USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1905 > Part 6
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Three educational magazines and two denominational papers are received.
Cataloging and Accessioning.
Five hundred and twelve new books have been entered during the year 1905. This includes all books received by purchase, by gift and by binding.
The number of pamphlets received is 30.
Total number of shelf-list and catalog cards written is 1,527. A Hammond typewriter was purchased last sum- mer which takes care of the clerical work in a very satis- factory manner.
Children's Work.
Although the children have no place which can be called their own, they continue to come to the library and are its most appreciative patrons. The total number of books charged on school cards is 16,222, which includes those books sent to the schools.
On their reading table may be found the following magazines : Birds and Nature, Bird Magazine, Little Folks, Youth's Companion, St. Nicholas.
Sunday Opening.
The library has been open 43 Sundays with an attend- ance of 1,838. A detailed statement is given in Appen- dix No. 2.
In Conclusion.
The librarian solicits suggestions in the hope that the material in the library may become better known and
138
ANNUAL REPORT.
thereby made more useful to the people who seek help or recreation. The assistants and librarian working to- gether believe that "the present is full of the past and big with the future."
The librarian wishes to thank the members of the Board of Trustees for their interest and co-operation and the assistants for their cheerful and faithful ser- vices.
Respectfully submitted, MARTHA TYRIE, Librarian.
APPENDIX NO. I-PERIODICALS.
Dailies.
The Attleboro Sun, .
Boston Herald,
Boston Evening Transcript,
Chicago Record-Herald, .
New York Sun,
New York Tribune,
North Attleboro Chronicle,
Providence Bulletin,
Washington Post.
Weeklies.
Electrical World, Epworth Herald, (gift) Harper's Weekly, Life, Louisville Courier, Outlook, Public Opinion,
Saturday Evening Post,
Scientific American,
Scientific American Supplement, Universalist Leader, (gift) Youth's Companion.
139
ANNUAL REPORT.
Monthlies.
American Homes and Gardens,
American Ornithology, Arena, Athlantic Monthly,
Birds and Nature,
Bookman,
Century Magazine,
Cosmopolitan,
Country Life in America,
Craftsman,
Critic, Delineator,
Harper's Bazar,
Harper's Monthly,
Ladies' Home Journal,
Little Folks,
McClure's Magazine,
Masters in Art,
Munsey, New England Magazine,
North American Review,
Photographic Magazine,
Popular Science Monthly,
Public Libraries,
Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, Review of Reviews,
Saint Nicholas School Arts Book, Scribner's Magazine, Studio, World's Work.
Quarterlies.
Forum.
140
ANNUAL REPORT.
APPENDIX NO. 2.
Sunday Opening.
The library has been open 43 Sundays with an at- tendance of 1.838.
1904.
1905.
Sundays.
Number of
Average Number
of Readers.
Days.
Number of
Average Number of Readers.
January
5
225
45
5
265
53
February
4
144
36
4
247
61.3
March.
4
205
51.1
4
190
47.2
April
4
179
44.3
5
116
23.1
May
5
188
37.3
4
105
26.1
June.
4
70
17.2
4
66
16.2
September
2
56
28
3
97
32.1
October
5
213
42.3
5
239
47.4
November
4
187
46.3
4
204
51
December
4
203
50.3
5
309
61.4
41
1670
43
1838
APPENDIX NO. 3.
Classified list of books circulated at the Library and Schools :
No. of
Classes.
Volumes.
Per Cent.
General works
1,397
3.24
Philosophy
243
.56
Religion
273
.63
Sociology
326
.75
Philology
4
.00
Natural Science
885
2.05
Useful Arts
288
.66
Fine Arts
393
.91
Literature
1,260
2.92
History,
1,062
2.46
Travel and Description
1,170
2.72
Readers.
Readers.
141
ANNUAL REPORT.
Biography
767
1.78
Fiction
34,972
81.32
Total 43,010
100.00
Number of days the list was open for circulation. . 307
Largest circulation in one day, Feb. II 336
Smallest circulation in one day, Aug. 15. 50
Average daily circulation
I4I
APPENDIX NO. 4.
Circulation by Months.
January
3,929
February
3.977
March
4,024
April
3,964
May
3.343
June
3,078
July
2,649
August
2,610
September
3,533
October
3,824
November
4,033
December
3.947
Total
43,010
Comparative Circulation by Years.
Year ending December, 1897 30,03 I
Year ending December, 1898. 27,277
Year ending December, 1899 27,263
Year ending December, 1900 31,420
Year ending December, 190I 34,944
Year ending December, 1902. 43,882
Year ending December, 1903.
43,208
Year ending December, 1904. 44,726
Year ending December, 1905. 43,010
142
ANNUAL REPORT.
APPENDIX NO. 5.
Binding Report for 1905.
Number of books rebound. 190
Number of periodicals bound 62
Total
252
APPENDIX NO. 6.
Tabulated Report.
Total circulation 43,010
Books circulated on school cards 16,222
Books circulated at rural- schools. 2,632
Days open for circulation
307
Daily average I4I
Largest circulation (Feb. II).
336
Smallest circulation (Aug. 15) .
50
Borrowers registered to Jan. 1, 1906. 6,768
New borrowers registered during 1905.
535
Sunday attendance
1,838
Number of notices sent for books overdue
244
Books purchased
446
Books given
4
Books worn out
39
Books replaced
23
Books lost
6
Books rebound
190
Magazines bound
62
.
Report of the Inspector of Wires.
Frequently as we glance through the daily papers we are confronted with the following headlines: "Building Burned, caused by a crossed electric light wire." This startles the layman and he or she comes to the con- clusion that all electric light wires are dangerous.
This is a wrong impression, as these fires very seldom occur from the original installation, but are caused by ignorance in handling the system, and in a majority of cases by so-called "Jacks of All Trades," who attempt to install new work or make alterations to save the ex- pense of engaging a skilled workman to make such ad- ditions or alterations. These are numerous in the fac- tories and stores and they know just enough about the art that they don't know that they don't know.
The reports of the various departments of the town are larger each year and the inspector does not think it necessary to take space in the annual report to write a treatise on elementary electricity, but the average citi- zen should post himself and have sufficient knowledge of the art to know the dangers arising from improper work, such as crossed wires, wires wrapped around steam, water or gas pipes, bare wires, wires not sup- ported on porcelain knobs or cleats, these being a few of the many defects caused by amateur work.
Another serious defect is the over-loading of circuits. The insurance rules require that for every 12 lights or
144
ANNUAL REPORT.
for a capacity of 600 watts a seperate circuit shall be in- stalled from the main wires, and to protect same a suit- able fuse box is to be inserted in the circuit with proper size fuses. The wires in these branch circuits are in- stalled with a factor of safety to transmit current for the number of lights demanded by the insurance rules, but not large enough, i. e. (and not necessary) to carry cur- rent for three times its rated capacity. In the event of the latter condition it becomes necessary to insert a fuse to carry current greater than the carrying capacity of the wire, and in case of a short circuit or crossed wire the insulation on the wire will burned before the fuse melts. We must remember that the electric light system is similar to a steam boiler that was inspected to carry a pressure of 80 pounds. If you should desire to carry 200 lbs. would you put this extra duty on the boiler and set the safety valve accordingly? If you did you would expect something to happen. This applies to the safety fuses. It should be remembered that the electric light system in the town is not an electric bell circuit operated by a few cells of battery power to supply the "juice," but that the electric light plant has behind the system 2,000 horse power and in the event of defective ap- pliances something has got to burn.
Their is about 1,000 horse power capacity in motors in the various factories, and I believe that after a motor has been installed that it is but seldom inspected by the owner or person in charge of the same, only to see that it is properly oiled. The motors should be thoroughly cleaned and the internal dust blown out by means of a bellows at least once a month.
In conclusion I will say that if our watches require repairing we certainly would not call in a teamster to do such work as he would hardly be the proper artisan to make such repairs. Now apply the same methods to your electric light and power system and engage the services of skilled workmen in the art for such work.
For the benefit of those who have not had an appor- tunity to read last year's annual report we reprint here-
145
-
ANNUAL REPORT.
with sections 16 and 17 of the Rules and Regulations of the Inspector of Wires :
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 con- troling any electrical equipment, for damages to anyone in- jured by any defect therein, nor shall the Town be held as as- suming any such liability by reason of the inspection author- ized herein or certificates issued by its agents and servants, exercising the rights or powers given herein.
Many improvements have been made in the overhead line construction throughout the town last year, and one of the most important was the raising of all the wires of the several companies on Park street in the business section.
This department has made during the year 130 in- spections.
EDGAR TREGONING,
Inspector of Wires.
Thirteenth Report
OF THE
Water Department
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31
1905
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH Water Department, 1905.
Commissioners :
DAVID E. MAKEPEACE, Term Expires 1906;
WM. M. STONE,
Term Expires 1907;
GEORGE H. SNELL, Clerk, Term Expires 1908.
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 1905, 12,702
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 : George's Creek coal.
Coal consumed for the year.
629,496 1bs. .
Total pumpage for the year.
200,752,628 gal.
Average dynamic head against which pumps work :
Deane 188 ft.
Barr 225 ft.
Number of gallons pumped per pound of coal.
.
318
Duty, including banking . 61,640,000 1bs.
Duty, without banking 87,990,000 lbs.
Consumption.
Estimated population 13,500 Estimated population on lines of pipe at date. 13,000 Total number of gallons consumed for the year 200,752,628
Average daily consumption 551,383
150
ANNUAL REPORT.
Gallons per day for each inhabitant 43 Gallons per day for each consumer 42
Note .- The large consumption per capita is due to the unavoidable waste during the construction of the new stand pipe.
Distribution.
Kind of pipe in use: Wrought iron, cast iron and
cement lined.
Sizes: From I inch to 24 inches.
Extended
4.5 miles
Total now in use 49.3 miles
Number of leaks 44
Hydrants added I7
Number now in use 352
Range of pressure on mains at Park Square for 24 hours, 54 to 62 lbs.
Direct pressure for fires, II0 1bs.
Meters.
Meters added I04
Number now in use 1,770
Motors now in use 2
Number of meters rented by town
1,561
Number of meters owned by individuals. 209
Kind and number of meters in use at the end of year :
Ball & Fitts I
Union Rotary
450
"A" Union Rotary
231
Columbia 2I
Hersey
I24
Hersey Disc 38
Crown 158
Nash 556
· Empire
38
Thompson 4I
Lambert
57
Trident 26
King 29
151
ANNUAL REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Maintenance.
Dr.
Amount paid Town Treasurer by
Water Registrar, being in-
come from sale of water, etc .. $31,363.93 Appropriation by town 2,000.00
Amount received from accrued in-
terest on bonds 303.84
Amount received from money on
deposit 875.00
$34,542.77
Cr.
Pumping expenses
$3,855.99
Incidental expenses
1,497.37
Salaries
2,220.00
Insurance
436.52
Repairs
1,243.33
Teams
1,271.09
Labor
1,470.26
Tools
239.70
Pipe system
1,271.90
Interest account
15,036.61
Total of maintenance $28,542.77
Amount placed in Sinking
Fund
6,000.00
$34,542.77
CONSTRUCTION.
Dr.
Unexpended balance $5,256.33 Received from sale of bonds ..... 150,000.00 Received from premium on bonds 2,330.05
152
ANNUAL REPORT.
Amount paid Town Treasurer for pipe laying, etc .. 1,979.01
Amount received on notes :
July 19 $15,000.00
August II 10,000.00
August 24
5,000.00
September 9
10,000.00
September 9
5,000.00
45,000.00
$204,565.39
Cr.
Cost of construction for 1905, as
shown by itemized accounts$123,620.19
Notes paid :
September II $10,000.00
September 25
5,000.00
October 9 10,000.00
October 9
5,000.00
October 17
15,000.00
45,000.00
Unexpended balance
35,945.20
$204,565.39
Total cost of works to date .. $596,530.89
Bonded debt at this date. 487,000.00
Value of Sinking Fund 32,484.41
Examined January 10, 1906, and found correct.
BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, FRED L. LeBARON,
Auditors.
SUMMARY OF MAINTENANCE.
Pumping Expenses.
Coal and wood
$1,894.08
153
ANNUAL REPORT.
Engineers' salaries, oil and pack- ings
1,961.91
$3,855.99
Repairs.
Repairs on pipe system $ 250.44
Repairs on meters 392.59
Repairs at pumping station 519.32
Repairs on tools 28.97
Repairs at workshop
II.34
Repairs on telephones
40.67
$1,243.33
Incidentals.
Telephones $ 284.25
Printing and book supplies 96.99
Pumping station 107.87
Freight and express 128.30
Postage 107.00
Work shop
187.91
General incidentals
63.09
Pipe system
51.09
Lighting
81.97
Rent
300.00
Carting
34.90
Extra help at station at fire
alarms
54.00
$1,497.27
Salaries.
Water Commissioners, Superin- tendent, Registrar and Clerk. $2,220.00
Insurance.
Insurance $ 436.52
$436.52
.
154
ANNUAL REPORT.
Teams.
Horse keeping, etc. $1,271.09
$1,271.09
Labor.
Labor
$1,470.26
$1,470.26
Tools.
Tools
$ 239.70
$239.70
Pipe System.
Service pipe fittings, etc. $1,271.90
·
$1,271.90
SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION.
Pumping station
$2,104.30
New well
6,552.29
Land
4,833.54
Services
4,452.76
Stand pipe
29,198.54
Meters
3,428.17
Telephone & Telemeter line
1,777.17
Pipe line
71,273.42
$123,620.19
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
155
ANNUAL REPORT.
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
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
19,968.89
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
January, 1905-January, 1906
33.342.94
$372,759.97
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
156
ANNUAL REPORT.
4's J. and J., due January 1, 1919 20,000.00
31/2's J. and J., due January 1, 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, 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, 1931
20,000.00
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
31/2's M. and S., due March 1, 1935 100,000.00
31/2's N. and M., due November 1, 1935 50,000.00
Sinking Fund assets 32,484.4I
$487,000.00
Balance net debt $454.515.59
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
To the Citizens of Attleboro:
The thirteenth annual report of the Water Commis- sioners is herewith presented, as required by the town ordinances. Appended will be found the report of the Superintendent and Registrar, in which detailed statis- tics are given of the work of the department.
The past year has been the most important in the additions made to the system and the benefits to be de- rived therefrom, in the history of the department. Im- provements in the source of supply, begun during the preceding year, have been completed and a substantial betterment of the distribution system and the effective fire service, has been carried out. This latter work has involved the laying of an additional main between the source of supply and the town, so that the community is no longer subjected to the risk of depending upon one pipe line, and the provision of large storage capacity,
NEW CONCRETE STEEL REINFORCED STAND PIPE 50 Feet in Diameter, 100 Feet High
TANK AT HEIGHT OF 65 FEET Showing Steel Re-inforcement
157
ANNUAL REPORT.
at such an elevation that the water necessary for any conflagration is always available with a pressure suffi- cient to satisfy the demands of the most strenuous un- derwriter. It is believed that the improvements as car- ried out, put Attleboro beyond criticism from the stand- point of fire protection and in a condition approached by few, if any, communities in the country.
Before these. improvements were brought about, it was necessary to start the pumps in case of fire, cutting out the old standpipe by closing a valve, so that it would not overflow under the higher pressure required for fire pressure. Such a method of operation from the stand- point of safety and immediate availability, cannot be said to compare with that now furnished, when with duplicate mains in use and 1,500,000 gallons of water stored above the elevation of the top of the old stand- pipe, any number of fire streams with a sufficient pres- sure for all purposes, can be instantly brought to bear at an early stage of the conflagration. That these con- ditions must impress themselves upon the underwriters and result in decreased insurance rates, is believed to be beyond question. To this end it is intended to have a demonstration of fire streams and pressures, for the benefit of the insurance men, in the near future.
The most interesting and important part of the work done in effecting the recent improvements, is the stand- pipe which affords the storage capacity, already de- scribed. It is situated on Ide's Hill, at a point where the surface of the ground is at an elevation 252 feet above tide, and is 50 feet in diameter and 100 feet high, holding 1,500,000 gallons of water. The particular interest in this standpipe arises from the character of its construc- tion, reinforced concrete being used instead of steel plates, as is usually the case.
The Commissioners were led to choose this type of structure because of the lessened cost of maintenance and depreciation, under the action of the local water which, as is known to all consumers, has a peculiar cor- roding capacity for steel. The base of the tank is of con -.
158
ANNUAL REPORT.
crete carried below frost to a foundation of hard pan ; the walls, which are 18 inches thick at the bottom and 8 inches at the top, are of Portland cement, mixed in the proportion of one part cement, two parts sand and four parts stone, and reinforced with circular steel bars, gen- erally 11/2 inches in diameter, spaced in one or two rows and as close together vertically as the bursting stress at different heights makes necessary.
After the placing of the foundation, a temporary hard pine tower was erected to support the derricks and working platforms, and the walls were then carried up by movable inside and outside forms in two sets, the lower being loosened and moved up above the upper set, as the work progressed.
Great care was taken in the selection of sand and stone and in mixing and placing the concrete: The mix- ing was done by machine, and the concrete raised by a derrick to the platforms carried on the interior tower, from which it was shovelled into the space between the inner and outer forms and thoroughly spaded and ram- med.
The tank is covered by a Gustavino tile dome and may be said to be a masonry structure throughout.
In many ways the building of this standpipe required the devising of new methods of construction and the work was consequently slow, the tank not being com- pleted before cold weather set in. This made it impos- sible to apply the interior coat of plaster and the struc- ture has therefore, not been as yet accepted by the Com- missioners. By agreement with the contractors, who assumed all risks, it is being used during the present winter. When first built, a considerable number of leaks were in evidence, but these have largely stopped and at the present time the leakage is very small. When the pressure to which the thin concrete walls are subjected and the great area of these walls is considered this small leakage is considered a most successful outcome of the work. With the interior coat of plaster in place it is an- ticipated that all leakage will be stopped.
STAND PIPE AT 65 FEET ELEVATION Showing Temporary Tower
159
ANNUAL REPORT.
As the construction of this standpipe involved a very careful study from an engineer's standpoint and also by the contractors, the Commissioners feel that too much credit cannot be given to Mr. F. A. Barbour, the en- gineer for the town, for the amount of personal time, in study, thought and energy he has spent trying to make these entire improvements, that have been completed this year, a success.
We also wish to state that the Aberthaw Construction Company, the contractors who built the stand pipe, have, we believe, spared no expense to make this work as near perfect as possible and when it is completed it will be a credit to them as well as to the town.
At a later date a more detailed description of the standpipe and of the methods of construction and of its cost will be given.
Department's Growth.
To show the continuous growth of the department . since 1898 the following table is computed and the com- parison is very interesting when we consider the in- crease of main pipe and income, the decrease in cost to the town, together with the additional amount to be placed in the sinking fund and the increase of interest on bonds amounting to $3,000 more this year than last, it shows plainly that all the improvements made have been a good investment for the town, as well as putting the department on a footing second to none in New Eng- land.
We should be pleased to have every tax payer study this table of comparison and make a thorough investiga- tion of the entire system as we feel that those who do so will be convinced that it is run on business principles.
The cost to the town this year for the public water was $2,000.00 and this amount is very small when we consider the amount used and the fire protection fur- nished with 352 hydrants and all the private fire con- nections.
160
ANNUAL REPORT.
Comparative Table.
Year.
Miles of Pipe In Use.
Main Pipe Extended.
Income.
Appropriation.
Amount put in Sinking
Fund.
Interest Account.
Bonded Debt.
1898 30.28 mi.
2,466 ft.
$16,394.18 $7,100.00 $4,650.00 $12,060.00 $278,000.00
1899 30.63
1,845
19,968.89
7,100.00
4,650.00
12,582.50
293,000.00
1900 31.63
5,287 "
21,424.41
6,000.00
5,000.00
13,183.44
305,000.00
1901 33.18
66
8,229 "
27,325.34
5,000.00
5,000.00
13,192.50
217,000.00
1902 39.00
30,729 “
27,539.14
5,000.00
5,200.00
14,120.00
327,000.00
1903 43.60
66
24,299
29,876.22
4,000.00
5,200.00
13,845.00
357,000.00
1904 44.80
6,428
31,524.30
3,000.00
5,500.00
13,645.00
337,000.00
1905 49.30
24,002 6
33,342.34
2,000.00
6,000.00
15,036.61
487,000.00
The table shows a continual reduction in the appro- priation made by the town for the support of the work. In 1905 this appropriation was $2,000; during the com- ing year despite the increased interest charge and the setting aside of an additional $500 for the sinking fund, it is proposed to ask for only $1,000 from the town. This means that the gain in income or the reduction in ex- pense during the coming year, will have to amount to $4,500. It is believed that by careful management, this can be effected.
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