USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1890-1892 > Part 36
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To the Inhabitants of the Town of Melrose, in Town Meeting As- sembled :
Your committee appointed at the last town meeting to consider the question of an additional water supply for this town, have given considerable time and attention to the subject, and are now engaged in considering and investi- gating the matter, and respectfully submit the following as a report of progress.
The subject which your committee have under considera- tion is a vast and important one, as it involves not only the financial condition and prosperity of the town, but the com- fort, needs, and health of all the inhabitants. Too much time, care, thought and study, cannot be given to the con- sideration and solution of the difficult problem presented. How to supply good and sufficient water for this growing municipality, with due regard to the cost and our financial condition.
Your committee at once convened and deemed it advis- able to employ an experienced and competent engineer, and took into consultation with them M. M. Tidd of Wo- burn, who has had great experience in the matter of water supply. The committee in company with him, visited all the then possible sources of supply in this immediate local- ty; Long Pond, Bennett's Pond, and Crystal Stream run- ning therefrom, Whittier's Springs at Wyoming, and Crys- tal Lake, otherwise called Ell Pond.
253
WATER REPORT.
Mr. Tidd did not consider the possible supply at Long Pond worth our consideration; it was not ample enough to furnish the additional water which this town will require, and beside, certain other parties claim certain rights in it as a source of supply.
A wier, at his suggestion was constructed at Crystal brook where it crosses the Saugus road, and the supply of water escaping from the wier measured. This source of supply seemed insufficient, even if the quality of water should be satisfactory. Grave doubts were had as to wheth- er the supply of water from the Whittier's wells would be ample enough to warrant the town in making use of it, the water-shed being manifestly inadequate to supply a very large quantity of water. It was deemed advisable to drive a number of wells near Crystal Lake, where doubtless a sufficient quantity of water could be obtained, provided it should on examination prove to be of a satisfactory quality. The difficulty is that all the supplies of water in this imme- diate vicinity come from a region somewhat thickly settled upon, which must to a considerable extent contaminate the water. While it is true that on the completion and opera- tion of the Metropolitan System of Sewerage, much of this source of contamination will be eliminated, yet the water coming from this water-shed cannot be as free from polu- tion, and as simple and pure as if it came from a region up on which there was no settlement.
These wells on the borders of Crystal Lake have been driven to a distance of 36 to 40 feet, and the water which has been pumped from them by hand pumps, appears to be clear and pure. The wells have gone into an excellent sandy formation, and there appears to be an abundant supply of water, but the quantity and quality of the water cannot be accurately stated until the wells are united with pipes, and a steam pump applied and operated for severa
254
WATER REPORT.
days, and an analysis of the water then made. This your committee proposes to do, and have contracted to have done; the result of which will be known in a later report. It is in doubt yet, whether this supply can be relied upon as to its quality. This pond is situated in the centre of the village; it is liable to contamination, and no sub-soil water from a closely settled region is as desirable as the water of a large pond in a retired locality.
We must consider the future growth and needs of this town; and the health of the inhabitants demands a pure water supply. It must be ample for a great many years, if not for all future time. Your committee have considered and looked for some large pond of pure water, and after in- quiry, consultation, and examination, they are strongly in- clined to the belief that this is to be found in Great Pond, lying in North Andover, Mass. The area of this pond con- tains 655 acres; its natural water-shed 3,635 acres; swamp on the north-east side 556 acres, and Mosquito Brook, emptying into it, 393 acres, and Boston Brook, 1,414 acres, making 5998.2 acres or 9.37 square miles natural water-shed, including the pond. The total daily supply that can be drawn from this natural water-shed is 3 1-2 million gallons. With the swamp-shed added, over four million gallons, and with Mosquito Brook and Boston Brook, six million, six hundred thirty thousand gallons daily.
To bring this water to Spot pond to be used as a storage reservoir, will require 89,760 feet of pipe, or 17 miles of 30 inch pipe at a cost of five dollars per foot, making $448,800. This cost, with pumping-stations, ledge-cutting, dam ditches, etc., and an allowance of fifteen per cent. for con- tingencies, would amount to some $600,000.
The proposition of your committee is, that the cities of Malden and Medford unite with this town in taking this water, and bringing it to Spot pond, the common storage
255
WATER REPORT.
reservoir, and that the expense of this work be divided among the three municipalities, proportionately to the num- ber of their respective inhabitants. Your committee at present believe that this plan, though a somewhat expen- sive one, is the wisest and best at present open to us. The suggestion of it to the water commissioners of Malden and Medford has been well and favorably received. It will give an ample supply of water which is of excellent quality, ample for many years to come. The expense of it, divid- ed in this way would not be too great, considering what is secured.
In order to get an act of the legislature to permit this taking, it is necessary that the petition should be presented and advertised three weeks, and the last publication four- teen days before the assembling of the legislature; and your committee have prepared such a petition, so that the matter can be considered and be presented at this next term of the general court.
On account of the new formation of Medford into a city, and the short time which has elapsed since the matter came under our consideration, the cities of Medford and Malden have not had the opportunity to consider and decide upon the question; but the petition to the general court has been prepared by us, having in view the co-operation of these two municipalities. And we recommend that this petition be presented to the Secretary of the State for the publica- tion of notice under the law, and that your committee fur- ther consider this question, and if the cities of Malden and Medford shall decide to unite with us in this taking of Great pond, that the matter be presented at an adjourn- ment of this meeting, or at another town meeting to be called for the consideration and determination of the ques- tion. All of which is respectfully submitted.
W. D. FISKE, WM. H. MILLER, FRANCIS S. HESSELTINE, JONATHAN C. HOWES, MOSES S. PAGE, WALTER C. STEVENS.
256
WATER REPORT.
It is moved and voted that the report of the committee be accepted as a report of progress. That they continue in the consideration of the matters submitted to them, that they present the petition prepared to the general court, and report at an adjournment of this meeting, or at a sub- sequent town meeting to be called, with recommendations as to what further action should be taken by the town.
To W. D. Fiske, Esq., Chairman of the Water Committee for the Town of Melrose :
DEAR SIR :- At your request I have examined the town of Melrose and the surrounding country with the view of obtaining an additional water supply. The time, however, which has been allowed since my appointment as your en- gineer, has not been sufficient to give the case so thorough an examination as it ought to have; but I find, however, that all of the water within a reasonable distance of your town has either been polluted or has been given to other towns.
I have examined Long pond, and find that it is totally in- adequate in quantity for a supply. During the dryest of the season it did not discharge over about 60,000 gallons per day. This pond, however, I find on referring to the records at the state house, has been awarded to the Re- vere Water Company.
I also examined Bennett's pond, which I find not to be a pond at all, but simply a brook which has its rise in a por- tion of your town that is now being densely covered with settlements, and consequently would in a short time be so polluted as to be unfit for use.
Suntaug lake in Lynnfield, has also been examined. This lake has an area of one hundred and ninety-seven
WATER REPORT. 257
( 197) acres, and a water-shed of seven hundred and four (704) acres. The capacity of this lake to deliver from this water-shed is about 600,000 gallons per day. The lake has an elevation of one hundred and seven (107) feet above mean high tide. The water of this lake is very fine, but too small in quantity to warrant the expense necessary to bring it into your town. Another fatal objection to this lake is that it has already been granted to the town of Peabody.
Another pond lying about a mile to the west of it, also in Lynnfield, known as Piling's pond, was also examined. This pond, however, is simply an artificial mill-pond, flowed upon the ground without removal of the soil. Its waters are only about four (4) feet deep on an average, and are not suitable for domestic uses. It is not one of the great ponds of the state, and consequently is private property. This pond is hardly worth considering. Its elevation above the sea is one hundred (100) feet. The distance from Pil- ing's pond to Melrose would require about eight (8) miles of pipe.
Great pond at North Andover was also examined. This pond is the only one which seems to be worthy of any se- rious attention in this connection, and is certainly as fine a body of water as can be found in eastern Massachusetts. It has an area of six hundred and fifty (650) acres. The area of its natural water-shed is three thousand six hundred and thirty-five (3635) acres. There are, however, three other smaller water-sheds that can, with a very little ditch- ing, be turned into this pond; one known as the Swamp shed, which has an area of five hundred and fifty-seven (557) acres; another, Mosquito brook shed, which is three hundred and ninety-three (393) acres; and another, Boston brook shed, which is one thousand four hundred and four-
17
258
WATER REPORT.
teen ( 1414) acres, making a total average of six thousand six hundred and fifty-five (6655) acres. This pond has very clean shores, and the water-shed surrounding it is clean as possibly can be. The height of the pond above the sea is about one hundred and seven (107) feet. Its capacity to furnish water with its natural water-shed is 3,500,000 gallons per day; with the water-shed of the Swamp added, it will deliver 4,080,oco gallons per day; with the shed of Mosqui- to Brook, it will furnish 4,650,000 gallons per day; adding Boston Brook water-shed, it will furnish a daily supply of 6,670,000 gallons.
At your suggestion Nagog pond, in West Acton, was also examined. Its distance from Melrose (22 miles) is fatal to its use in your case. Nagog Pond has an area of two hundred and twenty-five (225) acres, and a water-shed of eleven hundred and fifty-five (1155) acres. It would de- liver a daily supply throughout the year of 1,000,000 gallons of very excellent water. Its elevation above the sea is one hundred and eighty ( 180) feet.
It has been suggested by some of the members of your committee that a large portion of the water used goes for purposes other than domestic supply, for which a poorer quality of water might answer just as well. There may be some truth in this suggestion, and at some future time when water is more scarce than now, we may be obliged to resort to that plan. It was also suggested in connection with this that water enough could be obtained of fair quality, for those purposes, from a system of driven wells in the vicini- ty of Crystal Lake, which lies nearly in the centre of the town of Melrose. This lake, from its location, receives a large amount of the drainage of the central part of the town, and in consequence has become very badly polluted. In pursuance of this suggestion, eight (8) wells have been driven to a depth of thirty-six (36) feet, in the marsh near
259
WATER REPORT.
the north shores of this lake. Six (6) of these furnish a large quantity of water which is clear and bright, but has not yet been tested long enough to ascertain if the water from the lake will pass through the intermediate gravel fast enough to pollute this. The experiment is yet untried, but it is proposed to make this test as soon as possible. Should this plan be adopted, it will require an entirely separate system of piping in order that the two waters may be thor- oughly separated.
I have made a hasty estimate of the cost of this addition- al system, and find that the pipe, valves, etc., in the streets, also the services which lay within the street limits, will cost $259,000.
So far as examinations have thus far been made, it would seem that Great Pond at Andover is the only real available supply within a reasonable distance. This is, however, so far away that it seems too large a scheme for Melrose alone; but if Malden, Medford and Melrose could unite upon this pond, there is no doubt but that an ample supply of excel- lent water can be obtained for the entire three towns for many years to come.
The expense of bringing this water to Spot Pond by pumping would be about as follows :
89,750 ft. or 17 miles of 30-inch pipe @ $5.00 per foot $448,750 00
Pumping station and machinery 50,000 00
Ledge cut 10,000 00
Ditches, etc.
15,000 00
$523,750 00
15 per cent. for contingencies . 78,562 50
Total cost . $602,312 50
This is exclusive of land or water damages.
260
WATER REPORT.
The waters of this pond are soft and pure, while the waters from a subterranean source would naturally be hard.
There would seem to be no doubt of an ample supply of the very best quality of water from this source, the water- shed being of such a character and in such a location that there can be hardly any prospect of settlement on its area that would damage the quality of the water.
It is to be regretted that more time could not have been given for the examination of a question of this magnitude and importance; but this report, however, is intended to be only one of progress. Respectfully yours,
M. M. TIDD.
In the investigations for an additional water supply, your committee have often advised with the State board of health and at our request they examined Great Pond, and in their report to us they say, "Great Pond has been in- vestigated by the board, and it is found from this investiga- tion and analysis of the water of the pond, that the water is of satisfactory quality for all the purposes of a public water supply, and that the quantity of water which the pond will furnish, will be more than sufficient for the probable popu- lation of Melrose for the next 30 years. If the town of Melrose should be granted the right to take the waters of Great Pond (in conjuction with Malden or Medford or otherwise) it is appropriate it should be granted those por- tions of Mosquito and Boston Brooks and other water sheds which can be diverted by gravity into it.'
At the next town meeting a full report on this subject will be given to the town by your committee.
261
WATER REPORT.
LAND AROUND SPOT POND.
Your board of water commissioners in conjunction with the water commissioners of the city of Malden and the town of Medford, as per votes passed at a special town meeting, held July 7th, 1891, have taken the land, water and water rights around Spot pond, and have settled and paid a majority of the claims for the said taking, and now hold the deeds to the property.
The total amount of money paid out on these claims has been as follows:
City of Malden,
$12,100 00
Town of Medford,
14,214 75
Town of Melrose
15,000 00
Total,
$41,314 75
Papers on all claims paid have been passed, other settle- ments have been agreed upon, and papers will be passed in the near future. A detailed statement of these claims will be made in our next annual report.
CONTROL OF SPOT POND.
Your board of water commissioners, also in conjunction with Malden and Medford, presented a petition to the general court asking for the grant and relinquishment to the said city and towns, of all the rights and control which the commonwealth had in the great pond known as Spot pond, as per vote passed at an adjourned town meeting held Nov. 19, 1891.
After many hearings the petition was granted, and the following bill was enacted, giving us control of the pond, and for the better guarding and protecting of its waters from pollution and intrusion.
262
WATER REPORT.
[CHAP. 278. ]
AN ACT TO PRESERVE THE PURITY OF THE WATERS OF
SPOT POND.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION. I. For the purpose of maintaining the purity of the waters of Spot pond used as a source of water supply by the city of Malden and the towns of Medford and Mel- rose, and in order that the said city and towns may better guard and protect the waters of the said pond from pollu- tion, so long as the said pond shall be used by the said city and towns, or by either of them, as a storage basin and water supply, and until otherwise provided by statute, all the public right and control which the Commonwealth has in the great pond known as Spot pond in the towns of Stoneham and Medford are hereby granted and relinquished unto the said city of Malden and the towns of Medford and Melrose, with power to prevent all persons and animals from entering in, upon or over the said pond.
SECTION 2. The officers or agents of said municipalities who arc vested, under the provisions of chapter one hun- dred and sixty of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and seventy, with the general regulation and control of the waters of said pond, together with the selectmen of the town of Stoneham, are hereby constituted a joint board which is authorized to establish rules from time to time to regulate the entering in and upon the waters of said pond, so far as they may deem necessary for maintaining their purity as a source of domestic water supply; and may ap- point servants or agents with authority to enforce the same. And any person violating such rules shall be deemed guilty of a trespass and fined not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars for cach offence. In all actions of said joint board under this section the aforesaid representatives of each municipality present at any meeting of said joint board shall collectively be entitled to one vote.
SECTION 3. The state board of health, on application by the representatives in said joint board of any of the above- mentioned four municipalities, within thirty days after the
263
WATER REPORT.
receipt by them of a copy of any rules adopted by said officers or agents, may inquire into and rescind any rule or regulation which said board shall determine unreasonable; but said rules and regulations shall remain of full force and effect until thus rescinded.
SECTION 4. Whenever either the said city of Malden or said towns of Medford or Melrose shall cease to use the said pond as a storage basin and water supply, the right hereby granted shall pass to and vest in the remaining city or towns continuing such use.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage. [ Approved May 9, 1892.
Recommedations.
That the town appropriate the necessary sums recommen- ded by the water commissioners at the adjourned meeting, held Nov. 19, 1891, under Article 12, as follows : $20 for cach hydrant in the town ; ornamental and drinking foun- tains, $200 ; public buildings at regular rates ; watering streets to be left to the discretion of the board of water commissioners.
Also, The ten-inch main on Washington street should be extended to the eight-inch pipe at the rubber works, a dis- tance of about 4,000 feet, thus completing the circuit and obviating the necessity of applying to Malden to supply us with water in the event of accident to the 16-inch main on Wyoming avenue.
Respectfully submitted, WILBUR D. FISKE, WILLIAM H. MILLER, GEORGE J. BICKNELL, Commissioners.
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR
OF THE TOWN OF MELROSE FOR THE YEAR 1892.
To the Board of Water Commissioners :
GENTLEMEN :- I have the pleasure of submitting to you the following report of the year 1892:
RECEIPTS.
Received for water rates . $29,720 88
service pipes . 2,278 57
$31,999 45
Paid George Newhall, treasurer $31,933 67
Refunded . 65 78
$31,999 45
DISBURSEMENTS.
Bills approved by the water commissioners and paid by the town treasurer:
Stock account --- Stock purchased . $14,657 48
Labor on same . 944 87
Maintenance-Sundry bills, labor and salaries . 13,962 14 Construction-Labor on construction and street
services . 5.784 23
$35,348 72
SPOT POND IMPROVEMENT.
Appropriation $20,000 00
Paid Francis S. Hesseltine, services $600 00
" Sherman J. Cass, property : 8,000 00 .
" I .. L. Phinney, 7,000 00
" George W. Bartlett, carriages 43 00
$15,643 00
265
WATER REPORT.
STATEMENT FOR SINKING FUND.
INCOME.
From water rates
. $29,720 88
Less amount refunded
65 78
$29,655 10
LESS.
Interest on bonds (from town treas-
urer's books) $8,680 00
Maintenance -Sundry bills, labor and salaries
13,962 14
Maintenance - Stock used 3,126 06
$25,768 20
Surplus . 3,886 90
MAINTENANCE.
G. G. Stillman, packing $7 56
G. F. King & Merrill, stationery . 15 35
C. W. Ellison, stamps . 47 25
E. H. Goss, sundries 15 76
H. C. Dimond & Co., rubber stamp
15
Geo. H. Sampson, forcite -
48 30
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.,
121 26
Frost & Hawes, sundries
32 .91
Chas. F. Churchill, engineer
925 00
James W. Riley, superintendent .
1,187 37
E. H. Goss, registrar
833 37
A. T. Dunn, repairing furnace
32 00
Phillips & Hodgdon, hay, oats, etc., 292 42
Sewall & Day Cordage Co., packing
16 06
Amount carried forward,
$3,574 76
266
WATER REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $3,574 76
Perry Bros., sundry hardware 38 77
J. W. Vinal & Co., spatulas and files 4 86
Boston & Maine R. R. Co., freight 41 88
Ames Plow Co., tools . 60 52
L. W. Gilman, pails 45
Bugbee & Barrett, sundries . 36 08
Geo. H. Mason & Co., lanterns and globes . 8 20
Walworth Mfg. Co., dies, wheel, etc. .
16 OI
Robert Philpot, teaming, gravel, etc. . 470 59
J. S. Austin, carriages . 16 00
Charles W. Badger, asphalt varnish 35 62
Eastman's express 179 15
Mary D. Ellis, rent of stable I year
60 00
Addison Lane, rent of shop I year
120 00
Dunton & Potter, printing reports, etc. 38 50
Joseph Edwards, new wagon, repairs, etc. . 201 91
Thomas Mc Coubry, horse shoeing and repairs . 174 80 J. P. Decring, lumber . 30 49
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., repairs 38 94
N. E. Roller Grate Co., pumping station grate IOI 25
J. B. Johnson, repairs . 18 98
F. H. Tyzzer, painting . 46 25
Melrose Journal, printing
33 40
Curry & Hebblethwaite, plumbing
6 67
Edson Mfg. Co., diaphram . 2 00
Leonard & Ellis, valve oil . 80 80
Braman Dow & Co., fittings 2 45
Frank G. Bufford, engraving water bonds . 75 00
J. L. Holbrook, plumbing
5 35
A. W. Parker, paint 1 30
R. J. Hiatt, boat 35 00
Amount carried forward,
$5.555 98
267
WATER REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $5,555 98
Jeremiah Lucey, lead . 8 00
J. O. Chandler & Co., repairs
19 00
W. H. Gallison, packing, 3 00
F. C. Richardson, labor 3 00
Geo. W. Bartlett, hay, oats, carriages, etc. . 140 14
Burrell & Swett, axes . 3 50
Spooner & Smith, repairs
13 75
Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co.,
5 50
Joseph E. Murphy, advertising
2 50
J. C. Howes, sundries . 26 69
A. W. Strauss & Co., paint . 27 20
F. W. Lawry, boat
10 00
F. E. Whitney, labor, packing, etc. 16 00
S. A. Robinson & Co., carriage
4 00
E. Hanson, painting pumping station and house 145 59
S. E. Benson & Co., coal 1,466 42
C. B. & F. H. Goss, pipe I 44
Westgate & Johnson, insurance . 42 25
Scrannage Bros., pipe machine 7 25
Geo. K. Paul & Co., strainer, etc.
II 57
A. L. Maclachlan, sundries . 33 70
W. A. Goodno, stock and labor .
35 73
Rust & Richardson Co., soda ash
18 50
E. B. Silliman, packing I 98
Joseph Gibbons, meter box 64 87
A. McBeth, blacksmithing II 05
Braman Dow & Co., glasses
10 52
Perrin, Seamans & Co., pick handles
1 80
A. W. Chesterton & Co., packing American express
10 80
1 55
F. J. Ryder, groceries . 75
Amount carried forward, .
$7,704 03
268
WATER REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $7,704 03
L. B. Wilder & Co., printing 23 50
Cross Bros., sponge 88
Nickerson's express
55
George J. Bicknell, expense to Nagog pond 4 50
Geo. B. Sargent & Co., stamp
1 50
Knowles Steam Pump Works, repairs
34 15
Smith Bros., repairs 3 45
Brock Bros., fittings
15 60
Builders Iron Foundry
14 40
H. J. Perry, hardware . 12 52
Wilbur D. Fiske, commissioner
50 00
William H. Miller, ..
50 00
George J. Bicknell, 50 00
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