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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/04/1935 Board of Public Safety MinutesMEETING November 4, 1935 Regular meeting of the Board of Public Safety was held Monday, ovember 4, 1935 at 9 A. M. All members were present. Minutes of preceding meeting were read and approved. Requisitions bearing numbers 08693 to 08703, inclusive, were approved. Claims in the amount of 0711-70, from the following suppliers, were allowed and ordered paid. Gafill Oil Company $400.93 Gafill Oil Company 20.76 Gafill Oil Company 13.60 Gafill Oil Company 26.46 South Bend X-Ray Laboratory 10.00 Recreation Equip. Co., Inc. 9.20 No. Ind. Public Service Co. 35.92 Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co. 4.25 Scherman-Schaus-Freeman Co. .58 Goodyear Service $2.00 Wire & Disc Wheel Sales, Inc. 42.13 Firestone Auto Supply 102.22 South Bend X-Ray Laboratory 10.00 South Bend X-Ray Laboratory 10.00 Mildred Werner, R. N. 18.00 Geo. Wyman & Co. 4.65 So. Bend Clean Towel Service 1.00 FIRE DEPARTMENT- Chief Freeh present: Matters pertaining to the Fire Department were discussed, but there being nothing of importance no action was taken. The Chief reported the attendance at the School at LaFayette of the thirty firemen, stating that a very splendid School was held and that vital points of interest to the City were discussed. The Chief was authorized to purchase a new.siren for truck at Eose Company No. 11. The Chief reported that the approximate cost of disconnecting gas heaters would be approximately $12.00, which the Board authorized him to spend. Application for position Of fireman was submitted by George F. Schmidt and ordered placed on file. ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT - Mr. Qualls present: Responding to the Board's request to I make a survey of the illumination of the City at all points where darkness prevails, Mr. Qualls submitted the following report: Pursuant to the request of this Council, the Board of Public Works and Safety have investigated various situations and conditions in the City of South Bend, in the interest of public safety, considering both traffic and criminal hazards, and desire to submit.the . ir findings and recommen- dations as of this date. In view of the many traffic casualties on arterial highways pass- ing through this City, due, in a large measure, to dissimilarity of design and location of traffic signals causing confusion, especially to strangers, we recommend that all suspended type signals on principal streets be replaced with the corner post type signals, the same as those in the business section of the City. It may not be possible to make all of these changes immediately, due to financial limitations, but we urge that the following changes be made with the least possible delay: The three suspended type signals on Lincoln Way West, at Cushing Street, Wilber Street and Olive Street, be replaced with post type signals with double signals on each corner. That double signals be installed on each corner at Lincoln Way West and William Street in place of the single signals now installed. That the present inefficient signals at Chapin Street and Western Avenue, and at Michigan and Bronson Streets, be replaced by modern designs of higher color visibility- We are confident that these changes will relieve much of the traffic, hazard that now seems to exist. It is estimated that the cost of the changes recommended for immediate consideration will not exceed 41200.00. There are some sections of the City that are entirely without street lights or so poorly lighted as to constitute a menace to life and property from both traffic hazards and the practices of the criminally minded. In these sections citizens have expressed their dread ' of being on the street after nightfall, and the fear .of women to remain in their homes alone after night. The following locations, covered by petitions for street lights now on-f'ile, have been investigated, and we recommend the installation `of lights as herein indicated in each case: There are no street lights on Brookfield Street from Vassar Street to Elwood Avenue and the blocks are exceptionally long. We recommend the installation of one 4000 lumen light in this section at a cost of $37.20 per year. Werwinski, Longley and Sibley Streets dead-end at Wilber St., and there are no lights to indicate the end of the streets. In the interest of traffic safety we recommend that a 1000 lumen light be installed at each of these dead -ends and that their supporting poles be painted white. Each of these lights will cost $19-80 per year or a total cost for the three lights of $59.40 per year. There are no lights on Fremont Street from Orange Street to Bertrand Street, and the light at Fremont and Orange is only a 1000 lumen lamp. We recommend that another 1000 lumen lamp be installed at Fremont and Lawton Streets at a cost of $19.80 per year. A 1000 lumen lamp, just enough light to break the intense gloom, would bevery helpful and appreciated at Huey'and Prast Streets, and we so recommend. The cost will be $19.80 per year. Van Buren Street dead-ends on Sancome Street with no visible .indication to vehicle drivers at night. A 1000 lumen light, with pole'painted white, would add much to the safety of this location. The cost of the light will be $19.80 per year. It is extremely dark in the vicinity of Fox and Hoke Streets as"there are no lights for blocks around. We recommend the installation of a 4000 lumen light at a cost of $37.20 per year. The east end of Campeau Street is in total darkness and we recommend ., he­Jtst6llat ion 6f,.-�& 400.0-.-,l=eh�.� light ­at Campedu and . Twyckenham Streets. The cost is 437.20 per year. The intersection of South Bend Avenue and Duey Street is dark, and especially is it dark on Duey Street'. A 1000 lumen light would be helpful at this location. The cost is $19.80 per year, U. S. Highway No. 20, carries a vast amount of traffic. It turns off Colfax Avenue onto Jacob Street and there is no light at this intersection. We recommend that a 4000 lumen light be installed at Colfax and Jacob Streets. The cost will be X37.20 per year. There are a number of high-value homes on East Colfax Ave., and the street is totally dark except for porch lights that are kept burning. We recommend the installation of a 2500 lumen light at Colfax and Esther Streets at a cost of $31.20 per year. At Colfax and Greenlawn Avenue we recommend the installation of a 4000 lumen light. The cost is $37.20 per year. At Colfax and Coquillard Streets a 2500 lumen light is needed and the cost is $31.20 per year. There are no lights on Ironwood Drive north of Jefferson Boulevard and this street is extensively used. Vie recommend that a 4000 lumen light be installed at Ironwood and Colfax, at a cost of $37.20 per year..,, We also recommend the installation of a 2,500 lumen light at the entrance of Wilson Street,into Greenlawn Avenue., This light will cost 431.20 per year.. There is a 6000 lumen light now located at Indiana Avenue and Clyde Street that the New York Central Railroad has been paying for and which they have now ordered discontinued as they no longer maintain a crossing at this location. Because of the 2-41; dead-end of both these streets here, and the many residences in this vicinity, we cannot entirely eliminate the street light. We recommend that the 6000 lumen light be removed and in its place a 4000 lumen lamp be installed, costing X37.20 per year. This is as far as our investigations have lead us up to this date, although there are many more petitions for street lights in our files. In our recommendations we have kept in mind the financial stringency and only the very minimum of the requirements have been considered. The principal cost, as reflected in this report, would be $1200.00 for the equipment and materials necessary to change the traffic signals mentioned which, we believe, every citizen who is interested in the safety of vehicular traffic will agree as to the necessity. The street lights herein recommended, which represent only the minimum of our requirements but which would add greatly to the safety and comfort of citizens in these locations and of others who use the streets, would make an additional burden upon the street lighting appropriation of only 4492.60 per year." This report is to be submitted to the Common Council at its next regular meeting. Mr. walls advised the Board that he was proceeding with the traffic improvement suggested at Chapin Street and Western Avenue, at Bronson and Michigan Streets and at William Street and Lincoln Way West and that the work would be done as quickly as practical. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Chief Lane present: Matters pertaining to this department were discussed, but there being nothing of importance no action was taken. A letter-from Mr. Bradford, Superintendent of the Water Works, was read in which he stated that he had no objection to Julius Overwale, Night Attendant at the South Pumping Station, carrying a gun with the proper permission from the propQr authorities. After discussing this matter with the Chief, it was decided no special police commission was necessary and the matter of carrying the I gun was referred to the Mater Works Board. DOG POUND: I Communication was received from Mines Wood) Dog Pound Master, stating that in view of his continued illness he would like to have leave of absence until the first of January 1936. The Board decided to withhold action on this matter pending the return of the Mayor when it will be referred to him. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 A. M. Chairman ATTEST: