USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879 > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
Gov. Bullock approved an act which had passed the Legislature incorporating the "Spot Pond Water Company for the purpose of supplying the inhabi- tants of said Melrose, Malden and Medford with pure water." For this act see Appendix A. More than two years passed away before anything was done by either Melrose, Malden or Medford toward purchasing the franchise of this Company, accord- ing to one of the provisions of the act, when almost simultaneous action was taken by the three towns; the Town Meeting for Melrose being duly warned for Friday evening, Sept. 24, 1869, at Lyceum Hall, at which time the subject of supplying our town with water was to be discussed and acted upon. At this meeting the following vote was passed: -
Voted, That the town of Melrose, - the towns of Medford and Malden, or either of them, concurring, - purchase the franchise of the Spot Pond Water Company and all its corporate property, according to the provisions of an act to incorporate the Spot Pond Water Company, approved May 4, 1867. And that a commission of five be appointed by this town to act in concurrence with com- missions appointed by both or either of the other said towns.
And that said commissioners be authorized, in concurrence with the commissioners of said other towns, or either of them, to pur- chase the franchise of the Spot Pond Water Company and con- tract for the building of water works, at any time within one year from this date, at a cost to this town for its proportion of the expense of said franchise, works at the Pond, main pipe to Warren Lynde's, and street pipes for this town, not exceeding the sum of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000). Said contracts to be submitted to the town for ratification before being binding.
The following gentlemen were then elected to act as Water Commissioners in accordance with the
2
10
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
above vote: Wingate P. Sargent, Jeremiah Martin, Dexter Bryant, Elbridge Greene and Joel Snow.
TOWN MEETING, OCT. 7, 1869.
On the 7th of October a town meeting was called at Lyceum Hall to hear and act upon the report of the Water Commissioners, which was as follows: -
"Your commissioners have devoted much time, and given great consideration to the subject of the introduction of water into this town. They have also been present at several meetings of the com- missioners of the three towns, Malden, Medford and Melrose. They find that both of the other towns intend to take the franchise, and introduce the water. The town of Malden has already contracted with Mr. George H. Norman, - subject to the approval of both or either of the other towns, for the construc- tion of works at the Pond, and main pipe to Warren Lynde's; and have submitted to us a copy of that contract for consideration, which is as follows: -
For work at pond, gate chamber and house, pen stock and bridge, with sixteen inch wrought-iron and cement pipe, except across meadow, where cast-iron pipe is to be used, to Masonic Hall, 6,364 feet, including rock and other excavation, and two sixteen-
inch gates . $33,000
From Masonic Hall to the house of Warren Lynde,
the point where the Melrose works end, nine hundred feet twelve-inch pipe 2,070
Rock excavation .
1,500
Franchise 400
Total,
$36,970
11
OF MELROSE.
After due deliberation among ourselves, and con- sultation with the Commissioners of Malden and Medford, we have concluded that it will be for the best interests of Melrose to pay one-third of the cost of these main works which is $12,323
For the building of the rest of the works in our streets, we have received the following proposal from Mr. Norman : -
WINGATE P. SARGENT, Esq., Chairman Water Commissioners of the Town of Melrose :
Sir : - I will make all excavations, including rock and ledge, and will furnish and lay in the best manner, and of the best materials, in such streets of the town of Melrose as you designate, twelve thousand (12,000) feet wrought-iron and cement pipe, of six-inch internal diameter; also twenty thousand (20,000) feet. same, of four-inch internal diameter ; also, twenty (20) fire hydrants, with three nozzles each ; also, thirty (30) gates, with all necessary branches for any future extension of the pipes ; and twenty-five (25) extra branches for fire-hydrants, together with all necessary plugs, caps, blow-offs, and air-cocks ; and in fact complete the work in accordance with your specifications, and keep the entire work in order, for the term of four years, for the sum of forty-seven thousand five-hundred ($47,500) dollars.
The above proposal includes the total expenses of excavations of every kind and nature, including ledge and stone, and for the expenses of crossing all brooks and other obstructions, and in fact all expenses, of whatever kind, for the construction and comple- ton of the work in the best manner, in all respects.
Very respectfully,
GEO. H. NORMAN.
Boston, Oct. 5, 1869.
Adding this amount ($47,500) to our proportion of the cost of main works and we have a total of
12
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
$59,823. For which sum we obtain inclusive of the main or 16-inch pipe, in Wyoming avenue and Main street, a little more than seven miles of pipe laid in hur own streets ready for use by water-takers. We oave accepted the proposition of Mr. Norman sub- ject to the ratification of the town.
We find by the level that with two or three exceptions the water can be carried into every house in town.
Your commissioners further submit that they find that all the conditions for the introduction of the water are more favorable than they anticipated, and that the works can be introduced, completed and kept in order for four years, with seven miles of pipes in the streets of Melrose, ready for the use of water-takers, for the sum adopted at your last meeting, viz., sixty thousand ($60,000) dollars. Under these circumstances, your Commissioners ear- nestly recommend the passage of the following :-
Voted, That the" Water Commissioners be authorized to make and complete the necessary contracts for the construction of the Water Works according to the terms of their report herewith sub- mitted, at a cost to the town of Melrose not exceeding the sum of sixty thousand ($60,000) dollars. And that the Town Treasurer be and is hereby authorized to issue scrip, payable twenty years from the date thereof, with interest at the rate of six per centum per annum, to pay for the same.
Respectfully submitted,
WINGATE P. SARGENT, JEREMIAH MARTIN, DEXTER BRYANT, ELBRIDGE GREENE, JOEL SNOW.
MELROSE, Oct 7, 1869.
13
OF MELROSE.
This report was accepted by an almost unani- mous vote; and in accordance with this action of the town, the Water Commissioners, in conjunction with the Water Commissioners of the towns of Mal- den and Medford, immediately purchased the fran- chise of the "Spot Pond Water Company."
It was thought advisable that additional legisla- tion should be had ratifying the action of the towns of Malden, Medford and Melrose in relation to the purchasing of the franchise of the "Spot Pond Water Company," and conferring upon the three towns, jointly and respectively, all the power requi- site for the use and enjoyment of that franchise, and an " act in addition to an act to incorporate the Spot Pond Water Company " was passed by the Legisla- ture and approved by Gov. Claflin, April 2, 1870. For this act see Appendix B.
CONTRACTS.
On the 7th of December, 1869, a contract was con- cluded between Mr. George H. Norman of Newport, R. I., and the towns of Malden and Melrose, jointly, by their respective Boards of Water Commissioners, - the town of Medford having decided to construct an independent main from the south side of the Pond, - for the construction of the main water-works, at the Pond and through Wyoming Avenue and Main street to the house of Warren Lynde, according to the report submitted to the town, Oct. 7th, involving a cost to the town of Melrose, of twelve thousand three hundred ($12,300) dollars. The work as fin-
14
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
ished differed but little from the foregoing estimate. The 16-inch main pipe commences at the Gate House at the Pond, thence runs through lands of Charles Copeland, and the heirs of William Foster, about 800 fect to the Ravine road in Stoneham; thence through Ravine road to Wyoming avenue; thence through said avenue to the Masonic Hall, being 7,170 fcet in length. And the 12 inch pipe from Masonic Hall through Main street to Warren Lynde's is 8931 feet. By an agreement between the Commis- sioners of Malden and the Commissioners of Melrose, the main pipes from the Pond to the house of War- ren Lynde, and the Gates and Gate-house, are owned in common by the towns of Malden and Melrose.
On the 10th of May, 1870, a contract was concluded and signed, between Mr. Norman and the town of Melrose, by its Water Commissioners, for the laying of twelve thousand (12,000) feet of six-inch, and twenty thousand (20,000) feet of four-inch iron and cement distribution pipes, through such streets as the Commissioners should name, according to his proposal of Oct. 5, 1869; this contract involving a cost to the town of Melrose of forty-seven thousand five hundred ($47,500) dollars. The work was to be completed on or before the first day of September, 1870, and to be guaranteed for four years, during which time the pipes were to be kept in order at the expense of the contractor.
While the work under these contracts was pro- gressing, numerous applications were made to the
15
OF MELROSE.
Commissioners for the introduction of pipes into streets not contemplated under the existing contracts, and your Commissioners felt it their duty to submit the matter to the town for its action. A meeting was called and held at Lyceum Hall, May 31, 1870, at which the following vote was passed: -
F That the Water Commissioners be authorized to increase the number of Fire Hydrants, and to lay such additional street pipes as in their judgment the best interests of the Town require and to pay for the same in the Water Fund Bonds.
At this meeting the following vote was also passed :
That the Water Commissioners be authorized to lay service pipe to the premises of water-takers, and to pay for the same in Bonds, and to charge the several water-takers with a reasonable part of the expenses, to be fixed by general rules established by the Commissioners.
Upon investigation your Commissioners found that it was necessary that over five (5) more miles of dis- tribution pipes should be laid, and that thirty-five (35.) additional fire hydrants and eleven (11) additional gates would be required to meet the full demands of the town; and they called upon the contractor, Mr. Norman, to supply these additional pipes, hydrants and gates, according to a provision in the original contract, at a cost of about thirty thousand ($30,000) dollars.
Under the energetic supervision of the contractor, the work under these various contracts was pushed rapidly and satisfactorily forward; and the gate- house at the Pond, and the main pipes through the
16
WATER COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
streets of Melrose and Malden were so far com- pleted, that the gate was hoisted and water let into the pipes on Thursday, Aug. 25th, 1870, a week only after the very destructive fire which burned over and destroyed so large a portion of the busi- ness part of our town.
MAIN PIPES, HYDRANTS AND GATES.
The following table shows the number of feet of the different sizes of main pipes, and the streets through which they are laid, together with the num- ber and sizes of the fire hydrants and gates, and their location, furnished under the contract dated May 10, 1870; this is exclusive of the main pipe through Wyoming Avenue and Main street which is covered by the contract dated Dec. 7, 1869: -
OF MELROSE.
STATEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION PIPES.
FEET OF PIPE.
GATES.
STREETS.
HYDRANTS.
6.inch.
4-inch.
Main
3784
·
.
5
2
. .
Green .
2700
.
3
1
. .
Franklin
28131
426
4
1
.1
Trenton
1233
8311
1
2
1
Melrose
1960층
1
.
.
Ashland
10142
1
.
.
Tremont
844
1
1
Greenwood
13352
286
. 2
2
Hurd
768
·
.
1
Berwick
1226를
1
1
Herbert .
·
.
.
.
.
·
Waverley Place .
6902
1
Foster
14702
2
Myrtle and Lake av.
2385
3
Winthrop .
6952
1
Vine
691
Essex .
143.
663
.
.
4701
.
1
School
3223
216
.
Lebanon
2750
2
1
Grove
1366
1
1
Lynde and Linwood
2960
3
1
Summer
701
2
East Wyoming av.
1076
West
·
.
.
Mt. Vernon .
394
1
. .
Wastes 27 x 24
51
2
80 Plugs
80
·
. .
Totals
13189
43007
4280
55
7
34
·
1 .231.1 1
.
.
Perkins .
So. Howard .
484
1
Florence
Maple and Poplar
22652
1
Emerson
3971
4
Otis .
Oakland
1161
780
.
1
Linden Place
Cedar Park
8983
457
Cottage
1142
193
2
West Grove
1991
1581
112.12 2 1 2 1
.
1
Reading Hill
2514₺
495
. 2
.
Upham
2
Stevens Place
.
Walnut
187元
Chestnut
572
3
.
3
.
4
1
.
.
Vinton
2658元
236
324
1
Youle
9981
1
.
.
Laurel
:
Willow
. .
Short and Main
.
237
2
Porter
6-inch.
4-inch.
2-inch.
·
17
.
2
18
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Total length of pipes in Melrose nearly thirteen miles.
In addition to the above, eight hundred and fifty feet of four-inch iron and cement pipe, and nine feet of four-inch iron pipe have been laid by Mr. Norman, from the Ravine road, with two four-inch fire hydrants, and one four-inch gate, for the Haywardville Rubber Fac- tory, in Stoneham, one-half of the expense of which is to be paid by the town of Melrose, and one-half by the town of Malden; the water rates to be equally divided according to an agreement made between the Water Commissioners of the two towns.
WATER RATES.
The following list of Water Rates was agreed upon by the Board, which they recommend to the town for adoption.
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet, $6 CO For each additional faucet to be used for
the same family, 2 00
When a house is occupied by more than one family and less than four, one faucet only being used by all, for each family, 5 00
When a house is occupied by four or more families and but one faucet is used for all, for each family, 4 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates
19
OF MELROSE.
will be charged for each family hav- ing water carried into their part of the house.
For the first water-closet, . $5 00
For each additional water-closet, 3 00
For hopper water-closet, 8 00
For first bath tub,
5 00
For each additional bath tub,
3 00
Provided that no private house shall pay more than $25 per year.
BOARDING HOUSES.
For the first faucet, 10 00
For each additional faucet, . 2 00
For water closet or bath-tub when used for boarders, . 10 00
Other charges as above.
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, both empty- ing into one vessel, but one charge will be made for both.
STORES.
Occupied as office, shop, or similar
purpose, . 6 to 20 00.
· For each additional faucet, . 2 50
For water closet or urinal, . 6 00 ·
STABLES.
For first horse, 5 00
For each additional horse, . 3 00
For first cow, 2 0(
20
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
For each additional cow, $1 00
FOR LIVERY, CLUB AND BOARDING STABLES. For each horse, if more than four, 3.00
The above includes water for washing carriages without hose.
Where hose is used, $5.00 additional.
TRUCK AND CART STABLES.
For each horse, if more than four, . 2.00 The above includes water for washing carriages.
HOSE.
For sprinkling streets, washing windows, and similar uses, $3.00
When several desire to use the same hydrant for watering street, or watering gardens, see
Superintendent.
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers, 3.00
BATHS.
For public baths, and for each bath in any hotel, · · 10.00
For water closet in public bath houses, · 10.00
STEAM ENGINES.
For each stationary steam engine, working not over twelve hours a day, for each horse power, 6.00
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For every cask of lime or cement used, .05
21
OF MELROSE.
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.
Ordinarily used three hours a day, for a period of not more than four months a year.
For a jet of one sixteenth of an inch, . 3.00
66 66 one eighth . 5.00
66 66 one quarter 66 8.00
To be cut off at the discretion of the Superin- tendent.
MANUFACTORIES,
and for all purposes not enumerated in the foregoing rates, special contract to be be made with the Water Board.
This schedule of prices was printed in a circular and distributed among the citizens, with this addi- tional notice: -
All parties wishing Spot Pond water introduced into their buildings, will be required to sign an ap- plication for the same; a book for that purpose may be found at the Town Clerk's office.
The service pipe will be iron, lined with cement.
The Water Board have made a contract for lay- ing the pipe from the street line through cellar wall, for fifty cents a foot all complete.
Parties wishing any other kind of pipe laid can have it at cost under direction of the Water Board.
At the above rates the receipts from the water- takers at the present time, would amount to thirty- five hundred ($3,500) dollars, for the current year. Your Commissioners would also recommend that the
22
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Town appropriate one thousand ($1,000) dollars for the use of water for town purposes, hydrants, schools, etc.
WATER TAKERS.
In accordance with the above circular and notice an order book containing blanks, was opened for the signatures of water-takers; and two hundred and ninety-five (295) signatures of application were made; and as some of these signatures covered two or more families, the number of water-takers at the present date is three hundred and thirty-three (333).
SERVICE PIPES.
On the 15th of August an additional contract was made by the Commissioners with Mr. Norman, for the laying of iron and cement service pipes for water-takers, at a cost of seventy cents (70) per foot, from main pipe to street line, with stop-cock at main pipe, and shut-off at street line; and fifty (50) cents per foot from street line to inside cellar wall, in- cluding all the digging and filling of trenches. And it was decided by the Commissioners that the Town should pay the expense of these service pipes from the main pipe to the street line, includ- ing stop-cock and shut-off, and that water-takers pay from street line to inside of cellar-wall. Un- der this contract 4,423 feet ten inches of one inch cement lined iron pipe at 70 cents per foot, and 7,638 feet, eight inches of the same at fifty cents per foot, and 1,805 feet four inches of different kinds of
23
OF MELROSE.
pipe, -one and one-fourth inch cement-lined iron and lead, - at prices ranging from thirty-five to eighty cents per foot have been laid; the whole amounting to the sum of $9,494 19, about one-half of which amount is at the cost of the town, and the other half at the cost of water-takers. These individual bills have been made out, presented, partially collected, and the amount paid over to the Town Treasurer.
KINDS OF PIPE.
The importance of maintaining the purity of the Spot Pond water in its introduction into our dwell- ings, early attracted the attention of your Commis- sioners and led them to make careful and extensive inquiries regarding the different kinds of service pipes in use, and to select that best suited for the purpose. Galvanized iron pipe was thoroughly dis- cussed and rejected as being entirely unfit for domestic uses; water passing throughit in some cases and under circumstances which might occur, causing fatality; and iron pipe lined with hydraulic cement was finally adopted as the most suitable for service pipes. And the numerous cases of zinc poisoning which have since come to our knowledge, have con- firmed your Commissioners in their belief that this is the best kind of pipe for this purpose; and they are pleased to say that a large majority of the water-takers have had the cemented pipe carried into their cellars, and in some cases to their sinks. But they regret that some have piped their houses from the cellar with galvanized iron pipe. A thorough analysis was
24
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
recently made, by competent chemists for the pur- pose of ascertaining the action of Spot Pond water upon galvanized iron, and lead pipe, which resulted in showing that water of any kind dissolves zinc, and makes the water drawn through all such pipe entirely unfit for domestic purposes; and that the action on lead pipe was entirely different; a decided chemical reaction takes place within the first forty-eight hours which precipitates an insoluble carbonate of lime upon the inside and this protects the pipe from being farther acted upon by the water and is consequently comparatively safe for conducting the water into and over our dwellings. The Commissioners believe they can in no way better serve their fellow townsmen than by expressing their unanimous confidence in this analysis and appending the same as a part of their report.
BOSTON, JAN 14, 1871. WINGATE P. SARGENT, Esq., Chairman Spot Pond Water Board, Melrose:
The specimen of water taken from Spot Pond, in Melrose, Mass., has been received, and we have con- ducted a series of experiments, with the view of ascertaining its action upon zinc-covered iron pipes (galvanized proper) and upon pipes constructed of lead.
We find its action upon galvanized iron pipes to be so energetic and immediate, that upon allowing a cur- rent of the water to flow slowly through a section of the pipe, the protoxide of zinc was formed in consid-
25
OF MELROSE.
erable quantities, and was detected in the water which passed through. A section of the pipe was filled with the water and allowed to remain one hour. Upon examining the water, a still larger amount of the protoxide of zinc, and also a small quantity of the carbonate of the protoxide was found to be held in it.
The water allowed to remain twenty-four hours in a section of the pipe, gave a mixture of protoxide and carbonate of zinc amounting in quantity to six grains to the gallon. Experiments made upon sec- tions of the pipe, changing the water every twelve hours with the view of ascertaining if the action upon it was continuous, showed that the zinc salts were constantly present in the water, and that the action was unintermitting. The water of Spot Pond acts directly upon the zinc covering, forming a protoxide of the metal, and liberating hydrogen from water de- composition. A part of the protoxide is changed into carbonate of protoxide, and a minute portion into other salts from the action of organic acids held in the water.
The solution of the protoxide of zinc in the water is facilitated by the presence of alkaline and alkaline earths, and hence there is increased danger from at- taching galvanized pipes to mains constructed of hydraulic cement, as there is communicated to the water an alkaline quality resulting from contact with the cement.
It is proved by our investigations that the use of galvanized iron service pipes in conducting Spot Pond water, is highly dangerous to health, and should under no circumstances be permitted.
4
26
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
The action of the water upon leaden pipes corre- sponds with that taken from Cochituate Lake, and from Round Pond in Haverhill, Mass.
Leaden pipe immersed in the water undergoes slow oxydation, and the water affords a decided lead reac- tion when tested during the first forty-eight hours. The reaction is afforded in water changed as often as once in two hours. By the change of the partially sol- uble oxide into insoluble carbonates a coating is formed upon the pipe, which arrests further decomposition, and the water in contact remains uncontaminated. It is apparent that of the two varieties of service pipes, those constructed of lead are far less danger- ous, as, under ordinary conditions, the action of the water is protective in the way described.
(Signed) JAMES R. NICHOLS & CO., Chemists.
COST OF WATER WORKS.
The cost of the Water Works is as follows:
Amount paid George H. Norman, contract Dec. 7,
1869, (Main, etc. to W. Lynde's), $12,300 00 Contract May 10, 1870, distribution pipes, . 47,500 00
1,189 ft. 6 in. distribution pipe, extra at $1.30 1,546 70
23,552 ft. 4 in. distribution pipe, extra, at .97, . 22,845 44
4,280 ft. 2 in. distribution pipe, extra, at .65, 2,782 00
35 hydrants, extra, 2,000 00
11 gates and boxes, extra, . 418 00
Gate-house, one-half of cost, 900 00
27
OF MELROSE.
Amount paid Bill of service pipes, . $9,494 19
1 hydrant at J. Lynde's, 60 00
Pile for same, . 14 00
$99,860 33
Amount paid Franchise, etc., .
247 00
A. F. Sargent, engineering, · 500 00
A. W. Haskell, printing books, etc.,
record
53 60
New Eng. Lith. Co., Bonds, W. H. Smith, seal,
74 00
22 50
J. A. Fairbanks, canvassing,
20 00
Ellis & Co., service pipes, .
165 88
G. W. Bartlett, carriages, .
15 00
J. R. Nichols & Co., analysis,
23 50
H. T. Mills, engineer, one-third,
10 00
T. McCoubrey, tools, . .
7 00
G. Wheeler, horse, 12 00
Small Bros., lumber, 4 20
E. H. Goss, services, . 75 00
Sundry small expenses, 43 55
$101,133 56
Less amount received and due from water-takers
for service pipes, estimated, $4,500 00
Total $96,663 56 (Mr. Jeremiah Martin's claim for services as Superintendent, $815.00.)
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.