USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1954 > Part 14
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Late this year at a special town meeting, funds were made avail- able to secure plans and engineering services concerning altering or replacing the fire station on Woburn Street. The present station was erected in 1874 to house a hand drawn engine and at present there are two motor propelled engines in this station and no permanent men. A serious condition exists when apparatus is held up at a railroad cross- ing when responding from the center to the west side of town. It will be necessary to replace some of the window sash in the Central Station.
Fire Alarm. The overhead construction of the fire alarm system was extensively damaged by the hurricanes and repairs were made and service restored as soon as possible. At the Goodall-Sanford Plant, the machine which operates the steam fire whistle intalled in 1894 has been replaced with a more modern machine. Underground wires have been installed on Pleasant Street from the fire station to John Street. Over- head wires have been extended on Pine Ridge Road from Oak Street to Sylvan Road. Box 342 has been placed on a pedestal on Oakland Road and connection made to the interior fire alarm system of the New High School. Box 5414 has been installed at the plant of the Mystic Valley Gas Company. Two damaged outside cases of fire alarm boxes were
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replaced. It will be necessary to replace a twelve conductor cable under Washington Street from Main Street east. A new box was installed and located at Lewis Street and Wentworth Road, number 146. Overhead construction has been changed to new poles when necessary and much tree trimming and placing of tree insulators has been done where needed.
Recommendations. That the permanent force be increased. That additional two-way radios be purchased for apparatus. That the Wo- burn Street Fire Station be replaced as soon as possible and permanent firemen stationed there. That an addition be built to the Central Fire Station. That the Fire Alarm System be extended and additional boxes added. Also recommend the installation of a gasoline driven electric generator to supply the Fire and Police Stations during any failure of the current supply.
Conclusion. I wish to thank your honorable board for co-operation received during the year, the members of the department and Auxiliary Fire Service for efficient performance of duty and faithful service, especially during the two hurricanes. I wish also to thank the opera- tors at the local telephone exchange for efficient service in passing emergency messages, the Red Cross Motor Service and canteen, and other town departments and citizens who have assisted this department.
Respectfully submitted, HUGH L. EAMES
Chief of the Fire Department, Forest Warden and Superintendent of Fire Alarm
REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
Feb. 14, 1955
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Reading Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We wish to submit herewith our annual report on the Reading Town Forest for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The Town Forest first planted with seedlings in 1930, is now a reality, with healthy, vigorous stands of White Pine, Red Pine, Spruce and Hemlock rapidly nearing marketable size. The citizens of Reading owe a vote of gratitude to those who, twenty-five years ago, had the vision and foresight to plan and plant a Town Forest, which was acquired in 1930, comprises 200 acres of land, and has had 149,000 seed- ling trees planted to this date.
During 1954, Reading District Boy Scouts of America aided mater- ially in furthering improvements at the Town Forest by participating in President Eisenhower's National Conservation Good Turn. Two group work days were held at the forest, one in March and one in October,
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as well as many Troop, Patrol and individual work days through the year. Each troop was assigned a project consisting of one of the following methods of Silviculture; trimming and pruning forest trees, removing diseased or scrub trees, removing undergrowth, cutting fire lanes, and preparing new areas for planting seedlings. Several areas of scrub-oak waste land have been reclaimed for planting, and will be planted with White Pine seedlings in the spring of 1955.
A Forester from the Massachusetts Forest and Park Association has inspected the Town Forest and recommends selective marketing of cer- tain areas for pulp wood. When this is done, a cash return will be realized, and the Town Forest will become self-supporting.
The Town Forest was posted during the year during times of extreme fire hazard, and a Forest Fire Patrol maintained by the Fire Depart- ment. Preceding the Christmas season, it was necessary to employ guards at the Town Forest to prevent the illegal cutting and removal of small trees and evergeen boughs by persons seeking to procure Yuletide decorations at the expense of the Citizens of Reading. In the past much damage has been caused by unlawful and promiscuous cutting of spruce, fir and hemlock trees.
Your Committee recommends the acquisition of a tract of land on the Southerly perimeter of the Town Forest. Negotiations have been made with the present owner for purchase at a nominal price.
With the cooperation of the Board of Public Works, a steep, rough portion of Town Forest roadway is being removed for better access to the Forest by Fire Department vehicles, the gravel being utilized by the Public Works Department for highway construction. When com- pleted, the present 14% gradient of the roadway will be reduced to a 5% gradient.
We wish to express our appreciation to all Municipal departments and civic organizations who have aided us in furtherance of the Town Forest during the year.
Very respectfully yours,
HUGH L. EAMES, Chairman MAURICE H. DONEGAN JAMES T. PUTNAM
Town Forest Committee
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AGENT FOR VETERANS' BENEFIT
January 12, 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Agent of Veterans' Benefits and Director of Veterans' Services for the year 1954.
We have assisted 46 cases financially, varying from an individual to families of six during the year.
Medical expense in these cases has continued to rise and unem- ployment seemed to increase towards the end of the year a little more than is seasonable.
The conditions seem to forecast a greater demand for financial help in 1955.
The demand for Veterans' Services continues. Veterans seeking benefits under U. S. bills are aided and their dependents.
Many of the later veterans are seeking higher education and we are able to assist them in their applications by photo copies of their separation papers and other ways.
We continue to assist the older veterans and their dependents in obtaining pensions, etc.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. H. SMITH, Agent
REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' GRAVES
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves for the year ending December 31, 1954. This report is predicated upon the requirements of Sec. 9, Chapter 115 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, and Clause 12, Chapter 144 of the Acts of 1947.
Where Veterans of the armed services have served in more than one war or insurrection, the following listing gives the Veteran credit for only one:
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Veteran
Credited Service
41
Revolutionary War
12
War of 1812
2 Mexican War
291
Civil War
1
Indian War
24
Spanish War
100
World War I
24 Mass. State Guard Service in W. W. I
29
World War II
1
Korean Service
Total
525
Appropriation for 1954
$ 1,200.00
Pay Roll
$ 1,116.15
Repairs on Veteran Graves
83.85
$ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00
There were eight Veterans interred during 1954 as follows:
World War I
Henry O. Collins, Lot No. 144, Forest Glen Cemetery, died Apr. 26, 1954, buried Apr. 29, 1954.
Clifton H. Stokes, Lot No. 94A, Forest Glen Cemetery, died May 17, 1954, buried May 19, 1954.
George E. Thorburn, Lot No. 380, Forest Glen Cemetery, died Aug. 2, 1954, buried Aug. 4, 1954.
World War II
Edward Gazarian, Lot No. 290, Forest Glen Cemetery, died Jan. 9, 1954, buried Jan. 12, 1954.
Leslie A. Scott, Lot No. 21, Forest Glen Cemetery, died June 23, 1954, buried June 26, 1954.
Alfred A. Carbonneau, Jr., Lot No. 285, Forest Glen Cemetery, died Aug. 25, 1954, buried Aug. 28, 1954.
Kenneth L. Brown, Lot No. 48, Forest Glen Cemetery, died Sept. 6, 1954, buried Sept. 9, 1954.
Mass. State Guard
John J. Murray, Lot No. 279, Forest Glen Cemetery, died Apr. 10, 1954, buried Apr. 14, 1954.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD F. DAVIS
Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
OF THE
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
for the year ending December 31, 1954
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of Reading:
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its annual report.
Functions
The Board of Public Works has jurisdiction over the following de- partmental subdivisions:
Administration, Engineering Division, Water (including supply, distribution, construction and maintenance), Highway construction and maintenance, Removal of Snow and Ice, Sidewalk construction and maintenance, Storm Drain construction and maintenance, Town Dump, Sewer construction and maintenance, Sewer house connections, Parks care and maintenance, Playgrounds care and maintenance, Chap. 90 construction and maintenance, Equipment purchase and maintenance, many Betterments construction and billing, Pensions, Bridges care and maintenance, Garage care and maintenance, and other special and pertinent subdivisions. Each of the above divisions entails many detailed operations which, it is felt, are too numerous to list here.
The Board of Public Works is also, ex officio, the Board of Survey. As such they have jurisdiction over all proposed subdivisions. This includes consideration of the proposed layout for lines and grades and their effect on abutting lands and the Town as a whole. Also the responsibility to see that all prescriptions placed on the develop- ment by the Board of Survey and the Board of Health are carried out.
The major problems which faced the Board during the year 1954 lay in the fields of personnel, sewerage, drainage and sidewalks.
On May 28, 1954, the Board accepted with regrets the resignation of Philip Welch, who had been Superintendent of Public Works in Reading for the past nineteen years. James T. Putnam, a long-time employee of the department, was appointed Acting Superintendent.
This Board has for some years given considerable thought to the problem of offering adequate compensation to supervisory employees of the department, and to the problem of providing opportunity for advancement for all employees. The Board believes that advancement should come by working up through the department. To provide for adequate compensation for supervisory employees, the Personnel Board was requested to raise the maximum of this classification.
A continuous increase in the number of requests for extension of common sewers and improvements in storm drainage was noted. This Board believes that insofar as is possible, appropriations for work should come from the tax levy. Substantially increased appropriations for this work were sought and obtained. The increased appropriations have not served to eliminate a substantial backlog in this work, but marked relief was obtained.
The sidewalk policies of this Board were reviewed. Presently, more money is spent for maintenance than for construction of sidewalks. Also the existing policy of constructing sidewalks piecemeal at the
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request of the abuttor was carefully reviewed. As a result, the Board has decided:
1. To seek a substantial increase in the funds allotted for Sidewalk Construction.
2. To construct sidewalks where they will do the Town the most good, and to construct them so as to provide complete sidewalks, block by block.
The schedule of Betterment Assessments for sidewalks, curbing, sewer house connections and streets was carefully reviewed and modi- fied as evidence demonstrated that change was desirable.
Substantial increases in Chapter 90 Construction and Maintenance funds were sought and obtained from State and County authorities.
South Street, from West Street 1600 feet Southerly to Hy Hapi Lane, was widened and reconstructed by the Board.
The major problems for 1955 are:
1. A careful review of present maintenance policies and schedules.
2. A careful review of the working of the Road Machinery Fund and Road Machinery Operating Accounts.
3. Establishment of more intimate contact with Departmental problems by frequent consultation with all supervisory em- ployees.
4. Continuous review of the adequacy of existing capital outlay programs.
The Board of Public Works has endeavored to cooperate with other Town Boards and Departments during the past year and wish to acknowledge the cooperation extended to them by other Departments.
The Board wishes also to commend the many conscientious em- ployees of the Department for their loyalty and cooperation.
Reference is made to the report of the Superintendent for a more detailed list of Departmental accomplishments by divisions.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD D. KILGORE, JR., Chairman COLEMAN J. DONAHUE, Secretary KENNETH R. JOHNSON WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR. DOMENICK ZANNI, JR.
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Expenditures
Item
1954
1953
1952
Administration
$ 10,153.49
$ 10,489.80
$ 9,293.08
Engineering Division
23,820.73
16,910.96
3,247.22
Highway Maint.
88,656.27
83,044.28
79,963.75
Chap. 90 Const.
13,625.28
27,447.78
23,590.88
Chap. 90 Maint.
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
Snow and Ice
31,445.55
30,854.28
35,192.07
Maint. Str. Drs.
12,000.00
10,199.69
8,994.71
Drain Const.
33,089.31
24,464.41
25,089.62
Sidewalks
17,469.19
18,788.30
17,805.25
Sewer Maint.
9,236.09)
23,608.02
24,185.00
Sewer Const.
22,273.14)
Sewer House Conns.
8,131.95
8,643.77
7,530.52
Town Dump
5,239.38
4,800.00
4,397.84
Parks
17,329.74
16,340.07
16,112.59
Water
142,675.55
132,424.14
140,965.18
Street Betts.
5,210.00
6,100.69
61,309.06
Pensions
8,536.32
8,101.08
6,536.56
Rd. Mach. Op. Acct.
37,525.15
40,162.11
33,543.49
Resurf. Min. St. Bridge
1,835.64
Spec. Water - Wells
19,839.38
Spec. Water - Standpipe
1,179.50
116,696.89
10,884.09
Parking Areas
3,424.30
480.00
High School Sewer
126,403.26
60,442.19
High School Roads
87,625.96
22,495.59
High School Water Mains
100.00
Bit. Conc. Resurf.
2,497.96
2,265.14
Consulting Engineers
4,072.28
5,039.60
$710,648.12
$673,667.11
$536,519.89
Less Available Funds
395,509.42
289,283.14
205,232.14
$315,138.70
$384,383.97
$331,287.75
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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 thirty-fourth annual report of the Department of Public Works (Water, Highway, Sewer, Park, Engineer- ing) and a chronicle of the principal work performed, with recommen- dations for the coming year.
Water Division
New water mains in sizes of 6" and 8" were installed totaling 4921.50 feet, and eight new fire hydrants set. There are now 65.819 miles of water main in our distribution system. New water services were in- stalled at 114 locations, totaling 6,578.10 lineal feet. Services were renewed to 61 dwelling houses, and on South Main Street prior to re- surfacing by the State Department of Public Works, 52 services were renewed from main to street line, and new services were installed to vacant lots for future use. Many old services were rodded to improve volume of water delivered to homes.
New water meters were installed to 98 dwelling houses, 442 meters were removed, repaired, tested and reset, and 18 meters were junked and replaced.
A total of 374,804,000 gallons of water was delivered to the distri- bution system by Water Pumping Stations No. 1, 2 and 3 at Hundred Acre Meadows. This is a decrease of 30,776,000 gallons from 1953, attributable to the excessive rainfall of 1954. The annual daily average in 1954 was 1,026,860 gallons. Highest single day's pump- age was on Friday, July 2, 1954 with 1,740,100 gallons, the highest week 11,608,500 gallons, and per capita consumption was 62.23 gal- lons per day. Rainfall at Hundred Acre Pumping Station during 1954 was 54.45 inches, an excess of 13.33 inches over the 54 year average of 41.12 inches. On Saturday, September 11, 1954 during Hurricane "Edna", 6.30 inches of rainfall was recorded, the heaviest 24 hour rainfall re- corded since September 14, 1944. On Monday, September 13th the crest of flood waters from the hurricane deluge necessitated building sand- bag barricades around Pumping Station No. 1 and 2. No damage to the well field or pumping station occurred as a result of the hurricane and flood.
It was necessary to replace 1078.66 Tons of sand in Filter No. 1 and 2 at the Deferrization Plant, and the rate of flow controls were com- pletely rebuilt. The Deferrization Plant functioned satisfactorily during the year, removing iron from the raw water.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Major improvements to the highway system were as follows: Chapter 90 Construction: Completed construction of Charles Street to Haverhill Street.
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South Street Relocation: Completed relocation of Westerly side-line of South Street from West Street 1575.47 feet Southerly.
Hillside Road:
Completed specific repairs to Hillside Road from Main Street to near Oakland Road, in- cluding construction of storm drains and bi- tuminous concrete sidewalks.
Minot Street:
Excavated Easterly half of roadway, removed old railroad ties, gravel filled excavated area and surfaced with road oil.
Overlook Road:
Constructed from Springvale Road to Randall Road under Betterment Act.
John Carver Road:
Constructed from end of 1949 Acceptance to dead end, under Betterment Act.
High Street:
Applied bituminous concrete surface over ex- isting surface from Washington Street to Wo- burn Street.
A street resurfacing program was begun in the late Spring and con- tinued through the Summer and early Fall months, a total of 52,000 gallons of road oil being used to surface treat approximately 194,200 square yards of roadway. A process called armor-coating was used on several street surfaces with excellent results. This process consists of using pea stone in place of sand to cover the treated road-oil surface, and then rolling with a heavy gasoline road roller. The resulting stone surface is longer lasting and more skid-proof than the ordinary sand- covered surfaces. The open winter of 1954-1955 with continued cold weather will cause much damage to road surfaces in the spring of 1955, when the frost is drawn from the roadways, and an expanded surface- treating program is anticipated for 1955.
Chapter 90 Maintenance Funds (State-County aid) were used to armor coat West Street and part of Charles Street.
A total of 584.39 square yards of granolithic sidewalks and 890.80 square yards of bituminous concrete sidewalks were installed under the Betterment Act, whereby a portion of the cost of construction is borne by the abutting property owner.
A program of resurfacing existing bituminous concrete sidewalks badly in need of repairs resulted in the repair of 3317.38 square yards of sidewalks.
On North Main Street, a joint State-Town project resulted in a 600 foot stretch of new bituminous concrete sidewalks being installed.
Granite curbing totaling 797.96 lineal feet was installed abutting 14 properties under the Betterment Act, and corner radius curbing was installed at several dangerous street intersections.
The storm drainage system was extended a total of 2919.00 lineal feet, including 30 catch basins and 24 manholes. Two of the storm drain
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projects were let out to contract, the remainder was installed with departmental personnel. Two particularly dangerous drainage prob- lems were eliminated, one each on Franklin Street and Forest Street.
Removal of snow and ice during the early months of 1954 presented the usual problems, with special emphasis on sanding and salting icy streets. The closing months of the year engendered one plowable snow storm, but continued and protracted cold waves necessitated consid- erable highway sanding.
Hurricane "Carol" on August 31 and Hurricane "Edna" on Septem- ber 10 caused considerable damage.
The work of removing fallen trees and debris from "Carol" had been nearly completed at the time of "Edna's" approach. The torrential rain accompanying "Edna" resulted in much damage from clogged culverts, catch-basins and overflowing brooks. Intervale Terrace cul- vert was almost completely blocked by collapse of its granite cap- stones, and a large washout was made in the roadway. All Depart- mental personnel and equipment was used on Hurricane Emergency work from August 31 to September 24 at which time all fallen trees, including their stumps, had been removed from highways, granolithic and bituminous sidewalks replaced, curbing reset, retaining walls re- built, etc. Catch basins, manholes and storm drains were clogged with leaves, twigs and small branches stripped from trees by the hurricanes, and during the late fall months were cleaned and flushed.
The Public Works Department personnel cooperated fully with the other Town departments during the emergency period, using heavy equipment as requested to remove trees from wires, poles, and dwelling houses. By utilizing the large gasoline-powered shovel, in several instances it was possible to remove large shade trees which were lean- ing on utility poles, thus saving breakage of the wires and cables.
The sum of $20,498.99 was expended by the Public Works depart- ment for storm emergency work, which will be partially reimbursed by State funds.
John Street Dump
The Town Dump on John Street was maintained during the year, with periodic bulldozing and burning of debris. By a small monetary outlay for peat-removal, one or two years additional service will be obtained from the present dump before opening a new location.
Park and Playground Division
Maintenance work was accomplished at all Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation areas during the year. Frequent rainfalls necessitated above-normal grass cutting.
Memorial Park landscaping was advanced by gravel fill and form- ing of two ice-skating areas, and loam was rough-graded over a portion of the gravel fill. In the early Spring of 1955, the entire newly-filled area will be surfaced with available top-soil, fine graded, fertilized and seeded.
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Birch Meadow Playground tennis courts sustained rather severe damage during the hurricanes. This damage has been repaired, and arrangements were made to surface two of the courts in the late Fall, but inclement weather prevented this latter work. Surfacing will be accomplished early in 1955.
A parking area was started at Sturges Ice Skating and Winter Sports area abutting Pine Ridge Road with surplus excavated material from near-by construction projects. In 1955 it is proposed to remove trees and remodel the present ice skating area to prevent flooding the yards of adjacent newly-constructed dwelling houses.
Little League Ball Field at Hunt Memorial Park on Pleasant Street was maintained during the year, and several requests have been re- ceived for grading of additional play areas at this location.
SEWER DIVISION
Main trunk sanitary sewers totaling 11,401.00 lineal feet were laid in 12 streets, including 46 manholes. Several of these streets presented difficult construction problems, with deep cut, trench ledge, running sand and unstable soil.
A total of 47 new sewer house connections were installed to 47 new or existing buildings, totaling 2546.30 feet.
Maintenance of main trunk sewers was expedited by the acquisition of a motorized sewer cleaning rig, and many existing sewers were thor- oughly cleaned of foreign substances.
The sewage pumping station on Willow Street was put in operation on August 23, 1954, and has been in daily operation. At present this pumping station services only the new senior high school. During the flood caused by hurricane "Edna", flood water inundated the sewer manholes northerly of Intervale Terrace, and necessitated constant use of the station's gasoline-powered generator to expel flood waters from the station's wet well until regular municipal power could be restored.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division was occupied during the year in survey, plotting, design and inspection of construction work of varied nature including new roads, sewers, drains, sidewalks, curbing, water mains, etc. Much time was spent on a perimeter and location survey of the Birch Meadow Area in the location of the new senior high school and proposed elementary school. Much of this data was used by the Birch Meadow Study Committee to formulate plans for development of Birch Meadow for school purposes.
A longe-range master drainage study has been started by this division, which, when completed, will be of utmost value in future drainage planning.
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BOARD OF SURVEY DIVISION
During the year, a total of 14 duly advertised public hearings were held on petition of contractors, developers and/or home owners for ac- ceptance of streets. Estimates were made and bonds secured for con- struction of 5 of these locations. Grades were changed on several streets after due notice and hearing as required by law.
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