USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1915-1922 > Part 78
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16,026.45
30.25
1,050.00
1,050.00|
Soldiers' Benefits
986.67
63.33
100.00
100.00
Town Physician, Salary
100 00
152,200.00
11,330.00
2,315.04
165,845.04
Support of Schools
164,141.11
1,703.93
1,800.00
470.00
2,270.00
Evening Schools
2,020.70
249.30
200.00
200.00
Industrial Education
31.11
168.89
6,475.00
722.75
433.24
7,630.99
Morrill Memorial Library
7,523.25
107.74
250.00
31.32
281.32
Memorial Day Observance
281.32
500.00
500.00
Soldiers and Sailors Celebration
886.60
413.40
600.00
200.00 119,870.00
10,254.38
132,617.09
and
132,196.06
421.03
37,900.00
9,563.23
67,463.23
Water Department
47,009.93
453.30
6,000.CO
5,000.00
640.24
5,640.24
5,606.57
33.67
2,100.00
110.04
2,210.04
2,210.04
2,325.59
Insurance
2,173.75
151.84
Real Estate
473.73
347.21
4,000.00
4,000.00
Eastern Mass. Street Railway, Cost of Serviee
4,000.00
Land Damage Accounts
405.00
32,284.80
8,483.07
40,767.87
41,570.37
66,271.40
26,578.60
92,850.00
Maturing Debt
92,850.00
$2,897.71
$370,527.54
$266,799.99
$33,697.69
$673,922.93
$662,559.90
$12,446.881
$1,083.85
108
Band Concerts
500.00
1,300.00
800.00
Town Reports, Printing of
800.00
$ 2,492.71
Electric Light, Maintenance Operation
6,000.00
Street Lighting
6,000.00
Cemetery Maintenance
Cemetery Improvement
2,325.59
820.94
820.94
450.00
Interest
802.50
1,250.00
Gravel Pit Land Purchase
1.250.00
$ 1,600.00
1,300.00
NON-REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Balance
Borrowing
Credits
Totals
Account
Expenditures
Balance
Deficit
$ 750.00
$ 750.00
Sewer Extension Vernon Street
$ $678.56
$ 71.44
$ 3,696.88
11,000.00
10.55
14,707.43
Sewers, Construction of
14,683.84
23.59
5,600.00
5,600.00
Sewers-Extension Hill and Adams Streets
1,557.87
4.042.13
5,500.00
325.00
5,825.00
Main Drain Construction
2,833.48
2,991.52
1,217.29
1,100.00
1,166.34
Granolithie Sidewalks General
1,166.34
759.99
2,800.00
977.95
4,537.94
Granolithie Sidewalks Prepayment
2,156.37
2,381.57
11,500.00
3,804.64
15,304.64
East Cross Street Resurfacing
15,293.29
11.35
3,856.13
3,856.13
New Street, Washington and Winter Streets
3,856.13
997.34
997.34
New School Building
350.45
646.89
1,500.00
1,500.00
Grading New School Grounds
1,500.00
22,000.00
15,000.00
8,470.00
54,470.00
Electric Light Department
45,470.00
159.68
159.68
Electrie Light Department
159.68
Purchase of Additional Land
7,700.00
7,700.00
7,700.00
Water Extensions
4,913.00
87.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
Additional Water Supply
$34,253.75
$65,950.00
$13,588.14
$113,791.89
$102,198.52
$11,593.37
1,217.39
Main Drain-Heaton Avenue
1,205.53
11.86
66.34
109
Extension and Enlarging of Plant
110
NORWOOD TOWN REPORT CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Funds on deposit as shown in Report for Year 1919
$13,551.60
Received and deposited in 1920:
Highland Cemetery
For Lots
From
$100.00
288 Nutting, F. and Eugenia
100.00
559
Tobin, John J.
100.00
694
Coughlin, John J.
100.00
284a Schacht, John and Maddox, Austin L.
100.00
583 Lydon, Patrick J.
100.00
452 Gillett, Frederick Corbett, Cora
100.00
348
Little, George E.
100.00
342
Chamberlain, Est. of S. E.
100.00
281
Sandiford, Sarah E.
100.00
414
Wright, D. D.
100.00
1024
Sullivan, David F.
75.00
237
Holmes, -, and Ranson, Nellie
100.00
630
Crowley, Thomas M.
100.00
1,575.00
SINKING FUND
Balance January 1, 1920
80.36
Interest received on investments
$4,148.47
Transferred to Town to meet payment of Water Bonds
$4,000.00
Balance December 31, 1920
148.47
$4,148.47
520
100.00
391 Roby, Est. of J. W.
100.00
64 Bateman, E. Maria
$15,076.60
$4,068.11
-
111
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT PUBLIC PROPERTY ACCOUNT
School Property - Land and Buildings
$30,025.00
Beacon
42,650.00
Guild
39,000.00
Everett
46,900.00
Shattuck
50,200.00
Winslow
70,600.00
New Balch
319,680.00
New High
10,400.00
East
8,600.00
West
36,100.00
Furnishings
$654,155.00 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
Fire Alarm System
$42,840.00
Water Works
298,159.00
Sewerage System
7,300.00
Crusher Plant
5,600.00
Storeyard and Siding
48,500.00
Cemeteries
1,000.00
Gravel Pit Lot, Pleasant St.
9,500.00
Real Estate, 556 Washington St.
263,600.00
Electric Light Plant
11,900.00
Park Lands
24,500.00
Town Office and Park Lot Land
7,300.00
Town Office Building
53,900.00
Other Personal Property
1,150,859.00
Total
Outstanding Debt
148.47
Less Amount of Sinking Fund
$759,901.53
Surplus-Public Property
1,177,952.47
over Fixed Debt
$1,937,854.00
$1,937,854.00
$760,050.00
$419,600.00
$
1,677.00
3,477.00
12,965.03
15,887.94
35,859.94
56,136.93
67,428.37
75,372.85
18,766.92
18,138.92
Conduit and Cables
13,565.07
27,390.74
18,653.75
21,322.17
Meters
Street Fixtures
$ 171,847.51
$ 220,790.84
$
50.00
50.00
2,492.71
436.03
22,159.68
159.68
288.96
Cash (Reserve)
Accounts Receivable, Eleetrie
Accounts Receivable, Other
Tools
Inventory
Insurance
Auto Trucks
Office Furniture
Liabilities
Appropriations from
Tax Levy for Construction . $ 12,551.59
12,551.59
Tax Levy for Note Payments
19,400.00
19,400.00
Loans Repayment Account, Notes paid from earnings
44,408.00
31,358.00
Accounts payable December 31
24,570.22
10,642.76
Notes Payable .
81,000.00
79,050.00
Interest Accrued
694.00
550.15
Over Deposit of Collector .
32.80
To Balances, Surpluses of Total Assets .
72,824.22
68,184.40
$ 221,769.70
$ 255,448.03
$ 255,448.03
$ 221,769.70
112
106.53
106.53
407.59
407.59
3,338.03
5,186.83
48.50
1,917.80
1,917.80
816.86
1,963.86
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Balance Sheet Comparative Statement of Years 1919-1920 Fixed Assets
Assets
1919
1920
.
1920
1919
Land
Buildings
Electric Plant
Street Lines
Transformers
2,931.43
3,064.29
Current Assets
Cash (Petty Office)
Cash (Revenue)
Cash (Non-revenue)
18,344.03
24,380.37
Liabilities
$ 182,623.81
$ 153,585.30
1919
1920
444.31
485.00
203.17
1,147.00
2,402.96
2,558.00
515.33
627.00
372.14
455.00
584.31
684.00
132.78
134.00
Street Fixtures
4,755.00
CA 6,090.00
215.58
73.20
Loss on Stock
Loss in Wiring
Interest Paid and Accrued
6,800.00
13,050.00
68,184.40
72,824.22
$ 81,902.80
$ 95,743.07
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Profit and Loss Statement Comparative with Preceding Year
1920
1919
Balances as of January 1
$ 68,184.40
Gains in Operating Account
26,251.08
Gains in Inside Wiring.
1,020.59
Real Estate Rentals .
272.00
Premium Receipts .
15.00
188.96
Accrued Interest Receipt
100.00
Depreciation charged off on :
Real Estate (Buildings)
Electrie Plant
Street Lines
Conduits
Transformers
148.58
1,799.24
3,705.65
Loans Repayment Account
Surplus Balance of Each Year as of December 31st
$ 95,743.07
$ 81,902.80
Meters
$ 52,682.85 28,930.99
113
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Income and Expenses Comparative Statement of Years 1919-1920
Expense
1919
1920
Income
1920
1919
Commercial Lighting .
$
63,354.06
53,745.00
Commercial Power.
63,571.28
43,709.76
Municipal Power .
4,253.64
4,858.36
Power Sold Street Railway .
2,785.77
Street Lighting.
6,000.00
6,300.00
Lighting Municipal Buildings
1,743.75
1,167.20
Rental of Poles. .
322.45
329.28
Rental of Real Estate.
$
2.82
2.82
$ 679.98
66,661.28
66,661.28
95,693.60
679.98 95,693.60
Repairs Electric Plant Current Purchased
For Distribution
2,597.12
4,717.38
222.55
2,225.62
1,299.61
1,232.07
1,453.88
250.62
4,340.56
4,125.02
Repair and Renewals of Lines
Repair and Renewals of Meters and Transformers
$
10,707.33
$ 12,655.62
Office Expense and Management
2,394.18
$ 2,785.46
162.58
510.11
4,040.32
1,483.56
5,49S.17
2,192.60
49.42
57.52
655.44
1,204.98
704.86
82,116.61
$ 115,779.87
28,930.99
26,251.08
$142,030.95
$ 142,030.95
$ 111.047.10
114
Surplus Income in Excess of Ex- pense
$ 111.047.60
.
Salary of Manager Repairs and Maintenance of Build- ings General Office Expense
State Commisson Assessments Insurance
1,262.50
Care of Lights, Meters, etc. Maintenance of Tools and Equip- ment
Street Lamps, Maintenance and Re- newals of
Incandescent Lamps, Commercial Renewals
793.61
104.91
Income
937.50
Expense
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT PLANT ACCOUNT
Additions from
Dec. 31, 1920 Original and Total Cost
Depreciated Value Jan. 1, 1920
Construction Funds
Depreciation Credits
Depreciated Values as of Dee. 31, 1920 $ 3,477.00
f
3,477.00
Land.
$ 1,677.00
$ 1,800.00
$
19,309.90
Buildings .
12,965.03
3,407.91
485.00
15,887.94
58,933.20
Electric Plant
35,859.94
21,423.99
1,147.00
56,136.93
97,431.06
Street Lines .
67,428.37
10,502.48
2,558.00
75,372.85
20,571.93
Conduit .
18,766.92
627.00
18,138.92
29,259.01
Transformers .
13,565.07
14,280.67
455.00
27,390.74
25,830.58
Meters.
18,653.75
3,352.42
684.00
21,322.17
4,693.41
Strect Fixtures
2,931.43
266.86
134.00
3,064.29
$ 259,506.09
$ 171,847.51
$ 55,034.33
$ 6,090.00
$ 220,790.84
115
.
ELECTRIC PLANT DATA
1919
1920
Overhead System
Transmission lines in Miles.
79.2
85.9
Distribution Lines in Miles.
86.5
93.6
Street Lighting Lines in Miles
75.6
76
Number of Poles
In Public Ways (wood) .
1511
15447
Elsewhere
(wood)
49
51
Jointly owned (wood and stcel)
387
387
Conduit, feet of
15987
15987
Cables in Conduits, feet of
21714
21714
Motors
Number Connected
246
255
Rated Capacity of in Horsepower
2452
3540
Consumers
Using Electricity for Lights .
2171
2420
Using Electricity for Power Only.
2
1
Using for Both Light and Power
45
47
Strect Lamps
Number in Use.
709
714
Total Hours of Street Lighting
4003
4006
Electric Current Purchased KWH.
3805645
4776000
K W H Supplied for Street Lighting
210070
212030
K W H Supplied for Municipal Power
253639
242006
K W H Sold Consumers for
Metered Lighting Service
890907
980270
Metered Power Service .
1736262
2383136
Mctered Power for Street Railways
714767
861428
Maximum Station Load .
1515
1840
Norwood, December 31, 1920.
I hereby certify that I have examined the accounts of sales of F. S. Barton, as Collector of the Municipal Light Plant, and the records of his collections, it appears from said records that he has collected and deposited with the Town Treasurer the sum of $146,415.55, and that the foregoing is a true statement of the condition of said department as shown by the books thereof.
JAMES E. PENDERGAST, Town Clerk and Accountant.
116
87140
K W H Unaccounted for .
117
WATER DEPARTMENT
Income from Water Rates
$40,758.82 6,484.41
Receipts from Sale of Material and Services
Appropriation for Investigation of New Supply
5,000,00
Appropriation of Dec. 1920, for Maintenance Appropriation of Dec. 1920, for Construction
6,500.00
Appropriation of Dec. 1920, for Construction
1,200.00
$67,343.23
Expended
$3,855.17
General Operation
12,297.04
Wells, Pumping Plant
18,093.29
Pond Pumping Plant
3,695.31
General Repairs
1,244.66
Meters
$39,185.47
Material
$2,399.41
Street Mains
6,173.88
Venturi Meter
885.03
Service Extensions
5,042.91
Investigation of New Supply
4,913.00
Interest Note Payments
5,000.00
66,802.93
Total Estimated Gallons of Water Pumped January 1, 1920 to Dec. 31, 1920, 455,042 .- 948, equals 12 1-2c per M. Gallons, as Cost per Thousand Gallons figured on Total Operation and Repairs
$39,185.47
Interest on Investment
16,784.00
$55,969.47
1,023.23
Service Sales
$59,622.93
2,180.00
$ 540.30
7,400.00
118
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Balance January 1, 1920
$7,009.06
Receipts:
From Assessments
4,365.41
From Interest
1,306.96
From Appropriation Balances returned
924.01
$13,605.44
Appropriated for:
Sewer Maintenance
$4,820.00
Interest on Bonds
2,189.06
Bond and Note Payments
4,400.00
$11,409.06
Balance December 31, 1920
2,196.38
$13,605.44
Statement of Construction Accounts for Year
Sewer Extensions:
80.67
Filter Beds
224.09
Lincoln Street
1,710.76
North Avenue
2,621.35
Summitt Avenue
2,018.61
Winslow Avenue
1,156.17
Outlet at Filter Plant
5,622.99
Material
1,249.20
$14,683.84
Dean Street
119
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
REMARKS OF THE TOWN CLERK AND ACCOUNTANT
To the Selectmen of Norwood,
Hon. Frank G. Allen, Chairman.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the foregoing as the Annual Statement of the Financial Report of Receipts and Payments of the Town of Norwood and the records of Town Meetings together with the records of Vital Statistics reported for the year cnding December 31, 1920.
Financial Report - 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; in addition, verification of all outstanding taxes and assessments was made as of April 24, 1920, by mailing notices to all persons against whom unpaid charges for either taxes or special assessments appeared on the books of the Col- lector as of that date.
I find that the cash on hand December 31, 1920, of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer and Collector, cquals an amount as shown in the Accountant's statement, that his cash balance on December 31, 1920, was $44,393.94. The investments and transactions of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer of the Sinking Fund have been examined and I find the security on hand in that account to be $148.47. The purpose for which the Sinking Fund was created has been accomplished, namely, to meet the payment of certain Bonds issued under the original Water Loan Act. The remaining balance on hand should now be applied toward the payment of Serial Bonds issued for ad- ditional water purposes.
Municipal Light Department. Throughout the year each month the accounts of Frederick S. Barton as to sales and collections have been ex- amincd and I find that he has deposited with the Town Treasurer all col- lcctions shown in the sales account of this department.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. The collection of Harry M. King, as Sealer of Weights and Measures, have been examined and he has deposited with the Treasurer all fees which appcar to have been collected by his de- partment.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES E. PENDERGAST, Town Clerk and Accountant.
120
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT FOR 1920
January 1, 1921.
The Board of Selectmen,
Honorable Frank G. Allen, Chairman,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report for the year 1920.
Conditions relating to high prices and labor supply developed as predicted in my last report. Prices went even higher than in the preced- ing year, and during the construction season labor was extremely scarce and demanded high rates of wage so that the estimates made early in the year were, in most instances, cxceeded.
Salaries and wages were advanced to new high levels for municipal em- ployees, but are still below the general average paid in similar positions in business enterprises. The following table shows comparison of salaries and wages paid in 1915 and 1920.
Salaries and Wages Paid Town Employees and Percentages of Increases Granted Since 1915
Classification
Jan. 1,1915
Jan. 1, 1921
Percentage Increase Since 1915
General Manager
$3,000.00
$4,000.00
33 1-3
Clerk and Accountant
1,800.00
3,000.00
66 2-3
Supt. Public Works
1,800.00
2,500.00
39
Supt. Light Dept.
1,800.00
3,000.00
66 2-3
Town Engineer
1,200.00
1,800.00
50
Chief Police
1,400.00
2,100.00
50
Patrolmen
1,000.00
1,700.00
70
Supt. Cemetery
1,000.00
1,800.00
80
Firemen-Drivers
840.00
1,500.00
78
Engineers
3.50 day
6.40 day
83
Foremen
3.00
6.00
100
Laborers
. 25 hour
. 60 hour
140
Teams
.65
1.15
77
Clerks
720.00 Average 1,140.00 Average
58
A resume of the year's achievements follows.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Early in the year Mr. Joseph E. Conley who has served the Town faithfully for the past twelve years tendered his resignation as Superin- tendent of Public Works. In his going the Town lost a valuable official who was at all times ready and willing to render such service as was de- manded of him, whether in the daytime or at night.
After careful consideration of the numerous applications for the position vacated by Mr. Conley, Mr. Edwin T. McDowell, Superintendent of the Middletown, Connecticut, Water Department, was selected as best quali- fied to succeed Mr. Conley, and he assumed office carly in May.
Water Division
The most essential necessity of a municipality is an adequate supply of pure water, without which no community can hope to exist. It has been
121
apparent for some time that we would soon have to increase our present supply if we were to keep apace with the growth in our population. With this fact in mind, we asked for and were authorized by the annual Town meeting to expend $5,000.00 for the purpose of locating, if possible, a fur- ther source of supply which might be utilized. The investigation was earried on during the summer and fall months and was concluded in De- cember.
The only hope of seeuring water that would meet with the approval of the State Department of Health lay in the diseovering of a subterraneous supply far enough away from any souree of pollution and at sufficient depth to insure a supply of wholesome water.
A complete report of the investigation is herewith incorporated.
In view of the urgent necessity of securing additional water without delay and the result of the test made, I recommend to your honorable board that an appropriation be made in 1921 which will enable us to purchase the property required and to drive about thirty more wells and connect them with our present system, and at the same time it seems imperative that we should install a duplicate pumping unit at the Ellis Station. At the present time we are without protection (except for the limited supply at Westwood) in case of breakdown, and I believe that the safety of the community demands this installation.
Old Wells Clogged
The present well system consists of ninety-eight driven wells, each fitted with a strainer point consisting of a 2 1-2 in. pipe in which 1-2 in. holes are drilled and then wound around with fine gauze. For the past two years mueh difficulty has been experienced in keeping the strainers open. For the purpose of examination, several of them were pulled up and it was found that the space between the wire gauze and the pipe was completely clogged with a sediment composed of the finest sand and iron rust which prevented water from entering the well, with the result that an additional burden was placed upon the pump and eventually loosened it from the foundation, necessitating extensive- repairs, and I recommend that at least half of the wells be pulled up next season and the strainers replaced with slot type strainers which have been found to be better suited for the existing condi- tion. The estimated cost is about $80.00 per well, which expenditure I feel would result in an increase in the amount of water we are now able to get and a great saving in the wear and tear on the pumps as well as to materially reduee the cost of cleaning the wells.
Westwood Station
It is very improbable that we will be in a position to entirely abandon the Westwood plant until such time as we can be supplied from the Metro- politan system (latest information, about ten years), and there are times during the year when this supply could be used to great advantage to con- serve the Ellis supply for the dry periods, but the cost of operation is so great that we are reluctant to do so as long as we can get any water from the wells. From estimates furnished by competent engineers, a very materi- al saving can be made by the installation of centrifugal pumps, automati- cally operated by electricity. The only labor involved would be the oe- easional oiling of the pumps and motors, thus saving the expense of an engineer and fireman besides overeoming the damage and annoyance from the pulsation now experienecd. The cost of the change would be about $10,000.00. This may well wait until the yield obtained from the proposed new wells is definitely known.
Water Waste Survey
I again eall to your attention the necessity of a survey to loeate under- ground leaks in our distribution system. From a further investigation of the subject I am thoroughly convineed that we are losing at least half
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a million gallons a day. As an illustration: we recently took measurements of the amount of water in the standpipe at midnight and again at six o'clock in the morning. Meanwhile the pump at the Ellis Station was kept running and the meter readings noted. The result indicated that 225,000 gallons were delivered into the mains during thesc hours when usage is at a min- nimum. Assuming that one-half of the amount pumped was actually required for use, the other half of course was lost through leaks. A com- plete survey of the town can be made for about $2,000.00, and would pay for itself in a very short time in pumping saved through the discovery and repair of thesc leaks, and I hope you will approve my recommendation to the end that a survey may be made during the coming summer.
Mains Extended
Mains were extended as follows:
Vernon Street Extension - 386 ft. East Cross Street - 802 ft. Granite Street - 186 ft.
Howard Street - 48 ft. Lenox Street - 389 ft. Gardner Road - 408 ft.
Forty-two new house connections were made and one hundred and ten meters set. We have asked for money to continue the policy of setting meters on the flat rate services, of which there are about 250, a decrease of 50 for the year.
Boston, January 12, 1921.
To Mr. W. P. Hammersley, General Manager,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
The Department of Public Health received from you on January 10, 1921, an application requesting its approval of the location of certain wells to be used as a source of water supply of the town of Norwood, under the pro- visions of Chapter 559 of the Acts of the 1911, accompanied by a plan show- ing the location of the proposed wells and by information concerning a pumping test made by pumping from several wells in this location in the latter part of December, 1920.
The wells in question are located in the extreme northerly part of the town of Norwood on the northeasterly side of Purgatory Brook about 900 feet northeast of the Ellis pumping station, so called, at which water is pumped from the wells on the southwesterly side of the Purgatory Brook valley for the water supply of the town of Norwood. In the preliminary investigations, tests of the ground were made by means of wells at many points northeast of Purgatory Brook, the most favorable conditions for obtaining water freely from the ground being found at the location selected, where the test wells penetrated a stratum of porous sand and gravel which yielded water freely when pumping with a hand pump.
Following the preliminary tests, eight wells were connected with a steam pump and a test made by pumping continuously from these wells for a period of eight days between December 16 and December 24, 1920, at a rate of 372,000 gallons per day. During the test observations were made on the height of ground water in a number of wells in the neighborhood at various distances from the pump, and samples of the water were collected for analysis daily during the test. During this period also the entire water supply of the town was drawn from the wells connected with the Ellis pumping station south of Purgatory Brook.
The results of the test indicate that a quantity of water which will be a material addition to the available water supply of the town can be ob- tained from wells in the region in which the recent test was made. The re-
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sults of the analyses of samples of water collected during the test show that it is clear, colorless and odorless and in all respects of good quality for do- mestic use. In view of the results of this test, the Department approves the location of the wells and the use of water from these sources as an additional water supply for the town of Norwood.
The population of the town of Norwood has grown very rapidly in recent years and an examination of the records of consumption of water indicates that the quantity used per person is increasing at a more rapid rate than the population. Nearly 80 per cent of the services are metered, and the increase in consumption is probably due very largely to the use of water for manu- facturing. Nevertheless, it is of the greatest importance to measure ac- curately all of the water supplied to the town as is now done with a part of the supply by means of a Venturi meter. It is also advisable that all ser- vices be metered, and with the knowledge furnished by the meter records it will be practicable to determine the actual loss of water by leakage and in other ways and prevent serious loss from leakage or waste.
The total quantity of water used by the town in 1920 was 1,155,000 gallons per day. The quantity used in the last very dry year, 1911, was 562,0,00 gallons per day, so that the use of water has more than doubled since the occurrence of the last very dry year. The consumption of water in the past year is, in the opinion of the Department, in excess of the ca- pacity of your sources of supply in a dry year and, even with.the addition of the new sources now proposed, it is doubtful whether enough water can be obtained from all available sources for all the requirements of the town in the next dry period. It is therefore important to reduce the consumption of water as much as practicable by preventing leakage and waste at the earliest possible time.
Respectfully, EUGENE R. KELLEY, Commissioner of Public Health.
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