USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1906 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
Don'ts in Electric Lighting.
Don't let the office boy or anyone else who does not understand make changes in electric wiring or lights. They may do the very thing they ought not.
144
ANNUAL REPORT.
Don't pull a lamp hung by flexible cord to one side with a wire and then fasten to a gas or water pipe. I have seen a wire become red hot in this manner. If the lamp hung by a cord must be pulled to one side use a string.
Don't wrap paper around the lamp for a shade. You might go home and forget it and a fire might be started from the heat. Use a glass or metal shade. That is what they are for.
Don't let a socket on a fixture hang loose. Have it repaired, otherwise it may cause trouble where least expected.
Don't try to save a little by running flexible wires over boxes, partitions, and into closets, vaults, etc. Have permanent wires installed. These flexible wires used this way are dangerous.
Don't add a piece of flexible cord to another if too short. Get an entirely new cord.
Don't take any chances with electric wires. Have the work done well and let it alone.
Don't try to cheat the Town, the Electric Light Com- pany or the wireman and your wires will be absolutely safe and harmless.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR TREGONING,
Superintendent of Wires.
FOURTEENTH REPORT
OF THE
Water Department
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH
For the Year Ending December 31
1906
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH Water Department, 1906
Commissioners :
WM. M. STONE, Term Expires 1907
GEORGE H. SNELL,
Term Expires 1908 :
DAVID E. MAKEPEACE, Term Expires 1909
Superintendent and Registrar : GEORGE H. SNELL.
Assistant Superintendent : GEORGE W. BABCOCK.
Bookkeeper :
CARRIE L. PERRY.
Engineer at Pumping Station :
GEORGE H. PALMER.
WM M.STONE CHAIRMAN.
O
OG.H.SNELL SUPERINTENDENT. COMMISSIONER
D.E.MAKEPEACE.
THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
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 wells near Seven Mile River. Mode of supplying: By pumping into standpipe 100 feet high, 50 feet in diameter ; capacity, 1,500,000 gallons.
Pumping.
Builders of pumping machinery: Deane Steam Pump Co., Barr Pumping Co.
Description of coal used : George's Creek coal.
Coal consumed for the year .609,321 lbs.
Total pumpage for the year 223,793,920 gal.
Average dynamic head against which pumps work:
Deane 188 ft.
Barr 225 ft. Number of gallons pumped per pound of coal. . 367 gal.
Duty, including banking 72,955,200 lbs.
Duty, without banking 100,730,000 1bs.
Consumption.
Estimated population 14,000
148
ANNUAL REPORT.
Estimated population on lines of pipe at date. .. . 13,500 Total number of gallons consumed for the
year 223,793,920
Average daily consumption .640,635
Gallons per day for each inhabitant .43
Gallons per day for each consumer 45
Distribution.
Kind of pipe in use : Wrought iron, cast iron and cement
lined. Sizes: From I to 24 inches.
Extended
I.9 miles
Total now in use
· 51.2 miles
Number of leaks
7I
Hydrants added II
Number now in use 380
Range of pressure on mains at Park Square for 24 hours, 85 to 100 1bs.
Meters.
Meters added IO5
Number now in use 1,875
Motors now in use 2
Number of meters rented by town
I687
Number of meters owned by individuals 188
Kind and number of meters in use at the end of the year : Ball & Fitts I
Union Rotary 474
"A" Union Rotary 243
Columbia .
21
King
94
Hersey
IIO
Hersey Disc 38
Crown
I58
Nash
575
Empire 35
149
ANNUAL REPORT.
Thompson 43
Lambert 60
Trident
23
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Maintenance.
Dr.
Amount paid Town Treasurer by
Water Registrar, being income
from sale of water, etc. .$35,373.28
Appropriation by Town 1,000.00
$36,373.28
Cr.
Pumping expenses
$3,357.64
Incidental expenses
1,339.83
Salaries
2,220.00
Insurance
350.76
Repairs
1,190.45
Teams
890.72
Tools
551.44
Pipe system
1,677.44
Interest account
18,295.00
Total of maintenance $29,873.28
Amount placed in Sinking Fund .
6,500.00
$36,373.28
150
ANNUAL REPORT.
Construction.
Dr.
Unexpended balance $35,945.20
Amount paid Town Treasurer for
pipe laying, etc. 7,295.43
Cr. $43,240.63
Cost of construction for 1906, as shown by itemized accounts. .. $33,260.62
Balance 9,980.01
$43,240.63
Total cost of works to date $629,781.51
Bonded debt at this date 487,000.00
Value of Sinking Fund
40,526.70
Examined January 12, 1907, and found correct.
BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, FREDERICK L. LeBARON, W. L. ELLIOT, Auditors.
SUMMARY OF MAINTENANCE.
-
Pumping Expenses.
Coal and wood $1,353.75
Engineers' salaries, oil and packings 2,003.89
$3,357.64
151
ANNUAL REPORT.
Repairs.
Repairs on pipe system
$421.49
Repairs on meters
479.27
Repairs at pumping station
209.15
Repairs on tools
54.66
Repairs at workshop
13.34
Repairs on telephones
12.54
$1,190.45
Incidentals.
Telephones
$243.83
Printing and book supplies
109.60
Pumping station
104.52
Freight and express
130.97
Postage
107.00
Workshop
I33.II
General incidentals
34.75
Pipe system
99.79
Lighting
76.26
Rent
300.00
Salaries. $1,339.83
Water Commissioners, Superin- tendent, Regstrar and Clerk .. $2,220.00
$2,220.00
Insurance.
Insurance $350.76
$350.76
152
ANNUAL REPORT.
Teams.
Horse keeping, etc. . . . . . $890.72
Tools. $890.72
Tools
$551.44
Pipe System. $551.44
Service, pipe fittings, etc $1,677.44
$1,677.44
SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION.
Meters, standpipe. services, hy-
drants, pipe and laying same ... $33,260.62
$33,260.62
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
153
ANNUAL REPORT.
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, 190I
21,424.4I
January, 1901-January, 1902 January, 1902-January, 1903
27,325.34
27.539.14
January, 1903-January, 1904
29,876.22
January, 1904-January, 1905 31,524.30
January, 1905-January, 1906 33,342.94
January, 1906-January, 1907 42,668.71
$415,428.68
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 1, 192I 10,000.00
154
ANNUAL REPORT.
4's A. andO., due October 1, 1922. 25,000.00
4's J. and J., due July I, 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 1, 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.
37/2's J. and J., due July 1, 1930
12,000.00
31/2's O. and A., due April 1, 193 I
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 I, 1935 . 100,000.00-
31/2's N. and M., due November 1, 1935.
50,000.00
$487,000.00
Sinking Fund assets
40,526.70
Balance net debt $446,473.30
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Attleborough :
The Water Commissioners herewith submit their fourteenth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1906, which contains a statement of the receipts and expenditures, together with important information con- cerning the work accomplished. Appended will be found the reports of the Superintendent and Registrar, in which detailed statistics are given.
Although the past year has been a busy one for the department, it has also been a most important one, as it has brought to completion the work which was begun in the previous year, and the satisfactory results are most pleasing to the Board of Commissioners.
In our previous report an account was given of the work of construction of the new concrete steel reinforced
·
NEW CONCRETE STEEL REINFORCED STAND PIPE 50 Feet in Diameter, 100 Feet High
155
ANNUAL REPORT
standpipe and the condition of the same uneil the last of the year.
On December 27, 1905, we put the new standpipe into commission, and continued to use it until May 15, 1906. The leaks during that time were very trifling, although during extreme cold weather we noticed a scaling off on the outer surface at certain points, begin- ning five feet from the bottom of the tank and extending to a point about fifteen feet from the bottom of the tank. This was apparently caused by pockets or cavities that must have existed on the outside of the steel, probably caused by the slight moving of the forms when the con- crete was being placed.
About May 15, 1906, the Aberthaw Construction Com- pany began the plastering on the inside of the standpipe. The first coat had 2 per cent. lime to one part cement and one part sand ; the other three coats were composed of one part sand and one part cement. This was floated until a hard, dense surface was produced; then this sur- face scratched to receive the succeeding coat. This work was done by experts in that line.
Prior to the plastering the entire inside of the stand- pipe was thoroughly cleaned and then picked. This was done to insure the bonding of the cement plaster to the surface. There were four coats of plaster put on, and we felt reasonably sure that it would be perfectly tight, as great care was used in applying the same. But upon filling the standpipe this did not give us the result we expected, as we had felt positive that we should have an absolutely water tight structure.
At the time the inside work was being done the out- side, where the cement had scaled off from the effects of frost, was repaired by digging around the outside row of steel reinforcement, putting on iron clips made of 34-inch by 1/8-inch iron bolted through, and then cement was forced into the cavities around these clips by throw- ing it a distance of four or five feet to insure the filling
156
ANNUAL REPORT
of the voids. This process was continued until the cement covered the entire outer surface, so that further plastering could be perfectly bonded; on this surface was placed expanded metal, forced over the clips that stood out horizontally, and then a coat of plaster was carefully troweled over the surface of this metal, and then a coat of metal placed outside of that plastering, the ends of the clips being turned at right angles to hold the same in place. After this the final outside coat was applied, thus making a verl firm and compact surface, equal to any part of the structure.
After noting the result of the interior plastering, we were satisfied that some other method must be used to make the standpipe perfectly tight under one hundred feet head, at the same time realizing that in a warmer climate we should not hesitate to accept it as it was.
Upon consulting with cur engineer and contractor we decided to coat the inside with what is known as the "Sylvester process" wash. We presume many of you are familiar with the same, but for the benefit of those who are not, we will give the formula used on this stand- pipe :
Dissolve 34-pound castile soap in one gallon of water. Dissolve I pound pure alum in eight gallons of water. Both must be thoroughly dissolved. Before applying to the walls the surface must be perfectly clean and dry ; tem- perature must be about 50 degrees Farenheit. First, apply soap at boiling temperature with a flat brush, taking care not to form a froth. Wait 24 hours so that the solution will become dry and hard upon the walls, then apply the alum in the same way, at a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Farenheit. Wait 24 hours, and repeat with alter- nate coats of soap and alum.
On the Croton work, four coats of each solution ren- dered the walls impervious. According to the report made by Mr. Dearborn a pound of soap will cover about 37 square feet, and one pound of alum will cover about 95
157
ANNUAL REPORT
square feet. Water may be admitted to the tank as soon as the last coat becomes hard and dry.
This solution has been used with good success on a number of reservoirs, not exceeding a 40-foot head, making them absolutely tight.
In order to test this process we decided to try 35 feet of our standpipe from the bottom up. After applying four coats of the mixture we filled the standpipe full and at 100 feet head we found there were only four leaks in the 35 feet coated. On account of this success, we decided to apply four coats more to this same surface, that making eight coats from the bottom up to 35 feet, and above that distance four coats. The result was very satisfactory, but not absolutely tight. As the contract called for a water-tight structure the contractors decided to apply five more coats over the entire surface, thus making 13 coats for 35 feet and nine for the rest of the structure. On October 28 the standpipe was filled and found to be practically tight. as the slight wetting on the outside was due to the condensation of the atmosphere. Later a few leaks developed which seemed to come from the inside, but these varied from time to time during the n'ext month. Under certain conditions of the atmos- phere the entire surface was absolutely dry, under dif- ferent conditions it would show a slight leakage. This was so gratifying to the Commissioners and engineer that on December 6, 1906, the standpipe was accepted from the contractors under conditions named in con- tract, viz., to maintain the structure one year from date of acceptance, and if the same continued satisfactory during the Winter they were to clean down the outside and wash with neat cement.
There has been no time since the beginning of the structure that the Commissioners or engineer have be- lieved that it was a mistake in adopting this type, and we sincerely hope that others will be benefitted by our experience.
158
ANNUAL REPORT.
In constructing a receptacle for water, whether it be a jug or reservoir, it is a natural desire to build it of stone or masonry. Somehow water tastes better, keeps cooler and cleaner, and the idea of holding water in a masonry structure seems altogether fitting. The aqueducts of Rome were of stone, and it was not until we came to handle water under pressure that metal came into use.
There has been no structure of the kind erected in the United States or the world that has caused the inquiry or excited the interest as much as the Attleborough concrete standpipe, as we have had letters of inquiry from all over the United States for our reports and information concerning same. This fact should be gratifying to our citizens, as it places our Town fore- most among the largest cities and towns throughout the country in regard to water supply. We feel that much credit should be given to F. A. Barbour, engineer, and the Aberthaw Construction Co., contractors, for the earnest and efficient work done by them.
We believe that Attleborough may congratulate itself on its water system, the quality, quantity and source of supply ; in the use of the meter system and the result- ing low consumption ; in the possession of new cast iron mains and the small loss of water by leakage; and in the acquirement of a storage second to none in the world, making possible, in connection with the new pipe lines, a system of fire protection which should and must im- press the insurance underwriters to our financial better- ment.
On the completion of the gridiron system, made neces- sary by the elimination of the grade crossings, and which will be explained in the Superintendent's report, we de- cided to make a test of the efficiency of the system for fire protection. The test was made under the supervision of F. A. Barbour, engineer of construction, assisted by the Fire Department, and the following is the official report submitted by Mr. Barbour.
GIVING A VIEW OF FIRE SERVICE TEST ON PARK STREET, OCTOBER 16, 1906 Showing Deluge Streams with Six Lines of Hose
159
ANNUAL REPORT
F. A. Barbour's Report on Fire Test.
Boston, Mass., November 1, 1906.
To the Water. Commissioners of the Town of Attle- borough, Attleborough, Massachusetts :
Gentlemen :- In accordance with your instructions I herewith submit the following report of the fire service test of distribution system, made on the afternoon of October 16th, 1906.
This test, which was the culmination of your labors of the past three years, was intended as a practical demon- stration to the Town of Attleborough of the value of the several improvements which have been carried to suc- cessful completion at an expense of $109,000.00
Briefly summarized, these improvements include a new well at the source of supply which will prevent all possibility of shortage of water during the driest season for many years to come, the provision of a large storage tank at an elevation furnishing ample pressure for direct fire service and sufficient capacity to cope with any fire liable to occur, additional pipe lines between the source of supply and the point of storage and between the point of storage and the Town, together with other improve- ments in the distribution system.
Concisely stated, the test was an entire success, dem- onstrated beyond all dispute in the statement that with sixteen (16) fire streams throwing thirty-eight hundred (3,800) gallons of water per minute and concentrated as much as the necessity for carrying off water with- out damage to streets or property would admit, a pressure of seventy-five (75) pounds at the hydrant was maintained at the time of maximum discharge - all water being drawn from the standpipe and the pumps not running.
While familiar with the work which has made this remarkable showing possible, it may not be out of place to briefly outline, as a matter of record, the improve-
160
ANNUAL REPORT.
ments which have been carried out and to present the results of the recent test in greater detail.
In past years a steel standpipe thirty (30) feet in diameter and one hundred and forty (140) feet above the ground at the corner of Park and County streets, had served to supply the Town when the pumps were not running. In case of fire, however, it had been neces- sary to shut off this tank and pump direct in order to get the necessary pressure. Believing that adequate fire protection demanded the storage of water in suffi- cient quantity and at such an elevation as to make it immediately available for direct service, the Commis- sioners decided to construct, on Ides Hill, where the ground surface is one hundred and thirty (130) feet above Park street, a structure one hundred (100) feet high and fifty (50) ft. in diameter, with a capacity of one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) gallons. This is equivalent to an hour's supply of the probable maxi- mum number of fire streams for each ten (10) feet in height.
This standpipe as built is structurally of more than ordinary interest. Because of the character of the Attle- borough water and its tendency to attack steel, rein- forced concrete was adopted as the material to be used in the new standpipe, in this way lessening the depre- ciation and yearly cost of maintenance. The structure is a success in every way ; permanent and clean, attrac- tive in appearance and of such size that with the pumps operating only such hours as are necessary to meet the daily consumption all ordinary fire demands can be sup- plied for many years to come without the water being drawn down more than four-tenths (4-10) of the height of the tank. This is equivalent to a statement that at all times of the day, for many years to come in the future, there will be a pressure of at least eighty-five (85) pounds in the business section of the Town.
Up to the time of undertaking the recent improve-
GIVING A VIEW OF FIRE SERVICE TEST ON PARK STREET, OCTOBER 16, 1906 Showing Five Streams of the Sixteen Steams
161
ANNUAL REPORT.
ments a fourteen (14) inch main connected the pumping station with the distributing system. To provide a second pipe a sixteen (16) inch main has been laid to the new standpipe and from the standpipe a twenty-four (24) inch main leads to the corner of Thacher and County streets, and a twenty (20) inch main through County street as far as Dennis street. In further im- provement of the distribution system a twelve (12) inch main has been laid through Dennis street to Mechanics street, and an additional eight (8) inch main in Mechanics street from Dennis street to Hodges street, joining at this point a ten (10) inch pipe which connects with the twelve (12) inch pipe on Main street. From the end of the.twenty (20) inch pipe on County street a fourteen (14) inch pipe is laid as far as the Ten Mile River, a twelve (12) inch pipe from this point to Park street, and a sixteen (16) inch pipe through Park street to Union street. Cross connecting these mains are several lines of six, eight and twelve (6. 8 and 12) inch pipes, all of which are shown in the ac- companying plan of the distribution system.
It thus appears that not only has provision been made for the storage of a particularly large amount of water at a high elevation, but the pipe system between the point of storage and the center of the Town is calculated to make available at the time of maximum fire draft, a high percentage of the static pressure. It is also to be noted that the distribution system is largely composed of relatively new pipes, all the cement lined pipes re- maining in 1901 having been replaced with cast iron pipes at that time.
. In order to demonstrate the value of these several improvements it was planned on October 16th to carry out a fire service test, throwing sixteen (16) streams from hydrants in the center of the business section of the Town and as close together as the difficulty of car- rying off the water would permit. The following table
162
ANNUAL REPORT.
shows the location of the several hydrants from which the streams were drawn, the number of streams taken from each hydrant, the length of hose and the size of nozzle. The several hydrants are tabulated in the order in which they were brought into play in the test.
Location of Hydrant.
No. of Streams.
Nozzle Diameter.
Length of Hose.
Park st. (near Railroad ave.) ..
2
1 1-8 in.
2 1-350 ft. length
Park st. (near Bank st.). . ..
3
1 1-8 in.
1-350 ft. length
So. Main st. (near Mill st. ).
2
1 1-8 in.
1-250 ft. length
1-250 ft. length
1-200 ft. length
Park st. (north Railroad ave. ) . . 3
\1-1 in.
J-200 ft. length
1-200 ft. length § 2-300 ft. length
County st. ( east Ten Mile River )
3
1 1-8 in.
1-350 ft. length
County st. (west TenMileRiver)
1
1 1-8 in.
1-200 ft. length
Wall st
2
§ 1-1 in.
≤ 1-200 ft. length
1-1 1-8 in. ( 1-200 ft. length
In anticipation of this test the friction loss with various discharges of the combined system of piping be- tween the standpipe and Park street was calculated, figuring all pipes not placed within two years to have a capacity fifteen (15) per cent. less than new pipes. Diagram No. I shows graphically the results of this cal- culation. This is of interest in comparing with the ac- tual results obtained and is of value, as has been actually demonstrated, as an expression of the net pressures which may be assumed with different drafts.
The test began at three o'clock and lasted thirty min- utes. Gauges had been placed on the several hydrants, an observer was stationed at the standpipe to note the fall of the water, the size of all nozzles was noted and the number of lengths of hose used in each case. The several streams were brought into play one after another until sixteen (16) streams were throwing water at fif- teen minutes past the hour, the gauges being observed at
§ 2-1 1-8 in.
1-300 ft. length
( 2-300 ft. length
GIVING A VIEW OF FIRE SERVICE TEST OCTOBER 16, 1906 Showing Three Lines of Hose from County Street, Opposite G. H. Snell's Shop
163
ANNUAL REPORT.
100 A
40 lbs
Diagram showing loss of 90 pressure between Standpipe and corner of Park and Bank Sts. for various drafts in gallons per minute .
80
As calculated, assuming all mains not placed within 2 years to have a discharging capacity 15% less than new pipe.
70
30
60 ft.
25
50
20
4
15
30A
Drop in pressure
20
5 lbs.
10
.
O
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
Discharge in gallons per minute .
DIAGRAM No.1
Fire Service Test of Distribution System, October 16, 1906.
Drop in pressure at hydrant in pounds
10
at hydrant in feet.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.