level off the open ditch.
On Temple Street, a storm drain was laid from Woburn Street to the angle in Temple Street. This drain, when complete, will eliminate the flow of surface water from Temple Street washing down on private property. The Department hopes to complete this drain in 1944.
Pine Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue drains were similar to Wescroft Park drain, short sections of open drain ditches adjacent to residences being piped and covered.
Maintenance of Storm Drains
Cleaning, deepening and widening of open drain ditches was ac- complished during the year. The Quannapowitt Drain ditch system, although not completed in its entirety, is now taking the run-off from many secondary open ditches in the sections served, greatly increasing the speed of surface water run-off.
During a temporary lull in Quannapowitt Drain construction oper- ations, the Bay City excavating unit with clam shell bucket was used to excavate and deepen an existing open drain ditch from Eaton Street South of Smith Avenue to Pleasant Street West of Wilson Street, con- necting with the Quannapowitt Drain at a culvert under Eaton Street. This work caused the ground water level in the area affected to drop appreciably.
Several culverts and sections of storm drains were cleaned and flushed to remove accumulated debris, and all catch basins and man- holes were cleaned out.
Dumps
The public dump on John Street was maintained during the year, with a department employee in attendance as caretaker during sched- uled hours daily. As often as conditions required, the bulldozer was used to level off and push back over the lips of the dump accumulated
Highway Department
106
debris, and the 15 ton road roller was used to compact the lips of the dump. Gravel was spread over the dump area several times to cover unsightly areas. In the Spring, landscaping operations were accom- plished on the John Street frontage lawned area. Several dead ever- green trees in the screening hedge were replaced with new trees.
In an effort to conserve and save for salvage collection materials needed by the war industries, a large painted wooden sign was erected at the entrance to the dump requesting citizens to save for the war needs of our armed forces all waste paper, tin, fats and metals. An- nually, thoughtless persons throw away in the dump many tons of mater- ial vitally needed in the nation's war effort. Citizens are again urged to save all of the materials mentioned and turn them in on one of the frequent Salvage Collections which are made by the various town de- partments under the direction of the local Salvage Committee.
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