USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1893 > Part 7
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In order that a sufficient fire supply might be assured at all times, in case of any accident either to the dam or the force main, the commissioners deemed it advisable as a precautionary measure to have the Worthington pump remain in the old station where it could furnish a fire supply from the river if necessary. We were able to obtain it for two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars and the town will probably be able to realize that amount on it at any time it may wish to dispose of it.
It is to be noticed that compared with the report of the Fire District of April, 1892, there has been a large increase in the num- ber of meters in use while there are a less number of faucets sup- plied without a meter.
We believe that the sale of water through meters is the proper system, and it is predicted by men who are authorities on these matters that in less than twenty-five years all water works will have a meter on every service.
The advantage of the meter service is not in the increased reve- nue derived (for in many cases a meter on a service results in a saving to the consumer in the amount of his water bill,) but in the fact that the waste of water is stopped. The effect of a reckless waste of water is expensive in the extreme, compared with which the mere cost of pumping is only nominal ; for if a town should continue to use twice the amount of water which is really needed then the works would have to be built of a much greater capacity than really needed, requiring greater storage capacity in the stand pipe, larger sized mains on account of the loss of head by friction.
114
ANNUAL REPORT.
in the pipes and so forth, so that it is evident that it is economy for the town to employ all reasonable means to check reckless and unnecessary waste of water.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. M. STONE, G. A. DEAN, L. Z. CARPENTER, Water Commissioners.
ATTLEBORO, Mass., January 19, 1894.
ITEMIZED ACCOUNT OF BILLS
INCLUDED IN THE FOREGOING FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
Bills approved by Water Commissioner of Fire District, but paid by Town Treasurer after April 1, 1893.
1893.
Jan. II. C. N. Grant, $ 38 10
Providence Telephone Co., 21 00
Mossberg Mfg. Co., 52 88
Feb. 17. Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co., 108 98
Mar. 10. A. A. Bushee & Co.,
254 18
Apr. 4. A. A. Bushee & Co., 264 92
Rent of Office,
31 25
H. P. Childs,
13 50
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
12 59
Hersey Mfg. Co.,
6 70
Hersey Mfg. Co.,
20 00
N. Perry & Co.,
24 64
Mossberg Mfg. Co.,
65 83
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
33 37
$947 94
116
ANNUAL REPORT.
BILLS APPROVED BY WATER COMMISSIONERS OF THE TOWN.
PUMPING EXPENSES.
May 3. Pierce & Carpenter, coal, $ 130 09 A. Bushee & Co., pumping, 87 77
10. Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 88 39 George H. Palmer, engineer, 75 00
June 13. George H. Palmer, engineer, 75 00
21. Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 93 28
Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 76 46
July 6. George H. Palmer, engineer, 75 50
Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 38 98
Aug. 9. George H. Palmer, engineer, 75 00 Geo. A. Munroe, 6 15
Sept. 7. Geo. H. Palmer, engineer, 75 00
12. Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 69 09
Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 90 82
Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 37 31 A. Bushee & Co., testing Worthingtor Pump, 7 65
27. Leonard & Ellis, 72 60
Oct. IO. Geo. H. Palmer, engineer, 75 00 Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 51 45
Nov. I. Geo. H. Palmer, engineer, 60 00
22. Geo. H. Palmer, engineer, James McGirr, 6 00
60 00
Olney & Payne Bros., coal, 152 48
Dec.
Geo. H. Palmer, engineer, 60 co
Mrs. Geo. H. Palmer, 5 00
$1,644 02
117
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPAIRS.
1893. May 3. E. A. Taylor, 2 75
Geo. H. Snell, 8 20
A. H. Chatterton, 4 25
N. Perry & Co., SS 17
23. J. W. Gifford & Co., 3 96
June S. Pike & Shaw, 7 00
21. J. W. Gifford & Co., rep. on meters, 3 99
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 6-4
rubber rings, 3 60
National India Rubber Co., hydrant valves, 6 So
Thompson, Bushnell & Co., 25 64
N. Perry & Co., rep. on pipes, 32 04
July 18. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
IO 41
J. W. Gifford & Co.
36 59
Aug. 3. Paw't Steam & Gas Pipe Co., rep. on pipes 1 50
9. J. W. Gifford & Co. 2 40
16. N. Perry & Co., 83 39
N. Perry & Co., 17 OI
N. Perry & Co., 23 08
Sept. 12. Builders' Iron Foundry,
7 40
Nat. India Rubber Co., rep. on hydrant, 5 45
Pierce & Carpenter,
I 97
E. A. Taylor, teaming,
9 50
N. Perry & Co.,
109 03
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
3 58
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
29 41
Oct. IO. Geo. H. Snell,
10 80
Nat. India Rubber Co.,
6 10
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
49 20
N. Perry & Co., 75 31
Nov. I. E. A. Taylor, 2 25
Chas. E. Riley, 23 00
118
ANNUAL REPORT.
Nov. 15. E. A. Fuller, 8 37
J. W. Gifford & Co., 8 63
N. Perry & Co., 41 28
15. North Attleboro Steam & Elec- tric Co. (Telemeter), I 75
29. Chas. E. Riley,
3 90
Josiah Sullivan, 3 00
James H. Engley,
13 50
Dec. N. Perry & Co. IO 48
J. W. Gifford & Co., 5 68
J. W. Gifford & Co, 3 12
Ludlow Valve Co., 6 00
Pawtucket Steam & Gas Pipe Co., 3 95 E. A. Fuller, 2 IO
N. Perry & Co., 50 62
National Meter Co., 3 75
Pierce & Carpenter, 13 63
Pawtucket Steam & Gas Pipe Co., 4 50
$878 04
SALARIES.
April 24. H. A. Bodman,
IOI 14
June 8. Carrie L. Perry,
31 25
July 18. Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
Aug. 9. Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
Sept. 12. Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
Oct. IO. Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
Nov.
I. Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
22. Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
Dec. 13. W. J. Luther,
421 93
Carrie L. Perry,
25 00
$729 32
119
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
April 24. H. A. Bodman, 43 27
May 3. Sun Publishing Co., printing, 1 25
Sun Publishing Co., 66 2 00
W. J. Luther, 8 15
10. Sun Publishing Co., 1 50
IO. Sun Publishing Co., 2 87
Park Hotel, 12 00
William Stone, II 50
23. E. S. Capron, 7 89
Sun Publishing Co., 3 00
Providence Telephone Co., 3 90
June
S. Hooper, Lewis & Co. 36 55
Mossberg Mfg. Co., 2 00
21. Sun Publishing Co., note heads, 2 25
Hooper, Lewis & Co., station- ery, etc., 3 15
July 6. L. Z. Carpenter, 19 59
Providence Telephone Co., Pumping Station, 6 25
Pike & Shaw, 3 50
Geo. H. Snell,
13 28
Attleboro Savings and Loan Association, rent, 31 25
IS. Attleboro Gas Light Co., gas, 60
Boston Daily Advertiser, 9 00
Forbes Lithograph Mfg. Co., 45 00
Providence Telephone Co., 6 25
Aug. 3. E. R. Read, 9 00
16. Sun Publishing Co., advertis- ing, 2 50
Sept. 12. H. A. Dickerman & Son, record book, 16 00
W. J. Luther, postage, ex- press, etc., 29 15
1
120
ANNUAL REPORT.
Sept. 27. Providence Telephone Co., engineer's residence, 6 25
Oct. 10. Attleboro Savings and Loan Association, rent, 31 25
Attleboro Gas Light Co., 20
Providence Telephone Co., 18 75
Dec. Attleboro Savings and Loan Association, 31 25
Sun Publishing Co., 3 50
L. Z. Carpenter, 12 43
436 28
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
Bills approved by Water Commissioners of Fire District, but paid by Town Treasurer.
BIE
Jan. II. C. N. Grant, 6 33
Builders' Iron Foundry, 7 40
I. T. Braman, 33 32
M. M. Tidd, 878 30
Feb. 17. Thomson Meter Co., 59 70
C. N. Grant,
54 09
Clemsford Foundry Co.,
33 20
W. S. Lyons,
151 51
Pierce & Carpenter,
43 34
Thomson Meter Co., 34 55
Mar. 10. E. A. Fuller, I 05
J. S. Briggs, 4 80
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
7 39
Apr. 4. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
166 12
W. J. Luther, 134 48
Dean Steam Pump Co., 1,700 00
Malcom Currie, 104 00
Joseph Cornell, 17 85
121
ANNUAL REPORT.
Apr. 4. E. M. Read,
3 00
J. A. Thayer,
6 00
Nightingale & Childs,
16 72
Geo. H. Palmer,
75 00
John Crehan,
6 97
Arthur McCue,
I 50
L. Z. Carpenter,
IO II
J. S. Briggs,
1 00
Thomson Meter Co.,
59 70
N. Perry & Co., 7 25
H. Purcell and others,
22 84
Mossberg Mfg. Co.,
3 50
5. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
23 72
17. Porter Mfg. Co., 1,745 59
$5,420 33
BILLS APPROVED BY WATER COMMISSIONERS OF TOWN SINCE APRIL IST, 1893.
EXTENSION STREET MAINS.
May 3. Builders' Iron Foundry, 13 60
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 42 00
Old Colony R. R., freight bills, 4 32
Josiah Sullivan, 10 00
10. Old Colony R. R. C., 79
June
8. Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 189 55
21. William A. Bushee, rep. new pipe line, II 07
Builders' Iron Foundry, 89 68
Builders' Iron Foundry, 14 OS
Joseph Bouchard, 5 00
R. D. Wood & Co., pipe, 947 58
122
ANNUAL REPORT.
June 21. Old Colony R. R. Co. Lessee, freight, 61 93
July 6. G. F. Newman, care of pipe line, 2 00
13. Old Colony R. R. Co., Lessee, II 14
18. E. A. Taylor, 19 72
Pierce & Carpenter, I 25
Walworth Mfg. Co., 112 SS
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 321 60
Builders' Iron Foundry, 33 44
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 39 70
N. Perry & Co., Soo oo
Aug.
3. Builders' Iron Foundry, 13 80
Builders' Iron Foundry, 16 00
Builders' Iron Foundry , 7 92
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 56 23
9. N. Perry & Co., 500 00
16. N. Perry & Co., 586 S2
N. Perry & Co., 9 $$ 19.80
R. D. Wood & Co., 1,772 42
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 23 44
31. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 2 34
Sept. 12. Nash & Hunter, 20 25
Builders' Iron Foundry, 153 66
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 471 60
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 170 40
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 277 39
Builders' Iron Foundry, 33 84
N. Perry & Co., 206 55
N. Perry & Co., 46 51
Builders' Iron Foundry, ISI 28
21. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., II 06
Oct. 10. N. Perry & Co., 345 91
17. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., I OS
123
ANNUAL REPORT.
Oct. 17. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 186 05
24. N. Perry & Co., 1,000 00
Nov. I. Nash & Hunter, II 20
3. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 98 00
15. Walworth Mfg. Co., 100 05
W. Gilmore, 37 00
N. Perry & Co., 1,000 00
22. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., 25
29. H. A. Smith, 34 55
Warren Foundry & Machine Co., 6,429 17
Dec.
N. Perry & Co., 743 66
$17,289 56
SERVICES.
1893.
May 3. J. W. Gifford & Co., $7 91
June 21. J. W. Gifford & Co., 10 55 E. A. Taylor, 3 36
July IS. Bingham & Taylor, I2I S2
J. W. Gifford & Co., 32 16
J. W. Gifford & Co., 41 04
Aug. 9. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
94 53
Sept. 12. J. W. Gifford & Co., 43 35
Oct. IO. J. W. Gifford & Co., 21 79
Nov. 15. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
20 19
Dec. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
272 36
$669 06
124
ANNUAL REPORT.
METERS.
IS93.
June S. Neptune Meter Co., 19 90
Sept. 12. Union Water Meter Co., re- pairs, 2 90
Nov. 1. Union Water Meter Co., 204 25
29. Union Water Meter Co., I 27 50
$354 55
FOUNDATIONS FOR BLAKE PUMP AND
CONNECTIONS.
1893.
May 23. Walworth Mfg. Co., 46 22
R. D. Manchester, 20 00
James McGirr, 35 00
O. Henry, 12 70
M. F. Ashley,
2 00
June 8. Pawtucket Steam & Gas Pipe Co., 3 84
Robert E. Brown, IO 85
General Fire Extinguisher Co.,
54 75
21. George F. Blake Mfg. Co., 33 60
C. H. Peck, 2 00
July 6. Deane Steam Pump Co., 97 20
Nightingale & Childs, 67 28
Aug. 3. E. A. Fuller, So 47
Sept. 12. Pawtucket Steam & Gas Pipe Co., 19 42 Deane Steam Pump Co., 26 40
$51I 73
TELEMETER.
IS93.
June 2. Postal Telegraph Cable Co., 26 00 July 18. R. I. Telephone & Electric Co., 98 89
125
ANNUAL REPORT.
Aug. 3. R. I. Telphone & Electric Co., 9 00
Jesse Blaney, 3 75 R. I. Telephone & Electric Co., 4 75
9. Pike & Shaw, 23 00
Sept. 12. Standard Thermometer Co., 6 00
Standard Thermometer Co., 3 74
Standard Thermometer Co., 39 25
Standard Thermometer Co., 175 00
27. North Attleboro Steam & Elec- tric Co., 53
North Attleboro Steam & Elec- tric Co., 36 48
Nov. I. Smith Electric Co., 4 00
$430 39
COMPLETION OF WORK AT SOUTH ATTLEBORO INCLUDING COST OF COTTAGE.
IS93.
May 3. E. O. Dexter, 400 00
Pierce & Carpenter, 6 73
Pierce & Carpenter,
90 49
Geo. H. Snell, 56 90
Patrick Whalen,
12 40
N. Perry & Co,,
61 75
James McGirr,
10 00
Eugene Riley,
14 35
R. D. Manchester,
67 25
James McGirr,
15 93
L. Z. Carpenter,
4 72
Priest, Page & Co.,
86 10
Deane Steam Pump Co.,
1,700 00
Grant Bros.,
42 47
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
137 20
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
70 99
1
126
ANNUAL REPORT.
May 3. W. J. Luther, 75 00
IO. Mossberg Mfg. Co., I 50
O. Henry, 36 00
Joseph Cody,
4 20
J. L. Wells,
14 40
Harry Purcell,
24 76
23. Charles L. Fletcher, 5 75
Everett O. Dexter,
159 96
Olney & Paine Bros., 2 00
Boston & Providence Ladder Co., 6 50
Lock Regulator Co., 125 00
June 8. H. A. Smith, 56 00
North Attleboro Steam & Elec- tric Co., 8 05
Thompson, Bushnell & Co., 3 94
Crandall Packing Co., I 05
M. M. Tidd,
89 80
Perry & O'Connell,
500 00
N. Perry & Co.,
140 00
13. H. A. Smith,
83 40
H. A. Smith,
70 00
James McGirr,
31 94
21. C. N. Grant estate, G. A. Adams, assignee, 650 00
Grant Bros., 46 20
John Gallagher, 71 43
July 6. Henry Knowles, 27 75
Grant Bros.,
500 00
Grant Bros.,
113 05
James McGirr,
22 05
H. A. Smith, 53 25
18. Pierce & Carpenter, 115 26
J. W. Gifford & Co., 2 64
J. W. Gifford & Co., 30 28
Attleboro Gas Light Co., 1 00
H. A. Smith, 161 40
Robert E. Brown,
5 05
Builders' Iron Foundry, II 14
127
ANNUAL REPORT.
Aug. 3. John Gallagher, 26 32
Grant Bros.,
300 00
Olney & Payne Bros.,
3 25
E. A. Fuller,
32 99
9. Grant Bros., 104 SI
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
48 58
J. L. Wells,
41 58
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
59 74
Aug. 16. Grant Bros., 200 00
James McGirr,
II 40
B. A. Cummings,
36 00
F. M. Ballou & Co.,
162 50
F. E. Drown,
70 00
Chas. L. Fletcher,
3 50
Sept 12. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
114 05
Grant Bros.,
300 00
James McGirr,
15 00
Deane Steam Pump Co.,
331 97
J. L. Wells,
8 90
W. F. Shattuck,
IO 02
Nash & Hunter,
91 15
Nash & Hunter,
52 50
Nash & Hunter,
IIS IO
Chas. L. Fletcher,
IO 50
Paul Sears,
2 40
J. E. Perrin,
3 00
Chas. L. Fletcher,
5 25
Geo. Morrill,
4 50
27. G. A. Adams, Assignee, C. N.
Grant, 60 00
E. A. Fuller,
38 71
Grant Bros.,
3 00
Grant Bros.,
288 00
Oct. 10. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
I 40
James McGirr, 20 63
J. W. Gifford & Co., 51 09
Pawtucket Steam & Gas Pipe Co., 15 95
128
ANNUAL REPORT.
Oct. 10. Pawtucket Steam & Gas Pipe
Co., 6 24
Nov.
I. H. A. Smith, 234 50
American Oil Co., 35 00
Nov.
I. Attleboro Furniture Co., 23 50
15. J. W. Gifford & Co.,
175 00
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
4 50
S. R. Briggs, 2 65
22. E. O. Dexter,
249 79
29. E. O. Dexter,
74 66
Dec.
J. W. Gifford & Co.,
25 08
Pierce & Carpenter,
24 10
George H. Snell,
5 95
$9,534 79
The foregoing accounts, to the best of our knowledge, include all the accounts contracted by the Water Department during the period covered by the report.
The outstanding liabilities not paid for are as follows :-
The cost of land taken for the pumping station at South Attleboro, $1, 100.00, and the cost of taking Orr's pond and any damages that may have been done in constructing the well.
The cost of the land first taken was determined by a board of arbitrators, to whom the matter was referred, and by whose decision both parties are bound. The amount of the award has been tendered the other parties in legal tender, and by them refused, so that this account involves the payment of no interest on the part of the town. In the matter of the cost of Orr's pond, Mr. Orr has signed a paper agreeing to waive all claims for interest on the value of the Orr's pond property in lieu of his being allowed to occupy and use the property, the control and manage- ment of the gates at the waste way being left to the Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
To the Water Commissioners.
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith I submit my report as superinten- dent to January 1, 1894. As the town did not acquire the Water Works until March 29, 1893, the report covers only the period between those dates. As pumping records were not kept before May 1, 1893, statements based on these records cover only the eight months from May 1, 1893, to January 1, 1894.
The extension of street mains during the summer has been more extensive than for several years, as is shown in the following schedule.
Except in a few instances authorized by the town (such as the pipe line to W. H. Wilmarth & Co.'s new shop, and the replac- ing of the four-inch pipe on Brady's Hill), the extensions have only been made upon a guarantee of 5 per cent. yearly income on the cost of the extensions, so that it is evident that the income of the town from water rates and guarantees should be very materially increased in the future, while at the same time the property on the lines of these extensions will undoubtedly yield an increased revenue in taxes due to the increased valuation.
SCHEDULE OF PIPE LAID IN 1893.
LOCATION.
12" Pipe (iron)
10" Pipe (iron)
S" Pipe (iron)
6" Cement pipe
replaced by S"
6" Pipe (iron).
6" Iron hydrant
connections
4" Pipe replaced
by 6" iron pipe.
4" Iron blowoffs.
Hydrants set.
Old hydrants re-
placed by new
ones.
South Attleboro, Pumping Station to Coupe's Factory .. .
FELT.
FEET.
FEET.
FEET.
FEET.
FEET.
FEET.
FEET.
NO.
NO.
4756
104.75
56
II
South Attleboro, Coupe's Factory to near Turnpike . Attleboro, Park St ..
2080
1487
57.25 29
3
Avenue to Hazel St. ..
2215
34
4
66
66 Cor. Dunham ..
" Pearl.
66 School ....
Claflin St. and Bank St. to
1263
16
12
Attleboro, West St ..
504
13
459
SSS.5
IS
289
I
Dean St ....
I
Totals. .
4756
2080
2215
289 4142.5
272
633
56
29
3
55
54 65
Holden St. .
North Main St., Brady's Hill.
Dean and Hodges St. Ext'ns.
Bank St., Peck to R. R .....
Bank St., Cor. Peck St ......
Leroy St ..
iron pipe.
6
131
ANNUAL REPORT.
In determining the size of pipes to be used in the extensions, I have endeavored to increase the efficiency of the fire supply, when ever possible, without unreasonably increasing the cost of these extensions.
For instance, in furnishing a fire supply for School Street, near the shop of W. H. Wilmarth & Co., instead of extending the four-inch pipes on School and James Streets an eight-inch pipe was laid through Park Avenue, James and School Streets, which intersected and was connected with four four-inch pipes and one six inch pipe. At the test made by the firemen in August last, nine (9) effective fire streams were thrown simul- taneously (with tank pressure only), while from a four-inch pipe it would be impossible to obtain over two fire streams and often only one. This result was obtained because, by the above arrangement, the velocity through each of the small pipes supplying the eight (S) inch pipe was so slight that the energy was not wasted by friction.
In making the extensions to South Attleboro, one reason why twelve (12) and ten (10) inch pipes were used was that an efficient hydrant service might be obtained in the vicinity of the "Turnpike," when the system is finally extended there (and applications have already been made for part of these exten- sions).
This loss of energy due to friction in small pipes is enormous. In some cases rendering the stream obtained of little use for fighting a fire.
By means of many experiments and observations tables have been prepared which make it possible to determine approxi- mately what amount of water can be delivered, and at what pressure through a given system of pipes.
One instance of an important section of our system will suffice as an illustration.
The pipe which extends through North Main Street to the Farmers is six (6) inch, having a length of about 3,500 feet from Peck Street (the last point at which a pipe from another street connects with it).
The static head at Farmers from tank pressure is about sixty (60) lbs. Assuming that it is necessary to have two standard fire
132
ANNUAL REPORT.
streams of 250 gallons per minute each. or three ordinary streams with a pressure at the hydrant of forty-five (45) lbs., then we find that in order to do this through the six-inch pipe the pressure at Park Street must be increased to ninety-four (94) lbs. That is, the loss by friction through the six-inch pipe is nearly equal to the amount of the static pressure.
In case the pipe were an eight (S) inch pipe, the loss by fric- tion in accomplishing the same result would be only nine (9) lbs., and as the static head is sixty (60) Ibs. we still have left fifty-one (51) lbs. pressure at the hydrant from the stand pipe pressure. Therefore, during the fire at the Electric Light Station on the morning of January 2d, the pressure was increased as suggested above to about one hundred (100) lbs. on Park Street, or about one hundred and fifteen (115) lbs. at the Pump- ing Station, with the result that the water was delivered at the fire under a pressure which enabled the firemen to do effective work in stopping further progress of the fire. But a consideration of the uncertainty of obtaining direct pressure promptly when wanted, and the effect of direct pressure on the cement pipe in this instance, will show very clearly that it is advisable to increase the size of certain mains so that we can obtain a satisfactory fire pressure from the tank throughout the entire system at all times.
The alarm of fire was given at about 4.15 a. m. ; at 4.27 Chief Packard sounded three blows on the alarm indicating that he wished direct pressure. Fortunately both the Superintendent and Water Commissioner Carpenter were where they could shut the gate to the stand pipe, so that at 4.30 the pressure reached one hundred (100) lbs. on Park Street.
Only twelve revolutions per minute of the Deane pump, or 480 gallons per minute, were necessary to maintain the fire pres- sure and supply the two streams at the fire and the domestic con- sumption at the time. At 4.40, however (ten minutes later), the strain on the cement pipe proved too great, and three breaks occurred, one on Prospect Street, one on Hodges Street, and one on Dean Street, with the result that the speed of the pump was increased to forty-six (46) revolutions per minute, pumping over 1,800 gallons per minute, exceeding by over thirty per cent. the amount of work required under the contract with the makers.
133
ANNUAL REPORT.
At 5.40 I was able to locate and cut out the leak on Prospect Street, so that the speed of the pump was reduced to thirty-two re- volutions per minute. The recall was sounded at 6.35 and the gate to the tank was opened at 6.40. The pump was kept running, however, at the rate of thirty-two (32) revolutions per minute, un- til all the leaks were located and cut out and the tank filled, which was at 8.45, having pumped 342, 160 gallons of water from the well. It is to be noticed that unless some one is at hand to close the gate to the stand pipe the engineer at the pumping sta- tion cannot increase the pressure beyond stand pipe pressure, and also that if breaks should occur, which would waste twice the amount of water wasted in this case, or if the break had been on the line of pipe supplying water for the fire, the efficiency of the service would have been lost. As pipe is laid on new streets parallel to, and connecting with, old lines it will be possible in many cases to increase the efficiency of the system without going to the expense of replacing pipe now laid. And in this case if a second force main is laid at some future time from Newmans Corner to the village by the way of West and Mechanics Streets, the amount which can be obtained from the six (6) inch pipe on West and North Main Streets would be doubled by receiving a supply from each end.
But the time when this second force main will be laid is remote and uncertain, and with a view to finding some other way of im- proving the fire supply on this pipe line, I examined the plant of the Electric Light Co. at the Farmers with their engineer during the week previous to the fire.
They have a pump which could deliver from the Farmers pond as much water as can be delivered through the pipe by stand pipe pressure from the other way.
Thus furnishing an opportunity for doubling the amount that can be furnished on West Street and vicinity, without increasing the pressure in other parts of the town.
This pump and the boilers are uninjured, and in case the plant is put in operation again the pipe can be connected with the street main by laying about three hundred feet of six (6) inch pipe at a cost of about three hundred ($300) dollars.
There is a considerable amount of valuable property protected
134
ANNUAL REPORT.
by this six (6) inch pipe on North Main Street, including the School Houses on Sanford Street (which should have special hydrant service) and the shop of R. F. Simmons & Co., and this section will not receive proper protection until a larger pipe is laid on North Main Street, from Park Street to West Street. Provision was made for this, when the twelve (12) inch main was placed in Park Street, by connecting North Main Street with a ten (10) inch branch.
In other sections of the system, the County Street section is well supplied by the new force main, and the South Main Street section will be very well supplied in case the works are extended to Dodgeville and Hebronville by the larger sized pipe that should be laid on that street, beginning at Park Street. Park Street has some four (4) inch pipe, but larger pipes on Emory, Holman and Falmouth Streets, laid to Forest Street and con- nected to Park Street in three or four places, will furnish a good supply for that vicinity. Pleasant Street has a great deal of four (4) inch pipe, and has as poor a fire supply as any of the sections. An eight-inch pipe is necessary on a part of this line.
To summarize then, larger pipes should be laid on North Main Street and Pleasant Street, while in other parts of the town future extensions will in most cases develop a good supply, except that proper protection on the west side of the shops requires that the part of the pipe in the Hebronville extension, lying between Park Street and the South Main Street Crossing, should be laid, and a connection made at Mill Street. with the pipe running to the shops through Rail Road Avenue. I have at this time only referred to the proper sizes for the main pipes of each section. There are several streets having four (4) inch pipe (like Park or Dean Street), which will furnish one or two good fire streams that would probably be sufficient for controlling a fire in only one dwelling house, but insufficient if more streams were needed.
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