USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1900-1903 > Part 21
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It is not probable, however, that the whole town will be sew- ered at once. Judging by tlie experience of other places, the most thickly settled portion will be done first. Possibly ten miles of sewers in the central part will be built. It will then
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be several years before all of the houses in that section will be connected. For the first instalment of sewerage I believe it will be safe to figure the house sewage at 150,000 gallons, the tannery wastes at 100,000, and the ground water at 100,000 gal- lons, or a total of 350,000 gallons per day, requiring an area of about five acres.
As the flow of sewage will be small for the first few years, especially at night, it is recommended that a distributing tank be constructed. The purpose of such a tank is to retain the flow of sewage until it is full, and discharge it quickly upon the beds (rather than in a small but continuous flow) in order to prevent as far as possible the loss of heat of the sewage, and its freezing upon the surface of the beds in the winter season.
PRELIMINARY TREATMENT.
It is not proposed to adopt at present any method of prelimi- nary treatment of the sewage for removing the sludge either by a septic tank or strainer beds.
Although such treatment would probably reduce the area of the filter beds necessary for the purification of the sewage, and possibly decrease somewhat the work of caring for the surface of the beds, neither the first cost nor the annual expense would be materially affected under the conditions of the initial instalment of the plant and with the amount of sewage expected in the first few years.
The general arrangement of the proposed beds, and the location of those which are to be first constructed, is shown upon the plan accompanying this report.
Provision is made in the design of the disposal system for the introduction of a plant for preliminary treatment in the future if it is found desirable. In the meantime the knowledge of the comparative merits of the different plans for preliminary treat- ment, and of their effect on the disposal of sewage, may become more complete than it is at present.
SURFACE DRAINAGE.
I have made personal examination of the present surface drain-
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age system, and had surveys made for the purpose of locating the catch basins and inlets of this system. These are shown on the map.
The town seems to be provided with a fairly good system for the discharge of the surface water from the streets. There are some cases where it could be improved by putting in catch basins instead of the plain inlets. The latter allow sand and gravel from the street surface to run into the pipes and streams and gradually fill them up.
There are but few places in the central part of the town that. are not provided with surface drainage, and I am informed by the Superintendent of Streets that it is intended to supply these places with the proper inlets and channels as fast as possible.
It is my opinion that in general the channels now provided are adequate. There may be some that are inadequate in the most severe storms. I see no need, however, for the revision of the present system or the planning of a new one, but rather the im- provement of the system at those points that give trouble.
There is undoubtedly a nuisance caused by some of the brooks that carry away the surface water, not on account of the flooding, but because a great deal of sewage is discharged into them, and in dry weather, when the flow of the surface water is small, they become offensive.
This trouble will be remedied by the construction and opera- tion of a sewerage system, into which the house sewage now flow- ing into the brook shall be discharged.
There are two locations on the streets at which I would suggest that improvements be made in the existing conditions. One, and the most important, is on Cross Street, between Washington and Broadway, near the Norwood Central Station. The streets in this vicinity are now rather inadequately drained through the field toward the south. It is recommended that a drain pipe be laid from the corner of Cross Street through Broadway to Guild Street and connected with the drain in the latter which passes through the subway, and suitable catch basins placed at the proper points. At the corner of Cross and Washington Streets
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catch basins should be put in and a pipe laid in Cross Street to the stream, as shown on the plan.
The other location is on Railroad Avenue about half way be- tween Fulton and Prospect Streets. There is a low point in the street to which the water runs from both directions, and no pro- vision is made for its discharge. There are but few houses here and little inconvenience may be caused by this lack of drainage facilities at present. When such are required, it is recommended that catch basins be put in and a drain laid to the brook between Railroad Avenue and Nahatan Street, as shown on the plan.
There is also a point in the surface drainage system, where, if sewer construction is undertaken, I would suggest that concur- rently with it an improvement be made.
The stream which crosses the railroad at a point near the Nor- wood Press building crosses Lenox Street near Willow Street, and then divides, part of it crossing Willow Street and flowing in a northerly direction and in a poorly defined channel, and the rest flowing through the field south of Willow Street in an east- erly direction.
It is recommended that the channel which crosses Willow Street be made large enough to take the whole brook when it is desired to do so, and a suitable channel be constructed along the line of the sewer about as far as Hillside Avenue, as shown on the map. The natural channel will take the water from this point.
ESTIMATES.
The following estimates give the cost of the different parts of the work. They are based upon present contract prices and are believed to be ample to cover the cost of the work described, exclusive of the cost of land. They include 20 per cent. for engineering and contingencies.
CENTRAL GRAVITY DISTRICT.
Street, Sewers, as per schedule, $178,392 09 Intercepting Sewer, Williams Street to Plimpton
Avenue, 1777 ft. of sewer, complete, 2.163 84
Intercepting Sewer, Plimpton Avenue to Dean
Street, 4028 ft. of sewer, complete, 9,725 35
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Main Sewer, Dean Street to Filter Beds, 3400 ft. sewer, complete, 24", 9,936 00
Main Sewer in Dean Street from Washington to 24" Main, 800 ft. 10" sewer, complete, 1,036 00
Main Sewer from Cedar Street and Savin Avenue to Washington Street, 1400 ft. S" sewer, 1,992 00
HAWES BROOK GRAVITY DISTRICT.
$203.245 28
Street Sewers, as per schedule, $29,002 48
Main Sewer, Endicott Street to Tannery Inlet, 1350 ft. 10" sewer, complete, 1.699 SO
Main Sewer, Tannery Inlet to 24" Main Gravity Line rear Pleasant Street, 5150 ft. 12" sewer, complete, including inverted siphon, 7,620 60
$38.322 SS
PLEASANT STREET PUMPING DISTRICT.
Street Sewers, as per schedule,
$13,241 10
Main Sewer, Washington Street to Pleasant Street Pumping Station, 1950 ft. S" sewer, complete, 2,498 40
Pumping Main, Pleasant Street Station to Main Sewer, 300 ft. 8" pipe, complete, 350 00
Reservoir, Pumping Station and Machinery, 4,590 00
$20,679 50
PURGATORY BROOK PUMPING DISTRICT.
Street Sewers, as per schedule,
$19,740 72
Main Sewer, 5200 ft. 12" sewer, complete,
5,568 00
Pumping Main, Neponset Street to Intercepting Sewer, 4700 ft. S" pipe, complete, 5,052 00
Reservoir, Pumping Station and Machinery, 4,700 00
$35,060 72
Filter Beds (5 acres) and Distributing Tank, $7,680 00
Respectfully submitted,
FREEMAN C. COFFIN.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
REPLY OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH TO AN APPLICATION FROM HON. FRANK A. FALES, NORWOOD, FOR ADVICE IN RELATION TO SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 375 OF THE ACTS OF 188S.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON.
March 7, 1901.
TO THE HON. FRANK A. FALES, Chairman of the Sewerage Com- mittee of the Town of Norwood.
Sir : --
The State Board of Health received from you on January 29, 1901, an application for advice as to the disposal of the sewage of the town of Norwood, and subsequently an outline of your proposed plans of sewerage and sewage disposal was received from your engineer, Mr. Freeman C. Coffin, of Boston.
The plan provides for collecting the sewage from nearly all of the portions of the town which are in need of sewerage at the present time, including waste liquors from the manufacturing establishments which at present pollute the streams, into a sys- tem of sewers from which storm water and ground water are to be excluded so far as possible, and to convey it to a filtration
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area on the southerly side of the Neponset River southeast of Pleasant Street, where it is proposed to purify it by intermittent. filtration through the areas of gravelly soil indicated on the plan, and to discharge the effluent into the Neponset River.
There are two areas in the town not now densely populated, from which the sewage cannot be discharged into this system by gravity. One of these areas lies near the Neponset River and the mouth of Hawes Brook, and it is proposed to collect the sewage of this area at a small pumping station in the neighbor- hood of Pleasant Street near Dean Street and pump it into the main system. The other area is in the valley of Purgatory Brook, and it is proposed to collect the sewage from this area at a pumping station near Neponset Street south of Pleasant Street. and pump it into the main sewer.
The Board has caused the locality to be examined by its engi- neer and has considered the outline plans presented.
The lands which it is proposed to use for the disposal of the sewage are well situated for the purpose, and examinations of the soil of these lands by means of test pits indicate that it is very well adapted to the purification of sewage by intermittent filtration. Moreover, the areas suitable for this purpose in this region are ample for the disposal of the sewage of Norwood.
The plan in general is, in the opinion of the Board, an appro- priate and satisfactory one for the disposal of the sewage of the town of Norwood.
It is understood that, while the details of the plan are not yet completed. you nevertheless desire the advice of the Board at the present time in view of possible immediate action by the town, and that the plans will be presented in greater detail for the con- sideration of the Board at a later time.
By order of the Board,
SAMUEL W. ABBOTT,
Secretary ..
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[CHAP. 311.]
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF NORWOOD TO CONSTRUCT A. SYSTEM OF SEWERAGE.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION 1. The town of Norwood is hereby authorized, through a. board of commissioners elected as hereinafter provided, to construct,. maintain and operate drains and sewers for a part or for the whole of its territory, with such connections and other works as may be required for a system of sewage disposal ; and said board, for the purpose of provid- ing better surface or other drainage, guarding against pollution of wa- ters, and otherwise protecting the public health, may construct and maintain such main drains as it deems expedient ; and may within the limits of said town deepen, widen and clear of obstruction any brook, stream or water course, and straighten or alter the channels or divert the waters thereof, and may construct and maintain sub-drains, and, with the approval of the state board of health, discharge the water into any brook, stream or water course within said town.
SECTION 2. Said board shall consist of three commissioners, to be called sewer commissioners of the town of Norwood, who shall be citi- zens and residents of the town, and shall be elected by ballot at a special meeting or at an annual meeting of the town, one commissioner to hold office for one year, one for two years and one for three years respectively,, from the date of the annual town meeting at which he is elected or which follows the special meeting at which he is elected, and until his successor is elected and qualified ; and at each annual town meeting thereafter the town shall elect one member of the board to serve for three years or until his successor is elected and qualified. If a vacancy oceurs in the board the town may at a meeting called for the purpose elect a person duly qualified to fill the vacancy.
SECTION 3. Said board of commissioners, acting in behalf of the town, shall have full power to take by purchase or otherwise any lands. in fee and any water rights, rights of way and easements in said town, public or private, necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in this act, and may construct within said town such main drains and sewers under or over any water course, bridge, railroad or way, or within the location of any railroad, and may enter upon and dig up and excavate ยท any private land, street or way, or railroad location, for the purpose of laying such main drains and sewers, and of maintaining and repairing. the same, and may do any other thing necessary or proper for the pur- poses of this act : provided, however, that they shall not take in fce any land of a railroad corporation, and that they shall not enter upon or construct any drains or sewers within the location of any railroad cor- poration, except at such time and in such manner as they may agree.
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upon with such corporation, or, in case of failure to agrec, as may be approved by the board of railroad commissioners.
SECTION 4. Said board in order to take any lands in fee, water rights, rights of way or easements, otherwise than by purchase or agreement, shall cause to be recorded in the registry of deeds for the county of Nor- folk, a statement signed by a majority of the board, containing a descrip- tion thereof as certain as is required in a conveyance of land, and spec- ifying that the same are taken under the authority of this act ; and upon such recording the title in the lands, water rights, rights of way or easements described in such statement shall vest in the town of Norwood, which shall pay all damages therefor and all other damages sustained by any person or corporation through any action of said board under this act. Said board at the time of such taking shall notify the owners thereof in writing, and may agree with any person or corporation upon the damages sustained by such person or corporation ; and if the dam- ages are not agreed upon a jury in the superior court for said county may be had to determine the same, upon petition of either party, in the manner provided by law for determining damages for land taken for highways ; but in case of a taking no suit or petition shall be brought after the expiration of two years from the date of the recording of the taking as herein provided ; and in all other cases no snit or petition shall be brought after the expiration of two years from the time when the cause of action accrues.
SECTION 5. In every case of a petition for the assessment of damages or for a jury said town may at any time file in the office of the clerk of the court an offer in writing to pay the petitioner a sum therein specified as damages ; and if the said petitioner does not accept the same within thirty days after notice of such offer, and does not finally recover a sum greater than that offered, not including interest from the date of the offer on the sum so recovered, the town shall recover costs from the date of said notice ; and the petitioner shall be entitled to costs only to said date.
SECTION 6. The town of Norwood shall by vote determine what pro- portion of the cost of said system or systems of sewerage and sewage disposal said town shall pay : provided, that it shall not pay less than one third nor more than one half of the whole cost. The remaining cost of said systems shall be borne by the owners of estates situated within the territory embraced by them and benefited thereby ; but no estate shall be deemed to be benefited until a sewer is constructed into which it can be drained. The owners of such estates shall be assessed by said com- missioners their proportional parts respectively of such portion of the total cost of said systems as is not borne by the town as above provided. Such proportional parts shall be based upon the estimated average cost
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of all the sewers composing said systems, and shall be assessed by a fixed uniform rate according to the frontage of such estate on any street or way in which a sewer is constructed, or according to the area of such estate within a fixed depth from such street or way, or aceording to both frontage and area; and every such owner shall, within three months after written notice of such assessment, served on him or on the occu- pants of his estate, or sent by mail to the last address of said owner known to said commissioners, pay the sum so assessed to the collector of taxes of said town: provided, that said board shall on the written request of any such owner, made within said three months, apportion such assessment into such number of equal parts or instalments, not exceeding ten, as the owner shall indicate in such request; and said board shall certify such apportionment to the assessors of the town and one of said parts or instalments, with interest from the date of the apportion- ment at the rate of six per cent. per annum, shall be added by the asses- sors to the annual tax on such estates for each year next ensuing, until all said parts have so been added, unless sooner paid as hereinafter pro- vided, and provided, further, that nothing herein containcd shall be con- strued to prevent the payment at any time in one payment, notwith- standing its prior apportionment, of any balance of said assessments then remaining unpaid, but interest on such balance at the rate of six per cent. per annum shall be paid to the date of such payment; and thereupon the collector of taxes of said town shall receive the same and shall certify such payment or payments to the assessors, who shall pre- serve a record thereof. In cases of corner lots and lots abutting on more than one sewered street the same area shall not be assessed more than once.
SECTION 7. An assessment made under seetion six shall constitute a lien upon the estate, which shall continue for three years after it is made and notice served as above provided, or, in case of apportionment, until the expiration of two years from the time when the last instalment is committed to the collector of taxes; and said assessment, if not paid within three months after service of said notice, or, if apportioned, within three months after any part has become due, may, together with interest thereon at the rate of six per cent. per annum, with incidental eosts and expenses, be levied by the collector by sale of such estate, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to discharge the assessment and interest and intervening charges. Such sale and all proceedings connected therewith shall be conducted in the same manner as sales for the non-payment of taxes; and real estate so sold may be redeemed the same as if sold for the non-payment of taxes, and in the same manner. Such assessments or parts thereof may also be collected by an action'of contract in the name of the town of Norwood against the owner of the
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estate, brought at any time within three years after the same has become due.
SECTION 8. Any person aggrieved by such assessment may at any . time within three months after service of the notice mentioned in sec- tion six of this act apply to the superior court of said county for a jury to revise the same, but before making such application he shall give fourteen days' notice in writing of his intention so to do to the said commissioners, and shall therein particularly specify his objection to the assessment, to which specification he shall be confined before the jury.
SECTION 9. The town of Norwood, for the purpose of paying the necessary expenses and liabilities incurred under this act, may incur indebtedness and may issue from time to time bonds, notes or scrip, to an amount not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars; and the debt and loan authorized by this act, and the notes, bonds or scrip issued therefor, shall not be reckoned in determining the legal limit of indebt- edness of the town under the provisions of section four of chapter twenty-nine of the Public Statutes and of acts in amendment thereof or in addition thereto. Such bonds, notes or scrip shall bear on their face the words, Norwood Sewerage Loan, shall be payable within periods not exceeding forty years from the issuing thereof, and shall bear interest payable semi-annually at a rate not exceeding four per cent. per annum. They shall be signed by the treasurer of said town and shall be counter- signed by a majority of the sewer commissioners. The town may sell such securities or any part thereof from time to time, at publie or pri- vate sale, or pledge the same for money borrowed for the purposes of this act: provided, that they are not sold or pledged for less than the par value thereof; and the proceeds thereof shall be retained in the treasury, and the treasurer shall pay therefrom the expenses incurred for the pur- poses aforesaid.
SECTION 10. Said town instead of establishing a sinking fund may at the time of authorizing said loan provide for the payment thereof in such annual proportionate payments as will extinguish the same within the time prescribed in this act; and when such vote has been passed the amount required thereby, less the amount that may be appropriated therefor as provided in the following section, shall without further vote be assessed by the assessors of the town in each year thereafter until the debt incurred by the town shall be extinguished, in the same manner as other taxes are assessed under the provisions of section thirty-four of chapter eleven of the Public Statutes.
. SECTION 11. The receipts from assessments and payments made in lieu thereof under this act, after deducting all charges and expenses for and incident to the maintenance and operation of said systems of
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sewerage, shall be applied first to the payment of the interest upon the bonds, notes or scrip issued under authority of this act, not otherwise provided for, and the balance shall be set apart for the payment or redemption of such bonds, notes or serip, or for the payment of the fur- ther extension of the system or systems of sewerage herein authorized to be constructed by said town, as the said town shall vote, and shall be used for no other purpose. If the receipts from said assessments and from payments made in lien thereof in any year, not appropriated for the construction and maintenance of sewers as aforesaid, shall be insufficient to pay the interest on said bonds, notes or scrip, and the principal as it falls due, then in such case the town shall raise forth with by taxation, in the same manner as money is raised and appropriated for other town purposes, such sum as will meet the said requirements.
SECTION 12. The said board of commissioners shall annually appoint a clerk, and may appoint a superintendent of sewers, and may remove said clerk or superintendent at its pleasure. The ' compensation of the commissioners shall be fixed by the town.
SECTION 13. All contracts made by the board of commissioners for the purposes of this act shall be made in the name of the town and shall be signed by the board ; but no contracts shall be made or obligations incurred by the commissioners for any purpose in excess of the amount of money appropriated by the town therefor.
SECTION 14. The board of commissioners may from time to time pre- scribe rules and regulations for the connecting of estates and buildings with the main drains and sewers, and for the inspection of the materials, the construction, alteration and use of all connections and drains enter- ing into such main drains or sewers, and may impose penalties not exceeding twenty dollars for each violation of any such rule or regula- tion. Such rules or regulations shall be published not less than once a week for three successive weeks in some newspaper published in the town of Norwood, if there be any, and otherwise in some newspaper published in the county of Norfolk, and shall not take effect until such publication has been made.
SECTION 15. The provisions of chapter fifty of the Public Statutes and of acts in amendment thereof, and of chapter two hundred and for- ty-five of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and ninety-two, and of the amendments thereof, so far as the same are applicable and not incon- .sistent with this act, shall apply to the town of Norwood in carrying out the provisions of this act.
SECTION 16. No act shall be done under the authority of the preced- ing sections until the plans for said system of sewerage have been approved by the state board of health. Upon application to said board for such approval the board shall give a hearing, after due notice to the
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