USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1893 > Part 6
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But the possibility of an increased revenue from the taxes can be seen when it is considered that below Park Street and within an average distance of less than four thousand (4,000) feet from the postoffice more than one hundred house lots are made available for building that otherwise would probably not be im- proved, or, if improved, might serve as sources of epidemic diseases, such as typhoid fever, etc. As the town continues to grow these lots must be improved, so that it is probable that, after a few years, the town will actually have received in taxes from these lots and the improvements on them more than the cost of the drain.
The upper end of the drain as far as Forest Street, which re- mains to be built, covers a length of 2,600 feet divided as follows : From School Street to Park Street, fourteen hundred (1400) feet from Park Street to Forest Street twelve hundred (1200) feet.
Of this amount the lower one thousand feet could be made as an open drain, but the upper sixteen hundred feet should eventu- ally be a covered drain.
This is recommended because the land through which the upper section of this drain passes has already been so much im- proved and become so valuable that it was with difficulty that a width of forty (40) feet was secured through this section.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
And as it is desirable that eventually a street should be built from Park Street to Forest Street in this vicinity, it could be secured by covering the drain and locating the street over it. This plan is rendered possible by the fact that the drain need not be as large at this point as would be necessary further down stream, because the volume of water to be provided for is much less by reason of the smaller area of water shed tributary to the brook through this section. The closed drain having an area of waterway of twenty (20) square feet, built of stone walls on the sides with granite covering stones and having the invert paved would undoubtedly cost a great deal more than to excavate an open drain.
Therefore until it becomes necessary to use this strip of land for a street we believe it advisable that the advantages of the drain- age be first secured by making the open drain the entire length to Forest Street, having, however, bank walls instead of sloped banks, along a portion at least of this section.
Taking into account the fact that the cut will be deeper through the upper part of the drain, and judging from the cost of the work last season and not including the cost of any culverts or bridges, it is fair to presume that the remaining part of the drain can be excavated for about one dollar ($1) per lineal foot. Therefore, we estimate the cost of completing the excavation as far as Forest Street at about twenty-five hundred ($2500) dollars. As the bridge at Park Street need not have as large a waterway as was necessary at Maple Street, it can be built with granite covering stones, and, provided not much ledge or quicksand is encountered in making the excavation for the drain, it is quite possible that this could also be built from the amount named above.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. A. ADAMS, BYRON R. HILL, D. H. SMITH. WM. J. LUTHER, E. S. HORTON.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Selectmen of Attleborough :
. GENTLEMEN :- We herewith submit the first annual report of this department since the purchase by the town of the franchise of Attleborough Fire District No. One. We take pleasure in extending our congratulations on the small loss of property by fire which the town has sustained the past year, and are pleased to report that the department has been adequate to the demands made upon it.
FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Chief engineer, two assistant engineers, twenty-four hosemen, twelve hook and ladder men, five fire police and a volunteer company stationed at Farmer's Village, at present comprise the entire force of the Fire Department.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the department consists of one two-horse hook and ladder truck, with two hundred and seventy-nine feet of good ladders, and fully equipped with small tools. Two hose
96
ANNUAL REPORT.
carriages with 3,150 feet of cotton hose, a portion of which is in poor condition. One hose cart with 300 feet of leather hose, located at Farmer's Village ; two hundred feet of leather hose in charge of Water Commissioners ; four three-gallon Babcock fire extinguishers, one deluge nozzle set.
RESERVE APPARATUS.
One two-horse hook and ladder truck, with about 250 feet of ladders ; one hose reel, which can be made available for the use of outlying districts.
HORSES.
The department is equipped with four horses, two owned by the town and two furnished by contract with Lysander Taylor. The service rendered is a great improvement over previous years, and with changes and improvements in the Dunham street house, it will no doubt be sufficient for a few years to come.
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IN CHARGE OF D. H. SMITH, HOSE CO. No. ONE.
One hose carriage, 1,750 feet of cotton hose, 1,800 feet of rope for tower, 50 feet garden hose, one blanket, two lanterns, one crow-bar, one axe, one extinguisher, three hose pipes, one swing harness, 12 cane seat chairs, one table, one clock, one wheel jack, two stoves, 60 feet of pipe, one mirror, one step ladder, one lot of wood, one rake, eight rubber coats, twelve fire hats, one feather duster, two hydrant gates, twelve hose spanners, twelve belts, twelve straps, one lantern, one chamois, one barn pail, three shovels, one monkey wrench, two hydrant wrenches, one
97
ANNUAL REPORT.
stove brush, two coal hods, one hand brush, one sponge, ten bars of soap, one quart sperm oil, three gallons kerosene, eighty common chairs.
IN CHARGE OF UNION HOSE Co. No. Two.
One hose carriage, 1,500 feet of cotton hose, 25 feet garden hose, 1,Soo feet rope for tower, one horse blanket, five rubber coats, one Babcock fire extinguisher, nine rubber coats, one wheel jack, two stoves with pipes, three tons of coal, one swing harness, one coal shovel, three hose pipes, one broom, one brush, one bar hard soap, one-quarter gross bunches of matches, nine hose spanners, twelve belts, two lanterns, one chamois, one pail, two shovels, one monkey wrench, two hydrant wrenches, one stove brush, two coal hods, two pokers, one fire axe, one dust pan.
IN CHARGE OF HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. ONE.
One two-horse ladder truck with 279 feet of ladders, one swing harness, two horse blankets, one whip, twelve service hats, twelve rubber coats, two Babcock fire extinguishers, nine extra charges for same, one deluge nozzle set, two pitch forks, two manure forks, one life belt and hook, two plaster hooks, one clock, two tables, one mirror, two one-half gallon oil cans, one watering pot, seven chairs, two quarts kerosene, 50 feet garden hose, three brooms, one hand brush, two sponges, two chamois one water pail, one snow shovel, one ash shovel, two feather dusters, seven pike poles, one copper boiler, two stove fenders, one long-handled brush, one mop, one hand-basin, one soap dish.
PROPERTY AT FARMER'S VILLAGE.
One two-wheeled hose cart, 400 feet of leather hose, one hydrant gate, two hose pipes, eight spanners, one hydrant wrench, eight belts, twelve chairs.
98
ANNUAL REPORT.
PROPERTY IN CHARGE OF ENGINEERS.
Three fire hats, three rubber coats.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE ALARM DEPARTMENT.
Fifty-five cells in battery, six extra jars, fifty zincs, twenty lbs. vitriol, one-half mile iron wire, one-quarter mile of copper wire, seven extra magnets, one pair climbers, one pair vises, two pairs pliers, one bit stock, two bits.
FIRE ALARM.
The Gamewell Fire Alarm System is in use and is in first-class working order, and consists of the following apparatus : One circuit of seven miles of No. 14 copper wire, nine miles of No. 9 galvanized iron wire, two galvanometers in battery room, one switch board, one tester, one steam gong located on Pumping Station, one striker located in belfry of the Universalist church, one tapper at the residence of Chief Engineer, one tapper at the residence of L. Taylor, one indicator at South Main street hose house, one indicator at Union street hose house, each fitted with eight inch vibrating gongs, twenty fire alarm boxes, five tappers.
HOUSES.
There are two houses in the department located as follows : one on South Main street occupied by Hose Co. No. One and reserve ladder truck; one located at the corner of Union and Dunham streets, occupied by Hose Co. No. Two and Hook and Ladder Co. No. One. At each house certain members of the department sleep nights, and are ready for a quick hitch.
99
ANNUAL REPORT.
FIRES.
Our fire record has been a remarkable one for the past year, very few fires have occurred and none of any magnitude in our town proper, while in the suburban villages there have been several, one or two of considerable size, especially the one near the Rhode Island line in South Attleboro.
March 30th, at 12.30 A. M., box 35 called the department to building owned by Mr. Hazelwood, loss about $200, no insur- ance, cause unknown.
April 22d, fire consumed the building owned by James Reed, located on the cross road from Park street to Taunton road. Loss $500, cause incendiary. No alarm given in the town.
June toth, 1.55 P. M., the department was called to James street. It was a brush fire and no damage resulted.
July 25th, at 12.22 P. M., box 42 called the department to the blacksmith shop owned and occupied by Mr. Judathan Fuller. Loss about $150 and no insurance. It was caused probably by sparks from the forge.
September 20th, a fire at South Attleboro consumed the black- smith shop owned and occupied by Everett Chapman. Loss about $300 and fully insured.
October 10th, at 12 A. M., alarm from box 72 called the department to Starkey avenue on account of a brush fire. No damage was done.
October 13th, at 6.30 P. M., an alarm from box 61 called the department to the brush fire on land of B. A. Cummings, which caused no damage.
SALARIES.
Chief Engineer, $250 ; Assistant Engineers, $75 each ; mem- bers of the Hook and Ladder and Hose Companies, $50 each.
100
ANNUAL REPORT.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
During the past year the department has been improved in it. horse service, and we believe we have a better water services We have also added two fire alarm boxes and about six miles of wire.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
We recommend that the town purchase 1,500 feet of cotton hose, for the reason that we are very strongly of the opinion that there should be placed in South Attleboro some apparatus for protection against fires ; and as the town has a hose cart which can be put in order at a small expense, we would urge the necessity and recommend putting the cart in condition and plac- ing 600 feet of hose on it for South Attleborough, and that a volun- teer company be organized to do duty in that part of the town. The remaining 900 feet is need in our town department. The hose we now have on hand much of it has outlived its allotted time, and only by extreme good care by the department have we been enabled to make it last so long.
We would recommend that the engine house on Dunham street be made more convenient so that the horse can be got at more readily, realizing that the minutes we want to save are the first ones after the alarm is sounded.
We would recommend very strongly that the town engage one permanent man to be under the control of the board of engineers, whose duty shall be in part to be janitor for both houses, to do small repairs on same, to look after the harness, to take care of the horses and to be on the premises where horses are kept during the day ready for an immediate hitch. We believe that with the right man the town will save money by this move.
We would recommend that the necessary steps be taken to place the fire department on the same basis as the water depart- ment, school department or poor department, and the approprit ations for that department be expended only upon the departmen-
101
ANNUAL REPORT.
officers' order. We believe that by so doing the expenses can be kept to the lowest amount possible, and that the citizens can have a better knowledge of the way their appropriations have been spent.
APPROPRIATIONS.
We would recommend the following appropriations : Salaries -Chief Engineer $250, assistant engineers $75 each, hose men and ladder men $50 each (thirty-six in all making a total of $2,200), janitors $180, horse service $300, coal $180, feed for two horses $240, gas $150, incidentals and repairs $300, making a total of $3,550.
MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Hiram R. Packard, Chief Engineer.
George A. Sweeney, Ist Assistant and Clerk. Thomas K. Gay, 2nd Assistant.
D. H. SMITH HOSE Co. No. ONE.
James Howarth, Foreman.
C. E. Riley, Ass't Foreman.
M. S. Millard, Clerk.
E. B. Hill, Hoseman.
C. W. Bowen,
L. Wales,
E. H. Briggs, Hoseman.
B. Bullock,
Frank Smith,
E. V. Hicks, 66
E. E. Culver, 66
C. S. Atwell, 66
UNION HOSE Co. No. Two.
George E. Morton, Foreman.
George White, Ass't Foreman. James Peers, Clerk.
Wm. Armstrong, Hoseman. J. Ellis,
R. H. Moore, Hoseman.
L. Goff, 66
Fred Wilmarth,
Fred Walton,
A. Guild, 66
L. Thurber.
J. Rushton,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. ONE.
G. O. Wilmarth, Foreman. A. S. Blackington, Jr., Ass't Foreman.
W. C. Dix, Clerk.
O. W. Hawkins, Ladderman. G. B. Austin,
C. E. Streeter,
66
E. L. Young, Ladderman. R. Barnes, 66
Amos J. Fuller,
F. W. Holmes,
66
F. C. Gray,
J. E. Pagney,
66
Respectfully submitted,
H. R. PACKARD, Chief Engineer, G. A. SWEENEY, First Ass't Engineer and Clerk, T. K. GAY, 2nd Assistant Enginer.
First Report
OF THE
Water Department
OF THE TOWN OF
Attleborough, Mass.
January 1st, 1894.
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
1894.
COMMISSIONERS.
G. A. DEAN,
Term Expires, 1894.
WILLIAM M. STONE,
. 6 IS95.
L. Z. CARPENTER. .
1 896.
SUPERINTENDENT AND REGISTRAR,
WILLIAM J. LUTHER.
ENGINEER AT PUMPING STATION,
GEORGE H. PALMER.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
Attleborough Water Works.
Population by census of 1890, 7,577
Date of construction of works, 1873
Source of Supply, Circular well near Seven Mile River
Mode of Supplying, By pumping into iron standpipe, 30 feet diam. PUMPING. I. Builders of Pumping Machinery, Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co. Deane Steam Pump Co.
2. Description of coal used, " George's Creek (bituminous).
Cost $4.90 per ton, 2,200 lbs. delivered.
3 and 5. Coal consumed in eight months, 272,765 lbs.
6. Total pumpage for eight months, 53,380,754 gallons.
7. Average static head against which pumps work, 160 feet.
8. Average Dynamic head against which pumps work, Deane, 177 feet.
Blake, 167 feet.
9. Number of gallons pumped per pound of coal,
10. Duty, 28,889,598. 195.66
Cost of pumping figured on Pumping Station, expenses, viz. : $1.351.16
II. Per million gallons raised against dynamic head into stand-pipe, $25.31
12. Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic). $0. 148
Cost of pumping figured on Total Maintenance, viz. : $11,424.74
13. Per million gallons raised against dynamic head into stand-pipe. $214.02
14. Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic), $1.21
Average daily consumption for the eight months, 217,860 gallons.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. MAINTENANCE.
RECEIPTS.
Unexpended balance of appropriations April 1, 1893,
$502.20
Pumping Expenses (including cost of pump- ing in April,)
$1,644.02 878.04
Repairs. Salaries,
729.32
Incidental Expenses,
436.28
Interest on Bonds,
7,565 00
Amount of deposit of J. R. Graham,
200 00
Interest on notes-temporary loans,-
172.08
Amount paid Town Treasurer by Water
Total maintenance,
$11,424.74
Registrar,
15,390.46
Appropriation made by the Town,
3,900.00
Amount received for accrued interest on bonds,
300 00
Return of J. R. Graham's deposit,
200.00
Amount placed in Sinking Fund,
3,500.00
Balance unexpended,
5,167.92
$21,240.60
$21,240.60
CONSTRUCTION.
Unexpended balance of appropriations Apil I, 1893,
4.746.58
Services,
Meters,
354 55
Foundation of Blake Pump and connections,
511 73
Telemeter and connections,
430.39
5,420.33
Worthington Pump,
250.00
Proceeds, sale of bonds,
35,000.00
Completion of New Plant at South Attleboro, including cottage,
9,534.79
Total cost of construction for eight months,
$29,040.08
Bills approved by Commissioners of Fire Dis- trict, but paid by Town Treasurer after April 1, 1893, Paid North Attleboro Savings Bank for old note of Fire District, Balance unexpended,
5,420.33
5,000 00
5,731.50
$45, 191.91
Total cost of works to date, Bonded debt at this date,
$240,232.89. 190,000.00.
$ 40,000.00 @ 7 per cent., payable 1904.
Value of Sinking Fund at this date,
15,360.81. $150,000.00 @, 4 per cent.
Extensions of street mains,
17,289.56 669.06
Amount of bills approved and deducted from appropriations by Commissioners of Fire District, but since paid by Town Treas- urer as per this account,
Cash from Dean Steam Pump Co. for paint- ing pump,
25.00
$45,191.91
EXPENDITURES.
Amount of bills approved and deducted from appropriations by Commissioners of Fire District, but since paid by Town Treas- urer as per this account,
947.94
Bills approved by Commissioners of Fire Dis- trict, but paid by Town Treasurer after April 1, 1893,
547 94 947.94
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
To the Citizens of Attleborough :
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Water Commissioners elected by the town April 24, 1893, have the honor to submit herewith their first report covering the period from the time the works were acquired by the town, March 29, 1893 to December 30, 1893, together with the report of the superintendent and regis- trar covering the same period, to which reference is made for the details of the service connected with this department.
Immediately after the election of the board William J. Luther was appointed Superintendent and Registrar.
By reason of the methods used during the past eight months in keeping the accounts and records of this department, we have been able to adopt, in part at least, the form of report recom- mended by the New England Water Works Association and already adopted by a large number of the water boards of the cities and towns of New England.
In the summary of statistics will be found a statement of the cost of pumping, based on the pumping expenses, and also on the total cost of maintenance, and it is evident that it is great advantage to be able to compare these important items with similar statements published in the reports of other Water Boards.
The financial statement has been divided into maintenance and construction and readily shows the cost of maintenance, in comparison to the income received, while the construction account, as arranged, shows the cost of additions to the plant during the year. The statement of the total cost of the works, the bonded debt, and the value of the sinking fund completes the statement of the condition of the department.
110
ANNUAL REPORT.
We recommend that this form of keeping and rendering the accounts be continued, and in order that they shall actually show for a series of years the cost of maintenance or construction, it is necessary that the unexpended balance of each year shall be carried to the new account of the next year instead of being covered into the treasury as is the rule in departments producing no income, and we recommend that the town authorize the commissioners to so continue unexpended balances.
Under this plan in case a balance accrues in the maintenance account greater than is needed in that department a part, or all of it, can be transferred to the Construction Account, thus helping to pay for the works.
In raising funds for the Maintenance Account we desire that the town, in this its first year of the management of the Water Department, shall adopt the method common in many cities and towns, and to our minds the proper way, namely, the charging of the town by the Water Department a certain hydrant rental per year.
This hydrant service is an item for which the town would be obliged to pay a private company a rental of probably at least sixty dollars ($60.00) per hydrant per year, because it is a ser- vice rendered and should properly be paid for. And as the Water Department is simply a plant owned and operated by the citizens of the town, it is only justice to that department that it should receive a certain sum to its credit for this service rendered. In the case of the water works of Pawtucket, R. I., which are con- sidered model works, not only of New England, but of the United States, this plan is followed, and we quote from their re- port of December 1, 1893, as follows :
" I may be allowed to say a word in regard to the cost of pro- ducing and maintaining hydrants for fire protection over and above the cost of a works for domestic purposes. It has been computed by J. Nelson Tubbs, C. E., of Rochester, N. Y., that the difference between the cost of a system of water works for domestic purposes and the cost of a system of water works with a good fire protection (the interest on the same), should be charged to the cost of hydrants, and the result is that every
111
ANNUAL REPORT.
hydrant costs forty-one dollars and twenty-five cents ($41.25) per year." That is to say, if domestic supply was all that the works were designed for, smaller pipes, smaller tank, etc. , would have been sufficient, and on such a plant the income from domestic rates would be all the income which could be expected for the service rendered.
But when the department is put to the additional expense of furnishing larger pipes, hydrants, etc., this difference of cost should receive a certain compensation in the form of hydrant ren- tal. As we stated previously, in case the total revenue from do- mestic rates and hydrant rental amounts to more than is necessary for maintenance, then a balance can be carried to the construction account to help pay for the works, while in case the total revenue is not sufficient for the running expenses of the year, of course it will be necessary to raise by taxation an amount equal to the difference.
There are now one hundred and seventy (170) hydrants, and we recommend that the town authorize the commissioners to charge forty dollars ($40.00) per hydrant per year, and that the commissioners be authorized to use the income received from do- mestic rates and hydrant rental for purposes of maintenance.
It will be seen that in the maintenance account for the past year we have included thirty-five hundred dollars ($3,500) retired to the sinking fund.
We believe that the income to be derived from domestic rates and hydrant rental on the plan outlined above will be sufficient to pay all expense of maintenance and retire each year to the sinking fund a sum sufficient to provide for the payment of all outstand- ing bonds at their maturity. Thus it will be seen that the works are not only self-supporting, but will also pay for themselves when the bonds become due.
We estimate the income and expense of the department for the coming year as follows : Having allowed somewhat for possible increase in consumption and repairs.
112
ANNUAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Domestic rates,
Hydrant rental,
$10,500 00 6,800 00 -
$17.300 00
EXPENDITURES.
Pumping,
$2,200 00
Interest on bonds,
8,800 00
Repairs,
1,800 00
Salary,
700 00
Clerk hire,
300 00
Total maintance,
$13,800 00
Sinking Fund,
3,500 00
$17,300 00
The income from domestic rates estimated at $10,500.00 for this year is somewhat less than a full year's income from this source, as it consists of the advance charges for the year, January 1, 1894, to January 1, 1895, and excesses over meter allowances for eight months only, from May 1, 1893 to Janu- ary 1, 1894, due to the fact that under the system of the Fire District water rates were collected to May Ist, while under the management of the town it was deemed advisable to have the year end on January Ist instead of May Ist.
So that for a full year's income fifty per cent. (50 %) more of the excess water account should be added, or about fourteen hun- dred ($1,400.00) dollars more.
It will be seen that there is a balance of something over five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars to the credit of both the Construc- tion and Maintenance accounts, and we recommend that these balances be continued to the credit of these accounts, and that in case the construction to be authorized by the town for the com- ng year requires, the Commissioners shall have authority to transfer from the maintenance account to the construction account as much of the above balance as they deem best.
113
ANNUAL REPORT.
This places over ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars available for the construction account, aud we deem this more than suffi- cient for the cost of services, meters, and extension of mains in the village during the coming year.
During the completion of the pumping station, when the pumps and boilers were being placed in position, Mr. George A. Palmer was employed as engineer, thus enabling him to become familiar with all the piping and connections at the time of the first construction. He has continued as engineer during the year and has performed the duties of the position in a very satis- factory manner.
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