USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1878 > Part 8
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There were forty-one breaks upon mains, caused as follows :
By rust .
26
By defective pipe .
.
·
8
By settling of earth
3
By picks
4
I would especially call your attention to the condition of the pipe in the following streets, no less than twenty-one breaks having occurred during the past year upon these pipes, and when uncovered the pipe has always been found to be in a perishing condition.
Cross Street, from Pearl to Broadway · 1,150 feet
Cutter Street, from Webster to Broadway
900
Franklin Street, from Perkins to Broadway
625
66
Ellsworth Street, from Cross to Glen
300
Mt. Vernon Street, from Perkins to Broadway
600
Mt. Pleasant Street, which was referred to in my last report, is constantly and rapidly growing worse, and in my judgment, its repair cannot be delayed beyond another season.
SERVICES.
The whole number of services laid for families and other pur- poses was 93. Total length of pipe used, 3,969 feet; of feet trenching, 4,248. Average cost of each service was $19.71. Fifty- nine breaks have occurred during the past year, and were caused as follows : -
By defective soldering, 27; by broken lead connections, 16 ; by defective couplings, 7 ; by laying of drains, 5 ; by freezing, 4.
Eight services were stopped by fish. Twenty-one corporations, which had become stopped by rust, were retapped. Thirteen ser- vices on yard hydrants were repaired. Forty cast-iron boxes have been substituted for decayed wooden ones.
.
136
STAND PIPES FOR WATERING STREETS.
Two have been set, one on Broadway, opposite the Public Park, and one on Somerville Avenue, near Merriam Street Repairs have been made upon seven, at an expense of $81.30. The num- ber now in use is 17.
DRINKING-FOUNTAINS.
By order of the Committee on Public Property, three small foun- tains have been set, one in Davis Square, near Clarendon Block, one in Union Square, and one on the Broadway Public Park, mak- ing the number now in use 9.
The large fountain set in Davis Square in 1877 has been in constant use during the severest weather.
STOP-GATES.
Nine stop-gates, located as follows, were set : -
One eight-inch on Medford Street, near Cambridge line ; one six- inch on Somerville Avenue, near Fitchburg Railroad ; one six-inch on Somerville Avenue, near Franklin Court ; one six-inch on land of John P. Squire & Co., at reservoir ; one three-inch on Fountain Avenue, for blow off; one three-inch on corner of Newton and Emerson Streets, for blow off; one three-inch on Villa Avenue at Elm Court, for blow off; two two and one half inch on Fremont Street.
Repairs upon stop-gates have been made as follows: 24 have been repacked, new nuts have been attached to the spindle of 18 in order to obtain a uniform size throughout the city, 11 boxes have been replaced and 10 have been raised to the present grade of the street. The wooden boxes about many of the gates are badly decayed, and it will be necessary to change a large number during the coming season. There are 373 now in use.
HYDRANTS.
The following repairs have been made upon hydrants : new valves and gaskets 15, new rods 7, new frost jackets 9, new washers 8, new bolts and nuts 5, new caps 2, new standard pot 1, waste repaired 12, flush hydrants packed with hay 18. One flush hydrant has been discontinued. Repairs to the amount $241.52 have been made and charged to the Fire Department. All the hydrants have been examined and oiled and are now in good order. The total number now in use is 269.
137
STOCK ACCOUNT JAN. 1, 1879.
MATERIALS ON HAND AT COST.
PIPE LINED.
73 feet 12 in. at
$1 00
$73 00
13 66 10 66
80
10 40
105 66
8 66
55
57 75
244 66
6
66
38
92 72
210 66
4
66
25
52 50
PIPE NOT LINED.
203 feet 10 in. at
$0 50
$101 50
280 66 8 66
35
98 00
210 66 6
18
37 80
237 30
SLEEVES ON HAND.
6 feet 12 in. at
$0 15
$0 90
8 “ 10
15
1 20
40
8 66
15
6 00
80
66 6
66
15
12 00
150
66
4 66
15
22 50
42 60
GATES ON HAND.
$30 60
2 feet 4 in. at 2 "3 "
25 20
55 80
SHEET-IRON BRANCHES LINED.
8 double 4 on 6 branches
$18 00
2 66 4 66 4
66
4 20
3 single 4 " 6 66
6 30
2
. 6
4 60
2
4 66
4 00
1
6
66
2 10
39 20
Amount carried forward,
$661 27
$286 37
138
Amount brought forward,
$661 27
CAST-IRON PIPE.
16 feet 8 in., 800 lbs. at
$18 00
15 6 in., 500 lbs. at 11 25
12 66 4 in., 270 lbs. at 6 07
1
4 in., ¿ Turn, 55 lbs. 1 65
1
66 4 in. special casting 3 60
1
66 4 in. and 1 6 in. sleeves, 66 lbs. 1 98
42 55
SHEET-IRON ON HAND.
1 lot assorted sizes,
$642 20
1 large gate cover,
3 00
1 frame,
3 50
10 small gate covers,
12 50
661 20
CAST-IRON BRANCHES LINED.
4 double 6 on 8 branches,
$28 00
4 66 6 on 6
24 00
3
4 on 6 66
12 00
2 66 4 on 4 66
7 50
2 single 6 on 8 66
9 00
1
" . 4 on 8
4 00
2 " 6 on 6 66
9 00
93 50
HYDRANTS ON HAND.
2 New Haven hydrants,
$90 00
4 flush hydrants,
20 00
3 Bartholomew hydrants,
9 00
7 flush hydrant covers,
38 50
2 pieces hose for stand pipe,
5 00
16 stand-pipe couplings,
24 00
186 50
SUNDRY MATERIALS.
250 feet boards,
$6 50
24 bbls. cement,
31 20
15 loads sand,
13 50
20 lbs. oakum,
1 20
¿ ton stove coal,
3 10
Amounts carried forward,
$55 50
$1,645 02
139
Amounts brought forward,
$55 50
$1,645 02
Winding rope,
3 00
150 lbs. nails,
6 00
14 yds. enamelled cloth,
7 00
6 yds. cotton duck,
48
120 lbs. rivets,
12 00
4 hydrant valves,
3 00
6 hydrant caps,
1 28
11 lbs. manilla rope,·
1 60
1 iron bound block,
1 25
17 rubber gaskets,
7 00
1 bbl. tar,
5 00
1 bbl. oil,
5 00
50 feet fuse,
1 00
3 paint brushes,
1 50
4 grouting horses,
16 00
10 oil cans,
6 00
4 hydrant horses,
2 00
40 bushels charcoal,
16 00
3 new hydrant casings,
15 00
1 sledge handle, 1 qt. measure,
43
1 doz. flat files,
6 00
4 stand pipe collars,
2 00
2 lbs. hemp packing,
1 00
¿ gal. turpentine,
20
3 lantern boxes,
2 25
¿ ball marline,
75
1 pr. Fairbanks scales,
10 00
1 seven-inch gong,
4 00
12 service box covers,
1 80
194 04
TOOLS FOR WATER WORKS.
1 lining stand and fixtures,
$25 00
1 punching machine,
250 00
1 rolling machine,
200 00
6 mandrels,
90 00
3 mandrel frames,
10 00
4 sets rollers,
45 00
Amounts carried forward,
$620 00
$1,839 06
140
Amounts brought forward,
$620 00
$1,839 06
6 pr. clamps and rings,
17 00
5 rivet sets,
1 50
1 wire gauge,
1.25
5 pr. snips,
5 50
1 mallet,
25
2 pairs bench shears,
5 00
2 large sq. lanterns,
7 00
2 derricks and tackles,
18 00
100 ft. hand hose,
8 00
200 ft. hydrant hose,
40 00
2 saws, 1 bit stock and bits,
3 00
1 jack plane,
75
1 oil stone,
50
11 drills,
22 00
3 spoons for blasting,
1 00
1 reflector lantern,
2 00
9 striking hammers,
14 50
5 hydrant wrenches,
4 00
2 packing box wrenches,
4 25
1 hatchet,
25
1 carpenter bench,
3 00
5 cold chisels,
1 00
4 tool boxes,
24 00
3 pr. rubber mits,
2 70
2 sledge hammers,
5 00
3 crowbars,
5 00
5 frost wedges,
8 00
2 sand screens,
5 00
2 flush hydrant wrenches,
4 00
8 gate
18 00
4 mending knives,
1 00
12 water pails,
3 00
4 tubs,
2 50
1 large water tank,
15 00
4 mortar boxes,
16 00
2 hods,
1 00
3 large tool boxes,
17 00
1 wheelbarrow,
4 00
Amounts carried forward,
$910 95
$1,839 06
141
Amounts brought forward,
$901 95
$1,839 06
36 picks,
36 00
2 kettles .
1 50
2 grindstones,
18 00
48 shovels at 60c.
24 00
2 tape measures,
1 00
1 cutting bench,
2 50
2 pr. rubber boots,
4 00
1 pipe cradle,
1 00
1
" vise,
5 00
1 bench “
15 00
1 common vise,
10 00
1 farmer's furnace,
8 00
1 pr. hydrant tongs,
30
1 branding iron (S. W. W.)
30
1 improved tarring tank,
75 00
2 step ladders,
6 00
2 ratchet and drills,
22 00
1 set calking irons,
1 00
4 powder cans.
1 00
ir .
12 lbs. gunpowder,
3 00
5 punches,
50
1 Baxter wrench,
1 25
1 pr. hose pliers,
75
1 10-inch bevel square,
1 25
12 flat drills,
3 00
3 pr. flat tongs,
2 25
3 oilers and 2 dippers,
2 00
2 riveting hammers,
2 50
1 rake,
75
2 hoes,
2 00
3 snow shovels,
2 25
5 rammers,
7 50
2 ice chisels,
3 00
1 claw hammer,
75
Patterns and core boxes for cast-iron branches,
100 00
1 set patterns for mandrels,
50 00
2 tin funnels, 1 CO
Amounts carried forward, $1,326 30
$1,839 06
142
Amoun's brought forward,
$1,839 06
3 riveting bars,
$1,326 30 80
2 set stencils, brush, etc.,
3 00
5 feet hydrant chain,
1 00
1 small hand saw,
80
8 monkey wrenches,
5 00
6 Stillson wrenches,
13 00
1 wrought-iron ditch pump,
14 00
1 galvanized iron ditch pump,
5 00
1 large hydrant wrench,
4 50
1 doz. lamp chimneys,
96
1 horse,
150 00
1 express wagon with top,
150 00
1 light business wagon,
60 00
1 heavy express wagon,
125 00
1 sleigh,
12 00
1 pung,
15 00
2 blankets,
5 00
2 buffalo robes,
15 00
2 surcingles,
1 00
23 bundles hay,
54 00
2 bundles straw,
6 00
30 bushel oats,
12 00
1 light business harness,
10 00
1 new harness,
55 00
3 horse covers,
6 00
1 rubber blanket,
2 00
2,052 36
OFFICE FURNITURE.
1 large desk,
$16 00
1 small «
5 00
1 book rack,
3 00
1 water gauge,
25 00
1 frame and curtains for plan,
30 00
6 office chairs,
8 00
1 Stewart stove,
21 00
1 Peerless furnace,
40 00
Amounts carried forward,
$148 00
$3,891 42
143
Amounts brought forward,
$148 00
$3,891 42
1 Somerville directory,
2 00
1 carpet,
10 00
160 00
WATER SERVICE MATERIALS.
74 iron service boxes,
$111 00
162 feet 12 in. lined to 1₫ in.
2 56
620 " 1₫ in. 66 1 in.
86 80
48 66
1 in. 66 ¿ in.
5 76
15 " 1} in. rubber lined,
2 70
165 66 1 in. 66
21 45
855 & in. 66
85 50
522 " in. 66
41 76
2 one-inch stop and waste, R. W. 3 00
3 12 inch shut-off cocks, 5 70
8 g-inch 66 8 00
44 lbs. cast-iron stop cock handles,
1 76
1 self-closing faucet,
2 80
1 1 inch peet valve,
2 50
1 1 " stop and waste R. W. 4
1 67
1 3 4
66 66
1 20
3 1
66 66 66
1 50
1 2 66 valve wheel,
4 50
1 2
66 bib faucet,
50
1 1 mall. union,
50
11 z 66 sprigot stop and waste,
9 35
5 & 66 66 66
8 50
2 5
66
66
1 70
11 66 T. handle stop and waste,
1 00
1 1
66 spigot stop-cock,
1 00
12 14 66 union swivel nipples,
6 00
10 ±
solder nipples,
3 60
5 5 66 66
2 00
200 lbs. mall. iron fittings, 40 00
60 brass goosenecks,
30 00
134 union swivel nipples,
26 80
40 lbs old brass,
4 80
. 4 11 inch by 1 inch brass tees, 31 " stop and waste nipple,
1 80
5 00
Amounts carried forward,
$533 31
$4,051 42
144
Amounts brought forward,
$533 31
$4,051 42
17 brass solder tap nipples,
6 80
541 lbs. cast-iron clamps,
32 46
62 brass clamp screws,
15 50
2 Ludlow gates on 4-inch clamps,
10 00
2
66 6 . 66
10 00
1
3-inch clamp,
2 25
8 10
18 00
10 12 60
22 50
1 1z auger,
1 25
390 lbs. new lead pipe,
19 50
8 lead connections,
8 00
2¿ lbs. copper wire,
75
680 32
TOOLS FOR WATER SERVICE.
1 press and cones for lining pipe, $40 00
86 service shut-off clamps,
51 60
230 lbs. old lead,
5 75
4 force pumps and couplings,
12 00
131 lbs. fine solder,
15 72
2 kettles. 2 ladles,
3 10
7 doz. service locks,
54 60
2 small hammers,
1 20
7 pr. pipe tongs,
10 50
1 new tapping machine,
14 00
3 drills for same,
2 old tapping machines,
23 00
1 hack saw,
1 50
1 hydrant nut wrench,
3 00
4 large hammers,
3 00
1 oil can and oiler,
80
3 soldering irons,
2 85
2 monkey wrenches,
1 20
1 shave hook, tap borer, and tenpin,
1 00
2 bending irons,
50
1 pr. flat nose plyers,
50
1 pr. round nose plyers,
50
3 service wrenches,
2 25
Lead pipe tacks,
30
Amounts carried forward.
$248 87
$4,731 74
145
Amounts brought forward,
$248 87
$4,731 74
2 pipe cutters and wheels,
12 00
1 pat. pipe wrench,
3 50
1 pat. chain wrench,
4 50
1 lead saw,
50
6 trowels,
6 00
1 No. 1 die plate and dies,
21 00
1 2 66 66
12 00
1
6 3 66
9 00
1 set taps, from 1 in. to 1 in.
3 00
1 work bench,
12 00
332 37
Total,
$5,064 11
NATHANIEL DENNETT,
Superintendent.
10
146
CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF CHARLESTOWN UNDER WHICH SOMERVILLE IS SUPPLIED WITH WATER.
THIS agreement, made this twenty-first day of September, eigh- teen hundred and sixty-eight, between the city of Charlestown in the county of Middlesex, by the Mystic Water Board, duly author- ized of the first part, and the town of Somerville, in said county of Middlesex, by the Mystic Water Committee of Somerville, duly authorized of the second part, witnesseth :
That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the water rents hereinafter to be paid, hereby agrees to and with the said party of the second part, that the said party of the first part will furnish the said party of the second part all the water needed by the town of Somerville and its inhabitants during the continuance of this agreement, as hereinafter provided, and that the supply of the same throughout the town shall not be restricted unless the source should prove inadequate to exceed the requirements of the cities of Charlestown and Chelsea.
And the said party of the first part further agrees to collect all the water rents, which may accrue for the use of the water under this agreement, in said town of Somerville, free from any expense to the party of the second part, and to provide for the necessary superintendence and ordinary care of the pipes laid for distribution and service in said town, and of the hydrants, stop-gates, and meters therein ; provided that the sum to be expended by said party of the first part for repairs upon said pipes, hydrants, stop-gates, and meters shall not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars in any one year, and that all repairs thereof in excess of said amount shall be paid by the party of the second part, and it is hereby agreed by the party of the second part that for a period of three years from the letting on the water, the distribution and the ser- vice pipes, and the connections therewith shall be guaranteed free from any expense for repairs.
And the said party of the first part further agrees to pay to the said party of the second part the following percentage of water rates collected in the town of Somerville, in such portions thereof
147
as the pipes and structures are or may be laid by said town in con- formity with this agreement or that may hereafter be assumed, viz. : on the annual receipts for water rates up to the amount of $20,- 000, fifteen per cent ; on the annual amount in excess of $20,000 and up to $30.000, twenty per cent; from $30,000 to $40,000, twenty-five per cent; from $40.000 to $50,000, thirty per cent; and on the amount in excess of $50,000, forty per cent, payable quarterly in the months of February, May, August, and November of each year.
And the said party of the second part further agrees to lay and maintain all the pipes, stop-gates, meters, hydrants (except those now required by law to be furnished by the city of Charlestown), additional to those already laid and everything connected with the distribution and use of the water within the limits of the town of Somerville free from any expense to the city of Charlestown.
And the said party of the second part further agrees to and with the said party of the first part, that for all the Mystic Lake Water furnished and used by the people of the said town of Somerville or by any person in said town, there shall be paid to said party of the first part, water rents at the same rates and prices as are now or may be charged during the time of this agreement, by the said party of the first part, to the inhabitants of the city of Charlestown, under the same rules and regulations that are or may be estab- lished for like use of water in that city, but the party of the second part is not to be responsible in any case for the payment of said water rates, except for water furnished for public use to the town.
And the said party of the second part further agrees to pass and enact the like rules and regulations as to the mode of using water, as are now or may hereafter be in force in the city of Charlestown, with like penalties for their violation, provided such rules and regu- lations do not conflict with the laws of the Commonwealth.
And it is further agreed that the party of the second part may hereafter raise the water rates in the town of Somerville above those charged by the said city of Charlestown if it shall be law- ful for said party of the second part so to do, and in case the water rates in said town of Somerville shall be so raised, the party of the first part shall, for the collection of the said rates, be entitled to five per cent of the excess thereof over the rates established in said city of Charlestown.
And it is further agreed that the town of Somerville shall be privileged to locate as many fire hydrants throughout the town as
148
it may elect, to be used for fire purposes only, upon the annual payment to the city of Charlestown of the sum of twenty-eight dollars for each three hundred and fifty inhabitants, the payments for 1869 and 1870 to be based upon the population of 1865, and on and after 1871, each year, for every five years upon the preceding semi-decennial census. In computing the amount, the fraction shall not be taken into account, unless it exceeds one half, when the full price will be charged, and it is further understood and agreed that the water supplied for public fountains shall be charged at cost.
It is also understood and agreed that when the city of Charles- town shall have erected and completed, at its own cost, the full number of fire hydrants required by the legislative enactment, whether the same shall be on the line of the aqueduct or not, its obligation shall be deemed to have been fulfilled as completely as if placed upon said line.
It is also agreed that if at any time within two years from the date of this contract the town of Somerville shall desire to purchase the distribution pipes and structures now laid in Somerville at the expense of the city of Charlestown, for the supply of that town, the city of Charlestown will sell them for the sum $13,000, and the town of Somerville will then be entitled to the percentage of water rates, and the terms and conditions herein agreed will be applicable to the pipes and structures thus purchased.
And it is further under understood and agreed that if any arrangement shall hereafter be made for a supply of water, to any other town or city, upon terms deemed more favorable to them, the town of Somerville shall be entitled to be placed upon an equal footing.
And the said party of the second part further agrees to furnish and deliver to the party of the first part a copy of a map of the town of Somerville, showing the streets on which the pipes are laid and the location of all the pipes, hydrants, and stop-gates, and from time to time make additions thereto as new pipes are laid.
And it is further agreed by and between the parties to these presents that this agreement shall continue in force until the debt of Charlestown, which has accrued or may accrue for the construc- tion of the Water Works, shall be extinguished, and until other and different rates are established, as hereinafter provided, and it is further agreed that if at the expiration of this contract the par- ties shall be unable to agree upon terms for a continuance of a sup-
149
ply of water, the matter shall be referred to a commission of three disinterested persons, to be mutually agreed upon, and if unable so to agree, then by appointment of the Supreme Judicial Court
And it is further agreed that if either of said parties shall omit or refuse to perform this contract in all things on their part, then the matter shall be referred to a commission, as before named, by whom. an adjustment shall be made and a compensation determined for such violation of this agreement.
In witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals on the day and year first above written.
In presence of
WILLIAM W. PEIRCE.
Mystic Water Board.
EDWARD LAWRENCE, JAMES DANA,
EVERETT TORREY,
ABEL E. BRIDGE,
THOS. R. B. EDMANDS.
HENRY E. WARNER.
Somerville Mystic Water Committee.
AARON SARGENT.
C. E. RYMES,
R. A. VINAL,
R. E. DEMMON,
CUTLER DOWNER,
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CITY ENGINEER OF SOMERVILLE.
1878.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 10, 1879.
Accepted. Referred to the Committee on Printing, with instructions to print the same in the Annual Report of 1878. Sent down for concurrence. CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 24, 1879.
Concurred in.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, Jan. 15, 1879. To his Honor the Mayor and City Council :
GENTLEMEN, - The City Engineer presents the following Report for the year 1878.
SEWERS.
Seven have been built by the city during the year, as follows : brick, 2,522 feet ; pipe, 4,195.1 feet. In these were built 36 man- holes and 470 inlets. The following table will show the location, cost, assessment, length, size, etc , of each sewer.
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SEWERS BUILT IN 1878.
LOCATION.
CONSTRUCTION.
COST.
Name of Street.
From
To
Built by
Materials.
Size in
inches
Man-holes.
Inlets.
Average
cut.
Length ir
Total cost
Assessment.
Cost to city.
Bow Street Pl .
Bow Street . .
Northerly
...
P. & M. Terry
Akron Pipe.
12
2
24
4.6
294.5
$0 77
$226 87
$181 49
$45 38
1Central Street,
Medford Street .
near Vernon St.
Chas. A. Mongan . .
15
4
38
8.2
508.0
1 18
598 18
463 89
134 29
2Craigie Street,
Somerville Ave.
near Summer St.
Edward Fitzgerald .
12
5
96
9.9
1192.0
0 83
993 46
778 81
214 65
Dane Street . .
Washington St.
Fitchburg R. R.
Patrick Terry ...
Brick
28 × 24
4
58
S.1
786.5
1 29
1,011 48
642 67
368 81
Everett Street .
Brick Yard Lane,
near Webster Av.
Chas. A. Mongan . .
Akron Pipe.
12
2
18
6.3
304.5
0 82
249 22
190 11
59 11
3Mt. Vernon St.
Perkins Street .
Pearl Street ..
Chas. A. Mongan. .
PortI'd Pipe.
12
2
25
10.1
363.6
1 46
532 75
119 89
412 86
Pearl Street . .
Mt. Vernon St. .
Easterly . . .
.
.
Maurice Buttimer .
Roch'r Pipe.
12
3
11
90
423.5
0 92
388 40
296 86
91 54
Thorpe Place .
Highland Ave. . ...
Chas. A. Mongan . .
Akron Pipe.
12
3
37
8.0
422.5
1 01
426 66
329 74
96 92
Vine Street . .
Beacon Street
n. Somerville Av. Northerly .
Edward Fitzgerald .
Cement Pipe.
12
2
12
5.0
195.0
0 73
142 70
110 90
31 80
Webster Ave. .
Concord Ave . .
Newton Street .
Chas. A. Mongan .
Brick . . . 28 X 24
2
19
9.1
366 5
1 35
494 65
112 32
382 33
Winter Street .
Holland Street .
near Elm Street.
Richard Falvey · .
Akron Pipe.
12
2
24
10.4
363.5
0 87
315 93
248 33
67 60
36
470
6717 1
$7,507 88
$4,821 00
$2,686 88
1.20 cubic yards of ledge.
23} cubic yards of ledge.
3 44} cubic yards ledge.
Total length of sewers built previous to Jan. 1, 1878 .
. 126,950.0 feet.
6,717.1 "
Total . .
. 133,667.1 feet or 25.3 miles.
151
0
99
128.0
0 74
94 72
56 82
37 90
Summit Ave.
Walnut Street .
Westerly ..
Chas. A. Mongan . .
Akron Pipe.
9
0
28 × 24
5
108
6.6
1369.0
1 48
2,032 86
1.289 17
743 69
Water Street .
South Street . .
Southerly
Richard Falvey . .
Brick . . .
-
. . .
Total length of sewers built during the year 1878 .
Cost per foot.
in feet.
155
VENTILATION.
To secure ventilation seven iron and four wooden man-hole covers were removed, and replaced by cast-iron perforated covers ; the thirty-six man-holes built in connection with the new sewers were all provided with perforated covers, making the total number of ventilated man-holes forty-seven.
The ventilating flue in the tower of the hose house, corner of Highland Avenue and Grove Street, mentioned in my last report, continues to work satisfactory during all seasons of the year.
SEWER OUTLETS.
The sewer outlets are in the same condition as mentioned in my last report. The culvert on Middlesex Avenue should be rebuilt at a lower grade ; as at present constructed, it is a serious obstruc- tion to the Winthrop Avenue sewer.
PRIVATE DRAINS.
One hundred and seventy-three permits were issued for laying private drains ; one hundred and sixty-two for new connections, and eleven for repairs.
Three persons were licensed by the mayor and alderman as drain layers. One licensed in 1876 has deceased, making the present number of drain-layers eighteen.
CATCH-BASINS.
Twenty-four catch-basins were constructed during the year, these were built at an average cost of $54.65 ; two of the above were built to take the place of old ones that were insufficient and out of repair, and one other to take the place of one abandoned on account of its being located in a proposed driveway.
One catch-basin was rebuilt, and a large number repaired. Twenty-six old and decayed wooden covers were replaced by two cast-iron gratings, fifteen cast-iron covers, and nine new oak covers. Sixteen hundred and fifty-nine loads of deposit were removed from the catch-basins at a cost of fifty-seven and eight tenths cents per load.
DEFECTIVE SEWERS.
The owners of houses on Medford Street, between Jackson Street and Somerville Avenue, have complained several times of their cellars being flooded, caused by the defective sewer. The bottom of this
156
sewer at the outlet is about one foot higher than the bottom two hundred feet distant, therefore the solid matter is retained in the sewer to the depth of a foot or more and its capacity is diminished nearly one half. The sewer should be rebuilt the present season. The sewer on Cedar Street near Hall Street is in the same condi- tion as in 1877.
CENTRAL HILL PARK.
Granite steps and posts were set on School Street near the Lowell Railroad, from which an asphalt walk was laid to the High School building A portion of the park near the High School was graded, one hundred and sixty-five shade trees were set, and a hedge planted alongside of the Lowell Railroad.
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