USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1905 > Part 7
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The inquiry is frequently made, When will the water works be self-supporting? By this it is intended to ask, when will it be no longer necessary to call on the town for an appropriation. As indicated above, we are rapidly approaching this condition, but it is well to point out that there is a debatable question as to whether it is wise to reduce the town's appropriation to a minimum. By so doing the entire expense of the department is thrown on the water consumers, who not only pay for the water they use, but must pay for the fire protection of the com- munity, which has involved a very considerable part of the total money expended in the water works, at least
161
ANNUAL REPORT.
40% of the entire cost. This fire protection is of value to the tax payer in proportion to the value of his prop- erty, rather than in the ratio of the amount of water used by him, and it is therefore apparent that the bene- fits of fire protection can be more equitably assessed in proportion to the valuation of property through the gen- eral tax levy than by the water rates. To illustrate the situation, a large firm or corporation, with a valuation of several hundred thousand dollars might locate in town, or may be already here, who do not buy water from the town, but pump their own supply, although they derive all the benefit of public fire protection together with private fire connections and sprinklers, thereby reducing their insurance to the minimum, yet do not contribute to the support of the water department under the present conditions.
For this reason it is a serious question whether, in- stead of reducing the appropriation of the town to noth -. ing, it should not be increased to a reasonable charge for the hydrants and other public services. This would not increase the expenses of the department or subject the citizens to any greater charges, it would only involve a redistribution of the assessment.
If the works were in the hands of a water company the amount which would be paid at the lowest possible cost for public service might be estimated as follows : 352 hydrants at $30.00 $10,560.00
Street sprinkling, 5 carts. 1,400.00
Public buildings and street department work .. 1,300.00
Drinking fountains 500.00
$13,760.00
If this amount were to be contributed by the town it would reduce the money to be raised from the consum- ers. While to a great extent this is in effect, a matter of book-keeping, it is felt by the commissioners that the time may arrive when if all income is to be derived from the consumers, assessments out of proportion to the ben- efits obtained may result.
162
ANNUAL, REPORT.
Well.
The new well was put into use in December, 1904, but the roof was not put on until spring, as it was not deemed advisable to lay the tile in cold weather. Work was begun on the roof the 15th of April and completed May 2, then the grading was finished, so that all the work connected with well was completed. The results obtained from the new well and conduit in regard to the amount of water obtained are far beyond the expecta- tions of the commissioners and engineer and most pleas- ing as we believe there will be an abundant supply for many years to come.
A comparison of the difference of the past, when there was only the old well, and the present, with both wells and onduit, is interesting and gives some idea of the ex- tra .nount of water obtained by these improvements:
When we were pumping on the old well, the pump running at its normal capacity, which is 3,000,000 gal- lons in twenty-four hours, it would lower the well 23 feet in 3 hours. After that time the pump would have to be slowed down to the limit, which is about 18 revo- lutions per minute, in order to keep the water over the suction pipe, and it would hardly be possible to get over 1,000,000 gallons from the well in 24 hours.
On November 1I, 1905, we began pumping to fill the new standpipe, the pump was started at 3:45 p. m. Sat- urday and run continuously until 1 :45 p. m. Sunday, No- vember 12, making 22 hours. The total amount pumped in that time was 1,977,080 gallons, lowering the well just 7 feet, and after it dropped to that point the pump could not gain on the well in the least.
At that time we were pumping through the old force main only, and the friction was so great that we could not run the pump to its full capacity. At the present time with both mains in use there is no doubt but what there could be 3,000,000 gallons taken out of the well in 24 hours without lowering over 8 to 10 feet. We be- lieve that the old well should have a new roof similar to
4- 9
NEW WELL AT PUMPING STATION 25 Feet Deep, 40 Feet in Diameter
CONDUIT CONNECTING NEW AND OLD WELLS
163
ANNUAL REPORT.
the new well, as it will very soon need repairing, and the cost of a tile roof is very little more than of wood, but is permanent, otherwise the well is in perfect condi- tion.
Recommendations.
Recommend that the commissioners be authorized to sell land now owned by the Town Water Department, if, in their judgment, it is for the best interest of the town.
Recommend that the matter of furnishing water to Norton should be left in the hands of the Water Com- missioners, as there would have to be a very thorough investigation before anything could be decided.
Recommend that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated by the town, together with the receipts from the depart- ment for the maintenance and contribution to the sink- ing fund, making the amount to be placed in the sinking fund $6,500.00.
Receipts.
From water rates
$34,000.00
Appropriation by town for sink-
ing fund 1,000.00
$35,000.00
Expenses.
Pumping expenses $3,900.00
Repairs, incidentals, salaries, la- bor, etc. 6,305.00
Interest account 18,295.00
Sinking fund
6,500.00
$35,000.00
Respectfully submitted, WM. M. STONE, GEO. H. SNELL, D. E. MAKEPEACE, Water Commissioners.
164
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
To the Honorable Board of Water Commissioners :
Gentlemen-I submit the following report of the con- dition and operation of the Water Department for the year ending December 31, 1905 :
During January, February and March there was con- stant freezing of service pipes. The department thawed out over two hundred and many were from 5 to 6 feet deep. There were more than in the previous year. but the department was better prepared to take care of the work. and were able to do the same at less expense. On February 20, the 8-inch main to Briggs Corner was frozen from a point near the Solomon Sanatorium to the end of the line. Every effort was made to thaw it. but without success, and it continued frozen until April 9. making a total of 48 days. The freezing was on ac- count of the small quantity of water used. as the pipe would hardly freeze on top of ground if there was a good circulation.
Steps will be taken in the future to prevent this trou- ble by opening a hydrant at the end of the line should there be extreme cold weather.
Extension of Mains.
The work of laying new mains was begun the 21st of March. but prior to this Snell street. running from Thacher street to top of hill. where the standpipe is lo- cated. had been graded ready for the 24-inch pipe.
This pipe was laid first. being connected to the old 14- inch force main on Thacher street. so as to furnish water for the construction of the standpipe. This line was completed in April, then the 24-inch on Thacher street was laid. next the 20-inch on County street, which was completed July II. Work was then started on the 16-inch force main from station to standpipe. a distance of 7.300 feet, and as this line of pipe was across country. a road had to be built the entire distance. There were several cuts and fills, also a swamp to pass through of 1.200 feet. with abutments to build at Tiffany street.
165
, ANNUAL REPORT.
where the pipe crosses the stream. As the pipe is now laid, it is very near a straight line from standpipe to station, and on this pipe line the road is in very good condition to drive over, but not safe as a public way. When laying the pipe on Thacher street it was neces- sary to widen the street the entire distance that the pipe was laid. A part of the way was expensive work, as there was a ledge, most of which was composed of what is called rotten stone, and was very hard to blast, while the rest of the way was hard pan. There were several hundred feet of street where the grade was raised, be- tween what is known as the Bushee Farm and the Perl Cole Place. The Water Department made the fill with chip stones from the ledge that was blasted out to widen the street and these were covered with gravel, making a very good street. On Tiffany street, where the pipe crosses the street, there was a low place, so the street was brought up to grade for about 300 feet, the deepest fill being 3 feet. Both of these streets have been bene- fited by the laying of the pipe, and it would have made quite an expense to the street department if done by them. The Superintendent of Streets has fully appre- ciated the work and given this department help when- ever he could do so. The 16-inch force main was com- pleted October II. Then the Lona Cutt extension was started, and when that was finished the next to be laid was the 12-inch main on Dennis street, which was com- pleted December 30. During the time these long lines were being laid there was another force of men laying short extensions of 6-inch pipe and smaller sizes.
Nearly all of the pipe laid this year has been through very hard digging and ledge, having used nearly two tons of dynamite in blasting.
Much more preliminary work had to be done before laying the pipe than was expected, yet on the whole amount laid the cost was $6,400 less than estimated. This saving was made by the department doing its own work, as the ledge work alone would have amounted to . more than that extra under contract.
Table Showing Kind, Size and Length of Pipe Laid on the Several Streets.
CAST IRON PIPE.
CEMENT LINE PIPE.
24 in.
20 in.
16 in.
14 in. 12 in.
8 in.
6 in.
2 in.
1} in. 1} in.
1 in.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
ft.
Thacher.
1934
Snell.
.
. .
.
.
. .
1847
40
Turner. .
331
McMann .
335
8
County ..
2266
12
8
Steere .
351
Highland Ave.
319
.
Water .. .
505
Gardner .
338
Elizabeth
235
......
.
.
. .
.
.
127
. .
.
.
. .
. . .
462
205
Howard Ave.
149
Linden . .
1212
100
Alder . .
1017
119
. ..
.
.
. .
..
.
. ..
Fisher .
194
486
. . ..
Ottawa .
.
. . .
.
......
Walnut. .
271
Dennis
140
2222
32
Stand Pipe to Station.
7332
236
28
Totals . ..
3781
2266
7332
152
2458
674
3331
1830
1386
587
205
=24002 ft.
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166
ANNUAL REPORT.
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New St .- So. Main to County St .. Pine Road ..
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Bellmore
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452
Cherry . .
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665
24
167
ANNUAL REPORT.
Services.
During the year we have put in 100 new service con- nections and replaced 30 old services with cement lined pipe.
Amount of service pipe as follows :
2,126 feet from main to service box.
4,868 feet from service box to cellar.
320 feet sold to plumbers for use inside cellars.
A total of 7,314 feet, or 1.4 miles of service pipe.
Hydrants.
There were 17 new hydrants set, making the total number 352. Three old ones have been replaced with new ones. All have been flushed, the dead ends being flushed weekly through the summer months. There have been 15 repaired, and 9 of these were in South At- tleboro and on Washington street, where the sprinkling carts take water. There were 6 gates placed on hy- drants for that use, although the driver often stops at the nearest hydrant, takes off the cap and turns on the water to fill his cart. The opening and closing of these valves so often causes a cutting of the seat of the valves, which invariably makes a leak. A number of times the driver would leave the cap off until he was through with the day's work; by so doing there was great dan- ger of some one dropping stones or other obstacles into the hydrants, making them useless for fire protection, for which they were intended. This matter has been mentioned in every report for a number of years, and South Attleboro is the only place where they are used for sprinkling purposes. We would advise the install- ing of stand pipes as early in the spring as possible. There seems to be a feeling among some of the town employees that because they work for the town in some capacity it gives them the right to open hydrants when- ever they wish to, which is entirely wrong as they have no more right than any other citizen unless authorized to do so by the heads of their departments who have had authority from the Water Commissioners. There
168
ANNUAL REPORT.
has been some trouble in this line from large corpora- tions and for the benefit of those who are not familiar with the laws of the Water Department we print the following :
"Section 10. If any person shall turn on or turn off the water in any public water pipes or reservoirs with- out the license of the Water Board he shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $3 nor more than $20, upon conviction thereof before a trial justice or court having jurisdiction of offenses arising under town by-laws."
Private Fire Connections.
There was only one application for fire connection, which was at Bronson Block, making a total of 25 now in use. During the coming year it is hoped that an in- spection will be made of all these connections by the department and all private hydrants and valves con- nected with the town system will be sealed.
Leaks.
The total number of leaks was 44; of these 19 were on services, 14 of which were caused by electrolysis, 15 on hydrants, 4 on gates and 6 on mains. The number of leaks on the mains is very small when we consider the total of 44.8 miles with one leak to every 7.4 miles, thus showing the system to be in very good condition.
Gate Valves.
There have been 68 new gates set, 83 new gate boxes and 16 brought to grade while there have been only 4 leaks on gates.
All of the 24-inch and 20-inch gates put in there have had man holes built around them. On Thacher street, at the junction of Snell street, there is a gate chamber 16x19 feet, built of brick with concrete roof and bot- tom, containing 5 gates, 2 24-inch, 3 14-inch, and one of the 14-inch is hydraulic, operated by an electric valve. This gate is to shut off the old 14-inch force main, and in case of a break can be operated from the pumping station or work shop.
169
ANNUAL REPORT.
Meters.
Meters owned by town 1,56I
Meters owned by private parties 209
Total number of meters in use
1.770
Private meters replaced with town meters II
New Meters set IO4
Meters changed
439
Meters repaired at workshop
37I
Meters sent to factory
68
Meters frozen
54
Meters cleaned
52
Meters discarded
I
Total cost of repairs on meters. $1,031.38
Pumping Station.
A number of improvements have been made at the pumping station, among which to be completed was the air and boiler feed pump that was attached to the Barr pumping engine. This improvement has made a great saving in coal and largely increased the duty of the pump. By having this pump installed and with the well so that the pump could run at its normal speed we did not use as much coal by 75 tons this year as last to pump the same amount of water.
The Deane pump has been overhauled and new water plungers put in and is now in perfect working order, all other machinery in the station being kept in the best possible condition.
The boilers are in very good condition for the amount of steam pressure we are now carrying, which is about 100 lbs. They have been in constant use for thirteen years and we consider that more pressure would be un- safe. Under the new conditions we shall carry a steam pressure of about 125 lbs., by so doing we could get bet- ter efficiency from the pump and further reduce the con- sumption of coal. Probably new boilers will have to be put in the coming year. We are now considering the advisability of retaining the old boilers as a further fac-
170
ANNUAL REPORT.
tor of safety. In case of accident that would give a com- plete duplicate system and under these conditions it would seem impossible that anything could happen to prevent furnishing the town with water.
To make the connection to the new 16-inch main at station it was necessary to put in a gate chamber for the hydraulic gates which are 9 feet long. After a study of the situation it seemed advisable to build a basement and foundation for future extension of the pumping station which will be necessary when a new pump is in- stalled, possibly within ten years. A foundation was built of concrete walls 24 inches thick, extending out in front of the present station 15 feet, and 33 feet 4 inches long with the length the same as the present pump room. This basement is covered with a concrete floor that is on a level with the present floor in the station and is now covered with loam which will be left so until built upon. During the summer the stream from the bridge to the pond was straightened, the banks sloped and riprapped, thus greatly improving the looks, besides making an unobstructed water course. The grounds have been well cared for and are being gradually improved.
Consumption of Water.
The consumption of water this year is 2,167,072 gal- lons less than last year, largely due to the extra amount pumped last year on account of the construction of the new well. This year there has been over 15,000,000 gal- lons pumped outside of that used in regular consump- tion for filling the new stand pipe. In the last two years it has been impossible to get just the real amount per capita. I speak of this to show that the amount given in the statistics is based on the total amount pumped.
Following are tables showing condensed pumping re- cords for the year and copies of the analyses made from samples of water taken from both wells which are con- nected by conduit.
GEO. H. SNELL, Superintendent.
Synopsis of Pumping Records for the Year ending Dec. 31, 1905.
1905.
Total Pumping Time per Month.
Average Pumping Time
Total Coal Used per
Average Coal Used
per Day.
Total Gallons of Water
Pumped per Month.
Average Gallons of
Water Pumped per Day.
Hrs.
Min.
Hrs. Min.
Pounds.
Pounds.
Gallons.
Gallons.
January
287
30
10
00
80,311
2,590
15,690,400
506,142
February
223
45
8
00
58,710
2,096
14,319,520
511,411
March
227
15
20
49,050
1,582
15,903,920
513,320
April
197
30
6
15
42,025
1,400
13,467,840
448,926
May
215
00
-1
10
48,675
1,570
15,542,000
501,355
June
200
30
6
41
41,290
1,376
14,151,480
471,716
255
30
8
15
48,940
1,546
19,213,080
619,777
August
248
30
8
00
47,855
1,517
19,392,028
625,549
September
229
15
1
38
49,790
1,660
18,439,920
614,664
October
214
15
6
54
48,835
1,575
16,128,200
520,264
November
267
45
9
00
57,290
1,909
20,347,160
678,238
December
217
35
00
56,725
1,829
18,157,080
605,236
Totals for year.
2794
20
629,496
200,752,628
Daily average for year.
7
41
1,721
551,383
Average duty for year, including banking
61,640,000
87,990,000
Average duty for year, without banking Note-Amount of coal used for lighting purposes and machine shop. Leaving total amount for pumping ..
20,000
609,496
.
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..
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.
ANNUAL REPORT.
171
.
per Day.
Month.
MONTH.
July
.
Water Analyses-Attleborough. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State Board of Health-(Parts in 100,000).
1905.
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN AS
IRON.
nst
No.
Collection.
Examination.
Turpidity.
Sediment.
Color.
Free.
Albu- mi- noid.
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
Hardness.
Oxygen
Consumed.
52919
Feb.
13
Feb.
14
v. slight
v. slight
.03 4.80
.0008
.0036
.42
.0110
.0000
1.8
.0170
.05
52920
Feb.
13
Feb.
14
v. slight
v. slight
.02
5.20
.0004
. 0034
.43
.0110
.0000
1.8
· 0200
.05
53600 53601
Apr.
5
Apr.
6
v. slight
None
. 05
4.60
.0008
.0040
.40
.0100
.0000
2.1
· 0130
.08
Apr.
5
Apr.
6
slight
None
.05
4.30
·0008
.0040
.42
·0100
.0000
2.0
·0100
.09
54595
June
June
8
None
None
.05
4.30
·0008
. 0042
.38
. 0040
. 0000
2.1
.0080
.08
54596
June
June
8
None
None
.05
4.50
.0010
.0040
.37
.0090
. 0000
1.8
.0080
.05
55061
June 30
July
3
None
v. slight None
.01
3.80
.0000
.0008
.29
. 0050
. 0000
1.3
.0050
.00
55774
Aug.
2
Aug.
4
v. slight
None
.04
4.70
.0006
.41
.0030
2.2
.0090
.07
55775
Aug.
Aug.
4
v. slight
None
.04
4.40
. 0008
.40
. 0030
2.0
. 0060
.04
57245
Oct.
1
Oct.
5
v. slight
None
.02
4.60
.0018
.44
.0100
1.6
.0040
.07
57246
Oct.
4
Oct.
5
v. slight
None
00
6.40
.0014
.0066
.48
.0150
2.6
· 0050
.06
58521
Dec.
8
Dec.
8
None
None
.00
6.10'
.0004
.0032
.46
.0100
.0000
1.8
.0130
.06
58522
Dec.
8
Dec.
8
None
None
.02
5.10
.0004
.0038
.47
.0190
.0000
1.8
.0150
.06
Average .. .
.02
4.97|
.0007
.0035
.49
.0111
·0000
1.9
.0102
. 05
.02
6.80
.0000
.0014
. 60
.0360
.0000
2.3
.0100
.01
55062
June 30
July
3
None
Residue on
Evaporation.
Chloride.
ANNUAL REPORT.
-
172
LO LC
.0018 .0014
.0068
.0000 . 0000
.0000 .0000
173
ANNUAL REPORT.
TABLE SHOWING RAINFALL FOR YEAR 1905.
Month
Rainfall.
Normal.
Departure from Normal.
January
4.0I
4.18
-. 08
February
3.06
4.06
-1.00
March
2.05
4.58
-2.08
April
3.03
3.32
- . 29
May
1.33
3.20
-1.87
June
5.63
2.99
+2.64
July
1.70
3.78
-- 2.08
August
3.41
4.23
- . 82
September
7.15
3.23
+3.92
October
2.23
4.41
-2.18
November
1.95
4.II
-2.16
December
5.49
3.71
+1.78
Total
41.58
45.80
-4.22
Monthly average
3.46
3.81
- . 35
174
ANNUAL REPORT.
FINANCIAL REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR. Dr.
Uncollected bills, January 1, 1905 $ 615.78
Charged for meter allowances, January I,
1905, to July 1, 1905 4,506.00
Charged for meter allowances, July I, 1905, to January 1, 1906 4,585.25
Charged for meter rents, January I, 1905, to July 1, 1905 1,458.01
Charged for meter rents, July I, 1905, to Jan- uary 1, 1906 1,505.25
Charged for excess water, January I, 1905, to July 1, 1905 8.387.44
Charged for excess water, July I, 1905, to
January 1, 1906 8,729.22
Charged for repairs of meters, January I, 1905, to July 1, 1905 141.88
Charged for repairs of meters, July 1, 1905, to January 1, 1906 57.90
Charged for sale of meters July 1, 1905, to January 1, 1906 8.00
Charged for guarantees, January I, 1905, to July 1, 1905 85.41
Charged for guarantees, July 1, 1905, to Jan- uary 1, 1906 424.20
Charged for miscellaneous, January I, 1905, to July 1, 1905 . 1,702.37
Charged for miscellaneous, July 1, 1905, to January 1, 1906 2,245.35
$34,452.06
Cr.
Abatements, January 1, 1905, to January I, 1906 .$ 5.98
175
ANNUAL REPORT.
Cash paid Town Treasurer
33,342.94
Uncollected bills, December 31, 1905. 1,103.14
$34,452.06 GEO. H. SNELL, Water Registrar. Examined January 6, 1906, and found same correct. BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, FRED L. LeBARON,
Auditors.
176
ANNUAL REPORT.
ATTLEBOROUGH WATER WORKS.
Water Ordinances.
Section 1. Water Commissioners shall, at their first meeting after the annual town election, choose from their number a chairman. Two members shall be a quorum for the exercise of the powers and performance of the duties of the Water Commissioners. The Com- missioners may appoint and remove at their · discretion a clerk, who shall also be Water Registrar, a superin- tendent and such employes or agents as they may deem necessary, and may prescribe their duties. They may fix the salaries of such clerk, employees and agents sub- ject to the instructions and control of the town.
Sec. 2. The Water Board shall have the exclusive and entire charge, superintendence and oversight of all lands, structures, works and apparatus designed and pro- vided for obtaining and supplying pure water for the uses of the town. They shall have the exclusive control and management of the uses, repairs and extensions of such works and structures, whether newly determined upon or otherwise.
Sec. 3. The Water Board shall have control and jurisdiction over all sources of supply possessed by the town, and all lands appurtenant thereto, owned or law- fully controlled by the town, and they may exercise all rights as to entry upon and passage over private prem- ises which now are or may become vested in the town, belonging or relating to the management of the water works and supply of water.
Sec. 4. The Water Board shall use diligent care for the protection and security of all sources of water from which a supply is obtained, so that. the purity thereof may not be impaired.
Sec. 5. The Water Board shall, as often as once in each calendar month, meet and examine all bills and claims incurred by them in the prosecution of their duty and all claims approved shall be certified by them before payment of the same by the Town Treasurer.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The Water Board shall keep a full record of their proceedings, and they shall at the annual town meeting make a report in detail to the town of their official acts and doings for the year preceding with estimates of expenditures and receipts for the year succeeding, and such suggestions and recommendations as may seem to them for the benefit of the town.
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