USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1915-1922 > Part 64
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Balance Jan. 1, 1919
Appropriations y
Credits
Totals
Accounts
Expenditures
1919 Dec. 31 Balances
Deficits
Taxation
Transfer
$ 200.00
Finance Commission
$ 164.47
$ 35.53
250.00
$ 200.00
200.00
Board of Survey
10.00
190.00
350.00
350.00
General Government Incidentals
342.01
7.99
3,250.00
83.33
$155.05
405.05|
General Manager, Incidentals
323.48
81.57
1,500.00
83.33
4.20
1,129.20
Engineering Incidentals
855.20
274.00
2,400.00
125.00
2.12
5,437.12
Town Clerk and Accountant, Inc.
4,373.61
1,063.51
300.00
65.00
665.00
Election and Registration, Inc.
900.00
700.00
12.08
712.08
Assessors, Incidentals
712.08
1,200.00
1,200.00
Treasurer and Collector, Salary
1,200.00
2,295.00
75.88
29.00
204.88
Certification of Notes
204.88
900.00
900.00
Town Counsel, Salary
900.00
100.00
100.00
Town Counsel, Incidentals
87.23
12.77
1,150.00
94.41
1,244.41
Town Office Building
1,244.41
11,450.00
689.03
498.55
12,637.58
Police Department, Salaries
12,637.58
1,732.00
802.00
400.36
2,934.36|
Police Department, Incidentals
2,921.01
13.35
6,366.00
185.00
6,551.00
6,521.84
29.16
1,728.51
240.00
15.77
1,984.28- Fire Department, Incidentals
1,927.94
56.34
500.00
500.00
Fire Alarm Maintenance
497.84
2.16
500.00
500.00
Inspector of Buildings, Salary
500.00
25.00
25.00
Inspector of Buildings, Incidentals
17.00
8.00
100.00
100.00
Inspector of Cattle
100.00
300.00
300.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures, Sal.
300.00
86.00
86.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures, Inc.
85.33
. 67
2,500.00
659.30
3,159.30
Moth Suppression
3,147.85
11.45
525.00
300.00
424.36
1,249.36
Care of Trees
1,234.85
14.51
100.00
100.00
Board of Health, Salaries
100.00
6,000.00
6,000.00
Board of Health, Incidentals
5,990.55
9.45
2,000.00
2,000.00
Care in Hospitals
1,080.53
919.47
5,199.51
137.99
5,337.50
Norfolk County T. B. Hospital
5,337.50
853.97
4,451.03
5,305.00 Sewers, Maintenance of
4,106.55
1,198.45
6,100.00
26.55
6,126.55| Sewers, Construction of
2,429. 67|
3,696.88
101
2,295.00
Treasurer and Collector, Incidentals
2,293.86
1.14
1,583.33
Engineering Salary
1,539.93
43.40
2,525.00
Town Clerk and Accountant, Salary
2,525.00
3,575.00
1,860.00
300.00
Election and Registration, Salary
300.00
600.00
665.00
900.00
900.00
Assessors, Salaries
$ 200.00
250.00
Selectmen, Personal Expense
250.00
3,333.33
General Manager, Salary
3,333.33
250.00
1,125.00
100.00
Fire Department, Salary
REVENUE ACCOUNTS-Continued Appropriations and Expenditures
Balance Jan. 1, 1919
Appropriations y
Credits
Totals
Accounts
Expenditures
1919 Dec. 31 Balances
Deficits
Taxation
Transfer
$2,974.65
$ 3,374.65
Particular Sewers
$ 3,123.66
$ 250.99
2,242.50
$ 450.00
35.81
2,728.31
Main Drains, maintenance of
2,628.93
99.38
200.00
675.50
875.50
Ash Removal
715.77
159.73
1,385.00
33,000.00
3,742.96
38,127.96
Highways
36,837.28
1,290.68
1,600.00
150.00
10.00
385.00
Parks
365.19
19.81
164.70
12.00
11,512.00|
Charities
12,386.68
Soldiers' Benefits
1,722.27
1,277.73
100.00
5,600.00
2,900.78
114,825.78
Support of Schools
114,093.62
732.16
1,500.00
49.75
1,549.75
Evening Schools
1,135.40
414.35
250.00
766.00
381.89
5,747.89
Morrill Memorial Library
5,733.92
13.97
250.00
500.00
500.00
3,500.33
Soldiers' and Sailors' Celebration
3,415.15
85.18
550.00
72,001.00
32,834.74
104,835.74
Electric Light Dept.
102,343.03
2,492.71
6,300.00
30,663.20
2,026.53
32,689.73
Water Department
32,883.14
193.41
1,785.00
2,665.00
343.95
2,435.00
Cemetery Improvement
2,305.79
129.21
2,435.00
490.00
490.00
Real Estate, 556 Washington Street Sinking Fund Requirement
100.00
3,143.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
Nahatan Street Land Damage
1,000.00
31,560.00
4,493.00
137.25
36,190.25
Interest
Maturing Debt
64,500.00
50,488.86
14,011.14
108.61
108.61
Tax Titles
$
6.00
1,357.08
328.71
1,691.79
Refunds
1,344.41
347.38
405.00
405.00
3.00
9,331.89
School Furnishings
9,330.65
1.24
$9,739.89
$288,680.05
$186,683.42 $50,783.80
$535,887.16
$519,600.68
$17,388.32
$1,101.84
102
250.00
Memorial Day Observance
250.00
500.00
2,000.00
1,500.33
550.00
Town Reports
501.00
49.00
6,300.00
Street Lighting
6,300.00
Cemetery Maintenance
4,786.46
7.49
422.85
67.15
100.00
100.00
3,143.00
Insurance Premiums
3,143.00
35,710.50
479.75
64,500.00
142.36
33.75
Land Damage Accounts
405.00
9,328.89
164.70
New Street, Washington and Winter to Bond Street
164.70
$874.68
3,000.00
3,000.00
100.00
Salary of Town Physician
100.00
106,325.00
250.00
Industrial Education
75.64
174.36
4,600.00
1,600.00
Snow and Ice Removal
628.75
971.25
225.00
$ 400.00
11,500.00
Band Concerts
4,793.95
NON-REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Balance
Receipts
By Borrowing
Total
Account
Expended
Balance
$27,000.00
$27,000.00
Norfolk County T. B. Hospital
$27,000.00
3,800.00
3,800.00
Sewers, Construction of
3,800.00
$
15.00
5,800.00
5,815.00
Main Drains, Construction of
4,597.61
$ 1,217.39
7,500.00
7,500.00
Bituminous Macadam
7,500.00
11,987.04 207.00
2,600.00
2,807.00
Granolithic Sidewalks at Large
2,740. 66
66.34
495.13
1,000.00
1,495.13
Granolithic Sidewalks Prepm't
735.14
759.99
$ 3,335.30 15,412.25
2,200.00
5,535.30
New Street, Washington and Winter to Bond
1,679.17
3,856.13
44,000.00
59,412.25
New School Building
58,415.11
997.14
2,500.00
2,500.00
Grading School Grounds
2,500.00
670.46
55,350.00
56,020.46
Electric Light, Extension of
34,020.46
22,000.00
159.68
159.68
Electric Light, Additional Land
159.68
$19,577.69
$12,704.17
$163,750.00
$196,031.86
$166,975.19
$29,056.67
12,000.00
23,987.04
Neponset Street
23,987.04
103
1
4
104
NORWOOD TOWN REPORT CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUND
Funds on deposit as shown in Report for Year 1918 $12,051.60
Received and Deposited in 1919:
Highland Cemetery
For Grave From Ellen Bailey
$50.00
For Lots
23 Anna Cushman
100.00
617 Andrew Curran Estate
100.00
359
Margaret A. Johnson
100.00
140
Sarah A. Hartshorn
100.00
203 Oscar L. Bailey
100.00
1016
Blanche Partridge
100.00
280a Charles Rogers Estate
50.00
47
E. F. Winslow Estate
100.00
156a Florence A. Littlefield
100.00
224 E. Maria Bateman
100.00
614 Bridget A. O'Brien Estate
100.00
426
Virginia Brooks
100.00
5
Howard R. Kuld
100.00
Old Parish Cemetery Nancy M. Page
200.00
$1,500.00
$13,551.60
SINKING FUND
Balance January 1, 1919
Receipts:
Interest received
$800.00
On Deposits
73.30
Proceeds from Investment of Maturing Securities
1,000.00
Appropriation
100.00
1,253.30
Cr.
$1,000.00
Securities on Hand
Town of Norwood, Note No. 135
1,000.00
Deposit in Norwood Trust Co.
3,068.11
$5,068.11
$3,814.81
On Investments
$5,068.11
By sale of Securities
105
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT PUBLIC PROPERTY ACCOUNT
School Property - Land and Buildings
Beacon
$30,025.00
Guild
42,650.00
Everett
39,000.00
Shattuck
46,900.00
-
Winslow
50,200.00
New Balch
70,600.00
New High
318,000.00
East
10,400.00
West
8,600.00
Furnishings
$652,475.00 $90,000.00
Morrill Memorial Library
20,100.00
Central Fire Station
1,300.00
Fire Station No. 2
15,700.00
Fire Apparatus
5,740.00
$42,840.00
Water Works
$411,600.00
Sewerage System
277,200.00
Crusher Plant
7,300.00
Storeyard and Siding
5,600.00
Cemeteries
48,500.00
Gravel Pit Lot, Pleasant Street
1,000.00
Real Estate, 556 Washington Street
9,500.00
Electric Light Plant
198,600.00
Park Lands
11,900.00
Town Office and Park Lot Land .
24,500.00
Town Office Building
7,300.00
Other Personal Property
53,900.00
$1,056,900.00
Total
$1,842,215.00
Outstanding Debt
$785,450.00
Less Amount of Sinking Fund
4,068.11
$781,381.89
Surplus - Public Property over Fixed Debt
$1,060,833.11
$1,842,215.00
1
Fire Alarm System
-
36,100.00
106
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Balance Sheet Comparative Statement of Years 1918-1919
Assets
1918
1919
Assets
1919
1918
$ 1,517.32
$ 1,677.00
Land
12,317.81
12,965.03
Buildings
5,325.81
35,859.94
Electric Plant
63,926.49
67,428.37
Street Lines
19,321.48
18,766.92
Conduits and Cables
11,363.76
13,565.07
Transformers
16,245.49
18,653.75
Meters
3,063.74
2,931.43
Street Fixtures
$133,081.90
$171,847.51
Total Plant Account (depreciated)
Other Assets
$
50.00
$ 50.00
Cash (Petty Office)
550.78
2,492.71
Cash (Revenue)
830.14
22,159.68
Cash (Non-Revenue)
288.96
Cash Reserve
Accounts Receivable, Electric
Accounts Receivable, Other
407.59
407.59
Tools
4,962.85
3,338.03
Inventory
139.36
Insurance
200.00
1,917.80
Auto Trucks
722.13
816.86
Office Furniture
Liabilities
Appropriations from
$12,551.59
$12,551.59
Tax Levy for Note Payments
19,400.00
19,400.00
Loans Repayment Account, i. e. Notes paid from earnings
31,358.00
24,558.00
Accounts Payable Dec. 31
10,642.76
15,141.12
Notes Payable Dec. 31
79,050.00
30,500.00
Interest accrued but not due
550.15
88.91
Over Deposit of Collector
32.80
2.74
$153,585.30 $102,242.36
To Balances, Surpluses of Total Assets
68,184.40
52,682.85
$154,925.21
$221,769.70
$221,769.70
$154,925.21
12,896.75
18,344.03
1,083.71
106.53
Tax Levy for Construction
Liabilities
107
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Profit and Loss Statement Comparative Statement of years 1918-1919
1918
1919
1919
1918
Balances as of January 1st
$52,682.85
$48,153.36
Gains in Operating Account Each Year
28,930.99
15,555.54
Gain in Stock Account
281.4
Gain in Inside Wiring
386.28
Premium Receipts
188.96
Accrued Interest Receipts Depreciation charged off on
100.00
$ 424.33
$ 444.31
Real Estate-Buildings (only)
193.44
203.17
Electric Plant
2,176.68
2,402.96
Street Lines
615.79
615.33
Conduits
344.00
372.14
Transformers
539.75
584.31
Meters
-
113.75
132.78
Street Fixtures
$4,407.74 475.00
$4,755.00
Autos, obsolence on
Loss on stock
148.58
Loss on wiring
1,353.00
1,799.24
Interest paid and accrued
5,458.00
6,800.00
Loans Repayment Account
52,682.85
68,184.40
Surplus Balances of each year as of December 31st
$64,376.59
$81,902.80
$81,902.80
$64,176.59
215.58
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Income and Expenses Comparative Statement of Years 1918-1919
Expense. 1918
1919
Income Commercial Lighting Commercial Power Municipal Power Appropriations for Electricity by Town for Street Lighting ' Lighting Municipal Buildings Rental of Poles Rental of Real Estate
Income
1919
1918
$53,745.00 43,709.76
$44,013.63 22,810.63 3,269.89
6,300.00
1,167.20
843.61
329.28
937.50
Expense
$ 94.50 45,198.53
$ 94.50
$ 2.82
$ 2.82
45,198.53
66,661.28
66,661.28
Repairs Electric Plant Current Purchased
For Distribution
1,421.81
1,680.49
Care of Lights, Meters, etc. Maintenance of Tools and .
517.28
222.55
Equipment
Street Lamps, Maintenance and Renewals of
1,054.10
1,299.61
545.72
1,453.88
2,827.36
4,340.56
311.17
793.61
$6,677.44
$9,790.70
Office Expense and Management
$1,999.91
$2,394.18
Salary of Manager
20.93
162.58
1,577.38
2,400.19
$3,598.22
$4,956.95
120.39
120.39
655.44
704.86
$55,689.08
$82,116.61
15,555.54
28,930.99
$111 047 60
$111.047.60
$71,244.62
108
Incandescent Lamps, Commer- cial Renewals
Repair and Renewals of Lines
Repair and Renewals of Meters and Transformers
Repairs and Maintenance of Office Buildings General Office Expense
$49.42
State Commission Assessments Insurance
Surplus Income in Excess of Ex- pense
4,858.36
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT PLANT ACCOUNT
Dec. 31, 1919 Original & Total Cost
Depreciated Value Jan. 1, 1919
Additions from Construction Depreciation Funds Funds
Depreciation Credits
Depreciated Values as of Dec. 31, 1919
% 1,677.00
Land
$ 1,517.32
$ 159.68
$ 1,677.00
15,901.99
Buildings
12,317.81
1,091.53
444.31
12,965.03
37,509.21
Electric Plant
5,325.81
30,737.30
203.17
35,859.94
86,928.58
Strect Lines
63,926.49
5,904.84
2,402.96
67,428.37
20,571.93
Conduit
19,321.48
60.77
615.33
18,766.92
14,978.34
Transformers
11,363.76
819.51
1,753.93
372.14
13,565.07
22,478.16
Meters
16,245.49
3,001.07
592.81
18,653.75
4,426.55
Street Fixtures
3,063.74
.47
132.78
2,931.43
$204,471.76
$133,081.90
$38,774.11
$4,755.00
$4,763.50
$171,847.51
109
110
NEW SCHOOL - Washington Street
Appropriations
For Expense of Committee
March 16, 1916
23,400.00
For Purchase of Land (Borrowing) January 30, 1917
250,000.00
For Construction of Building (Borrowing) September 4, 1918
40,000.00
For Construction of Building (Borrowing)
10,000.00
For Furnishings (Taxation) March 6, 1919
2,500.00
For Grading Grounds (Borrowing)
October 28, 1919 For Construction of Building (Borrowing) Receipts
4,000.00
3.00
$330,303.00
Payments
Expense of Committee
For Land
For Building, viz.
$14,831.15
Architects' Commissions
1,018.48
Architects' Preliminary Plans On contracts:
204,859.30
Plumbing
37,822.15
Heating
8,929.65
Electric Wiring
3,514.00
Electric Fixtures
1,425.00
Engineering
1,990.09
Other Payments
Electric Clock
132.50
Incandescent Lamps
250.00
Book Lift
2,500.00
Wages, clerk of works
1,575.00
Printing
65.52
Test Borings
182.79
Total for Building
289,656.63
289,656.63
Furnishings
6,077.08
Grading
$329,304.62
998.38
Balance of appropriation December 31, 1919
$330,303.00
$169.15 23,400.00
General Construction
9,164.00
Hardware
1,095.00
Surety on Bonds (Contractors)
302.00
All other expense on Building
10,001.76
$400.00
111
WATER DEPARTMENT Statement of Receipts and Payments
Receipts From Sales of Water Other Sales Other Receipts
$37,196.74 1,953.05 61.36
$39,211.15
Expenditures
Administration Expense
$1,982.95
Operation General Expense
3,179.90
Pumping Plants, Expense of
At Pond Station
11,316.79
At Wells Station
9,671.14
Standpipe Repairs
1,065.96
Other Repairs
2,325.19
Meters
1,201.69
Extensions
1,875.18
Material purchased and not used in any of the foregoing Accounts
264.34
Interest Payments
2,480.00
Debt Payments
5,000.00
Sinking Fund Requirements
100.00
Overdraft above Receipts
$40,463.14
1,251.99
$40,463.14
1
112
SEWER DEPARTMENT
$7,641.13
Balance, January 1, 1919
7,210.12
From Sewer Assessments
2,292.71
Committed Interest
71.65
Amounts in lieu of Assessments
26.55
Sales of Material
3,800.00
Appropriations by Borrowing
Balance of Appropriation for Maintenance in year 1919
344.48
21,386.64
1,910.45
Inventory January 1, 1919
Cr.
Construction Expenditures
Saunders Filter Road Beds
Prospect Street
Lenox Avenue $330.62
Dean Street
Total
Payroll
21.80
23.20
14.20
4.00
6.00
69.20
Stable Expense
47.87
14.75
12.00
8.00
42.75
Contract Work
8.00
Castings
16.92
33.38
16.92
16.92
84.14
Sulpher & Jute
35.17
1.56
42.05
17.90
26.30
122.98
Tools & Explo-
39.06
50.55
.20.00
9.00
10.00
128.61
sives
General Over-
2.00
5.00
3.00
1.00
1.00
12.00
head
60.00
159.78
80.00
36.00
40.00
375.78
P.W. Overhead
$1,010.01 $3,079.19 $1,575.69
$443.14 $564.09 $6,672.12
Inventory Balance December 31, 1919
3,696.88
Balance in Construction Appropriation
4,451.03
Amount Appropriated for Maintenance
7,009.06
Unappropriated and Available Balance December 31, 1919
$23,297.09
Rec
pea
bee
191
sho
B
25.12
188.00
Pipe
99.31
15.70
$430.75 $5,648.66
$779.19 $2,839.10 $1,269.00
$23,297.09
Dr.
Receipts for year
Ger
I
To
$1,468.00
113
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
REMARKS OF THE TOWN CLERK AND ACCOUNTANT
To the Selectmen of Norwood,
Mr. Frank G. Allen, Chairman.
Gentlemen: -
I herewith submit the foregoing as the Annual Statement of the Finan- cial Report of Receipts and Payments of the Town of Norwood and the Records of Town Meetings together with Vital Statistics reported for the year ending December 31, 1919.
Treasurer and Collector. The accounts of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer and Collector of Taxes have been examined and agree with the Accountant's books and records as shown. All statements of uncollected accounts have been verified as to detail items. I find that the cash on hand December 31, 1918, of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer and Collector, equals the account as shown in the Accountant's statement, cash balance December 31st, in the sum of $79,008.71. The investments and transactions of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer of the Sinking Fund have been examined and I find the securi- ties on hand and that the amount of the Sinking Fund December 31, 1919, is $4,068.11.
Municipal Light Department. Throughout the year I have examined each month the accounts of sales and collections, and find that Fred S. Barton as Manager has deposited with the Town Treasurer all collections shown in the sales account of the Department.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. I have examined the collections of Harry M. King, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and find that the collec- tions for the year ending December 31, 1919, totaled $130.26, of which amount $130.26 was paid to Harold W. Gay, Treasurer and Collector.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. PENDERGAST, Town Clerk and Accountant.
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GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT FOR 1919.
January 1, 1920.
The Board of Selectmen, Norwood, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Complying with the provisions of our charter, I submit herewith my annual report for 1919.
It is important that a report to the public, to have any value, should be written in such language and terms as will make it understandable to the average citizen, avoiding as much as possible the usual accumulation of figures, charts and engineering terms, but at the same time furnishing sufficient information to show how the taxpayers' money has been spent. With this thought in mind,'I may deviate from the more or less cut and dried form of past years and endeavor to relate the accomplishments of the various departments under my control, together with the needs of the Town as I see them.
1919 YEAR OF UNCERTAINTIES
The year has been one of uncertainties both as regards the labor situa- tion and the cost of supplies and materials of construction. When the armistice was signed, the consensus of opinion was that labor would be plentiful on the return of our soldiers and that high prices would resume a nearly normal level, but such has not proved to be the case. The train- ing received while in the service has resulted in men who formerly worked as laborers seeking positions in the various trades where the work is less arduous and remuneration greater, and the demand for merchandise due to curtailment during our participation in the war has created places for these men in the industries of the country so that there will be a shortage of laborers for some time to come, and as long as the demand for materials continues in excess of the supply, prices will remain high. We have found it extremely difficult to accomplish much more than the ordinary repairs and maintenance, and the outlook is not encouraging for 1920.
Salaries and Wages Increased
Salaries and wages of all Town employees have been steadily advanced since 1915, and present indications are that we will be called on for addi- tional increases in the immediate future. In view of the ever increasing cost of the necessaries of life, this is no more than can reasonably be ex- pected, particularly in the case of those employees receiving small salaries or wages with which they are trying to support their families and lay something aside for the inevitable rainy day. I believe that Town em- ployees are entitled to the same consideration that is accorded employees in similar occupations in private corporations, for their output is just as valuable to the taxpayer as are dividends to the stockholder in any other corporation and the services performed are just as great, general opinion to the contrary notwithstanding.
Labor Saving Machinery
In view of the probable shortage of labor it seems almost imperative
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that machinery must be used to replace laborers wherever possible, if we hope to keep abreast of the demands for public improvements and main- tenance. As an illustration: A piece of equipment for spreading broken stone was purchased at a cost of $380.00. This apparatus attaches to the rear of trucks, and the stone is dumped into a hopper from which it spreads when the truck is in motion. An arrangement regulates the depth of stonc required. With this machine a five-ton load can be spread in five minutes, doing the work of at least ten men. We are now greatly in need of a new steam road roller with scarifier attachment.
Steam Roller Worn Out
The old roller, which has been in use for many years, has probably rendered its last service, for it was just barely passed by the inspector last year. The boiler is worn out and the steam pressure has been cut down to a point where further reduction will render it powerless. A heavier roller will result in saving time in compacting the materials and the scarifier attachment will loosen up old road surfaces much faster and better than is possible with men, picks and plows, and at a much less cost, so you will find in my requests for appropriations an item of $5000.00 for the pur- chase of such a machine. A sand spreader is another labor saving machine that could be used to advantage, but in view of the cost of the roller this can be delayed for a year. An additional road scraper is also needed.
WATER DEPARTMENT
A study of conditions in this department during the past year has con- vinced me that important changes must be made if we are to supply the Town with an adequate supply of pure water. The supply at Ellis is limited during the summer months and the water from Buckmaster Pond, while not detrimental to health, is at times very disagreeable to taste and smell. This condition occurs especially in the winter when the pond is frozen over and the filter cannot be operated and at such times as the filter is being cleaned. The filtered water is much better, but complaints are made that filtering does not entirely remove the unpleasant taste.
Westwood Plant Expensive to Operate
In addition to the quality of the water from Westwood, the pumping machinery is of such antiquated design that the cost of operation is rela- tivcly high, and the economic loss from damage to plumbing, meters, valves, etc., resulting from pulsation is inestimable, to say nothing of the annoyance from "hammer" in the pipes. The remedy for these troubles is to build another filter, replace the present pumping machinery with modern pumps, or seek an entirely new supply with the idea of abandoning the Westwood plant altogether. The first step in the matter was to have a survey of conditions and estimates of the cost of these changes made, so by your authority Mr. Lewis D. Thorpe, consulting engineer, was engaged to make the necessary examination and prepare the estimates. A copy of his report and recommendation is attached. In view of the estimated cost of the changes recommended, I have asked for an appro- priation of $5000.00 for the purpose of investigating new sources of supply, having in mind that the money necessary to make the changes at West- wood might be spent to better advantage by applying it to the cost of a new supply should we be fortunate enough to discover such within a reason- able distance.
Plants Overhauled
The plant at Westwood was thoroughly overhauled during the early part of the year, pumps were gone over, and boiler settings, fire boxes, grates, etc., were put in first-class condition. The result is reflected in the saving made in the amount of coal used (about 14 per cent less than in 1918).
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The filter was regravelled at a cost of about $700.00. The long distance it is necessary to go for suitable gravel makes this an expensive operation, and if we are to continue using this plant, the installation of a sand washer would probably reduce this maintenance cost materially.
The standpipe was thoroughly scraped and painted two coats, and should require little, if any, attention for the next four or five years.
The pump at the Ellis Station has required considerable attention dur- ing the year, and at the present time is entirely out of commission, owing to the breaking of one of the piston rods. Upon investigation it was found that the rods had corroded to the extent that the pistons were loose, and were worn so badly as to require new pistons, rods, and crossheads. These parts had to be made especially for this pump, which is not of standard size, and necessitated a longer delay than would otherwise have been necessary. With the pump again in working order, we anticipate no further difficulty in furnishing satisfactory service.
Services 85 Per Cent Metered
The only extension of mains made during 1919 was 200 feet on Lenox Street to supply the Plimpton Press Company's addition. Thirty new service connections were made and fifty-one meters set. The Town is now 85 per cent metered, and it is hoped that we can continue to increase this percentage next year, so that we will be 100 per cent metered within the next two years.
Water Loss
A Pitometer survey was made to determine the efficiency of the pumps and the per capita consumption. I attach a copy of the report rendered, which is self-explanatory. This report indicates clearly that we should go over our large meters and mains to locate, if possible, any leaks or un- authorized use of water, as the report suggests too large a percentage of water being wasted or otherwise unaccounted for.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
It has been apparent for some time that we should soon have to in- crease the size of the siphon under the Neponset River, and the time has now come when the work will have to be done. The increasing amount of sewage being emptied into the system is overtaxing tlie siphon, and re- sults in overflowing manholes into the streets and sewage backing into cellars. We have had an investigation of conditions made and an esti- mate prepared of the cost to relieve this condition. It is proposed to lay a supplementary line of pipe adjoining the filter-beds with the expectation that it will relieve the condition temporarily, and that we can delay the more expensive portion of the work until it is absolutely necessary. Mr. Thorpe's report and recommendations are attached.
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