USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1902 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
The department must be prepared to answer any call, day or night, when notice is received of any poles or wires down in the streets, and take the necessary measures to render public travel safe.
It also answers all alarms of fire and looks after electric wires on the premises, making them as safe as possible until the com- pany owning the same takes them in charge.
Fire Alarm Service.
The equipment of this department consists of the following apparatus: One hundred and one fire alarm boxes, one eight- circuit repeater, one eighteen-circuit fuse board, eight tower bell strikers, twenty-nine gongs, eight indicators, twenty small tap- pers, six relays, three hundred and eighty-eight cells of storage battery, two hundred and eighty cells of open-circuit battery, thirty-five open-circuit tap bells, and one hundred and twenty-two miles of wire.
The city at the present time is well equipped with fire alarm boxes, with the possible exception of some of the new territory now being built upon in West Somerville.
I would again recommend the placing of the wires under- ground; not only the city wires, which are harmless in them- selves, but also the high tension wires, which are a source of dan- ger in time of storm and high winds if crossed with other wires.
360
ANNUAL REPORTS.
During the year a special line has been built connecting the Somerville Hospital with the nearest fire station, so that instant notice may be given in case of fire.
The old storage battery at the Central Fire Station, which had been in service some six years, has been replaced by a new one, which places this part of the equipment in first-class con- dition.
Several miles of old wire have been taken down and re- placed by new. This was necessary to keep the lines in good order.
Police Signal.
This system has received the usual careful attention, and is in good working order. No new boxes have been added this year, as, up to the present time, the number in service has been adequate, but with the increase of officers more boxes will be needed the coming year.
Street Lights.
The total number of lights in the city consists of the follow- ing: Four hundred and seventy-eight arc lights, four hundred and thirty-one incandescent lights, and three Welsbach lights.
The number of arc lights in use in the city having exceeded four hundred and seventy-five, the price, according to the terms of the contract with the electric light company, was reduced from $110.00 to $105.00 for each arc light per year.
I consider the city at the present time remarkably well lighted. During the ensuing year a few lights will be needed, as there is still some territory in need of street lights.
There are only three Welsbach lights now maintained in the city. They are located on Westwood road. The expense of these lights is somewhat in excess of the cost of incandescents, but the abutters prefer them and pay the city the difference in cost, rather than have the incandescents, with the necessary poles and wires.
ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$7,500 00
Receipts :-
George H. Streeter, cutting wires
8 00
R. H. Sturtevant, cutting wires .
6 00
J. F. McCarthy, zinc and copper
19 40
Western Electric Co., wire returned .
22 50
Total credit
$7,555 90
Amount carried forward
$7,555 90
1
COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS.
361
Amount brought forward
. $7,555 90
DEBIT.
Labor on wires, etc.
$3,576 93
Salary of commissioner
1,300 00
Fire alarm boxes (2)
250 00
Wires, insulators, etc.
1,148 90
Batteries, elements, jars, etc.
547 00
Board of two horses
300 00
Wagon repairs
50 55
Harness, and repairing same
20 65
Printing, expressing, postage
51 61
Incidentals
49 30
Total debit
$7,294 94
Balance unexpended
$260 96
STREET LIGHTS.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$63,000 00
Receipts :---
Abutters on Westwood road, part cost of maintaining Welsbach lights
54 00
Total credit
$63,054 00
DEBIT.
Expenditures :-
Somerville Electric Light Co., lighting
$62,209 92
Welsbach Street Lighting Co. of America, lighting
154 75
Somerville Electric Light Co., changing location of poles
61 00
Incidentals
113 80
Total debit
$62,539 47
Balance unexpended .
$514 53
EDWARD BACKUS, Commissioner Electric Lines and Lights.
SOMERVILLE WATER WORKS.
SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX CO., MASSACHUSETTS.
Area of city, including land and water, about 4.22 square miles. Population, estimated, 65,500. Entire population on line of pipe and supplied with water.
Water works owned by City of Somerville.
Construction commenced in 1868. Source of supply : Metropolitan system, taking water of the Nashua river at Clinton, Mass.
Mayor HON. EDWARD GLINES.
Water Commissioner
FRANK E. MERRILL.
Office of the Water Department,
Room 10, City Hall.
Department Buildings and Yard,
Cedar street, near Broadway.
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.
OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER, - January 1, 1903.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :- I present herewith my report for the year ending December 31, 1902, this being the twenty-ninth annual report made by the Water Department :-
Water Income.
Water bills have been issued as follows :-
10,549 "Annual" water bills, amounting to $157,738 80
1,995 "Additional" water bills, amounting to 7,907 63
863 "Metered" water bills, amounting to 50,754 76
$216,401 19
Abatements made on the above charges
2,301 18
Leaving net amount of bills rendered .
$214,100 01
This amount includes :-
Uncollected "Metered" water bills, not due until January 1, 1903
$13,891 78
Uncollected "Annual" water bills .
113 40
Uncollected "Additional" water bills 7 50
$14,012 68
and should be reduced by the amount of abatements on water charges of previous years as follows :-
On "Annual" water bills, 1900 account .
$14 00
On "Annual" water bills, 1901 account . 120 50
134 50
$213,965 51
The account has credit for the amount received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, distribution of entrance fees, water supplied outside of district, and water furnished water companies, 1902, under Section 3, Chapter 488, Acts 1895 907 53
Total amount credited to Water Income account $214,873 04 This amount was applied under provisions of the appropria- tion order of the Board of Aldermen as follows :-
For water works purposes :-
Appropriation for Mainte-
$41,780 00
nance
Amount carried forward
$41,780 00
364
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward . $41,780 00
Appropriation for Exten-
sion
. 12,700 00
Appropriation for Abate- ·
ments 410 00
Interest on Water Loan
Bonds
6,790 00
Maturing Water Loan Bonds
29,000 00
Metropolitan Water
Works
Assessment
62,397 89
$153,077 89
For other municipal purposes :-
Appropriation for Sewers, Maintenance
Interest on Sewer . 10,500 00
Loan
Bonds
6,622 00
Maturing Sewer Loan Bonds
9,000 00
Appropriation for Fire De- partment
22,000 00
Appropriation for Board of Health .
· 7,500 00
Reduction of Funded Debt (balance)
55,622 00 6,173 15
$214,873 04
Amount to reduction of Funded Debt from Water Department :-
Balance of Water Income $6,173 15
Balance of Water Mainte-
nance Appropriation 6,693 98
Balance of Water Works
Extension Appropria-
tion
135-88
Balance of Appropriation for Abatement
184 30
$13,187 31
In addition to the appropriations from Water Income to other municipal purposes enumerated above, water has been fur- nished without charge to all the city departments that have re- quired its use. The value of this water, based on the charges of the year 1899, is about $12,000.
Department Receipts and Disbursements.
WATER MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
DR.
Cr.
Amount appropriated by Board of Aldermen from water income
Sundry receipts for labor and materials Receipts from other sources
$41,780 00 1,335 06 228 00
Labor and materials furnished sundry per- sons $1,586 84
Amount expended for labor and materials for maintenance of the water works and renewals of pipe 35,062 24
Amounts carried forward
$36,649 08
$43,343 06
365
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Amounts brought forward .
$36,649 08 6,693 98
$43,343 06
Unexpended balance of appropriation .
$43,343 06
$43,343 06
WATER WORKS EXTENSION ACCOUNT.
DR.
Cr.
Amount appropriated by Board of Aldermen from water income ·
$12,700 00
Receipts from 190 Water Service Assess- ments
3,575 80
Labor and materials used in extension of the water works .
$16,139 92
Unexpended balance of appropriation
135 88
REFUND ACCOUNT.
DR.
Cr.
Amount appropriated by Board of Aldermen from water income
$410 00
Amount refunded to Water Consumers
$225 70
Unexpended balance of appropriation .
184 30
Cost of Water Works.
The total cost of the water works on December 31, 1901, as represented by the expenditures from appropria- tions for water works extension, was
$785,690 22
Expended during the year 1902, on extension account
16,139 92
Total expenditures, December 31, 1902 .
$801,830 14
Water Debt.
The indebtedness of the city on account of the water works on December 31, 1901, was $175,000 ; this debt has been reduced during the year 1902 by the payments of bonds, maturing July 1 and October 1, to the amount of $29,000; the indebtedness being now represented by bonds drawing interest as follows :-
$136,000.00 at 4 per cent. per annum. 10,000.00 at 51/2 per cent. per annum.
Total . . $146,000.00 These bonds become due as follows :-
YEAR.
AMOUNT.
YEAR.
AMOUNT.
1903
$23,000
1912
$6,000
1904
15,000
1913
6,000
1905
6,000
1914
6,000
1906
16,000
1915
5,000
1907
17,000
1916
5,000
1908
7,000
1917
5,000
1909
6,000
1918
5,000
1910
6,000
1919
4,000
1911
6,000
1920
2,000
$16,275 80
$16,275 80
$410 00
$410 00
366
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The following table, exhibiting the financial condition of the department from its first movements, is presented for reference and comparison :-
YEAR.
Water Loan Bonds Issued on Funded Debt Account.
Reduction of Funded Debt by Payments of Water Loan Bonds.
Expenditures for Construction of Water Works.
Revenue from Water Works.
1869
$80,000 00
$92,203 27
$911 39
1870
60,000 00
66,546 50
1,907 63
1871
60,000 00
43,648 66
3,151 30
1872
90,000 00
$50,000 00
43,288 33
3,719 91
1873
60,000 00
20,000 00
27,691 26
5,084 97
1874
15,000 00
34,294 06
6,818 20
1875
20,000 00
13,375 76
9,652 37
1876
70,000 00
60,000 00
6,409 49
10,268 06
1877
10,000 00
13,845 74
10,735 90
1878
30,000 00
30,000 00
791 56
12,341 60
1880
60,000 00
60,000 00
12,999 79
1881
40,000 00
40,000 00
14,697 37
1882
90,000 00
90,000 00
19,354 28
1883
7,500 00
7,500 00
19,661 67
1884
20,000 00
20,000 00
20,085 95
1885
20,000 00
20,000 00
21,542 28
1886
55,500 00
55,500 00
21,444 91
1887
9,000 00
9,000 00
42,650 57
1888
25,000 00
96,500 00
19,338 89
50,419 07
1889
90,000 00
19,000 00
81,117 43
51,470 91
1890
55,000 00
13,000 00
53,411 79
55,879 72
1891
10,000 00
11,000 00
40,708 48
60,150 80
1892
28,000 00
28,000 00
34,863 17
77,640 91
1893
17,000 00
35,545 30
78,459 73
1894
18,000 00
28,375 67
83,401 30
1895
19,000 00
32,007 44
89,431 46
1896
12,000 00
18,500 00
16,631 83
95,719 69
1897
21,000 00
10,000 00
99,688 57
1898
22,000 00
26,970 22
200,735 03
1899
32,500 00
19,978 59
214,280 83
1900
32,500 00
24,927 06
222,322 15
1901
32,000 00
19,205 59
212,072 56
1902
29,000 00
16,139 92
213,965 51
$1,017,000 00
$871,000 00
$801,830 14
$2,054,251 28
Total issue
$1,017,000 00
Total payments
871,000 00
Present water debt
$146,000 00
Inspection and Waste.
During the year 11,010 house visitations have been made for data in assessing the water charges. As a result of the careful inspection which has been made for leaks and wastes of water, the number of defective fixtures reported is somewhat less than that of a year ago, the figures being :-
514 13
11,584 89
1879
367
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Water closets and tanks .
1,404
Faucets
757
Pipes
56
Total
2,217
It is noticeable that by far the largest number of leaks exist in the automatic water closet valves. There would be some recompense for this loss of water if it served the useful purpose of flushing the soil and drain pipes, but the quantity thus wasted, while very large in the aggregate, is, in any particular case, too small in its flow to be of any sanitary benefit.
Numerous instances have been found of water waste by the occupants of premises fastening open the float valves and leaving faucets open, to allow the water to run continuously during cold weather.
It has been decided to place meters on all premises where a wilful waste of water is known to exist.
Extension of Street Mains.
To keep pace with building operations, and to secure water circulation, main pipes have been laid in Powder House boule- vard, Boston avenue, Warner street, Prichard avenue, Pearson avenue, Sumner street, Munroe street, Calvin street, and Fen- wick street.
A twelve-inch high-service main has been laid in Holland street, from Gorham street to a point near the Boston & Maine Railroad crossing, connecting there with the high-pressure pipe line previously laid from Cedar street, through Highland avenue and Davis square. This makes a connecting link between the formerly separated high-service districts of the city, and is of ad- vantage in equalizing the pressure over the high-service system, and in giving the system the benefit of two connections with the Metropolitan high-service main, one in Professors row, at Bos- ton avenue, and the other in Broadway, at Cedar street.
The total length of main pipes extended was 6,622 feet, making the entire length of street mains in the city about 8? miles, 4,261 feet.
Renewal of Street Mains.
The work of replacing the old cement-lined mains still goes on; 10,060 feet of pipe were thus renewed during the year. The principal streets thus benefited were: Hathorn street, Howe street, Lincoln street, Prospect Hill avenue, and portions of Bos- ton street, Broadway, Central street, Munroe street, Packard avenue, Pearl street, and Preston road. In addition, there were many renewals of side street connections and of hydrant branches.
368
ANNUAL REPORTS.
As there is but little more than a mile of this old pipe now in use, it seems good policy to complete the substitution of cast- iron mains the coming season.
Hydrants, Gates, Etc.
Forty-three hydrants have been set, and fourteen have been removed, making the net increase twenty-nine and the total num- ber in the city 955. Two fire hydrants have been set by the Mid- dlesex Paper Company in their yard, increasing the number of private fire hydrants to forty-four.
Fifty-eight water gates have been set and twenty-three re- moved, making a net increase of thirty-five; the total number in the city is 1,283. Eight blow-off connections have been made and one abandoned, the total number now being 123.
Two new waterposts have been set for the benefit of the street watering department in the following locations :-
Cedar street, near Morrison avenue, Pleasant avenue, near Walnut street,
making the total number in the city sixty-eight.
The waterpost formerly standing on Highland avenue, in front of No. 237, has been removed to Lowell street, thirty-four feet north from Highland avenue, and the one on Columbus ave- nue, opposite Stone avenue, has been moved to a point fifty-four feet east from Walnut street.
Service Pipes.
During 1902 there were laid 190 new service pipes; the total length was 7,569 feet. The amount received therefor was $3,575.80, which has been credited to water works extension ac- count. The total length of service pipes in the city is about sixty-eight miles, 1,130 feet, and the number of house connec- tions 10,710.
One hundred and seventy-six leaks on service pipes were re- paired during the year. New gates and boxes have been set, old boxes raised and lowered to grade, pipes cleaned, and general re- pairs made as became necessary.
Meters.
The policy of metering all new apartment houses of three or more tenements was determined upon early in the year, and in pursuance thereof twenty-six meters were set on this class of premises. The number of meters in operation December 31 was 269, a net increase for the year of forty-five, as shown in detail in the following table.
369
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Under the ruling of the Metropolitan water and sewerage board, it will be necessary to meter premises where the occupants desire to use a lawn sprinkler or to use a hand hose at any other time of the day than between 5 and 8 o'clock A. M. and 5 and 8 o'clock P. M.
At the beginning of the year the number of meters in operation was . . The number of operating meters added during the
224
year was
53
Meters removed during the year . 8 Total number of meters in operation December 31, 1902 269
Motor and elevator clocks in operation December 31, 1902 . .
9
METERS IN USE DECEMBER 31, 1902.
5/8"
3/4"
1"
11/2"
2"
3"
4"
Total.
Nash
4
4
Empire
1
1
Crown .
6
G
4
1
1
1
1
1
21
Gem
1
Hersey
12
Hersey Disc
S
6
1
2
17
Torrent
Trident
52
47
20
6
6
1
1
133
Union
6
10
2
6
1
2
36
Union Special
13
7
20
Lambert . .
23
23
Totals
100
76
53
11
16
6
5
2
269
In 1902 there passed through the meters 47,349,160 cubic feet, or 354,171,716 gallons, of water, for which the city received $50,733.53, an average of about 10.71 cents per 100 cubic feet, or 14.32 cents per 1,000 gallons. This quantity of water represents an average per capita consumption of about fifteen gallons daily. Of this quantity, about 301,000,000 gallons was used for manu- facturing and industrial purposes ; this is about eighty-five per cent. of the whole quantity, or a daily per capita use for these purposes of about thirteen gallons.
Summary of Pipes and Fixtures.
Following is a general summary of the pipes and fixtures of the water system, December 31, 1902 :-
Number of feet of main pipe (approximately) . 463,621
Number of feet of service pipe (approximately) 360,170
Number of service connections (approximately) 10,710
Number of public fire hydrants
955
Number of private fire hydrants
44
Number of gates
1,283
Number of check valves
7
Number of meters
269
Number of waterposts
68
Number of blow-offs
123
1
1
3
1
1
1
370
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The annual inventory of stock on hand, tools and machinery, teams and stable equipment, pumping apparatus, and furniture shows a valuation of $20,791.08; the land and buildings of the department are assessed at a valuation of $32,000, and the gen- eral distribution system of the water works has an estimated valuation of $850,000.
Metropolitan Water Works.
The water furnished by the Metropolitan water works has been of good quality throughout the year.
An average daily quantity of 107,268,000 gallons has been supplied by the Metropolitan water works to the 874,000 people inhabiting the cities and towns in the district. This quantity represents a daily consumption of about 123 gallons per head, an increase from the previous year of 5.6 per cent.
The aqueducts of the Metropolitan water works were greatly taxed during the cold period in December ; the consumption on December 9 was over 151,000,000 gallons, or about 28,000,000 gallons greater than the carrying capacity of the aqueducts. The per capita consumption during a portion of this period rose to the high figure of 171 gallons daily, and it was found necessary to draw upon the reserve held in Spot pond. A long continuance of the conditions existing at that time would have led to a serious water famine.
In pursuance of its plan to measure the water supplied to the cities and towns in the district, the Metropolitan Water and Sew- erage Board has set during the year the following Venturi meters :-
Size. Throat Diam.
Location.
Service.
Inches.
Inches.
Professors row, at Boston avenue
High
12
3.75
Broadway, at Willow avenue
Low
16
5.25
Broadway, at Marshall street
Low
12
4.25
Webster avenue, near R. R. crossing. Low
20
5.75
Several more are to be set during the coming season.
The assessment to be paid by Somerville in 1903 for its water is estimated by the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage. Board at $81,700. This amount may be somewhat reduced, as was the estimated assessment for 1902, by a division of the amount re- ceived in premiums on water bonds sold by the State Treasurer.
As a matter of interest, the amount of assessments thus far paid by Somerville toward the cost and operation of the Metro- politan water system, and their distribution, is here given :-
Year.
Sinking Fund. Maintenance.
Interest.
Total. $14,250 19
1898
No division made 66
20,975 58
1899
66
28,689 24
1901
$12,491 73
$12,033 79
$32,291 24
56.816 76
1902 19,014 85
12,955 64
30,427 40
62,397 89
1900
371
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The total amount of Metropolitan water loan bonds thus far authorized by the Legislature is $40,000,000, of which $33,000,000 has already been expended. The proportion of this indebtedness which Somerville is called upon to pay is about four per cent.
The Metropolitan water act of 1895 provides that the mini- mum rate to be paid for water in the cities and towns of the water district shall be subject to the approval of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board. Under date of December 11, 1902, this board notified the Water Commissioner as follows: "On Novem- ber 28, 1902, the board voted 'That, until otherwise provided, the minimum rate which shall be approved for the use of hand hose for lawn sprinkling shall be fixed at $4.00 per annum, such use to be in conformity with the regulations of the board which were made August 2, 1901.' "
Efforts were made to induce the board to grant a continu- ance of the $3 hose rate which was authorized in 1901, but with- out avail.
The regulations of the board, above referred to, were printed in the report of the Water Commissioner for 1901, and have been incorporated in the department rules governing the use of water.
Equalization of Water Charges.
The subject of a reduction or readjustment of the water rates has been one of annual recurrence, either the Board of Water Commissioners or the present Commissioner having brought the matter before the Mayor in some form of recommendation every year since authority over the rates was vested in the officials of this city.
Under provisions of the Statutes, the water rates cannot be changed except with the approval of the Mayor.
Much study has been given to this subject the past year, taking into consideration the uncertainty as to the amount of our ultimate annual assessment on account of the Metropolitan water works, the conservation of our present water supply, the probable result of the action of the Metropolitan Water and Sew- erage Board in measuring the water supplied to us, and the desir- ability, in making any change, of placing the individual water charges on an equitable basis.
Two methods of assessing water charges are in common use in cities, viz., the "flat rate" system of charging a fixed yearly sum for an unlimited quantity of water, and the "meter" system of charging for water according to the quantity used. Both these systems are now in use in this city. Our present flat rate schedule is inconsistent, and in common with any schedule estab- lished on a basis other than that of water consumption, is in- equable. A flat rate schedule can be devised, however, that will be more equitable in its distribution of the assessments among our water tax-payers than is the one now in force. Such a schedule
-
372
ANNUAL REPORTS.
was prepared and submitted to the Mayor in 1900 for approval, as required by statute, but it did not become operative, as the necessary authorization of the Mayor was withheld.
Present conditions, however, point to the extension of our meter system as the rational solution of an equalization of the water charges and, at the same time, of a conservation of the water supply. It is generally admitted that the only truly equit- able basis of charging for water is that of assessing the consumer according to the quantity that he uses; it is well known, also, that the meters used for measuring water are now so perfected as to be practically accurate in their registration.
That the water meter has passed the experimental stage is shown by the large numbers now in use throughout the country.
Under the meter system we should furnish, under our pres- ent schedule of fourteen cents per 100 cubic feet, 53,573 gallons of water, an abundant supply for an average family for a year, for the sum of $10. As this quantity represents about one barrel of water per day for each member of a family of five persons, there would seem to be no reason to fear any unsanitary or un- hygienic conditions as a result of metering.
The adoption of a meter system should, therefore, result to our water consumers in a reduction of their payment for water for all household purposes in any single family of average size, to $10 per year. In many cases this sum would be sufficient to allow, also, the use of water in a stable or the use of hand hose.
It would, undoubtedly, increase the water bills on a certain class of tenement and apartment houses where the charges under our present schedule are disproportionately low.
The statements made by the Metropolitan Water and Sew- . erage Board relative to the large consumption of water in the Metropolitan district, and the consequences thereof, as given in the Board's annual report for 1901, pages 62 to 65, are reasons for the adoption of a meter system that are even more important than the equalization of the rates.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.