USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1897 > Part 3
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The fire alarm system is in good working order, and has been a great help to the department during the year. It con- sists of twelve (12) boxes distributed at convenient points about town.
REPAIRS ON ENGINES.
In the spring of the past year it was discovered that the boiler of the steamer was out of order. An expert was sent for, who, after giving it a thorough examination, pronounced it unsafe to use. A special town meeting was called, and it. was voted to have it put in proper condition at once. A new boiler was placed on the engine, and it is now in first class condition. At the fire in Little's block, the hand engine gave out and had to be repaired ; this was done, and that is now in
51
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
first class condition. For cost of repairs, see statement else- where.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
There have been five (5) alarms of fire sent out since May Ist, 1896, as follows: May 14, fire in Mrs. J. H. Cleary's barn ; value of building and contents, $Soo, loss on same, $260, insurance, $150; cause accidental. May IS, fire in woods, near Jas. Foster's residence, alarm was rung in by request of "Forest Fire Ward," responded to by mem- bers of the department without apparatus. July 4th, false alarm, rung in by some person, unknown to the engineer. Sept. 27, fire in postoffice and Little's Block ; this was a seri- ous fire, help was asked of Haverhill and promptly responded to by Chief Gordon, with steamer, hose wagon, and men, and very efficient service rendered ; value of buildings and con- tents, $22,725, loss on same, $15,200; insurance, $21,450; cause unknown. Oct. 10, fire in hose tower to Central En- gine house ; cause unknown ; value of buildings and contents, $10,000, loss $25, insurance, $6,200. Dec. 3, fire in store house occupied by E. C. Hopkins ; value of building, $2,500 ; loss on building, $700; value of contents, $5,000; loss on contents, $1, 150 ; insurance on building, $2,000; insurance on contents, $4,000; cause unknown. These figures are from statements made by the owners of the property. We have no other means of knowing the values.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. H. BLODGETT, Chief, WM. M. CHASE, Ist Assistant, J. B. THORN, 2d Assistant.
REPORT OF THE
Trustees of the Public Library,
OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
To the Board of Selectmen of Merrimac :
Gentlemen-Herewith the Trustees present the twenty- first annual report of the Public Library. In submitting the same we have nothing new or unusual to report. The cus- tomary system of previous years has been followed and the usual progress we believe has been made. The Library is in excellent condition, well cared for and every book accounted for. The expenditures for books and improvements have been somewhat less than previous years, necessarily so from lack of funds, the annual appropriation being $50 less than any year since 1883.
By rigid economy and few improvements we are able to report all bills paid and have a small balance unexpended as shown by the Treasurer's financial report.
During the year the rooms have been opened 87 times and 7302 volumes delivered. The average daily delivery has been 85, the largest delivery in one day being 172. The monthly delivery as follows :
February (1896), 1026; March, 837; April, 785 ; May, 650; June, 555; July, 383 ; September, 598; October, 754 ; November, 706; December, 680; January (1897), 328.
53
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
There has been added to the Library during the past year 163 volumes received from the following sources : Pur- chased by Trustees, 144 ; presented by Department of Relief Corps, I ; presented by Commonwealth, IS.
The average cost for delivery of books and expense of running the Library has been three and one-fifth cents per volume.
Again we call attention to the urgent need of the public- ation of a new catalogue, the one now in use having out- grown its usefulness as an efficient and ready reference. We believe for the welfare of our Library and its patrons that a new catalogue is an absolute necessity. It has been estimated that the cost of such a publication would be about $150.
We recommend for the ensuing year an appropriation of not less than $500.
Respectfully submitted,
JAS. F. PEASE, S. A. McCONNELL, GEO. G. LARKIN, C. W. SAWYER, F. O. DAVIS, R. S. BAILEY.
Trustees.
54
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
For the Year ending March 1, 1897.
D. J. POORE, Treasurer, in account with the Merrimac Public Library.
DR.
To balance from previous year, $ 1 03
Received for Books, 3 75
Cards, 60
Fines, 13 76
Town appropriation, 450 00
$ 469 14
CR. By paid for Books acct. contracted
previous year, $ 40 00
Librarian, 200 00
Books and Magazines, 141 74
Binding Books,
25 S2
Printing, 20 00
Repairs and Improvements, 11 84
Lighting, 6 08
Fuel, 3 00
Transportation, 2 20
Advertising,
I 00
Postage, 86
Sundry supplies,
2 47
Cash on hand, 14 13
$ 469 14
Respectfully submitted,
D. J. POORE, Treasurer.
Merrimac, February 15, 1897.
REPORT OF THE
Committee on Water Supply
FOR THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
TO THE CITIZENS OF MERRIMAC :
The committee chosen by you at the last Annual Town. Meeting to investigate as to a possible source of a water supply and the probable cost of water works, hereby submit the result of their labors.
They organized by the choice of J. B. Judkins, chairman and S. A. McConnell, secretary, and after a careful con- sideration of the work to be done and the end to be attained, decided to secure the services of a competant civil engineer, and Mr. Louis E. Hawes of Boston, was engaged, he being highly recommended by Committees and Towns in the State where he had been employed in similar work. Mr. Hawes entered on the discharge of his duties early in the season and his accompanying report will give you the result of his labors and all the information on the subject that it was possible to obtain with the means available. The report is so concise and complete that we think it competant for the citizens to take any further action understandingly. The report of the State Board of Health is also given, made from investigations and examinations of their engineer, Mr. F. X. Goodnough, who visited the localities several times
48
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
and took samples of the water, after Mr. Hawes had finished his work. These reports cover the ground so thoroughly that the committee can add nothing of im- portance.
We endeavored to exhaust the subject as completely as possible and keep within the appropriation, at one time it was a question whether to continue at the risk of an over- draft or stop where we were, and we decided that what it was necessary to do could be done more cheaply then than at any future time and the work was continued and such information obtained that definite conclusions can be immediately arrived at, with but little expense to the town, in any future work regarding a water supply.
The benefits and need of a good public water supply is, we think, apparent to a large majority and the Committee trust that futher action will be taken in the matter.
Respectfully submitted,
J. B. JUDKINS, S. A. McCONNELL, 1 J. F. PEASE, BAILEY SARGENT, | F. L. PARKER.
Committee
011 Water Supply.
EXPENDITURES.
Louis E. Hawes, Civil Engineer, $ 275 37 Daniel Russell, Boston, well driver, men and material,
96 36
Albert Coombs, days labor, helping,
29 50
Zera F. Fourtin, 60
25 50
Charles Carter, 66
-66
25 50
A. J. Lovell,, 2 00
C. L. Churchill, 66
2 00
John Edmonds, 66
66
2 00
Edw. Hale, 66 66
I 40
James McConnell, board of engineer and
men, 44 5I
Isaac Pendergast, teams for hauling
material, etc., 28 75
James F. Pease, time assisting engineer, 20 00
S. A. McConnell, cash paid for stationery, express, etc. S IS
Heath Brothers, making weirs, etc., 4 90
Budget Office, printing, 2 75
Wm. Lydston, pump,
I 25
B. & M., freight, 3
20
$ 573 17
58
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
REPORT OF
LOUIS E. HAWES, CIVIL ENGINEER,
BOSTON, MASS.
To MESSRS. J. B. JUDKINS, S. A. MCCONNELL, JAMES F. PEASE, F. L. PARKER AND BAILEY SARGENT, COM- MITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY, MERRIMAC, MASS.
GENTLEMEN :-
Under your direction I have made a study of the water supply possibilities within the town of Merrimac, and here- with present a report of progress.
As the water supplied by nature, either above or beneath the surface of the ground, comes primarily from the clouds in the shape of rain, the topography of the territory under consideration, with particular reference to the inclined sur- faces which form collecting areas for the rainfall, better known as drainage areas or water-sheds, is of first import- ance.
The main inhabited portion of the town is about a mile from the Merrimac river, elevated considerably above it, and located in a valley formed by two somewhat parallel ranges of hills, extending southerly from the New Hampshire line nearly to the river. This valley is drained by Cobbler's Brook, which empties into the Merrrimac river at Merrimac- port.
59
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
The range of hills to the west of the village, including Brush Hill, Red Oak, Long and Tictomb Hills, forms the dividing line between the Cobbler's Brook watershed on the east and the watershed of the brooks on the westerly side, which feed Veal's Pond and its outlet.
The range ot hills on the easterly side of Cobbler's Brook and . the village including Bear and Prospect Hills, forms the dividing line between the Cobbler's Brook water- shed on the west and the watershed of Back River and Lake Attitash or Kimball's Pond on the east.
These three drainage areas, Veal's Pond on the west, Cobbler's Brook in the middle and Back River and Kimball's Pond on the east, constitute the principal watersheds within the town limits and for some distance beyond. The teritory lying between Kimball's Pond and the Merrimac River, the upper portion of which is called "The Plains" feeds two brooks, one running into Cobbler's Brook and the other dis- charging into Nichols Pond in Amesbury.
These watersheds have all been studied as possible sources of water supply for the town.
VEAL'S POND.
This is a shallow, artificial reservoir, controlled by pri- vate individuals and drawn down or kept filled at their pleas- ure. It is situated on the Haverhill line and distant by road from the centre of the village, nearly three miles.
In consequence of these facts and the location, of other possible sources at a much lesser distance, Veal's Pond has not been given serious consideration as a source of water supply for Merrimac.
COBBLER'S BROOK.
This brook drains the valley in which the villages are situated and is, therefore, the nearest water course.
60
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
The point where the indications are most favorable for utilizing the watershed of this brook to best advantage, is in the vicinity of the old Tukesbury Mill Dam, above the vil -. lage at which point the watershed has an approximate area of 1.2 square miles.
There is a small brook from the west discharging into the stream, just below this point, which is fed by springs in the vicinity of Nichols Avenue, that are doubtless supplied by water which falls on the surface of the sandy plain near by, is absorbed and appears again as springs. This plain already has a considerable population residing upon it, with a pros- pect of more, rendering the permanent purity of any water derived from it very doubtful.
The same reasoning applies to the location of the small springs near the railroad station and cemetery, which are also doubtless supplied by ground-water from the village plain before mentioned.
As the Nichols Avenue brook receives direct house drainage, and is subject to other polluting influences, as well as Cobbler's Brook, farther down, and some others which enter it, only the portion of Cobbler's Brook above the Nichols Avenue brook, has been considered as available for water supply purposes.
Examinations of the water flowing in the stream were made for quantity by weir measurements, and for quality by the analysts of the State Board of Health.
The flow was noticed to vary rapidly with the rainfall, indicating a quick watershed, or one from which most of the water runs off the surface, little being absorbed to contribute to the ground water. This condition was further shown to exist by the test wells driven in this vicinity for the purpose of acertaining the possibilities for securing a ground water supply.
61
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
If a good soft ground water is available in sufficient quantity, it is much to be preferred to water taken from a stream or pond, as it is colorless, free from the unpleasant tastes and odors that are sometimes noticed in surface supplies, and is not so readily subject to deleterious influences.
Seven test wells were driven near Cobbler's Brook ; three just above the old Tukesbury Dam, which showed the presence of much compact material and hardpan, with bed rock a short distance below the surface, and four, several hundred feet lower down the valley, where it is narrower. The latter disclosed a greater depth to rock and the presence of some porous water bearing strata.
Well No. 5 apparently penetrated the strata carrying the ground flow of the valley, from which water could be pump- ed freely and which proved to be a flowing well. From the nature of the stratification and tests made by means of other wells in the vicinity, it is very probable that the quantity to be depended upon from the ground at this place, is limited. A sample of water from this well was examined by the chem- ists of the State Board of Health and reported to contain so large a quantity of iron, that it would be objectionable for many domestic purposes.
Doubtless the best way to utilize the watershed of Cob- bler's Brook is by constructing a substantial earthen dam with masonry core wall across the valley and cleaning out the basin above for a reservoir. The best location for the dam will be determined largely by the comparative expense of construction.
At the site of the present Tukesbury's Dam the location is open, the bed rock for a considerable distance across the valley is quite near the surface, and the material in the old dam could be utilized economically in constructing the new.
Several hundred feet lower down the brook, the valley
62
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
is narrower and there would be additional storage capacity acquired, which advantages are offset by the expense oc- casioned by the greater depth to a foundation and the addi- tional area to be cleared, which is now wooded.
As the brook water has some color, and contains organic matter of vegetable origin that might render the water object- ionable at times, it would doubtless be advisable to place. a filter below the dam, constructed in such a way, that most, if not all, of the filtering could be done by gravity, to avoid pumping the water twice. The pumping station with machinery for forcing water into town and to the elevated reservoir would be located near.
The situation is fortunate in being near the village, thus rendering a minimum mileage of piping possible, and near Bear Hill, just to the east, which is of sufficient height for a reservoir. The form of reservoir to build, and whether it should be located on one of the two summits of Bear Hill or on Prospect Hill, will depend upon the exact elevation avail- able as compared with street elevations in the two villages, having in view a proper regard for an efficient fire service and a reasonable pressure on the pipes in low portions of the town. A large earthen reservoir costs more to build than a metal stand pipe of the usual capacity for a small town, but as it holds more water it does not necessitate so frequent pumping and there is a more uniform fire pressure.
LAKE ATTITASH, OR KIMBALL'S POND AND VICINITY.
This pond, a portion of which is within the town limits and not far from the villages, is reported to have an area of about 400 acres. Its principal feeder is Back River ; its water- shed has an area of between three and four square miles, and it is elevated So or more feet higher than the Merrimac River.
63
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
The exact height of the water in the pond is regulated by gates at its outlet that are controlled by Amesbury parties, who use the portion of the pond affected by the gates for storage purposes.
As the presence of summer cottages on its shores and its use as a pleasure resort render its water liable at times to influences prejudicial to its use for domestic purposes without filtering, wells were driven in its vicinity for the purpose of ascertaining the ground-water possibilities.
At the place on the southern shore called "The Bluffs," which is the shore nearest the village and opposite deep water, three wells were sunk from two to three hundred feet apart, all of which showed a shallow formation above rock with unfavorable indications for a ground water supply.
On the westerly shore of the pond and near the entrance of Back River, four wells were driven at distances of from three to six hundred feet apart, the first one being at Pines Point. The well that gave the best results was located in the sandy plain in that vicinity. Water was readily obtained and a sample taken for analysis, the result of which, when re- ported, showed it to be of excellent quality. Judging from this well, it is probable that a collecting conduit or pipe filter gallery at this place, would serve as the best medium for taking water from the ground. Further examinations would be necessary, however, to determine if the quantity is suffi- cient to depend upon, the results from the other three wells which were somewhat scattered, not being sufficiently corro- borative to warrant a decided opinion.
In utilizing this source of supply, water would be taken from the ground by pumps and forced to the reservoir. If deemed advisable, a suction pipe could be carried out into the pond to be used for fire purposes in case of emergency. Bear Hill is nearer this location than Prospect Hill, but far-
6+
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
ther from the centre of the village. Considerations of eco- nomical design and utility would determine the location of the reservoir to be used in connection with this source.
BACK RIVER WATERSHED.
Between the location of the test wells near Pines Point at the lake and the territory in the vicinity of Sargent's mill, which is about a mile up stream, the country in the bottom is rather inaccessible and without very favorable indications for obtaining a water supply.
Near Sargent's mill there are several springs on the side of the valley farthest from the village, the water of which, by analysis, is reported to be good.
Three test wells were sunk at favorable points covering a distance of about 1000 feet in the neighborhood of the mill, from one of which water was pumped freely and a sample sent to the State Board of Health for examination. The result showed the presence of a large quantity of iron which would render the water objectionable for some domestic uses. Much hardpan was encountered in driving the wells, some 20 feet of it being drilled through in one case.
Without the aid of other ground water, the flow of the springs would be insufficient as a supply for the town. Those of any importance are considerably farther to the east near the extreme north east corner of the town limits, not easily accessible nor of sufficient size to warrant great expectations from a well near one of them.
Weir gaugings of the Back River Brook showed a small flow as compared with the area of the watershed, which above this point is approximately 1.5 square miles, extends into New Hampshire and has a small population upon it. The analysts report the water to have a higher color and to be inferior to that of Cobbler's Brook.
65
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
The investigations of the Back River watershed in the vicinity of Sargent's mill indicate that the location is unsatis- factory as a source of water supply for the towns.
THE PLAINS.
This territory lying between Kimball's Pond and the bank which descends to the Merrimac River, is a smooth country, the formation of which appears to be porous and well adapted to the storing of ground water. During the progress of investigations at places which appeared more promising than the plains, before the result of the analyses was known, a single well was driven in the field north of Main Street, at the plains, for the purpose of ascertaining the formation and what influence the residences at the Lower Corner had upon the ground water.
A water-bearing strata of considerable thickness was penetrated at a fair depth with an impervious strata above, from which water was pumped and a sample sent to Boston for examination. The report showed it to be very soft and suitable for domestic purposes.
In view of the fact that at all but one of the other places examined for ground water, the character of the soil was un- favorable or the quality of the water poor; this territory and the springs it feeds on its southern extremity, should receive further consideration and tests made to determine the proba- ble quantity of water obtainable. If this source should prove to be satisfactory, it would doubtless be the least expensive to utilize.
If the stratification continues, as found at the test well, a pipe well system will be possible, and the best to adopt. It would also be reasonably near the coal wharf at Merrimac- port, making transportation easy. Questions concerning riparian or water rights with mill owners, which are liable to
66
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
arise at some of the other locations, might also be avoided by taking a supply from the Plains.
OTHER PLACES.
The small, rapidly-inclining valley south of the village and on the easterly slope of Titcomb Hill, which is drained by one or two small brooks, discharging into the Merrimac River, has an area of less than one quarter of a square mile, with no indications of ground water in sufficient quantity, so is not considered a possible source of water supply for the town.
The shores of the Merrimac River adjoining the town are rather abrupt in descent, rocky in places, do not present favorable indications for ground water and are in a direction from the villages to naturally receive their drainage.
There is a place just over the line in Amesbury where Nichols Brook comes down to the river, that might be worthy of consideration, were there no other sources available at a lesser distance and higher elevation.
The easterly side of Back River and the northerly shore of Kimball's Pond, between the outlet and Back River, have been suggested as worthy of examination for ground water, the surface indications being somewhat favorable; exami- nations of this territory and further examinations of the Pines Point location being advised by the State Board of Health.
SUMMARY.
As will be seen from the foregoing, it has been necessa- ry to cover a large territory in the investigation, on account of the many apparent possibilities.
By eliminating sources, unfavorable on account of the quality of the water, or other seriously objectionable features, we are left at the present time to the consideration of two places where ground water was found of good quality, that
67
REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY.
is, near the outlet of Back River into Kimball's Pond and at the Plains; and to the use of surface water from Cobbler's Brook or Kimball's Pond by treating it, to insure a satisfac- tory quality at all times.
Of these possibilities, unquestionably an ample supply of soft, colorless, unpolluted ground water is to be preferred at the same cost, to a surface water that might be question- able without treatment. As a matter of fact a ground water source within a reasonable distance of town, as ordinarily utilized, is found to be the least expensive, where a pumping system is imperative and surface water has to be treated.
As the first cost of any system is the controlling factor of the annual expense account, amounting to about 75 per cent of the same, it is certainly in the interest of economy for the ground water possibilities and limitations to be determined, and I would respectfully recommend that a sufficient appro- priation be authorized to enable the reaching of definite con- clusions as to a ground supply from the Plains or the shores of Kimball's Pond in the vicinity of Back River. Also to enable measurements and levels to be taken which will deter- mine the location and kind of reservoir best to construct; the preparation of a plan of the system proposed showing pipes, hydrants, valves and location of source of supply, pumping station, reservoir, etc ; and an estimate of cost based upon such a plan, together with a table of elevations and fire pres- sures available from the reservoir.
The results of the analyses and investigations by the State Board of Health, which included the examination of fifteen samples of surface and ground waters, could not be learned and taken advantage of while the investigations and work of well-driving was in progress, and as results show, they would probably not have materially lessened the territory to cover had this been possible. It is obviously quite as
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