Annual Report of the Homestead Commission (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1915 Excerpt: ... that before further acceptance of streets undeveloped areas should be considered as a whole with reference to a complete street system. A topographical survey should be made and principal streets laid out on a plan connecting with the existing system, and such streets marked by stone bounds for future development. This procedure is within the powers of the board of survey, and should be applied to all large undeveloped areas in town, in the same manner as has been already applied to the undeveloped area lying between Main and Waltham streets. Attention is called to some residential streets 40 feet wide, and the board believes that in some instances a 20-foot roadway would be adequate for teaming traffic, leaving room for 5-foot walks and 5-foot tree planting spaces on each side. Where it is necessary to have a roadway of 24 feet on a 40-foot street the walks and planting spaces may be 5 feet and 3 feet, respectively, but special care should be given to tree cultivation to produce a good effect. Studies regarding housing and the density of population appear in the report, and the board says that while Watertown is without slums in the strict sense of the word, yet there are a few phases of living that should be corrected. Studies have also been made of the extent of contagious disease and rates of mortality at all ages. Eecommendations are made regarding playgrounds, athletic fields and parks. The planning board received complaints about the unsightly condition of waste dumps in town, some ten or twelve in number. An investigating committee was appointed who submitted a report which was forwarded to the selectmen. Immediate action was taken, with the result that the appearance of the dumps is greatly improved. The naming of streets and the widening of Nichol...