1951-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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TOWN OF LEXINGTON 19 fashion by co-operation between the government engineers and the Public Works Department. The problem of housing some portion of the people who will work at the airport and at the Research Center will face this town very soon. As yet this area has not been declared critical as regards housing. We sincerely hope that private capital will be able to sup- ply the homes that will be required, so that they will be built in conformity with our town zoning and building regulations. Before we leave the subject of what is impending and arrive at a factual report of what we have done this year we wish to call atten- tion to the fact that the State recently voted to authorize the M. D. C. to construct approximately 9,000 feet of sewer main from the Arlington line to Hayes Lane, acquiring at the same time the 1,000 feet we constructed in 1948 starting at the Arlington line. This will do work that the town would have been compelled to do in the near future. The interest of our Town Counsel, Harold Stevens, in preparing the necessary legislation, and Representative Charles E. Ferguson's efforts in working for its passage should be appre- ciated by our townspeople. The amount of money to be spent on this project is between $800,000 or $900,000. The Annual Town Meeting last March provided funds for water main extensions, drainage, street construction and sewer construc- tion. We also had funds previously appropriated for completion of sewers in streets to be served by the North Branch Vine Brook sewer main which was completed in 1950 and installation of water mains in Williams Road, Winter Street, Woburn Street and Marrett Road. We wish to compliment the Public Works Department and Mr. William M. Burns, its head, for the completion of all projects in the above four categories except the installation of water mains in Winter Street and Williams Road and drainage on Gleason Road. We expect to open bids soon for the water main construction and the Gleason Road drainage will be completed before the March, 1952 Town Meeting. We wish to list the projects completed and to report that the work has been done within the amounts appropriated in all cases. The Public Works Department put water mains in Marrett Road from Waltham Street to Prospect Hill Road, and in Woburn Street from Lowell Street to the Woburn line. Contracts for mains in Blossomcrest Road, Allen Street, Eastern Avenue, Hillcrest Avenue, 20 ANNUAL REPORTS Leonard and Nowers Roads, Concord Avenue from the end of the main to the Concord Turnpike, and along the Concord Turnpike from Concord Avenue to Spring Street were performed by private contracting companies. The last item has not been done as winter set in, but a firm contract has been signed. Drainage was completed by the Public Works Department at Maple Street near Massachusetts Avenue, and on Merriam Street from Adams toward Hayes; the Waltham Street end of Concord Avenue and Gleason Road drainage projects are being performed this winter. Streets were rebuilt to specifications by private contractors as follows: Woodland Road, Aerial Street and Cary Avenue. These are now accepted Streets. Paul Revere Road is being built now under Chapter 90. Sewer construction by the Public Works Department consists of the completion of the very difficult work on Marrett Road and up Prospect Hill Road. Private contractors put sewers in Bedford Street, Manning Street, Hill Street, Milk Street, Marrett Road, from Massa- chusetts Avenue to Follen Road, Fallen Road from Marrett Road to Lexington Avenue, Lexington Avenue, Locust Avenue from Pollen Road to Lexington Avenue, Cary Avenue from Middle Street to Shade Street, Woodland Road and Adams Street near Woodland Road. All items authorized have been completed. Kinneen's Pond project was completed by the Public Works De- partment and the Park Department within the amount appropriated. Loam for this area was given by the School Department from the Fiske School area. This recreation area now takes its place with our other attractive playgrounds and parks. The Public Works Department has done its usual amount of work in maintenance and improvement of roads and has spent much time on engineering and liason work. The Airport -Research area has demanded time, as has the impending M. D. C. construction of 9,000 feet of trunk sewer. Surveys have been made for possible sewer main extensions. Engineering work has been required in con- nection with sewers for the new High School. The demand for water and sewer service connections has been very heavy this year. The 1951 budget for water services was too small. Additional amounts required for these services were the largest items that had to be transferred from the Reserve Fund.