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Sec. 15. Architects are required when drawing plans and specifications to make provisions for the channeling and pocketing of buildings for electric light and power wires. No electric gas lighting will be allowed on the same fixtures with the electric light.
Sec. 16. Any person or corporation who shall do or attempt to do any electrical construction work, whether original work or alterations, without giving written notice to the Inspector of Wires, or, after request from said Inspector, failing to furnish him with a working drawing of the proposed construction or alteration, and obtaining from; him a written permit to do such work, may be punished in accordance with the provisions of Section 19. Chapter 122, of the Revised Laws.
Sec. 17. This ordinance shall not be construed to relieve or lessen the responsibility of any party owning. operating or controling any electrical equipment, for damages to anyone injured by any defect therein, nor shall the town be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein or certificates issued by its agents and servants, exercising the rights or powers given herein.
Sec. 18. Every person or corporation, private or municipal, within the town, shall affix at the point of support at which any such wires, or cables containing wires, is attached, a mark, on the cross arm (or bracket,
130
ANNUAL REPORT.
where such is used in place of a cross arm), a tag, designating the owner or user of such wire or cable. No such tag or mark shall be required for the wires of a street railway company used for the transmission of its motive power nor for the protection or support of such wires, for a current with a potential of 500 volts or under, but all cross arms and wires shall be marked as herein described on alternating high tension trans- mission lines, and suitable guard wires placed over them.
Sec. 19. The violation of any of the above rules and regulations may be punished in accordance with the penalties prescribed in the Revised Laws of Massachusetts.
Sec. 20. This ordinance may be amended or added to at such times as the Inspector of Wires may deem it wise for the safety of the public.
EDGAR TREGONING, Inspector of Wires.
Twelfth Report
OF THE
Water Department
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31
1904
T 9
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH Water Department, 1904.
Commissioners :
GEORGE H. SNELL, Clerk, Term Expires 1905;
DAVID E. MAKEPEACE, Term Expires 1906;
WVM. M. STONE,
Term Expires 1907.
Superintendent and Registrar : GEORGE H. SNELL.
Assistant Superintendent : GEORGE W. BABCOCK.
Clerk at Registrar's Office : CARRIE L. PERRY.
Engineer at Pumping Station : GEORGE H. PALMER.
Assistant Engineer at Pumping Station : EDWIN A. WASHBURN.
.
Report of the Water Department.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
Attleborough Water Works.
Population by census of 1900, 11,335
Date of construction of works, 1873
Source of supply : Circular well near Seven Mile River. Mode of supplying : By pumping into standpipe 30 feet in diameter, 125 feet high.
Pumping.
Builders of pumping machinery: Deane Steam Pump Company, Barr Pumping Engine Company.
Description of coal used : New River coal.
Coal consumed for the year,
775,191 lbs.
Total pumpage for the year,
202,919,700 gal.
Average dynamic head against which pumps work :
Deane, 188 ft.
Barr, 225 ft.
Number of gallons pumped per pound of coal, . . 268
Duty, including banking,
· 50,300,000 lbs.
Duty, without banking, 64,000,000 1bs.
Consumption.
Estimated population, 13,500 Estimated population on lines of pipe at date,. . 13,000 Total number of gallons consumed for the year, . 202,919,700
Average daily consumption, 554,513
134
ANNUAL REPORT.
Gallons per day for each inhabitant, 4I Gallons per day for each consumer, 43
Note .- The large increase in consumption per capita is due to the unavoidable waste during the construction of the new well.
Distribution.
Kind of pipe in use : Wrought iron, cast iron and
cement lined. 1
Sizes: From I inch to 16 inches.
Extended,
6,428 feet, or 1.2 miles
Total now in use, 44.8 miles
Number of leaks, 35
Hydrants added, 6
Number now in use, 335
Range of pressure on mains at Park Square for 24 hours, 54 to 62 lbs. -
Direct pressure for fires, 110 1bs.
Meters.
Meters added, 99
Number now in use, 1,666
Motors now in use, . 2
Number of meters rented by town,
1,446
Number of meters owned by individuals, 220
Kind and number of meters in use at the end of year : Ball & Fitts, 2
Union Rotary,
394
"A" Union Rotary, 215
Columbia, 21
Hersey,
124
Hersey Disc,
38
Crown,
158
Nash, 544
Empire,
39
Thompson,
43
Lambert,
58
Trident, 30
135
ANNUAL REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Maintenance. Dr.
Amount paid Town Treasurer by
Water Registrar, being income from sale of water, etc., $31,248.03
Appropriation by town,
3,000.00
Premium on bonds,
2,114.00
Amount received from
accrued
1
interest on bonds,
28.89
$36,390.92
Cr
Pumping expenses, $ 3,991.02
Incidental expenses,
1,253.93
Workshop and barn,
3,500.00
Salaries,
2,170.00
Insurance,
333.77
Repairs,
1,075.4I
Teams,
661.05
Labor,
12,365.35
Tools,
387.57
Pipe system,
1,507.82
Interest account,
13,645.00
Total of maintenance, $30,890.92
Amount placed in Sinking Fund, . 5,500.00
$36,390.92
Construction. Dr.
Unexpended balance, $ 6,036.93
Received from sale of bonds, 20,000.00
Amount paid Town Treasurer for pipe laying, etc.,
276.27
$26,313.20
136
ANNUAL REPORT.
Cr.
Cost of construction for 1904, as shown by itemized accounts, $21,056.87
Unexpended balance, 5,256.33
$26,313.20
Total cost of works to date,
$472,910.70
Bonded debt at this date, 337,000.00
Value of Sinking Fund, 35,397.67
Examined January 24, 1905, and found correct,
BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, BYRON R. HILL, FRED L. LeBARON,
Auditors.
Statement of the Amount of Income Received From Water Rates From the Date of the Construction of the Water Works to the Present Time.
(These figures do not include appropriations made by the Fire District or Town.)
June, 1874-April, 1875, 10 months, .$ 789.98
April, 1875-July, 1876, 15 months, 2,021.84
July, 1876-May, 1877, 10 months, 2,000.00
May, 1877-May, 1878, 2,653.38
May, 1878-May, 1879, 3,039.37
May, 1879-May, 1880,
3,447.45
May, 1880-May, 1881,
4,482.30
May, 1881-May, 1882,
4,540.34
May, 1882-May, 1883,
5,436.39
May, 1883-May, 1884,
5,500.00
May, 1884-May, 1885,
5,034.00
May, 1885-May, 1886, 5,500.00
May, 1886-May, 1887, 5,714.52
May, 1887-May, 1888, 6,092.00
May, 1888-May, 1889, 7,600.00
May, 1889-May, 1890,
8,300.00
137
ANNUAL REPORT.
May, 1890-May, 1891, 8,759.46
May, 1891-May, 1892, 8,535.00
May, 1892-May, 1893, 9,616.94
May, 1893-January, 1894, 8 months, 9,200.00
January, 1894-January, 1895, 11,174.60
January, 1895-January, 1896,
14,188.00
January, 1896-January, 1897,
15,292.29
January, 1897-January, 1898, 16,446.69
January, 1898-January, 1899, 16,394.18
January, 1899-January, 1900,
19,968.8
January, 1900-January, 1901,
21,424.4I
January, 1901-January, 1902, 27,325.34
January, 1902-January, 1903, 27,539.14
January, 1903-January, 1904, 29,876.22
January, 1904-January, 1905, 31,524.30
$339,417.03
Statement of the Indebtedness of the Town for Water Works Construction.
Bonds.
4's A. and O., due October 12, 1912, $ 20,000.00
4's S. and M., due September 1, 1915, 12,000.00
4's J. and J., due January 1, 1919, 20,000.00
31/2's J. and J., due January I, 1921, 10,000.00
4's A. and O., due October 1, 1922, 25,000.00
4's J. and J., due July 1, 1923, 35,000.00
4's J. and J., due July 1, 1924, 40,000.00
4's J. and J., due July 1, 1926, 25,000.00
4's J. and J., due July. I, 1927, 10,000.00
4's J: and J., due July 1, 1928, 13,000.00
31/2's J. and J., due July 1, 1929, 15,000.00
31/2's J. and J., due July 1, 1930, 12,000.00
31/2's O. and A., due April 1, 1921, 20,000.00
138
ANNUAL REPORT.
31/2's O. and A., due April 1, 1932, 30,000.00
4's O. and A., due April 1, 1933, 30,000.00
4's A. and O., due April 1, 1934, 20,000.00
$337,000.00
Sinking Fund assets, 25,397.67
Balance net debt, $311,602.33
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
To the citizens of Attleborough :
The twelfth annual report of the Attleborough Water Commissioners is herewith submitted as required by the town ordinances.
Following this report will be found the report of the Superintendent of the Water Works and Water Reg- istrar, and such statistics as are given from the work of the Water Department.
There has been no year in the history of the Water Department since its origin that there has been the amount of work laid out as during this year. The reason for this is on account of the rapid growth of the town, the larger business interests that demand the very best fire protection ; also the large increase and growth of the department and the necessity of furnishing pure water for domestic purposes at all times and under all conditions. The Commissioners made a careful study of the entire situation and have tried to lay out the new work so as to strengthen every weak point, and when the work is completed we believe that Attleborough will have one of the most up-to-date water supplies in the country. Every care is being taken to look forward to the future so that the work that is now being done will not have to be wasted in years to come. In this report will be found the report of the Water Commis- sioners, together with the report of Snow & Barbour,
139
ANNUAL REPORT.
engineers, which was read at the special town meeting, held September 6, showing in detail the situa- tion and the recommendations by the Commis- sioners and engineers.
All recommendations by the Commissioners were accepted and adopted without a dissenting vote, and the Commissioners wish to thank the voters for the interest they took in this matter and the confidence shown in the Commissioners.
Report of Water Commissioners Recommending the Construction of a New Well, New Standpipe, With Pipe Running to Thacher Street, on Thacher Street to County, on County From Thacher to Dennis Street; a Force Main From Station to Standpipe, Through Private Land. .
For the last two years the Water Commissioners have had under consideration the advisability of a larger water supply and storage, also a better fire protection than at present, and have spoken of the same in the last two annual reports.
Although the town has been very fortunate so far as to fire, domestic and general supply, yet the fact still remains that with our large manufacturing industries, with the most of them in wooden buildings, we are taking chances with our present supply ; although better than many towns of our size, and kept in the best possi- ble condition, still there are a number of weak points which the Commissioners wish to strengthen, and we feel that we have the support of the taxpayers.
On the 16th of last March, this matter was clearly presented to the Commissioners and also to the inhab- itants of the town, when there was a fire in the new Second Congregational Church. An alarm from Box 6 was rung in at 5:40 a. m., and immediately direct pres- sure was put on of 100 pounds, and held for 25 minutes.
140
ANNUAL REPORT.
At 6:05 a. m., after the fire was under control, the 16- inch force main from the pumping station to the town burst, and the pressure dropped to 40 pounds, which would have been useless as a fire pressure. At that time there was about 30 feet out of the standpipe, and before we could get the gates closed at the junction of County and Thacher streets, there were 40 feet out.
We telephoned to the Attleboro Steam & Electric Company, also the R. F. Simmons Company, to start their pumps, so as to pump into the town mains, which they did in a very few minutes, and we were able to keep up the domestic supply until repairs could be made on the force main, which were completed at 4:45 p. m. The pump at the R. F. Simmons Company's shop was- stopped at 3:00 p. m., and at the Attleboro Steam & Electric Company's shop at 4:45 p. m.
We wish to state at this time that neither R. F. Simmons Company or the Attleboro Steam & Electric Company made any charge to the town for their ser- vices, and the Commissioners feel that they have done. the town a great service, for if there had been a fire during the time we were making repairs, they could have furnished six good fire streams, and we feel that in case of a break in our mains that we have some pro- tection against fire, but none as a domestic supply, as- the quality of water supplied from these pumps was such that it caused some alarm, as the taste and color were so different from cur well supply.
We took every precaution to empty the pipes of that water by flushing the hydrants for five days, and at the. end of that time there was no complaint, although we feel that it is time to take measures to prevent a recur- rence of the same trouble.
On March 21, we received the following letter from Mr. X. H. Goodnough, Chief Engineer of the State Board of Health.
,
141
ANNUAL REPORT.
Boston, Mass., March 21, 1904.
Mr. George H. Snell,
Superintendent Water Works, Attleborough, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
I notice in the Boston papers a statement that during the fire at the Second Congregational Church at Attleborough, on March 17, a water main burst between South Attleboro pump- ing station and the standpipe and that the firemen were obliged to make connection with Farmers Pond during the remainder of the fire, in consequence of which impure water was introduced into the waterpipe system of the town. It also appears that the Board of Health has issued a notice to the townspeople requesting them to boil all water used.
I do not find the location of Farmers Pond on the map. Will you kindly inform me as to its location, and the circum- stances requiring the use of impure water, if such was the case, and the approximate quantity of water so used, if pos- sible; also the actual point from which water was taken.
Yours truly, X. H. GOODNOUGH, Chief Engineer.
The Superintendent called at once on Mr. Goodnough and stated the circumstances, and he was satisfied that it was the only course that we could have taken under the present condition of the storage, although he thought we were drawing the line very close and taking too many chances for the health of the town. He be- lieved that we should take steps to prevent the need of ever taking water from these sources again for any cause whatever. There did not seem to be any ill effects. from the water used at this time, yet the Commiss oners do not feel that they want to take any chances in the future, if it is possible to prevent it ; and so we present the exact situation to the people as we understand it.
The Commissioners consulted with Snow & Barbour of Boston, who are water supply engineers, to prepare plans and specifications for a larger storage, on a higher
142
ANNUAL REPORT.
location, with a continuous fire pressure and a storage large enough to take care of the town for several days; also for a double pipe line from pumping station to the town.
After a careful study of the needs of the town from all the different points of view, Snow & Barbour have made the following report to the Water Commissioners :
To the Water Commissioners of Attleborough, Wm. M. Stone, Chairman ; George H. Snell, Clerk; David E. Makepeace : 1
Gentlemen :- In accordance with the authority con- ferred by you, we beg to submit the following report :
SUMMARY OF PRESENT CONDITIONS.
Source of Supply.
The water supply of Attleborough is drawn from a circular well 30 feet in diameter and 25 feet deep, sit- uated 150 feet from the bank of Seven Mile River. The water shed of the river above the well is about eight square miles, and there can be no question as to the capacity of the source to supply the town for years to come.
There is question, however, as to the adequacy of the present development of the source, as has been shown by the dangerously low level to which the well has been drawn at times when the pump has been operated con- tinuously for a longer period than usual. While, there is sufficient water in the source, a greater well area should be provided in the near future in order to make it possible at all times to operate the pump at its normal capacity.
Pumping Plant.
The pumping plant consists of a Deane duplex com- pound, of 1,500,000 gallons daily capacity, and the Barr vertical cross compound, of 3,000,000 gallons daily capacity.
143
ANNUAL REPORT.
Storage.
The present storage is provided by a steel standpipe, 30 feet in diameter and 125 feet high, with a total capacity of 661,000 gallons. The top of this standpipe is at an elevation of 267.27, or about 142 feet above the ground at the corner of County and Park streets. The standpipe was erected in 1890, and although the quality of the Attleborough water is, because of the contained carbonic oxide, such that it attacks unprotected iron, the tank is still in fair condition.
Distribution System.
In the year 1901 all the cement-lined mains, at that time in use, were replaced with cast iron pipe. The distribution system is, consequently, in a good condition, and it is proved by the small per capita use of water. Even under the severe strains of the present method of direct fire pressures, there is very little leakage from the mains.
Pressures, Ordinary and for Fire Protection.
The ordinary pressure depends upon the height of water in the standpipe, and on Park street ranges from 60 lbs. with the tank full to 50 lbs. when the water is lowered to the limit now set as safe.
In case of fire the standpipe is shut off by closing a valve, and the pressure is run up at the pumping station to II0 lbs., relief valves being set to work at 125 lbs. The corresponding pressures in the town, with the ordinary domestic consumption and a very few hose streams in use are about 10.0 or 12.0 lbs. lower than the pressures at the station.
The following table, showing the calculated drop in pressure from the pumping station to the corner of County and North Main streets under different rates of consumption, is interesting.
144
ANNUAL REPORT.
Table No. 1.
Table Showing Fall in Pressure Between Pumping Station and Park Street in Present System, Under Different Drafts.
Draft, gallons per minute.
Feet.
Fall in pressure. Pounds.
1,000
22
9.5
1,500
47
20.4
2,000
77
33.4
2,500
II7
50.8
Assuming, as might be the case, that a fire should occur during the hour of maximum draft, when 1,000 gallons per minute were being used for domestic pur- poses, and that six hose streams of 250 gallons each were necessary, the actual hydrant pressure in the present system at the time when a pressure of 110 lbs. was being maintained at the pumping station would drop to less than 65 lbs. at Park street. It is, therefore, apparent that while the normal pressure is high during time of fire under the present method of operation, it is greatly reduced because of the distance and size of pipes through which the water has to be forced. These statements are here inserted as a basis for further dis- cussion of fire protection from a new standpipe. It is also interesting to note that in order to supply 2,500 gallons per minute, the Barr pump must run at a rate. 66% in excess of its normal capacity.
145
ANNUAL REPORT.
Consumption
The following table indicates the steady growth of the Water Department, and gives principal data neces- sary in a study of improvements in the distributing system.
Table No. 2.
Table Indicating Growth of Water Department.
YEARS
AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION
TOTAL POPULATION
ESTIMATED CONSUMERS
GALLONS DAILY PER INHABITANT
GALLONS DAILY PER CONSUMER
PIPE MAINS, MILES
METERS
TAPS
1894.
271606
8000
6500
34
54
28.28
599
984
1895
306357
8300
6800
36.2
48.7
28.60
619
985
1896
315612
8500
7000
37.1
48.5
29.88
673
1038
1897
352086
8700
7200
40.4
54.8
29.82
740
1093
1898 .
357688
8900
7400
40.1
81.8
30.28
788
1126
1899.
364638
9500
8000
38.4
46.8
30.63
852
1197
1900 .
452848
11335
1000
39
45
31.63
957
1286
1901
405348
12000
11000
34
37
33.18
1282
1282
1902.
432239
12800
11500
34
37
39.0
1449
1449
1903
465292
13000
12800
33
35
43.6
1567
1567
It will be noticed that all taps are metered, and the low per capita rate of consumption is undoubtedly due to this fact and the general efficiency with which the department is maintained.
146
ANNUAL REPORT.
The following table shows the average daily con- sumption for each day of the week during 1903 :
Table No. 3.
Table Showing Average Consumption for Each Day in Each Month of the Year 1903.
MONTHS
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
AVERAGE
January .
357695 430060 422320 412700 412750 409430 407620 407510.
February
370690
414500 414500 412840 407960 426120 421360 409710
March
362140 412960 417020 420330 417190 438370 414140 411740
April
375530 475640 479820 451860 451980 435660 436360 443840
May
413940
587820 591520 584140 594120 589010 553340 559130
June
390740 494740 488820 522150 480240 479330 499300 479330
July
401630 574230 535480 528470 573440 569340 528450 530150 367760 490620 471885 434520 440840 466310 470670 448940
August
September.
387720
508450 524100 511580 461700 499030 506690 485610
October
378460 515720 474720 462570 473620 472380 467420 463560
November
391100 487780 452290 494270 471920 448800
419870 452290
December
390460 481280 393230 447670 461450 433850
443410 435910
Average
382230 489480 472140 473670 470600 472300 464050 460650
The consumption in the maximum month is 120% of the average, and in the maximum day 150% of the average for the year.
147
ANNUAL REPORT.
On May 12, 1904, readings were taken every 15 minutes of the revolutions of the pump when in opera- tion, and of the height of water in the tank during 24 hours. From these data the following table, which gives the relative hourly consumption of water, has been deduced :
Table No. 4.
Table Showing Relative Hourly Consumption of Water on . May 12, 1904.
Time
Per cent of day.
Per cent of
Time
Per cent of day
Per cent of
Av. hour
Av. hour
7-8 a. m.
6.9
166
7-8 p. m.
4.0
96
8-9 a. m.
5.9
142
8-9 p. m.
3.7
89
9-10 a. m.
4.7
II3
9-10 p. m.
3.2
77
IO-II
a. m.
5.3
I27
IO-II P. m.
2.8
67
II-12 a. m.
6.5
I56
II-12 p. m.
2.4
58
İ2-I
p. m.
7.4
178
I2-I a. m.
1.9
46
I-2 p. m.
6.8
163
I-2 a. m.
1.8
43
2-3 p. m.
6.0
I44
2-3 a. m.
I.7
4I
3-4 p. m.
5.0
120
3-4 a. m.
1.5
36
4-5 p. m.
5.0
120
4-5 a. m.
2.I
5I
5-6 p. m.
4.5
108
5-6 a. m.
2.5
64
6-7 p. m.
4.5
108
6-7 a. m.
3.9
94
This table is valuable in determining the amount of water consumed during the hours when the pump is not running, or, in other words, in determining the neces- sary storage capacity to supply the town during the night.
It appears that the maximum hourly consumption was, on May 12, 166% of the average for the day. As the maximum day in May, 1903, was 150% of the. average for the year, it follows that the maximum hour may be as high as 250% of the average for the year.
T 10
148
ANNUAL REPORT.
Present Method of Operating the Plant.
As already stated, the water is pumped from the well near Seven Mile River into a standpipe, from which the town is supplied during the hours when the pump is not running. In time of fire the standpipe, because of inadequate height, is cut out by closing the valve, and the water furnished by direct pressure.
The present consumption is about 500,000 gallons per day ; the capacity of the present standpipe is 5,285.3 gallons per foot of height.
If the pump was operated at its normal capacity it would pump the present daily consumption in four hours. According to the last table, the consumption during the other 20 hours of the day would amount to about 75% of the total, 375,000 gallons, a draft which would lower the standpipe 71 feet, leaving a pressure of only 30 lbs. on Park street, not enough to meet domestic necessities. If the pump runs were extended over eight hours, the other 16 hours would draw 250,000 gallons: or 47 feet, from the standpipe. "The result of these con- ditions is the necessity for making two pump runs dur- ing the day, each at a rate considerably below the economical capacity of the engines. The pumps are usually run from about 8:30 a. m. to 1:30 p. m., and from 6:30 to 9:30 in the evening. The consumption during the night draws the standpipe down about 25 feet, which is considered the minimum safe limit.
The necessity for two pump runs daily demands the employment of two engineers and prevents the engines being economically operated. The direct fire pressure makes it necessary to keep steam up at all times, so as to quickly respond to the alarm, the result being expen- sive banking of the fires. 1
In drawing the fire supply directly from the well, there is a very serious danger of lowering the water in the well below the end of the suction pipe. While there may be ample water in the supply, it may not be able to
149
ANNUAL REPORT.
flow to the well as rapidly as required, and there can be no question but that with this ground water supply, additional storage should be furnished either at the source or at some elevation, after the water is pumped, and preferably in the latter way.
For all of the above reasons, it has become apparent that additional storage in such amount as to make economical use of the pumping plant possible, and at such elevation as will give fire protection without the use of auxiliary engines, has become a necessity.
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