USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1898-1899 > Part 24
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1
24
24.10
12.08
36.18
Swain's Pond avenue,
1287
..
496.81
496.81
Sylvan,
12
6.00
11.75
17.75
Third, contract, .
. .
...
...
9.45
filling lots and building steps on acct. of change in grade,
*138
127.83
127.83
Trees, cutting out and trimming
266.42
266.42
Tremont,
*64
1
1.00
15.19
16.19
Trenton,
*78
476
358.60
477.64
836.24
Upham,
*120
9
7.15
142.92
150.07
Vinton, .
476
47.60
494.13
541.73
Washington,. .
. .
54
54.00
34.75
88.75
Water dept. repairs, Vinton, ...
12
....
1.20
8.40
9.60
Watering fountain, 28 in. pipe, 2 cement, .
8
11.81
71.63
83.44
Walton park,
12
12.00
12.95
24.95
Whittier,
*91
2.30
98.70
101.00
Winthrop ..
4
...
.40
8.00
8.40
Woodland avenue, .
*10
13.32
13.32
Wyoming avenue,.
56
55.00
63.65
118.65
Crusher and ledge, .
29.00
..
1,008.69
Engineering exp., streets and walks,
404.48
Salary, supt. of streets, .
...
.
...
1,000.00
...
. .
.. .
. .
. .
...
550.00
550.00
cedar posts, .
9.45
.
. .
. .
...
.
126
HIGHWAY REPORT.
Streets
Loads Gravel.
Loads Cr'h'd Stone.
Cost of Material.
Cost of Labor and Teaming.
Total Cost.
Supt., allowed for use of horse,
$114.00
Expense account, . ...
93.79
Land damage, Malvern street ..
50.00
Tool acct., new tools and repairs,
305.18
5609
3444
$5,652.38 $17,455.98
$26,084.51
Less ba ance on stable acct. Town teams have earned at $1.75 per day for each horse actu- ally employed, and the street account has been charged in the above report with the teams at that rate, .
Cost to the town.
Hay, grain and straw, .
$762.56
Medicine,
3.58
..
Shoeing,
98.67
Repairs to scraper,
72.98
..
snow plows,
carts,
...
59.72
.....
painting, and repairs
42.32
to harness, and supplies, .. 5 new blankets,.
21.25
Care of stable,
132.25
· . .
.....
Rent of stable to Dec. 15, 1899,
180.00
1,404.46
. .
Balance,
830.09
Net amount expended,
$25,254.42
NOTE. -* Part or whole of cost included in labor charge.
s. Sand. p. Pavings.
CATCH BASINS AND DRAINS.
C.B's.
Size of Pipe. Inches.
Cost of Material.
Cost of Labor and Teaming.
Total Cost.
Appleton,
2
10
$106.70
$129.14
$235.84
Cass,
1
....
6.80
8.77
15.57
Emerson, .
1
....
4.00
26.00
30.00
Florence, relaying,
1
8
1.50
38.13
39.63
Harvard, contract,
2
...
...
25.00
Harvard,
8,10
4.08
4.25
8.33
Hawes avenue,
2
15
168.27
177.87
346.14
. .
. .
31.13
..
. .
..
...
25.00
. .
$2,234.55
127
HIGHWAY REPORT.
C.B's.
Size of Pipe. Inches.
Cost of Material.
Cost of Labor and Teaming.
Total Cost.
Lebanon, . ..
12
$4.42
$7.25
$11.67
Linwood ave., at Grove, relay- ing,
16.57
16.57
Meridian,
3
8,10
74.45
101.47
175.92
Mystic avenue,
3
10, 12
130.03
121.13
251.16
North avenue, .
1
7.06
11.50
18.56
Prospect, ..
1
....
1.00
9.19
10.19
Sylvan, at Main,
1
....
3.20
15.50
18.70
Summer, relaying,
12
23.20
36.38
59.58
Trenton,
8
36.22
42.37
78.59
Warren,
1
....
9.80
11.75
21.55
Washington,
13.75
13.75
Winthrop, and Dix pond,
12, 15
37.15
90.73
127.88
Woodland avenue,
1
8
5 72
17.62
23.34
Wyoming ave., at Cleaveland .. .
12
12.98
19.25
32.23
Rep's to catch basins & drains,
. .
. .
29.85
40.34
70.19
Exp. of investigating by sewer department,
..
..
..
-
22
$776.78 $1,028.29 $1,805.07
GRANITE CROSSINGS.
Cost of Material.
Cost of Labor.
Total.
Berwick street, at Sanborn's store,.
$28.50
$8.44
$36.94
Greenwood “
66 Franklin,
45.65
16.87
62.52
Franklin
66 Day,.
117.60
31.88
149.48
42.50
9.75
52.25
66
relaying after street railway, .
1.30
49.94
51.24
Grove street, at Gooch,
66
66 66
Meridian,
29.50
11.25
40.75
Lebanon 66 66 Emerson,
57.30
25.49
82.79
Main
Folsom block, .
26.08
7.88
33.96
66
66
66 Highland avenue,
47.05
13.37
60.42
66
66 Ice house,
1.00
11.25
12.25
" repairs at Mt. Vernon,
6.00
6.00
Woodland avenue, at Franklin,
39.92
11.25
51.17
Wyoming " " Hurd, .
52.33
11.25
63.58
Teaming expense on pavings,
3.75
3.75
$586.63
$252.12
$838.75
·
Franklin,
2
12, 15
65.01
89.33
154.34
66
Ferdinand,
66 Vinton,
68.30
22.50
90.80
29.60
11.25
40.85
20.34
20.34
..
. .
....
I28
HIGHWAY REPORT.
PAVING GUTTERS.
Cost of Material.
Cost of Labor.
Total.
Grove street, (between tracks), .
$2.80
$16.62
$19.42
Franklin " at Shepard estate,
28.60
150.87
179.47
6. " Main (R. R. tracks), .
1.50
26.38
27.88
Myrtle 6. Herbert to Grove,
27.00
110.26
137.26
Meridian " south of Malvern,
16.30
65.00
81.30
Vinton
" at Orris,
6.50
70.50
77.00
66
66 " Perkins,
7.50
53.05
60.55
:6
4 " Maple, .
6.00
32.75
38.75
Repairs and teaming, ($1 50), .
50
23.75
24.25
$96.70
$549.18
$645.88
MACHINERY, TOOLS, AND STOCK ON HAND.
1 Stone crushing plant, engine, boiler, feed pump, heater, 15x24 Farrell crusher, elevator and necessary small tools. Set of extra cheek plates and two toggle bolts for crusher. Ingersoll-Seargent drill with 25 in. steam hose and 260 ft. I in. iron pipe.
Blacksmith forge and anvil with set of small anvil tools. I Springfield steam road roller with I set new picks and 3 locking pins, necessary small tools with machine.
I Sectional road roller.
[ Road machine or scraper.
TOOLS FOR LEDGE AND CRUSHER.
2 sets (16) drills for steam drill.
2 monkey wrenches.
2 20 in. Stilson wrenches.
15 hand drills.
I blacksmith sledge.
Il crow bars.
2 hammers.
15 sledge hammers. I long bar for gravel banks.
I 50 feet 34 in. hose.
66 100 " 3 in. fire hose.
I 3 wire battery, new.
I 2 wire battery.
2 striking hammers.
I 3 lb. hammer.
I bench vise. I pipe cutter.
I o die stock with set dies.
I set belt clamps.
2 60 gal. Hub oil tanks, half full of machinery and cylinder oil.
129
HIGHWAY REPORT.
STREET TOOLS.
14 S. H. rd. point shovels. 3 chisels. 12 sq.
I stone set.
8 L. H. rd.
I brick
20 steel snow
I stone dog.
25 picks.
I trowel.
6 iron wheelbarrows.
4 wood wheelbarrows.
I barrel cart.
I steel square. I axe.
9 street hoes.
2 grub hoes.
5 catch basin spoons.
2 paving hammers. 6 whip hammers.
I 3 1b.
2 brick
13 lanterns.
I hand saw.
I grade pole.
6 tap drills.
I sand screen.
2 gravel
STABLE.
5 horses.
I set lead reins.
I double cart. 3 sets traces. I express saddle.
3 single carts.
I double runner sled.
5 street blankets.
5 stable blankets.
II snow plows.
2 winged.
3
iron gutter plows.
8 whiffletrees, snow plows.
I wagon jack.
3 stable pails.
I 5 gal. oil can.
I set double harness.
I set 4 horse reins.
2 wedges. I spirit level.
I pipe cleaner. I bush scythe. " I hook.
IO st. brooms with scrapers. 6 “ -
3 monkey wrenches.
2 tamp-bars.
2 paving rammers, wood. I 66 iron.
9 points.
2 crotch chains.
I road 7 double watering carts. I single
5 gals. harness oil.
I30
HIGHWAY REPORT.
STOCK.
55 pieces 24 in. drain pipe.
I
66
2
I
3 I I 8 I 18
10 I/s bend.
y.
14 bend. . y.
8 .. 500 sidewalk brick. 66
35 8 ft. posts fitted and painted for sign boards.
15 IO ft. posts fitted and painted for sign boards. IO gals. black varnish.
11/2 bbls. machinery and cylinder oil. 1/2 keg 10-penny nails.
300 loads crushed stone, and large amount blasted and ready for crusher.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES MARSHALL, Superintendent of Streets.
Report of the Water Commissioners
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1899.
Your commissioners respectfully submit their twenty- ninth annual report with report of water registrar and super- intendent.
COLLECTIONS.
Our collections for water rates exclusively amount to $43,282.70, the largest ever made by this department; a gain over last year of $1,871.29.
Notwithstanding the fact that we now sell no bonds to pay expenses incurred for construction, but pay all expenses
66 I2
66 pipe. 66 66 y's. 14 bend.
I31
WATER REPORT.
from our receipts, we have been able to turn over to the sinking fund commissioners the sum of $8,570.80.
NEW IRON PIPE.
Your commissioners stated in last year's report, that
"The new reservoir would be finished and in use by July Ist and would so greatly increase the pressure, that it would become necessary to replace much of the old cement with new iron pipe."
We have been supplied with water for some months from the new reservoir, and the increase in pressure on our pipes proved to be about eleven pounds. For this reason your commissioners were obliged to replace the old cement with iron pipe in the following streets: Cottage, Cliff, Florence, Baxter, Trenton, and a part of Ravine road, Wyoming ave- nue, Highland avenue, Pratt and Franklin streets from rail- road station to Walton park.
WATER PRESSURE REGULATOR.
And in addition to this they have placed in use a new water pressure regulator by which the great pressure on the pipes in the lower part of the town can be reduced and reg- ulated as necessary, and the Highlands may at small addi- tional expense receive the benefit of the high pressure. This involved an expense of $1,000 but saved the expense of re- laying a large amount of pipe for probably several years.
Since the introduction of the water system into the town of Melrose, twenty-nine years ago, the management of this department has been in the hands of three commissioners.
Under the new city charter the mayor and superintendent of public works will have entire charge of this department.
Your commissioners congratulate the citizens of Melrose that for the coming year the affairs of the water department will be in the hands of such competent officials.
Respectfully submitted, GEO. L. MORSE, CURTIS C. GOSS, FRANCIS W. HUNT, Water Commissioners
Report of Water Registrar
OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE, FOR THE YEAR 1899.
To the Board of Water Commissioners :
The following is a report of details for the year 1899:
Received for water rates, $43,282 70 6 6 lime and summons, . 138 41
service pipes and sundries, 1,391 73
$44,812 84
Paid Geo. Newhall, treas.,
$44,560 97
Refund sundry persons, 251 87
$44,812 84
Water rates, lime and summons,
$43,421 II
Service pipes and sundries, . .
1,391 73
$44,812 84
DISBURSEMENTS.
Refund sundry persons, . $251 87
Interest on bonds, .
. 10,120 00
Maintenance, labor and salaries, . 12,804 37
Construction, . 13,065 80
$36,242 04
Surplus,
$8,570 80
I33
WATER REPORT.
MAINTENANCE.
Ames Co.,
$7 26
American Express Co., .
25
Brock Bros., sundries, .
5 9I
B. & M. R. R., freight, .
66 00
Breck & Sons, sundries,
2 38
Boston Rubber Shoe Co., boots,
17 00
Benson, S. E. & Co., coal and cement, .
59 67
Barry, Beal & Co., stationery,
2 00
Burgess, C. S.,
88
Boston Bolt Co., bolts, .
5 00
Chadwick Lead Co., sundries,
22 90
Crescent Tool Co., tools,
5 20
Chapman Valve Co., repairs tools, etc.,
4I 29
Chandler, H. E., clipping horses,
4 00
Chesterton, A. W. & Co., sundries,
35 65
Coffin Valve Co., repairs,
2 75
Curry, R. H., sundries, .
I 70
Crosby Steam Gage Co., repairs, .
6 25
Colligan, Ann, gravel, .
2 80
Commins, E. P., services expert,
146 00
Deering, J. P. & Co.,
24 87
Dunton & Potter,
19 00
Davis' express,
I 05
Edwards, J., jobbing,
32 03
Eastman's express,
29 75
Edson Mfg. Co., sundries,
II 22
Frost & Hawes, sundries,
9 75
Goss, C. C., salary,
50 00
Hunt, F. W., salary,
50 00
Hinckley, L. F., sundries,
I 00
Hersey Mfg. Co., repairs,
I 12
Hocking, A., postage,
31 50
Insurance,
40 00
Kehoe, T., repairs,
2 25
Kaulback, H., repairing harness,
6 95
Amount carried forward, $745 38
I34
WATER REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
$745 38
Lux, A., teaming,
31 00
Lucey Bros., oil, etc.,
12 23
Lovejoy, S. A., salary,
1,000 00
Larrabee & Barry, book plans,
250 00
Larrabee & Stearns, sundries,
1 15
Langiel, W. D., harness,
16 85
Miller, G. E., paint,
24 40
Merrill, G. P., horse shoeing,
13 33
Melrose Journal, printing,
20 35
McCoubry, W. J., blacksmithing,
131 20
Malden Electric Light Co.
4 46
McBeth, A., jobbing,
6 05
Morse, G. L., salary,
50 00
National Meter Co., repairs
6 16
N. E. Telephone Co.,
97 14
Philpot, H. R., teaming,
122 52
Pierce, W. L., notices,
12 00
Philpot, Robert, wood,
31 00
Philpot, John, teaming,
4 10
Pratt's express,
I 45
Perry, H. J., sundries,
20 40
Riley, James W., salary,
1,200 00
boarding horses and rent of shop, 582 00
Stearns, H.,
65
Sewer department,
40 72
Smith Bros., sundries,
4 50
Spear, S. J., taxes,
166 62
Town of Melrose
9 00
Tyzzer, F. H., painting wagon,
12 00
Wolworth Mfg. Co., sundries
4 57
Wolworth Construction Co., sundries, .
9 .52
$4,630 75
CONSTRUCTION.
Cost to Jan. 1, 1899,
$405,495 16
66 stock, 1899,
9,379 07
labor,
2,912 98
stock, street service,
375 95
66 labor, “
397 80
$418,560 96
I35
WATER REPORT.
STOCK PURCHASED.
Boston & Maine R. R., $ 84 87
Chadwick Lead Works,
768 89
Cunningham, J. H., & Co.,
295 33
Chapman Valve Co.,
486 69
Drummond, W. J.,
573 57
Davis & Farnum, .
354 44
Hand Stamping Co.,
I 60
Lead Lined Pipe Co.,
933 49
Murphy, Dennis,
10 00
Norwood Engineering Co.,
27 70
Osgood & Hart,
57 02
Standard Brass Co.,
18 92
Scrannage Bros.,
222 35
Smith Manufacturing Co.,
57 33
Warren Foundry Co.,
6,119 13
Wood, C. M.,
IO 53
Wakefield Water Works,
10 08
$10,03I 94
Stock used in 1899 :
Construction,
. $9,379 07
Maintenance,
551 07
Street service,
397 81
$10,327 95
WATER TAKERS JAN. I, 1900.
Families, .
3,185
Stores and shops,
124
Meters,
73
TOWN.
Town hall, fifteen school houses, five hose houses, eighteen stand pipes, two ornamental fountains, five drinking foun- tains, ninety-four automatic dumping pans for sewers.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN A. LOVEJOY, Water Registrar.
Report of the Superintendent.
To the Honorable Board of Water Commissioners :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my annual report.
The water works have been kept in good condition during the past year. Breaks have, and will be of frequent occur- rence in the old cement pipe, and it seems to be a matter of necessity that the old cement pipes should be removed as soon as possible, and cast iron pipe substituted, especially in the low section of the city. During the year 1899 cast iron pipe has been laid as follows:
26 ft. 6 in. pipe, Alpine street. 870 “ 8 6 Baxter street.
265 " 4 " Ashland street.
25 “ 6
406 “ 6 Cliff street. 66 Cottage street.
1,100 " 6
210 “ 6 West Emerson street. 6
160 “ 8 East Foster street. Fairview avenue.
140 “ 4 130 " 6 1,290 “ 6 Florence street. Franklin street. 66
66 Folsom avenue.
2,040 “ IO 300 “ 8 I47 “ 6 360 " 6 66 40 " 6 66 72 " 6 80 " 6 250 " 6 66 4 "4 60 " 4 540 " 16 66 65 " 6 12 " 4
66 Highland avenue. Hurd street.
Malvern street.
66 Morgan street. Naples road, ¿ Emanuel or .. Forest st. ext.
66 2540 “ 8 66 30 " 6
Pratt street. Ravine road. School street. .. Trenton street.
.6 66
I37
WATER REPORT.
25 ft. 4 in. pipe Trenton street. 136 " 3/4 Upham court. Vinton street. 12 " 8 36 " 6 582 “ 3/4 140 " 6 Winthrop street. 3 "4 66 place,
Washington street.
345 "16 Wyoming avenue.
During the year 1899 gates were set as follows:
I 6 in. gate on Alpine street.
I 4
I 6 "
6 " Cliff street.
2 6 6 ·· Cottage street.
I 6 " Florence street.
I 4 " street.
9 6 66 " Franklin street.
2 10
6 66 I 6
66 " Highland avenue.
I 6
66 " Malvern street. I 4 " Pratt street. " Trenton street. 4 8
3 6 I
8
I 6 "
66 " Winthrop street.
6 -
I 4 4 "
I 6 in. hydrant on Baxter street.
I
I 4 ' 6 66
2 6 ' 66
" Franklin street.
I 6 ' I 4
" Highland avenue.
" Naples road, Emanuel road, or Forest st. ext. I 4 66 66 6 66
" School street.
I
" Trenton street.
J. W. RILEY, Superintendent.
66 6 " Vinton street.
Hydrants were set as follows:
66 " Cottage street. " Florence street.
66
" Ashland street.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Sealer of Weights and Measures,
FOR THE YEAR 1899-1900.
Board of Selectmen, Town of Melrose :
I herewith submit the annual report of the sealer of weights and measures.
From Jan. Ist, 1899 to May Ist, 1899, my salary was the fees collected by this office.
Town voted for salary from May Ist, 1899, per annum, $200.00.
EXPENSES.
Salary from May Ist, 1899 to Jan. Ist, 1900, $133.33.
OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM JAN. I, 1899 TO
JAN. 1, 1900.
Number of scales 5000 lbs. to 150 tons tested,
4
" portable platform scales
42
6 6 " counter 66 60
22
" spring balance 66
42
" trip 6
9
66 " counter 66 66
66
.
88
6 6
" beam or "
4
Total number of scales tested,
. 2II
.
.
·
I39
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Number of scales tested and found correct,
157
adjusted before sealing, . 32
tagged for repairs, . II
66
66
that were repaired as ordered, .
8
66 66
condemned, .
II
66
66 66 found correct, 460
66
light and adjusted, 197
66
66
66 heavy “ 74
66
$6
66
condemned, 7
Total number of weights tested, 738
Number of dry measures tested and found correct, 239
66
.6
" condemned, .
6
Total number of dry measures tested, 245
Number of wet measures, including glass milk jars and cans, tested and found correct, . .
. 4,700
Number of wet measures, including milk jars and cans, tested and condemned, 414
Total number of wet measures tested, · 5,114
Number of yardsticks tested and found correct,
20
condemned, .
66 2
Total number of yardsticks tested, . 22
Number of coal baskets tested and found correct, 5
Total number of coal baskets tested, 5
The system of testing and sealing at their places of busi- ness gives general satisfaction. Many, however, object to the charges, and send their scales, etc., to this office, and in this way the following work has been done, which is in- cluded in the "operations of the department," and for which no fees are allowed.
66
140 REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
The amount of work done in the office from Jan. 1, 1899, to Jan. I, 1900, was as follows :
Scales of all descriptions tested, 9
Weights, 8
Dry measures, Wet measures, including milk cans tested, . 4,486 .
Total pieces tested in office, · 4,524
EARNINGS OF DEPARTMENT.
Total amount of earnings from May I, 1899, to Jan.
I, 1900, $44 14
Amount uncollected due department, . 7 02 .
Balance paid to town treasurer, $37 12
Amount collected as fees for salary from Jan. 1, 1899,
to May, I, 1899, . $57 14
If fees had been collected on work done in the office during the year as on work done on the out- side, the revenue would have been increased $135 72 Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM L. PIERCE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
-
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
To the Citizens of Melrose :
Your commissioners respectfully submit herewith their sixth and final report of their doings in connection with the construction of a sewerage system for the town of Melrose, briefly reviewing only such matters as are considered of im- portance, and referring to previous reports and the excellent report of our superintendent for a statement in detail of the work performed the past year.
At the annual meeting in 1892 the question of sewerage in connection with the Metropolitan system was submitted and a committee appointed, viz :
Levi S. Gould, Chairman. John P. Deering, Secretary. George L. Morse.
Charles W. Higgins.
Francis S. Hesseltine.
John Robson.
Charles W. Cook.
A contract was awarded by them to Walter C. Stevens, C. E., to plan a complete system predicated upon a population of 59,000, much of which, to quote the words of the com- mittee in their report, "ought not to be constructed for very many years to come." They recommended that the town authorize such sections to be built from year to year as considered absolutely necessary, and in accordance there- with they were empowered to advertise for bids for the building of certain sections, which bids were opened by your commissioners on March 24, 1894, after the plans, specifications, form of contract, etc., had been accepted by the town.
The estimates of the engineer as submitted by the com- mittee of a complete sewer system, were in the aggregate $736,749.28, and included 281,530 feet, or 53.32 miles of sewers. We have constructed to Jan. 1, 1900, 173,148.95 feet or 32.79 miles. A statement of the amount constructed
142
SEWER REPORT.
during the years from 1894 to 1899 inclusive, with the actual cost, is furnished elsewhere.
The net cost of the entire system in the town, deducting receipts and sewer assessments levied, viz : $168,423.40, is the sum of $174,878.53.
The sewer department has on hand and is prepared to turn over to the public works department of the city, the following :
Engineering equipments, office, vaults, instru- ments, furniture, etc., valued at . $2,437 00
Stock in yard
3,378 80 ·
Tools, etc., in yard 66
2,201 67
Unsettled accounts, due from state, . $3,725 68 .
Various departments of the town and
private accounts, 1,388 28
5,113 96
$13,131 43
Cash balance in treasury,
. $3,303 86
private sewers, . . 262 78
3,566 64
$16,698 07
Add to the above amount of sewer assessments
levied on estates, .168,423 40
185,121 47
Net cost to town, as shown above, . 174,878 53
$360,000 00
The total bond issue has been
$350,000 00
Due and payable with interest at 4% as follows :
1907,
$25,000 00
1912,
25,000 00
1917,
50,000 00
1924,
100,000 00
1925,
100,000 00
1926,
50,000 00
.
$350,000 00
I43
SEWER REPORT.
But one appropriation has been made by the town to be paid from the sewer assessments as authorized by law, viz : $10,000.00.
The total amount paid into the treasury and credited to the sinking fund, which includes premiums received on bonds to Jan. I, 1900, is $62,705.01. We are also able to surrender for the use of the city, plans, surveys, profiles, etc., the value of which cannot be calculated, but from our experience we know that they will form the basis of a system of drainage, water and highway construction, and for the assessment of taxes, and cannot help being of profit and invaluable service.
We present herewith a statement of sums received from all sources for the building of the system, and the expendi- tures therefrom.
Received from sale of 350 bonds, $1000 each, . $350,000 00 " Commonwealth of Massachusetts on account of trunk sewer taken, 15,000 00
Appropriation, maintenance, 3,737 21
Transfer from sewer assessment, 10,000 00
Received from American Surety Co. on account of bond of H. S. Eveline & Co., 5,000 00
Received from private sewers, 35,857 73
Received from other sources,
3,096 05
$422,690 99
EXPENDED.
Construction, 1894,
$70,881 46
1895,
89,553 OI
1896,
93,033 02
1897, 92,102 66
1898,
17,735 34
66
1899,
13,661 71
$376,967 20
Private sewers, 1895, 5,651 73
1896, 9,636 72
Carried forward, $15,288 45 $376,967 20 $422,690 99
144
SEWER REPORT.
Brought forward,
$15,288 45 $376,967 20 $422,690 99
Private sewers, 1897, 6,522 96
66
1898,
5,109 03
"
1899,
11,745 35
38,665 79
Maintenance, 1895,
276 10
1896,
601 04
1897,
693 32
1898,
292 08
1899,
1,891 60
3,754 14
419,387 13
Cash on hand in treasury,
$3,303 86
We again call attention to the small amount expended for maintenance of the system, including all labor performed, which for the five years, 1895-1899 inclusive, has averaged $750.83, which speaks volumes for the wise design, faithful construction and general completeness of the system. We predict that in the future this amount will not increase but rather grow less as the sewers come into use. Thus far no complaints have been received of stoppage or inefficiency. No great accident whereby lives were sacrificed or property injured has occurred ; realizing the hazard we have kept men and property constantly insured ; any loss through negligence or failure to use proper precaution has been promptly settled by the insurance companies.
But three lawsuits resulted from our acts as commission- ers. The first contractor, Mr. Frank L. Allen, brought suit to recover for extra charges, mainly, as alleged, on account of being compelled by the engineer to place the sewers at a greater depth than shown on the plans. As Mr. Allen was paid the exact amount as stated in his bid for the work per- formed, and for all of which work a price was stated, we have contested the suit. The matter is still undecided.
James Heath & Son were the lowest bidders for the above contract and sued to recover damages. The case was brought in Essex county and a verdict given in favor of the town. Events have justified the wisdom of our action.
145
SEWER REPORT.
H. S. Eveline & Co., contractors in 1896, surrendered their contract, being unable to perform it, and requested that we complete the same as provided in the contract. This was accomplished, the cost being more than their bid, a suit was entered against the contractors and their bondsmen, the American Surety Co., the sum of $5,000 recovered there- from and paid into the treasury.
In conclusion, we entered upon our duties at your call and request, with but little knowledge of the responsibilities involved, but with a sincere desire to discharge the duties honestly, faithfully and for the best interests of the town.
We acquired knowledge by visiting other municipalities and inspecting work of a like character, and by consulting engineers of experience ; as a result we feel confident that the sewerage system of Melrose will compare favorably with that of any other municipality, both in the quality of the work performed and its cost.
We have expended a large sum of money, time will prove the wisdom of our acts, and we trust that this and future generations may enjoy the fruits of our labors and the expenditure of the people's money.
We have been ably aided and assisted in every possible way by our engineer and superintendent, W. Dabney Hunter, to whom due credit should be given. Without his assistance and faithful performance of duty we should not have been able to present so favorable and honorable a record.
SETH E. BENSON, L. FRANK HINCKLEY, JOHN LARRABEE, Sewer Commissioners.
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