USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1896 > Part 14
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THE STANDPIPE.
The standpipe was drawn down in May, 1895, for the purpose of inspection and cleaning. A new gate was placed in the twelve inch pipe which leads to and from the force main and standpipe, which was closed and the city supplied by direct pumping for four days. The direct pumping was found to work very well.
Engineer Blake, Mr. C. H. Sargent, and the super- intendent, examined the standpipe and found the shell internally to be badly corroded to a depth of nearly one-eighth of an inch, and otherwise in a very weak condition.
DESTRUCTION OF MAINS AND SERVICE PIPES BY ELECTROLYSIS.
A leak was discovered in 1895 on the six inch iron main on Merrimac street near the Coffin Hat factory, caused by electrolysis, which had eaten a 1
22
REPORT OF
hole through the pipe about three-fourths of an inch in dameter. The main upon further examination was found to be badly eaten away for a distance of 100 feet and its effects could be traced for a distance over 350 feet.
Two service pipes have been renewed for the same cause in this locality.
This seems to be the location where the electrical current leaves the pipes and enters the wet soil on its return to the power station, instead of following rails as it should do. If this action should continue for any length of time it will destroy the pipes in this part of the city.
The cost of repairs caused by electrolysis to Dec. I, was about seventy-five dollars ($75.)
LEAKS AND BREAKS ON CEMENT LINED MAINS TO DECEMBER 1, 1896.
Middle street. 5
Water street
I
Greenleaf street I
Prospect street
I
High street
I
Merrimac street 2
Prince place
I
Total
I 2
HYDRANTS.
To Dec. 1, 1896, put in by the city, new hydrants. 2 66 split by frost and repaired, “ IO
New screws and lengthened. 4
Total 16
23
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
SPRINKLER STANDPIPES.
To Dec. 1, 1896, put in by the city new standpipes on the following streets :
Liberty street. I
Merrimac street I
Water street. I
Fair street
I Chapel street.
I
-
Total.
5 200 feet of two inch pipe used for five (5) sprinkler stand- pipes and 10 two inch valves.
EXTENSION OF MAINS.
Jefferson street, 2 inch 100 feet.
Chapel street, 2 40
Spofford " 2 66
.200
Plumer avenue 6 66 263
Total 603
Defective cement lined main replaced with cast iron-Middle street, six inch pipe with gate, 540 feet.
ATKINSON COMMON SERVICE.
A service was laid in 1895 for Atkinson Common.
Size of pipe-4 inch 80 feet.
2 500 66 66 66 187
I
Total . 767
SERVICE PIPE LAID BY CITY TO DEC. 1, 1896.
Size of pipe-2 inch 1,970 feet.
66 11/2 inch. 144
66
I
.8,001 6 6
Total
10,115
24
REPORT OF
METERS.
The meters put in by the city have been the means of detecting and stopping a large waste of water, and the fixtures are kept in good order where water is paid for by meter.
Number of meters in use 1896 43
66 '' taken out. IO
-
" at present 33
Respectfully submitted,
W. H. LAWRENCE, Superintendent.
Newburyport, Jan. 13, 1897.
NEWBURYPORT WATER WORKS, NOVEMBER, 1896.
AFTER IMPROVEMENTS.
25
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
ENGINEER BLAKE'S REPORT.
The Board of Water Commissioners, Newbury- port, Mass.,
GENTLEMEN: At your request I submit the fol- lowing report on the improvements designed and carried out in the vicinity of the pumping station under your direction during the year 1896.
These improvements consist of first, the cleaning out and rectifying of the pond or basin in which surface and spring waters have been stored since the construction of the water works in 1881 by the Newburyport Water Company. At the time the water works came into the possession of the city, this basin contained when full, about two and one- quarter million gallons of water. The Board recog- nizing the filthy condition of this basin, decided to make a radical improvement in it by removing all the mud and the remains of old tannery vats, roots, stumps and other debris which it was known to con- tain, forming new slopes, greatly increasing the depth of the water and the storage capacity, and oth- wise modernizing the basin so as to make it a fit re- ceptacle for storing and yielding water which would
4
-
26
REPORT OF
be potable and satisfactory in appearance to the users of water. This improvement included also the ex- cavating of the mud surrounding the outlet of the Moulton springs and the forming of a supplemen- tary basin in which spring water could be stored and thence overflow into the main basin, or through pipes into well number four, the water in which was and had been since the construction of the well turbid and sometimes dirty.
Second, the conducting of the water from Bart- lett spring through a tight pipe line into the new ba- sin and into well number four. This project included also the draining of the swampy land which the Bartlett brook traversed, and the diversion, through a clean channel, of the natural brook water flowing from the upper part of the watershed into the main basin.
Third, the construction of a gatehouse with inlet ports and adjustable screening. arrangement, through which the water in the improved basin can be drawn for use.
Fourth, the laying of new suction pipes from the pumping station to the several wells and the new ba- sin, with proper provision for shutting off each or any of the wells, and the conducting of the overflow of the wells through tight pipes into the new gate- house.
27
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Fifth, the laying of a proper waste pipe, controlled by a tight gate, from the new basin to the river, with provision for automatic overflow, so arranged as to keep out river water at times of extreme high water in the river.
Plans of these several improvements were prepar- ed under your direction and with your approval, and contracts were made for such portions of the work in each case, as could be advantageously done by such method.
The first and most important contract made was that for the main basin, and the agreement for this part of the work was signed on August 14, 1896, with Cornelius H. Kelleher, contractor, of Newbury- port. Other contracts for constructing this basin were made with Pigeon Hill Granite Company of Rockport, Mass., for paving blocks for lining the in- terior of the basin, and for building stone for walling the smaller or Moulton basin and for the substruc- ture of the gatehouse and for the wasteway.
Mr. Kelleher's contract called for the removal from the pond or basin of all mud, other material and old structures, necessary in forming a basin in which the uniform depth of water should be ten feet, and the removal by excavation of all mud, roots, etc., from the Moulton basin. Under this contract all of the materials removed which were suitable for
28
REPORT OF
the purpose were deposited in the immediate vicinity of the work, the greater part being placed between the new basin and the river, forming thereby a level area of land above high water mark in the river.
In the construction of this basin and the Moulton basin 15,636 cubic yards of rank mud were removed; the crib work and stone filling of an ancient wharf were taken out in piecemeal, together with seven old tannery vats, some of them containing the desiccated bark and putrefactive products originally placed therein. The cleaning out of this filthy mass is alone worth, from a sanitary standpoint, all that the improvement has cost.
The new basin has a level bottom of gravel, sand and clayey soil, and its slopes are paved throughout with clean granite blocks laid by hand, on edge, on a backing of clean gravel, and rammed to a firm posi- tion. The total area of this paving is 3905 square yards, all of which was furnished by the Pigeon Hill Granite Company, and laid by Mr. Kelleher under his contract. The storage capacity of this new basin when full is 4,665,000 gallons, and of this quantity four-fifths may be regarded as potable water at all times. The high water area is 75,647 square feet, or very nearly one and three-quarters acres; the area of the bottom is 49,055 square feet or one and one-eighth acres; the depth of water when the basin is full is ten feet.
29
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The storage capacity of the Moulton basin is 195,- 000 gallons; the average depth of water when full, five feet; the high-water area about one-eighth of an acre.
To improve and protect the Bartlett spring source the spring was deepened and a stone well six feet in diameter, topped with brick work, construc- ted. From this well a six-inch cast iron pipe was laid, on a true grade, to a similar well near the upper end of the main basin. Nearly parallel to this pipe line, a line of drain pipes with open joints was laid in a ditch excavated in the sand underlying the swamp. This drain pipe was surrounded with screen- ed gravel, and collects and conveys ground water and filtered water coming down the brook beyond the Bartlett spring, to the well into which the pipe from Bartlett spring discharges. An iron pipe line is ex- tended from this lower well through to well number four, and is provided near the latter well, with three outlets, one discharging into well number four, one into Moulton basin, and the other into the main ba- sin, with an arrangement of valves which permits of turning the spring water into either of these recep- tacles. This piping is also so arranged that well num- ber four can be replenished from the main basin, when the water in the latter is high enough, or from the
30
REPORT OF
Moulton basin. A low level pipe is laid at this point from the bottom of the Moulton basin into the main basin, so that an alternating flow can be had, or the Moulton basin drained of its contents.
The two small wells in the vicinity of Bartlett spring are protected with substantial plank covers, and the whole arrangement thoroughly protects the spring water from pollution, and preserves its low temperature.
The gatehouse is ten feet by seven feet six inches inside, in its sub-story, which consists of block gran- ite laid in cement mortar, lined with twelve-inch brick work laid in Portland cement. The gatehouse rests upon a foundation of spruce, consisting of eight by eight bearers covered with two thicknesses of two-inch spruce plank laid crosswise. The interior of this sub-story is divided into two parts, with an opening in the division wall for two sets of copper sash screens.
The superstructure consists of twelve-inch brick Walls laid in cement mortar, with hipped roof cov- ered with black Monson slate. It is lighted by three triple-light windows and has one door on the pump- ing station side. Its floor consists of two-inch spruce plank with a border of brick laid on edge in Port- land cement. The building is dressed with granite underpinning, threshold and window sills; the
31
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
window openings have flat arches turned in brick.
Water from the basin is admitted into this gate- house through two fourteen-inch heavy cast iron pipes, each having on the inner end a fourteen-inch single gate valve, operated by extension rod with standard and hand wheel, the standard being pro- vided with an indicator showing the amount of water admitted at different positions of the valve. The lower of these inlet pipes is located one foot above the bottom of the basin, the upper one four feet be- low high water mark
The water is withdrawn from this gatehouse through one cast iron fourteen-inch suction pipe, first passing through the fine copper screens before enter- ing this pipe.
The overflow of water from wells one, two and three is conducted to this gatehouse and enters the screen well through a ten-inch cast iron pipe. Pro- vision is made just outside the gatehouse in this ten- inch pipe for receiving the water from the Jackman springs, by gravity, through a pipe line to be laid from the Jackman brook along the bank of the river and in front of the pumping station to the gatehouse. Water will flow, by gravity, from the springs to this point if such pipe line is properly located and graded.
New suction pipes have been laid to the gatehouse and to each well or to a point as near each well, as it
32
REPORT OF
was practicable to go without making it necessary to disturb the pipes passing through the sides of the wells. This part of the work was a most trouble- some and difficult one, it being necessary to do the work in short sections without disturbing the old pipes and without interrupting the pumping service upon which the city depended for its hourly supply of water; also in laying these new pipes up to each well and there connecting with the well itself, care had to be taken that there were no unnecessary delays in making the final connection, as the rise of water in the ground surrounding the well would interfere with making the joints. For these reasons these new pipe connections were proportionately the most ex- pensive part of the new work. It is impossible to conceive of a more slipshod and inefficient arrange- ment than that which was found to exist in the old piping.
The new connections are as follows: First, a four- teen-inch pipe now extends from a point about ten feet outside the pumping station to the new gate- house, and this fourteen-inch pipe is provided with two twelve-inch branches, the nearer one pointing away from the pumping station, and the farther pointing back toward the pumping station. From the latter a twelve-inch pipe extends toward the pumping station and contains a twelve-inch branch
33
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
pointing back toward the basin. From this latter branch a twelve-inch pipe is laid in the direction of the wells, and a short distance from the pumping sta- tion contains a twelve-inch branch, looking back toward the fourteen-inch pipe first described with which it is connected by a twelve-inch section enter- ing the twelve-inch branch of the fourteen-inch pipe described above as looking away from the pumping station. The fourteen-inch pipe going toward the pumping station is reduced to twelve inches, and con- nected with the suction pipe of the larger pumping engine. The twelve-inch pipe leading toward the pumping station is reduced to eight inches as it en- ters the station, and is connected with the suction pipe of the smaller pumping engine. The two twelve-inch lines leading from the two suction pipes are merged in one twelve-inch line and extend toward the wells. An eight-inch branch runs from this twelve-inch line to wells one and two, and near well three the twelve- inch line is reduced to eight inches and connected with well three. Back of this connection with well three, a ten-inch branch is inserted in the twelve-inch line, and a ten-inch pipe extended to and connected with well four.
In these new connections there are set standard Ludlow valves of the double disc pattern at such points as to make possible the drawing of water by
5
34
REPORT OF
either pumping engine singly or in combination, from the wells or gatehouse, either singly, or togeth- er. Each well can be shut off from the combina- tion without interfering with the pumping of water from the other three, and wells one and two together and wells three and four together can be shut off from the system of piping, in each case, by the clos- ing of one valve.
The use of these new connections for two months has shown that they were successfully laid, and the superintendent reports that they are giving entire satisfaction and that the pumping engines are now enabled to lower the water in -the wells to a point much below that possible when the old suction pipes were in use. While this improvement probably will not much, if any, increase the annual yield of the wells, it will undoubtedly enable more water to be drawn from them for a short length of time than was possible with the old pipes.
The effect of this more rapid drawing from the wells will very likely be seen in the increased tur- bidity of the water drawn from wells three and four, but this may be in part overcome in the case of well number four by the admission of water from the Moulton basin and the Bartlett spring. These two wells should be reconstructed by lining them with brick work laid in Portland cement mortar, such
35
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
brick work to rest upon an annular plank platform placed on the floor of the well. After such brick lining is constructed. the bottom of the well should be ballasted with twelve inches of fine broken stone or fine screened gravel and Plum Island sand, through which the water would be filtered in its upward pas- sage. The brick lining would prevent the inflow into the well, of any water above the level of the bottom of the well. Wells of this kind are usually and successfully constructed in this manner. The present plank linings of wells three and four are not stable, and in the case of well four it is not improb- able that a collapse may occur at any time.
The new suction pipes where they are reduced in front of the pumping station to make connections with the present pumping engines, are so designed that when a new pumping plant is installed they can be extended, one at a time, to connect with the new pumping engines, at slight expense, and the present pumping plant should be replaced before many years by modern and economical machinery. A properly designed plant can be operated by the consumption of but little more than half the fuel now being con- sumed by the crude machinery in use. The annual saving in fuel by substituting economical engines would more than equal the interest and a sinking fund instalment on a new pumping plant.
36
REPORT OF
Another important improvement, which is provided for in the gatehouse connections, is the bringing of the Jackman brook water by gravity to the new basin. The construction of a comparatively inexpensive dam and basin in the valley below the Jackman springs, and the laying of a properly graded pipe line from such dam around to the new gatehouse would save the cost of pumping the Jackman water over the divide, as is now done, and this annual sav- ing would meet the interest on the cost of this im- provement. All of the Jackman brook water would then be available at the pumping station.
It is believed that all of the work done under your direction during the past year in the vicinity of the pumping station, has been thoroughly done, and the contractors who have contributed to this end de- serve commendation for the faithfulness with which they have carried out their contracts. Un- doubtedly some further grading and draining of the graded surfaces will have to be done in the spring, but this can well be done by the superintendent, whose fidelity and interest in the work of improve- ment has been noticeable.
No statement of the cost of the work is submit- ted herewith as the bills paid are filed wth your treasurer. Some of the work done was not easily estimated in advance, and much of the more com-
37
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
plicated work was done by day labor, it being im- possible to prepare specifications which would an- ticipate and cover the contingencies to be met and overcome. From a long experience in work of this character I believe that the city has received full value in every instance for moneys paid out on account of these improvements.
Yours respectfully, PERCY M. BLAKE,
February 2, 1897.
Engineer.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR
THE YEAR 1896
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
MARIQU MDCCCLI
NEWBURYPORT : NEWBURYPORT HERALD PRESS 1897
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT-1896
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ANDREW R. CURTIS ( Mayor ) Chairman. ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK Vice-Chairman.
Term of Office expires January 1, 1897.
WILLIAM T. HUMPHREYS
75 Purchase street
PRENTISS H. REED
55 Lime street
GEORGE E. L. NOYES . 101 State street
SAMUEL C. BEANE .
6 Harris street
OLIVER B. MERRILL Monroe, cor. Broad street
ALBERT W. HITCHCOCK 298 High street
Term of Office expires January 1, 1898.
EDWARD OSGOOD 49 Purchase street CHARLES W. POORE . 65 Prospect street GEORGE H. PLUMER . 93 High street .
GEORGE W. WORCESTER . .
·
124 High street
HENRY B. LITTLE .
.
215 High street
PAUL A. MERRILL .
24 Tyng street
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
WILLIAM P. LUNT Office at City Hall
TRUANT OFFICER.
ROBERT G. ALLEN
Office with Superintendent
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - (CON CLUDED)
SUB-COMMITTEES
Oliver B. Merrill, George H. Plumer,
HIGH SCHOOL. William T. Humphreys. Samuel C. Beane,
Prentiss H. Reed. (On part of Trustees of Putnam School, Joseph E. Moody.) GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Henry B. Little, Edward Osgood,
Charles W. Poore, George E. L. Noyes,
Paul A. Merrill.
TRAINING AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
George W. Worcester,
Samuel C. Beane,
Charles W. Poore, William T. Humphreys,
George E. L. Noyes. TEXT BOOKS.
Samuel C. Beane, George W. Worcester,
Paul A. Merrill.
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
George H. Plumer, Oliver B. Merrill, William T. Humphreys. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Albert W. Hitchcock, Henry B. Little,
Oliver B. Merrill. EVENING SCHOOLS.
Edward Osgood, William T. Humphreys, Charles W. Poore. PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE. George H. Plumer, Prentiss H. Reed,
Edward Osgood. SALARIES.
George E. L. Noyes, Prentiss H. Reed, George W. Worcester. JANITORS AND SUPPLIES. Paul A. Merrill, Charles W. Poore, Henry B. Little.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY AND CALENDAR
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOM-City Hall.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT-City Hall.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD-Last Monday evening of each month except July and August.
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE HOURS-Wednesdays and Saturdays. 9 to 10 a. m. ; other days, 4 to 5 p. m.
SCHOOL YEAR-Begins tenth Tuesday after the Saturday preced- ing the Fourth of July.
VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS-Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, Thanksgiving day and two succeeding days, Washington's birthday, Memorial day, Patriot day, Labor day; from Christmas to New Year inclusive; one week commencing the first Monday in April ; also, nine weeks from the Satur- day preceding the Fourth of July.
PAY DAY-Wednesday after the first Monday of each month ex- cept August and September.
SCHOOL SIGNALS
8.15 a. m .- Two strokes of fire alarm, no forenoon session of primary and grammar schools.
1.15 p. m .- Two strokes of fire alarm, no afternoon session of primary and grammar schools.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :-
In obedience to the instructions of the board, I herewith sub- mit the following report of the school department for the year 1896.
Respectfully. WILLIAM P. LUNT, Superintendent of Schools.
IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, December 28, 1896. Voted, to accept and adopt the annual report of the superin- tendent of schools as the report of the school committee. WILLIAM P. LUNT, Secretary.
THE HIGH AND PUTNAM SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOL-E. C. Adams, A. M., principal ; Arthur H. Berry, Sara A. Leonard, Mary T. Spalding, Ida M. Wallace, Sarah Deane, Beatrice J. Barker, assistants.
PUTNAM SCHOOL-Mary R. Bond, Harriet Piper, assistants.
The exhibition of the combined High and Putnam schools, last June, closed a year of successful work on the part of Mr. E. C. Adams and the other teachers in these schools.
That this institution is maintaining its former high rank, is evident from the facility with which its graduates pass the exam- inations for admission to the colleges and scientific schools, as well as by the increased number of those who wish to enter the school itself.
At the beginning of the year, in September, 1895, Mr. A. H. Berry was appointed teacher of natural science, in place of Mr. H. F. Stone, and Miss Sarah M. Deane in place of Miss Bertha J. Atwater.
As the work of the school made necessary the services of an additional teacher, Miss Beatrice J. Barker was appointed, who at the end of the year resigned and was succeeded by Miss Inez Cohen.
The Toppan prize, given to the student passing the best ex- amination on the study of civil government, was awarded to Miss Mabelle Wadleigh, and honorable mention was made of Arthur W. Constantine.
It must be admitted that these schools are doing excellent work, and that the teachers are faithful, hard working and de- voted to the interest of those for whom they labor.
8
ANNUAL REPORT
The course of study is essentially the same as that in high schools of the first class, and the methods of instruction are made to meet modern requirements.
The teaching force consists of nine persons besides the teacher of drawing, and the number of pupils now belonging to the institution, is 191 in the High and 92 in the Putnam school.
It is a matter of surprise to some citizens, that with a larger number of teachers in the school now than were there ten years ago, some studies that were formerly taught are now omitted.
A much smaller proportion of the time of the teachers is now spent upon Latin, Greek and mathematics than was devoted to those studies ten years ago, although the school is much larger and more, as well as better work is done in the classics, but a great deal more time is now given to natural science and the English language.
Ten years ago, the teacher of natural science taught not only physics and chemistry, but also Latin, Greek and various other subjects, while, at present, he devotes all his time to that important branch of study.
Ten years ago the time given to the study of "English" was limited, except in the senior class, to a short exercise once a week, when a part of each class read compositions, every student being expected to write an original essay once a month ; now frequent practice in writing is required, and the study of the best authors is made a part of the daily work of pupils in all the classes.
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