USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1893-1895 > Part 46
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Pratt Cady Co., Hartford Conn., $6.50 per set. Concord Foundry Co., Concord, N. H., 5.00 66
Waltham Foundry Co., Waltham, Mass., 6.25 Chelmsford Foundry Co., Chelmsford, Mass., 5.89
Mechanics Foundry Co., Roxbury, Mass., 5.99
Bid of Concord Foundry Co. accepted.
Manhole Rods, 1,000 delivered at stock yard.
Thos. McCoubry, Melrose, 1212 cents each Joseph Edwards, 14
Dodge, Haley & Co., Boston, Bid of Dodge, Haley & Co. accepted.
814
Pipe.
By reason of a combination among the manufacturers we were unable to obtain bids in competition, a fixed price hav- ing been established and a uniform discount fixed; we there- fore contracted with Perrin, Seamans & Co. of Boston for the pipe known as the "Granite pipe," at a discount on the list prices on regular standard pipe of 67 per cent., and on special deep socket pipe, 3-foot lengths, 59 per cent. This pipe in standard lengths has a deep socket, and we have therefore been enabled to use less of the special pipe. It was delivered promptly in good condition on cars at the
269.
SEWER REPORT.
stock yard, was carefully inspected by our agent, and all pipe not equal to the specifications under the contract was rejected. The management of the stock yard has been excellent, and we are able to account for every piece of pipe, every barrel of cement, and all other material used, the system adopted accounting also for the street or place where used, so that the records of our office show the exact cost of all the streets by sections, for labor, material and superintendence.
Early in the season we purchased a testing machine for determining the strength of the materials furnished, cement, bricks, etc., which has been of advantage.
Material used during the year, 1,399 barrels Portland cement ; 801 barrels Rosendale cement.
There has been 62,678.50 feet of pipe laid, including chimneys, underdrain and private sewers ; 212 manhole cov- ers and castings, including 18 private sewer covers.
The amount of stock on hand will be shown in the report of the Superintendent.
ENGINEERING.
Mr. W. C. Stevens desiring to continue his private busi- ness, made to us a proposition whereby he agreed to do all the engineering work on the sewers under contract, viz : spike out sewer lines, take levels on same, make working profiles of sewers, mark all grades and lines during con- struction, take measurements of ledge in trenches, make all estimates of excavation in earth and ledge each month dur- ing the work, make surveys and plans of sewers after com- pletion, showing street lines, sewers, houses or buildings, fence lines and profiles of sewers on same sheets, all notes, plans and figures pertaining to the sewer to be the property of the town when made, two men to be kept at work on said sewers and plans during all the active operations of the
270
SEWER REPORT.
sewer work. and one or more men, as necessary, after such active work was done until said plans are completed. He also agreed to make the preliminary estimates and plans of next year's work in due season for same to be advertised for proposals, all for the sum of $2,632, which proposition we accepted, and the plans and estimates of the work have been furnished as the work progressed according to the above agreement. Mr. Stevens has about completed the plans of section 5, and portions of sections 2 and 8 built last year from which the assessments will be made out as soon as practicable. Work will be commenced at once on the plans of sections built this year and assessments on same will follow as soon as possible. We desire to reaffirm our state- ment of last year concerning the importance of having com- plete plans of every street, and the establishment of an en- gineer's office, to which all the departments can apply for information and services as needed.
SUPERINTENDENCE.
W. Dabney Hunter, who so ably served us last year, was engaged as Superintendent at a salary of $1,500 per annum, with the understanding that he should have immediate charge of the construction of all the sewer work, the stock yard, laying of house connections, employment of inspect- ors and the carrying forward of the work in accordance with the plans and specifications furnished and to be fur- nished by the engineer, subject at all times to the approval and direction of the board.
We have no hesitation in commending him for the faith- ful administration of his office, for his ability, experience, careful economy and earnest endeavor to discharge the duties imposed upon him for the best interests of the town and its citizens, we feel indebted.
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SEWER REPORT.
OTIS STREET, HIGH STREET, ETC.
To avoid deep cuts through ledge and rock on Emer- son street (west of Vinton street) on Cedar Park and on Oakland street, we purchased a right of way of J. Thomas Baldwin, et als, through what was formerly the Taylor estate, from Emerson street to Oakland street, thence the sewer passes through to the end of Charles street. Here it became necessary to cross some meadow land to reach Otis street. We petitioned the selectmen to lay out and extend Otis street, which they did, and it was accepted by the town. We agreed with the selectmen to build the street with the surplus material from the sewers. Having made a large saving by carrying the sewer in this direction, believ- ing it to be for the interest of the town and the residents in the immediate vicinity that a street should be built rather than a right of way secured for the sewer ouly, we felt justi- fied in the expenditure. A solid foundation for a road bed was made of rock, a large drain (20 inches) was laid the en- tire length of the extension, with proper manholes, etc., and connection made with the drain already laid in Otis street. Not having sufficient surplus material as anticipated to com- plete the street as agreed upon, we were obliged to pay for teaming material thrown out by the street railway company on Main street. In Otis street we encountered an old cov- ered drain in the middle of the street, directly in the line of the sewer. With the assent of the selectmen we took up this drain and laid 24-inch drain pipe on the north side of the street, from the drain originally laid in Otis street to Vinton street.
To avoid deep cutting in ledge in North and South High streets we purchased of William Morss and Eben A. Walton a right of way through their premises to Cedar Park, saving thereby quite a large sum.
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SEWER REPORT.
PRIVATE WAYS.
We have laid out as provided by law, main drains or public sewers in certain private ways and over private lands, all of which were reported to and accepted by the town and will appear in the records of the town meetings.
METROPOLITAN SEWER AND HOUSE CONNECTIONS.
Connection was made with the main sewer of the North Metroplitan Sewerage System, June 1, 1895, and house con- nections have been made as rapidly as applied for; 220 pri- vate sewers were laid during the year.
At town meeting held April 8, it was Voted, That the board of health be hereby authorized and directed to make and enforce such rules and regulations as said board may deem necessary for the safety and health of the people, with reference to house drainage and its connection with public sewers, where a public sewer abuts the estate to be drained, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 108, Acts of 1889. They were also directed to enforce the pro- visions of Chapter 132, Acts of 1890, which provides for the connecting of buildings with public sewers, whenever in their judgment the public good so requires.
Compulsory action has been taken by the board of health in a few cases. We trust that our citizens will so appreciate the advantages of a proper sewer system that such action will be unnecessary in the future.
Rules and regulations concerning applications in this branch of service have been adopted by the board and are annexed to this report.
INTEREST AND SINKING FUND.
Your attention is respectfully called to the fact that there was received and paid into the treasury as premiums on
SEWER REPORT. 273
sewer bonds sold in 1894, $4,813, and in 1895, $5,342.50 ; a total of $10,155.50 ; and for accrued interest on the said bonds $1,340.01, making, $11,495.51 which has been placed to the credit of the sewer fund. In our judgment it was not the intent of the town that this board should expend more than the amount appropriated for sewer purposes, and that this money properly belongs to the credit of the interest account, neither do we believe that it was the intent of the legislature that the interest falling due should be paid from the sewer account. The several Acts granting authority to the town all read: "The town of Melrose for the purpose of defraying the expense of laying, making and maintaining a system of main drains and common sewers, is authorized to issue bonds," etc. Furthermore, Section 2, of Chapter 323, Acts of 1894; specially provides that the receipts from payments, etc., after deducting the expenses shall be applied first to the payment of interest upon the bonds issued and the balance set apart to meet the require- ments of the sinking fund for the payment or redemption of said bonds as povided by Section 9, of Chapter 29, of the Public Statutes. If the said receipts in any year shall be insufficient to pay the interest and to meet the requirements of law as to a sinking fund, then in such case, the town to meet said deficiency, shall raise forthwith such sum as will with the net income be sufficient to meet said requirements, said sinking fund to remain inviolate, etc. There has been paid from the sewer account for interest in 1894, $1,500; in 1895, $5,000; a total of $6,500, which should, in our opinion, be transferred and paid from the interest account.
It is important that the town comply with the require- ments of law and a sinking fund be established without delay.
18
274
SEWER REPORT.
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ASSESSMENTS.
The action of the town in relation to the assessments for the benefits derived from the sewer, will be found in full in the records of the town meetings as published in this report. Briefly stated the plan as accepted and adopted by the town is twenty-five (25) cents to be assessed on each foot of lot frontage of estates on any street or way wherever a sewer is constructed, and six (6) mills per square foot upon the area of said estates extending back to a depth of one hundred (100) feet from the front of the same, an exemption being made on corner lots of not exceeding fifty feet of frontage. To enable persons to determine the exact cost of the sewer to their estates under the plan adopted we publish the schedule shown below. When estates front on more than one street, add frontage assessment (25 cents a foot) on second street, less fifty feet exemption.
SCHEDULE OF SEWER ASSESSMENTS.
Street Frontage.
Depth
of Lot.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
10
$3.10
$6.20
$9.30
$12.40
$15.50
$18.60
$21.70
$24.80
$27.90
$31.00
20
3.70
7.40
11.10
14.80
18.50
22.20
25.90
29.60
33.30
37.00
30
4.30
8.60
12.90
17.20
21.50
25.80
30.10
34.40
38.70
43.00
40
4.90
9.80
14.70
19.60
24.50
29.40
34.30
39.20
44.10
49.00
50
5.50
11.00
16.50
22.00
27.50
33.00
38.50
44.00
49.50
55.00
60
6.10
12.20
18.30
24.40
30.50
36.60
42.70
48.80
54.90
61.00
70
6.70
13.40
20.10
26.80
33.50
40.20
46.90
53.60
60.30
67.00
80
7.30
14.60
21.90
29.20
36.50
43.80
51.10
58.40
65.70
73.00
90
7.90
15.80
23.70
31.60
39.50
47.40
55.30
63.20
71.10
79.00
100
8.50
17.00
25.50
34.00
42.50
51.00
59.50
68.00
76.50
85.00
Based upon 25 cents per foot frontage and 6 mills per square foot of area.
GRAVITY FLUSHERS AND USE OF WATER.
We have placed in position and must soon have in opera- tion sixty-seven gravity flushers. As explained in our last re- port these flushers are connected with the water supply and work automatically, the water supply being regulated so that
275
SEWER REPORT.
the tank will discharge its contents into the sewer as often as required to insure cleanliness. Necessarily a large amount of water will be consumed and the town in making an appro- priation for the use of water the coming year should take the matter into account. The importance of the proper flushing of the sewers as their use increases cannot be over estimated; it is an imperative necessity, vital to the health of the community, cannot be avoided, and should be pro- vided for.
GREENWOOD AND BOYNTONVILLE.
We received notice from a committee appointed by the town of Wakefield that they had been authorized and in- instructed to petition the legislature to admit the villages of Greenwood and Boyntonville into the North Metropoli- tan Sewerage District, with the purpose in view of connect- ing with our system or failing so to do to build a main line through our town and connect with the Metropolitan system at Wyoming avenue. They also suggested that the town defer letting contracts for sewer construction where the trunk sewer if used in common would naturally be laid, until plans can be perfected therefor by the Metropolitan Commissioners. As it is our intention unless otherwise di- rected by the town, to extend the sewers through the east- erly portion of the town, beginning at Mount Vernon street on the south and working northerly during the coming season, and believing that we had no authority in the mat- ter we have taken no action, and respectfully refer the same to the town for consideration.
LEGISLATION.
Acting under your instructions the selectmen and sewer commissioners petitioned the present legislature for author-
276
SEWER REPORT.
ity for another issue of bonds amounting to $50,000, and that the said bonds with those heretofore issued, should not be included or reckoned in determining the authorized limit of municipal indebtedness. Additional legislation was also asked defining the powers and duties in connection with the levying and collecting of the assessments, and that an amendment should be made to the first Act passed, so that the town may use the money received from assessments for additional construction and not be obliged, as previously provided, to carry the same into a sinking fund and con- tinue to petition for the issuing of more bonds.
The following is the Act as passed.
AN ACT
To authorize the Town of Melrose to incur Additional In- debtedness for the purpose of constructing a System of Sewerage.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :
SECTION I. The town of Melrose, for the purpose of de- fraying the expense of laying, making and maintaining a system of main drains and common sewers, is hereby au- thorized, to issue from time to time as may be required therefor, in addition to the amount heretofore authorized, bonds, notes or scrip to an amount not exceeding fifty thousand dollars; such bonds, notes or scrip shall bear on their face "Melrose Sewerage Loan, Act of 1896," shall be payable at the expiration of periods not exceeding thirty years from the date of issue; shall bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate not exceeding four per cent. per annum, and shall be signed by the treasurer and counter-
277
SEWER REPORT.
signed by the sewer commissioners of said town. Said town may sell such securities or any part thereof from time to time at public or private sale ; but none of said bonds, notes or scrip shall be issued or sold except in compliance with the vote of said town, nor for less than the par value thereof.
SEC. 2. The said bonds, together with those heretofore issued for the purpose of laying, making and maintaining a system of main drains and common sewers, shall not be in- cluded or reckoned in determining the authorized limit of indebtedness of the town of Melrose.
SEC. 3. The board of sewer commissioners of said town, whenever, upon the completion of such sewer system as said town may adopt, or any section thereof, shall levy an assess- ment upon the owners of the estates benefited thereby, shall transmit to the collector of taxes of said town a list of per- sons assessed, together with the amount due from each. Each person shall pay his assessment to the said collector within three months after said list has been so transmitted : provided, that the board having charge of such assessment may apportion the payment as provided in section three of chapter three hundred and twenty-three of the acts of eigh- teen hundred and ninety-four. The collector shall serve upon the person assessed or upon any person occupying or having charge of the estate upon which the assessment is made, a notice stating the amount due and the time when the same is payable ; such notice placed in the mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the owner, occupant or person having charge of the estate assessed, to his address last known to the collector, within one month after said list is committed to the collector, shall be deemed a sufficient notice under this section. Said assessment shall not be invalid by reason of any mistake in the name of the owner of real estate to be
278
SEWER REPORT.
assessed, notice of such assessment having been given as aforesaid.
SEC. 4. Assessments so made shall constitute a lien on the estates included in the fixed depth determined by the said town under the provisions of section 7, chapter fifty, of the Public Statutes for two years after the same are made and committed to the collector for collection, or in case of apportionment for two years after the last instalment is due, and may with incidental costs and expenses be levied by sales of such estate if the assessment is not paid within three months after the date of notice from said collector that the list had been transmitted to the collector, or if a portion within three months after each assessment is payable. Such sales to be conducted, and the owners of such estates to have the same right to redeem as in cases of sales for the non- payment of taxes. Such assessments may also be collected by action of contract brought at any time within six years after the same may be due. Any person aggrieved by such assessment may apply to the board having charge of such assessment for an abatement of the same, and may appeal from the decision of said board in the manner now provided by law for appeals from assessments for construction of sewers.
SEC. 5. Section two of chapter three hundred and twen- ty-three of the acts of eighteen hundred and ninety-four is hereby amended by striking out the words "assessments and," so that the town of Melrose may expend all monies received from assessing upon real estate any part of the cost of laying, making, maintaining and repairing common sewers, in defraying the expense of laying, making and maintaining a system of main drains and common sewers in the town of Melrosc.
SEC. 6. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
279
SEWER REPORT.
CONCLUSION.
All claims for damages either for land taken or by reason of accidents occurring during construction have been satisfac- torily settled without litigation. There has been a large amount of material contributed for use on the highways, the streets which were left by the contractor for 1894 in an un- satisfactory condition have been repaired under the direc- tion of the selectmen, and we have allowed and paid from this department for the same. We have caused every item connected with the work of last year to be carefully exam- ined, re-estimated and are expecting a final settlement with the contractor at an early date. As stated above, it is our purpose, with the approval of the town, to construct sewers in the thickly settled portions of the town east of Main street during 1896, which will leave the Highlands and a small section at the Fells to be constructed in 1897. We congratulate the town upon the prospect of being able to construct the remaining portions of the system actually needed without a further issue of bonds. The Act of 1896 provides that the money received from assessments may be used for construction, which, if promptly paid, will we trust, be sufficient ; should the assessments remain unpaid by reason of being apportioned under the law, interest will accrue at the rate of five per cent. per annum, and if neces- sary the money can be borrowed temporarily in anticipation of their payment.
Respectfully submitted, SETH E. BENSON, L. FRANK HINCKLEY, JOHN LARRABEE, Sewer Commissioners.
280
SEWER REPORT.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Acting under the authority prescribed by Section 4 of the act of 1892, Chap. 345, we have made the following rules and regulations for the construction and use of particular sewers.
RULES AND REGULATIONS,
Relating to Particular (Private) Sewers, Adopted by the Sewer Commissioners of Melrose.
I. All applications for the construction of particular sewers, and their entrance into common sewers shall be made upon blank forms, to be obtained at the office of the Commissioners of Sewers, Town Hall building, and shall be signed by the owner or by the accredited agent of the premises to be sewered.
2. The applicant must deposit the amount of the esti- mated cost of his particular sewer as determined by the Board of Sewer Commissioners at their office before the work is commenced. Said amount shall be a credit on the cost of the sewer applied for.
3. No particular sewer (unless by special consent of the Board of Sewer Commissioners) larger than five inches in diameter, or which is constructed of material other than vit- rified or iron pipe of an approved weight, or which drains more than one building, will be allowed to connect with any common sewer. All sewers shall be laid accurately to straight lines and grades. If angles along the lines thereof are unavoidable, manholes or other approved means of access shall be provided.
4. The materials and labor required in the construction
28I
SEWER REPORT.
of particular sewers and appurtenances thereof shall be pro- vided and done by the Sewer Commissioners, or their duly authorized agents, and by no other person or persons; ex- cepting that the applicant may make all of the excavation and back-fill outside the street lines, excepting so much as will affect the proper bedding and securing of the pipe or other structure. All materials furnished and all labor per- formed by the town shall be charged at the actual cost to the town, an exhibit of which will be furnished each appli- cant upon the completion of the work. The difference be- tween the estimated cost and that actually found shall be made good by the party debtor. The use of any particular sewer will not be allowed until any deficiency in the amount of cost as estimated shall be made good by the applicant in the case.
5. No particular sewer which does not have a "clean-out" in a direct line of the pipe to the common sewer, will be allowed to connect with any common sewer.
6. No person shall be allowed to make any alteration in or make any connection with any particular sewer, further than that intended in the original permit, without making another application and obtaining permission to do so from the Sewer Commissioners.
7. The Sewer Commissioners may at any time require such grease traps or ventilating pipes to be introduced along the line of any particular sewer, or on the discharge of any fixture connected therewith as they may decm necessary for the proper ·maintenance of the said particular sewer, or of the common sewers.
8. No exhaust from steam engines, and no blow-off from steam boilers shall be connected with a common sewer through any particular sewer or otherwise.
9. No excessive quantity of manufacturing or other waste which shall be at a high temperature or otherwise calculated
282
SEWER REPORT.
to unduly interfere with the proper maintenance of the common sewer, shall be allowed to enter therein.
IO. All particular sewers shall be under the control of, and be maintained and kept clean by the town. The ex- pense in cleaning and repairing any particular sewer shall be paid by the owner of the premises connected by said par- ticular sewer: provided, however, that any labor on particu- lar sewers occasioned by defects or obstructions in the com- mon sewer shall be paid for by the town.
II. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions or these rules and regulations shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) for cach violation.
Blank forms will be furnished at the office of the Sewer Commissioners in the Town Hall building, immediately upon receipt of which, an estimate will be furnished of making the connection desired. Upon the return of the estimate duly signed with the amount stated accompanying the same, the work will be performed under the direction of the superin- tendent of this department.
SETH E. BENSON, L. FRANK HINCKLEY, JOHN LARRABEE, Sewer Commissioners.
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SEWER REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Sale of Bonds.
Frank H. Bufford, printing
bonds,
$45 00
Melrose Journal, advertis-
ing, . 3 75
Boston Daily Advertiser,
advertising, ·
26 25
Boston Transcript Co., ad- vertising,
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