USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1891-1900 > Part 17
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RECEIPTS.
January 1, 1893, balance on hand $376 66
Received rent from Randolph National Bank 200 00
rent from Randolph Savings Bank 100 00
rent from C. H. Belcher 250 00
rent from Ladies' Library Association 15 00
from church and others for gas and fuel 296 97
from Turner Fund 570 00
65
Received interest on town note to July 1 $200 00
from fines and catalogues . 50 35
From B. & M. River bonds, which fell due and were paid October 1
2,000 00
from Abby W. Turner to pay premium and accrued interest on two Chicago, Burlington & Northern R.R. 5 per
cent bonds to replace above 75 28
amount transferred to National Hide & Leather Bank, Boston 330 84
$4,465 10
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid for books, magazines, etc. $647 15
Librarian, salary for one year 500 00
Janitor, salary for one year
125 00
for fuel and gasoline
441 65
for permanent repairs
75 49
supplies, including water
36 00
express on books and packages
22 38
for Chicago, Burlington & Northern R.R. bonds
2,075 28
amount deposited in National Hide & Leather Bank
330 84
Balance on hand December 30, 1893
211 31
$4,465 10
The Turner Fund remains invested the same as last year except that the two Burlington & Missouri River R.R. 7 per cent bonds, which fell due and were paid Oct. 1, have been replaced by two Chicago, Burlington & Northern R. R. 5 per cent (first mortgage) bonds, leaving it as below :
66
Union Pacific R.R. bonds, 2 at $1,000 $2,000 00 Chicago, Burlington & Northern bonds, 2 at $1,000 . 2,000 00 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy bonds, 3 at $1,000 3,000 00
Kansas Pacific bonds, 3 at $1,000 3,000 00
$10,000 00
The remaining funds consist of the $5,000 note of the town of Randolph, which bears interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. CRAWFORD,
Randolph, Mass., January 1, 1894. Treasurer.
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Board of Selectmen of Randolph :
The Board of Engineers of the Fire Department submit the following report for the year 1893 : -
ORGANIZATION.
On May 1, 1893, the department was organized as fol- lows : -
Board of Engineers.
C. A. Wales ( Chief), John Haney, D. J. Brennan, Cor- nelius Desmond (Assistants), W. A. Croak (Clerk and Assistant).
Companies.
Steamer No. 1, A. J. Gove, Driver; J. H. Wales, En- gineer; F. J. Donahue, Fireman.
Steamer No. 2, James Riley, Driver; E. L. Payne, En- gineer; Walter M. Howard, Fireman.
Chemical Engine, James E. Blanche, Driver.
Hook and Ladder Truck, Frank Harris, Driver.
Hose Wagon No. 1, Charles Nichols, Driver.
Hose Reel No. 2, Joseph Riley, Driver. Hose Co. No. 1, 17 men ; James Farrell, Foreman.
Hose No. 2, 10 men ; C. F. Bean, Foreman.
Chemical No. 1, 13 men ; James A. Sullivan, Foreman.
Hook and Ladder Co. No 1, 17 men ; Franklin Taylor, Foreman.
FIRES.
April 17, 1893, 8 A.M., alarm for a fire in dwelling on
68
High street (Tower Hill), owned and occupied by L. C. Schmidt (formerly Tower Place). The building, a two- story one with stable attached, was wholly consumed. Total loss estimated at about $6,000; no insurance on contents, building partially insured ; cause of fire, defective chimney.
April 19, 4 A.M., alarm for a fire in the dwelling on West street owned and occupied by William Barrows; partially destroyed. Total loss estimated at about $1,300 ; cause of fire, overturned lamp; insured, both building and contents.
May 12, 11 A.M., on a still alarm, the engineers were notified of an extensive fire in woodland owned by R. A. Thayer, J. Monroe Dyer and others, located north side of North and Oak streets. After several hours' hard work by a large force of men, the fire was got under control, only to start again by the wind fanning into flame smouldering em- bers, which were finally extinguished toward midnight. While the above fire was in progress another one was re- ported in woodland owned by various parties on the west side of North Main street, between the residence of Ansel Mann and Joshua Hunt. This fire started about 4 P.M., and burned until 11 P.M. ; several hundred acres were burned over, causing much damage to owners.
May 27, 12.15 A.M., alarm for a fire in an unoccupied shed or shop on West street owned by M. A. Donovan, which was wholly destroyed. The fire spread to the dwell- ing of Mrs. Fennesey, which was damaged about $500. Total loss estimated at about $700; cause of fire supposed to be incendiary ; building insured.
August 6, 6 P.M., alarm for a fire in the barn on Chestnut street owned and occupied by George H. Eddy. Partially destroyed ; total loss on building and contents estimated at about $400 ; cause of fire, lightning ; building insured.
October 9, 2.30 P.M., alarm for a fire in the dwelling on North street owned and occupied by Edw'd Powers. Fire was
69
confined to the L ; total loss to building and contents estimat- ed at about $200. Insured, building and contents ; cause of fire unknown, but supposed to be rats and matches.
November 27, 10 P.M., members of Chemical Company were called on a still alarm to a fire in an unoccupied build- ing on Lafayette street, near Vine street. The fire was ex- tinguished with slight damage, but at a later hour the incen- diary got in his work and the building was wholly consumed. The building was a small one, and formerly occupied as a dwelling ; the owner is supposed to be M. Upham, of Stough- ton. Loss about $150 ; reported to have been insured for a small amount.
EXPENSES.
Paid 54 men $12 each, to May, 1893 $648 00
for 432 hours at 50 cents, to May, 1893 216 00
for 77 hours at 25 cents, to May, 1893 19 25
for fires in woodland, 356 hours at 25 cents, to January, 1894 89 00
engineer of steamer
40 00
fireman of steamer
30 00
F. J. Donahue, steward, etc., Oct., 1892, to May, 1893 .
63 75
M. M. Poole, supplies
1 50
J. E. Blanche, hauling chemical, July, 1891, to January, 1893 .
78 00
C. Prescott, supplies
1 92
James Fardy, labor and material
23 13
James Riley, hauling hose and steamer 2, October, 1892, to January, 1893 . ·
12 00
W. A. Croak, labor and material 11 45
. W. F. Sullivan, steward etc., December 10, 1892, to December 10, 1893 65 25
D. B. White, coal .
42 75
Colin Boyd, janitor to May, 1893 · 6 00 .
W. M. Howard, steward, etc., to May, 1893, 96 25
70
Paid James Farrell, janitor hose 1, to May, 1893 $6 00
A. S. Jackson, supplies 8 25
William O'Halloran, steward hook and ladder 9 25
Hartford Inspection and Insurance Co. 25 00
E. L. Payne, care of steamer 2, May, 1891, to November, 1893 16 50
C. A. Wales, labor, supplies, and cash paid, March, 1889, to January, 1893 60 15
A. J. Gove, drawing apparatus of central station 1 year, to May, 1893 .
300 00
A. J. Gove, expressing, extra teams, etc. . 19 20
Henry Campbell, varnishing hose reel 2 18 00
S. A. Thayer, coal . .
14 00
W. G. Tirrell, labor and material 6 00 ·
E. A. Perry, labor
3 75
C. E. Lyons, labor and material
4 00
B. L. Clark, wood .
1 25
R. M. Mclellan, labor and material 5 70
Boston Woven Hose Co., supplies 15 00
E. M. Mann, wood . 4 00
C. Calahan & Co., 800 feet of hose
480 00
J. White Belcher, insurance 60 00
Mary Sullivan heirs, rent of land
10 00
Total expense . $2,510 30
Total appropriation
2,290 00
Balance . $220 30
The same fact appears at this time as in former reports, namely, that although the above figures show an excess of expense over the appropriations, yet the item of actual service at fires, for which no definite sum can be appropri- ated, as it cannot be foretold what the amount would be, for the year ending May 1, 1893, was $235.25. Take this from the total expense, and it leaves a balance of $14.95 in favor of the department.
There is another matter which we would call attention to
71
at this time, one that the appropriation committee appointed at the annual meeting should take into consideration when fixing the amount of money to be appropriated by the town, and that is the insurance on apparatus and buildings of the department. In former years, this item was charged to the miscellaneous expense account; but in recent years the Board of Engineers have been asked to accept this item on the claim that it was a fire department expense. If this is admitted, would it not be proper for the committee on ap- propriations to note this fact, and make their recommen- dation to the town to cover this item, so that the department may report its disbursements understandingly to your honor- able board and to the town? The Board of Engineers would be pleased if all parties having bills against the fire depart- ment would present them before December 31 each year, or at any time previous to that date, as accounts are closed at that time, except in the case of drivers, engineers and fire- man of steamer, and firemen, whose year ends May 1.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus is in good condition, and consists of two steamers, one hose wagon, one four wheel hose reel, one two-wheel hose reel, one chemical engine, one ladder truck, three portable chemical extinguishers, 3,500 feet of hose, extra ladders in houses of Steamer 2 and Chemical 1, fire escape shute, jumping canvass, &c.
The steamers have been inspected and insured against accident for one year. The disposal of one of the steamers is a matter still unaccomplished. As has been stated before, it seems to be a difficult matter to sell, from the fact that towns or cities that are about to purchase prefer to buy new instead of second hand machines ; another reason is that so many towns are securing water services for themselves that there is no demand for steamers ; therefore if any ex- change could be made whereby the town could get a new
72
ladder truck that would be more in keeping with the rest of the apparatus, all of which is first-class, we believe it would be good policy to do so.
HOUSES.
The houses will need a coat of paint very soon, at least one will, and that is the house of Steamer 2; otherwise we know of no special outlay for the present. We hope the day is not far distant when there will be better conveniences and more room at the central station ; but we will not enlarge upon the subject at present, for we have explained the con- dition of affairs so many times in past reports that it is per- haps unnecessary to say more at present.
FIRE ALARM.
We have nothing special to add on this subject in addi- tion to what has been said in past reports. When the elec- tric light poles have been set up all through our streets, it would seem to be then a matter not very difficult to have some system of fire alarm.
FIRE LOSSES.
The actual fire loss the past year has been about $9,000. This includes woodland damage, which was probably $500; also buildings and contents, on which there was paid an insurance of $5,350.
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR 1894.
We would reccomend the same pay as last year for this department, namely, $12 per year per man, and 50 cents per hour for actual service at fires, and 25 cents per hour for guard or watch duty, and steward work, &c. Engineer of steamer, $40 ; fireman, $30 ; general expenses, $1,200.
C. A. WALES, Chief. J. HANEY, D. J. BRENNAN, Assistants. CORNELIUS DESMOND,
W. A. CROAK, Assistant and Clerk.
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
WATER COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1893.
RANDOLPH PUMPING STATION.
75
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
As Water Commissioners of the town of Randolph, we respectfully submit the eighth annual report, also reports of treasurer and engineer, in which we shall give what infor- mation we can in regard to the different branches of the water department.
At the commencement of the year, at a joint meeting of the Commissioners of the two towns, Frank G. Morse was chosen chairman and C. A. Wales clerk of the joint boards. The Commissioners were surprised to receive a letter from E. J. Chadbourne declining the position as superintendent, which he had held since the beginning of the works, to the satisfaction of the Commissioners and the public ; at the same time, if he was to go, they were glad that he was to have a better position. Also at the same time they received a let- ter from E. J. T. Dexter, that he had received a better offer from other parties.
The Commissioners after considering the matter concluded that it would be better to retain the services of Mr. Dexter, he having been at the station since the commencement and thoroughly posted in relation to the pumps, etc. He was en- gaged for the next year, with the additional duties of being obliged to help at any time to make any repairs if called upon, and we are pleased to say that we have always found him ready and willing, and he has had charge of most of the breaks.
76
We are glad to report that, during the year, one of the two remaining lawsuits have been settled, that of George P. Niles and others.
This was the privilege formerly owned by George White, on Granite Street.
The amount sued for was fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500), but was finally settled for two hundred and fifty dollars ($250), including legal expenses. Braintree and Holbrook paying the same.
There remains the suit of J. T. Langford, which has been running since the completion of the works. We give below the letter received from our counsel, Messrs. Gaston and Snow, also the report of Judge Bennett, the auditor on the case.
BOSTON, January 16, 1894.
To the Water Commissioners for the Towns of Holbrook and Randolph :
Gentlemen, - The report of Mr. Bennett in the case of Langford v. The Towns of Holbrook and Randolph has just just been filed in Cambridge. He finds a balance due Lang- ford of $3,239.13, and interest from the date of the writ, which, we believe, was February 27, 1888. This is exactly the position of the town; all the contested items have been decided in favor of the town.
We enclose bill for services up to date. We assume that possibly Mr. Langford may wish to carry the matter further, but we should think he would not care to do so. If you wish a copy of the judge's report, we will furnish you with one.
Very truly yours,
GASTON & SNOW.
-
77
AUDITOR'S REPORT. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, ss.
John T. Langford v. The Town of Randolph and the Town of Holbrook.
This is an action of contract to recover a balance due on a written contract, dated March 17 A.D. 1887, for the lay- ing of water pipes in the town of Randolph and the town of Holbrook. After several hearings, the parties, at the sug- gestion of the auditor, agreed upon several items in the account, amounting in all to $31,653.57; and they also agreed that $28,414.44 had been paid the plaintiff, leaving a balance due on such agreed items of $3,239.13, and I report in favor of the plaintiff for said amount, with interest thereon from the date of the writ, viz., February 27, 1888.
The plaintiff also claimed payments for sundry other dis- puted items, amounting in all to $12,375.54, as per the account hereto annexed marked " A." The engineer of the Randolph and Holbrook Water Works, referred to in the written contract before mentioned, viz., Mr. M. M. Tidd, objected to the allowance of these items, on the ground that the same were all covered by the contract itself and included in its items, and he had never given any written order for extra work, and the plaintiff had never made any written claim for extra work to the Commissioners, referred to in said contract, and said engineer had never given any certifi- cate to the plaintiff that the stipulations mentioned in said contract had been complied with, as required by the con- tract, which I found to be true upon the evidence before me. The contract also contained this provision, namely : "To prevent disputes and litigation, it is further agreed by and between the parties to this contract that the engineer shall, in all cases, determine the amount or the quantity of the sev-
78
eral kinds of work which are to be paid for under this con- tract ; and he shall decide all questions which may arise rel- ative to the execution of this contract on the part of the contractor ; and his estimates shall be final and conclusive." Inasmuch, therefore, as said engineer had in good faith, in conference with the plaintiff, decided that the plaintiff was not entitled under said contract to any compensation for the items now under consideration, but that the same were included in the contract price, I was inclined to the opinion that the plaintiff was bound by such decision, and, for that reason, he was not now entitled to recover from the same, even if, except for such decision of the engineer, he might have been.
2. But independently of the decision of such engineer, I am unable to find that the plaintiff is entitled to recover said disputed items under the contract itself, and for the follow- ing, among other, reasons : The first disputed items in the plaintiff's account, numbered 11 and 12, are for excavating 3331 cubic yards of fine stones, $8893.77, at $2.67 a yard, price for "rock blasting"; but the contract provided that " only such stone as requires blasting and is found in sums of one cubic yard or more will be estimated as rock."
I find upon the evidence that these 3331 cubic yards were not found in sums of one cubic yard or more, and did not require blasting, and were in fact removed without blasting, solely by pick, shovel and derrick. I therefore disallow this item.
The next disputed item is numbered 16 in the account annexed to this report, viz. : "Tapping in three air valves and setting boxes, $11.40." But I find that this work was fairly included in the undisputed items already allowed, and should not be charged as extra work. I therefore disallow this item.
The next items, No. 19, work of foreman, $50, and No.
79
20, of men, $287, in " cleaning up pipe line from pumping station to West Corners," I disallow for the same reason as the last.
The same may be said as to items 22 to 25, viz., $45, $234, $2, being for labor and cement for constructing an embank- ment to support and cover pipe at station 29, including 12- inch drain through it.
Item 26, for the construction of a dam to hold back the water at a stream crossing at Union Street in Holbrook, viz., $11.50 plus $30.80 plus $6.56. But as it was the duty of the contractor to lay all the pipes at the rates fixed by the contract, in my opinion it was his duty, under the con- tract, to do all work necessary to accomplish that result, - unless otherwise provided for.
The same may be said as to items 30 to 33, for construct- ing dams at the stream crossing at South Main Street in Randolph, viz., $3.50 plus $53.80 plus $8.
So as to item 34, $7.41.
Item 36 is for excavating below 4} feet, for laying the pipes at Brockton line and at Holbrook cemetery, $278.50. But the contract required that the pipes should be laid ac- cording to the lines and grades given by the engineer; that the pipes when laid should conform to the alignment and grades required. This pipe was laid at the grade given by the engineer, and he determined that nothing should be paid for this excavation below 4} feet. I do not therefore allow this item.
Item 40 is for $489, for the lost time of men and expenses incurred in changing men from Randolph and back on ac- count of non-delivery of pipe at the place where the men were.
But the contract provided that the work of laying the pipes should be commenced and carried on at such points and in such order of precedence, and at such times and seasons, as
80
may from time to time be directed by the engineer. The contract also declared " that the rate of progress in pipe lay- ing shall be made to conform to the delivery of the pipe by the founders." It is also provided that " should the delivery of the pipes be at any time from any cause delayed, the commissioners are authorized to extend the time for the com- pletion of this contract, not exceeding nine months beyond the time herein fixed for its termination, and there shall be no claim for damages in consequence of said delay." I was not satisfied to allow this claim.
The same may be said as to item 46, $1763, caused by delay in furnishing the material.
51 and 52, $200, for repairing breaks in pipes, I also dis- allow. The contract required the contractor to repair all breaks required by the engineer within six months after the completion of the work, and these repairs were made within that time ; and also stipulated that the contractor shall keep the work in good repair for the term of six months after the water is let into the pipes, "and shall correct and repair promptly during all that time all the leaks and failures of whatever description."
I therefore disallow all the disputed items in the account A hereto annexed, and report that the plaintiff recover the sum of $3,239.13, with interest from the date of the writ, viz., February 27, 1888.
EDMUND H. BENNETT, Auditor.
Boston, January 25, 1894.
Account A.
In the case of John T. Langford vs. The Inhabitants of the Towns of Randolph and Holbrook, we, the undersigned, as directed by the Commissioner, have examined the account
81
and have agreed upon the following as proper charges for the service performed, provided the claims are allowed : -
For laying pipe, including necessary excavations and back-filling, from April 20 to Nov. 10, 1887 :
Allowed by Disallowed by Engineer under Engineer under contract. contract.
Item 1. 14,368} ft. 15" pipe at $0.43 $6,178 46
2. 18,784 ft. 12" pipe at .32
6,010 88
3. 5,016 ft. 10" pipe at .29
4. 9,862 ft. 8" pipe at .28
2,761 36
5. 38,304.4 ft. 6" pipe at .22
8,426 97
6. 5,544.3 ft. 4" pipe at .22
1,219 75
7. 183 gates set at 2.00
366 00
8. 155 hydrants, at 5.00 775 00
9. 1174.19 cu. yds. rock, 3.75 4,403 21
$31,596 27
Items 11 and 12. 3,331 cu. yds. rock not blasted, but removed by der- rick and carted away at $2.67
Items 14. Changing trench in Ran- dolph Square on account of change in radius of pipe $20 00
$8,893 77
Item 15. Unloading 16-inch pipe by order of Superintendent 1 00 . Item 16. Tapping in 3 air valves and setting boxes · Item 17. Removing and setting hy- drant on Cottage Street 5 00
11 40
Item 19. Work clearing up pipe line from pumping station to West Corners, foreman 100 hours at 50 cts. 50 00 Item 19. Labor of men on do. 1435 hours at 20 cents 287 00
82
Item 22. Labor in construction of embankment to support and cover pipe at station 29, including 12- inch drain through it - labor of foreman 90 hours at 50 cents $45 00 Labor of men 1170 hours at 20 cts. 234 00 Cement used 2 30
Item 26. Construction of dam to hold back the water at stream crossing at Union St., Holbrook, labor of foreman 23 hours at 50 cents ·
11 50
Labor of men 154 hours at 20 cents 30 80 328 feet of plank 6 56
Item 30. Constructing dams, etc., at the stream crossing at South Main St., Randolph, labor of fore- man 7 hours at 50 cents
3 50
53 80
Labor of men, 269 hours at 20 cts. Item 33. Carting. earth, etc., to be used in above dams ·
$8 00
Item 34. Masonry stay wall on
Union St., 20 cu. ft. . 7 41
Item 36. Cost of earth excavation below 4} ft. cover at Brockton line and at Holbrook Cemetery, 557 cu. yds. at 50 cents 278 50
Item 40. Time and expense in chang- ing men from Randolph and back on account of non-delivery of pipe Item 41. For twice carting bends, hydrants, etc., by order of Eng'r . 13 90
489 00
Item 42. For putting in 10 x 6-inch branch at White's shop, not on hand when the pipe was laid 5 00
1
83
Item 43. For setting blow-off at Ran- dolph depot, not on hand when the pipe was laid · Item 44. Cost of setting plugs not on hand when pipe was laid 4 00
Item 46. Cost of officer force in con- nection with the foregoing and necessitated by the delays of the defendant in furnishing material,
768 50
September, $768 50
October, 702 00
November,
292 50
$1,763 00
100 00
100 00
Amount brought forward,
$31,653 57 $12,375 54
Item 55. May, 1887, cash . $1,466 37
56. June, 1887, cash
4,288 89
57. July, 1887, cash 5,633 83 .
58. August, 1887, cash 4,583 65
59. September, 1887, cash 3,512 08
60. October, 1887, cash 2,659 39
61. November, 1887, cash 3,054 09
Item 62. January, 1888 cash 63.
· $1,500 00
1,716 14
February 6, 1893.
JOHN T. LANGFORD. M. M. TIDD.
It will be seen that the amount of the claim of J. T. Lang- ford was $24,325 29
Item 51. Services, C. P. Binney, repairing breaks 25 days at 4.00, Item 52. Services, I. N. Dwyer, repairing breaks 25 days at 4.00,
$8 40
84
Amount allowed by the Auditor
$3,239 13
Counsel fees in full to date 871 00
Interest 6 per cent from date of suit, about 1,200 00
Total
$5,310 13
This amount is due according to report of auditor, and is to be divided between Holbrook and Randolph.
The real amount of interest is 2 per cent, as had the case been settled before, the bonds sold to settle this amount would have drawn interest at 4 per cent.
Under section 6, chapter 217, of the acts of the legislature for the year 1885, the town is required 'each year to raise by taxation a sum which, with the income derived from water rates, will be sufficient to pay the current annual ex- pense of operating its works. And the interest as it accrues on the notes, bonds, or scrip issued under said act by said town, is to make such contributions to its sinking fund and payments on the principal as may be required under the provisions of said act.
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