USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1892 > Part 4
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On June 4th, 1891, the law went into effect, under which any city or town in the State " may establish and maintain a plant for the manufacture and distribution of gas or electricity for fur- nishing light for municipal use, or for the use of such of its in- habitants as may require and pay for the sanie."
This act was accepted by our town at the two town meetings called for the purpose, August 25th and October 29th, 1891, at which reports of the electric light committee were made, but further action was postponed until the annual meeting in March, 1892.
At the adjourned annual meeting of March 21st, 1892, thirty thousand dollars were appropriated, and the electric light com- mittee was authorized to establish an electric lighting plant in accordance with their report. Under the authority thus con- ferred the committee immediately began work.
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The investigations that we made while we were preparing our first reports, showed us the great importance of designing and constructing every part of an electric light plant in the most substantial manner, as the experience of every electric light company has been that any saving in first cost from slighting the work, has always had to be paid two fold in the expense of operating the plant. Therefore, our aim has been throughout the entire construction to have nothing but the best, both in material and workmanship ; but we have also tried to avoid any expenditure for mere fancy or useless work.
We have availed ourselves of the advice of experts in all points where doubt as to the best method to be adopted has arisen. We feel that our efforts have been entirely successful, as from the very start the plant has run without the slightest trouble or friction of any kind.
The first question to be decided was necessarily that of the location of the station, and we were unanimous in choosing the lot on Allen Street, East Braintree, that we had favored in our report.
This lot has a frontage of about one hundred and seventy- five feet on tide water. This will enable the town, whenever it chooses, to construct a wharf and coal sheds, and purchase all the coal used by the town for water works, school houses, and electric station by the cargo.
We employed Mr. Samuel A. Bates to search the title and make the conveyance. The deed is in the possession of the Selectmen.
We next employed J. F. Perry of Lynn as electrical engi- neer, on the terms set forth in the following contract made with him :
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE AND
J. F. PERRY OF LYNN.
In consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) to be paid to me by the Town of Braintree in instalments as here- inafter specified, I agree to act as constructing engineer for the said town, during the construction and installation of their pro- posed electric plant, under the direction of the committee having the matter in charge,
85
I agree to devote all of my time that the said committee shall require to the work, which shall include selecting and pur- chasing all materials and apparatus, making plans, laying out routes, locating lamps, supervising the digging of holes, setting of poles, running of wires, and placing into position of not more than one hundred 1200 C. P. arc lamps, or their equivalent in in- candescent lamps, setting up and wiring all apparatus at the sta- tion, and doing and performing all work not herein mentioned, pertaining to the usual duties of a Superintendent of construc- tion of such a plant.
I agree to place at the service of the said committee, with- out additional remuneration, all the advice and counsel that is within the scope of my knowledge, and to do everything that lies in my power to assist the said committee to purchase and install the said plant in the best and most economical manner.
I agree to receive no commissions, either directly or indi- rectly, from dealers who are endeavoring to sell apparatus or supplies to said committee.
I agree to furnish all digging tools, and other construction tools needed during the progress of the work, and to furnish a horse and buggy for my own use during the time I stay in Braintree.
In full payment for my services I am to receive the sum of five hundred dollars ( $500 ), payable in installments, as fol- lows: one hundred dollars ( $100) when the pole lines are located, and the poles distributed along the streets ; one hundred dollars ( $100) when the poles are set, and the wires strung; one hundred dollars ( $100) when the lamps are placed in position ; one hundred dollars ( $100) when the station appara- tus is installed and wired, and the balance of one hundred dol- lars ( $100) when the plant is completed and has been subjected to a satisfactory test.
I also agree to give all the time after the plant is in operation to the instruction of the engineer necessary to familiarize him with his duties, and to get the plant into smooth running order.
J. FRANK PERRY.
(Signed) THOMAS A. WATSON,
Chairman of Electric Light Com.
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As architect for the station we employed E. H. Kitfield, of Boston, making with him the following contract :
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE, MASS., AND E. H. KITFIELD, CIVIL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, 53 STATE STREET, BOSTON.
The said Kitfield is to furnish one set of working plans on vellum cloth, of an electric. lighting station with chimney, and the usual electric and steam apparatus, satisfactory to the com- mittee having the matter in charge, and sufficient in detail to enable contractors and others to estimate accurately upon the cost of all or any part of said station and apparatus; and also to furnish one set of specifications to accompany said plans ; and also during the construction of said station and apparatus to supervise the same to a reasonable extent, and to further act as consulting engineer for the said committee in every department of the electric lighting plant that the said town is about to put in.
In consideration of these services, as specified, the said town is to pay to the said E. H. Kitfield the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125). Of this amount an instalment of one hundred dollars is to be paid on delivery of said plans, and the balance within sixty days after that date.
The necessary traveling expenses incurred by said Kitfield in supervising the work to be paid by the said town.
THOMAS A. WATSON, Chairman Electric Light Committee of the Town of Braintree. (Signed)
E. H. KITFIELD.
The apparatus of the Thomson Houston Electric Co. was chosen, and a contract made with them under which they were to furnish, for the sum of $7,185, the following apparatus :
Two dynamos of a capacity of 50 are lights each, both to be furnished with field switch, sliding base frame and adjustable belt tightener and self-oiling bearings.
Two automatic regulators and controllers.
Ninety-four double standard arc lamps 1,200 c. P., each pro- vided with automatic cut out, hand switch and suitable globe.
I
BRAINTREE MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC LIGHT STATION. (Courtesy of the Braintree Reporter.)
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One slate switchboard, to control four circuits. Eight lightning arresters.
One ammeter for measuring current generated by the F. O. B., at Lynn, Mass.
dynamo.
We also found the Thomson Houston Co.'s prices were the lowest on the line material, such as wire, cross-arms, insulators, etc., etc., and so ordered the most of these supplies from them.
The question as to the kind of pole to be used arose at an early stage. We chose chestnut poles in preference to cedar, as the former gave the needed strength and stiffness, in a smaller and consequently less obtrusive pole than the latter.
We made several visits to the woods belonging to C. H. Spring, at Holliston, Mass., and finally placed the following order with him :
142 chestnut poles, 30 ft. long at $1.75 each. 291 66
66 30 ft. « " $2.05
126 66
66 35 ft.
$2.90 " 15
40 ft. " " $3.90 "
Barking and carefully shaving ready for painting 25 cents each extra.
These poles were to be delivered free of charge for freight on cars at Braintree, South Braintree and East Braintree ; in such quantities at each place as the committee chose. .
All poles were selected by our engineer before shipment. 137 poles were also purchased from J. F. Sheppard.
For distributing and setting the poles the following contract was made with Charles H. Custance.
Braintree, Mass., May 16, 1892.
T. A. WATSON, CHAIRMAN ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMITTEE :-
I hereby agree to cart the poles for the Braintree Electric Light plant from the cars at the South, North and East Braintree stations, to distribute them along the streets, to dig and blast holes in locations to be designated by you ; to set the poles in the same and to clean up neatly around each hole.
For this I am to receive for each pole that I set the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25). Payments to be made
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as follows :- Each Monday during the progress of the work I am to receive a payment of sixty-two and one half cents ($0.62}) on each pole that I have set during the previous week.
I agree to take every possible precaution against accident from blasting, and to assume all risk and damage from accidents of any and every nature.
Work to be done under the supervision of the committee's engineer, and to be satisfactory to them.
(Signed)
CHARLES H. CUSTANCE.
The plans and specifications for the station and chimney, were finished May 1st, and were submitted to several builders for bids.
We do not think it necessary to reprint the full contract and specifications, as they are long and full of details. They called for a brick station 82 feet long, 40 feet wide, divided into an engine room 40 feet by 38 feet inside, and a boiler room 39 feet 4 inches by 38 feet. Stud of engine room 14 feet, of boiler room, 22 feet. All excavating, stone, mason and carpenter work, were included. A few of the important details are as follows :
Main floor beams are 8x14 hard pine, with floor joists 3x12 spruce. Floor of engine room narrow matched maple. Roof is constructed of 1} inches matched pine plank, covered with a 5 ply tar and gravel roof. Roof of engine room supported by 8x3 hard pine posts. Roof of boiler room by two trusses. De- tails of doors, windows, gutters, painting, etc., will be found in the specifications. Chimney is built of hard burnt brick, and is 100 feet high above foundation by 10 feet square at base.
Its foundation is built of block granite, laid in cement mortar, and is ten feet deep by 19 feet square at bottom, taper- ing to 12 feet at level of ground. Chimney has a round core 60 feet high, and 4 feet inside diameter separate from shell, to allow of free expansion.
Cast iron cap to the top of chimney, with 4 lightning rods connected to iron ground plates, buried under the foundation.
Core of chimney is lined with fire brick, beginning at bot- tom of smoke flue and extending up 15 feet. The bids on the
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station and chimney ranged from $6,500 to $11,000, averaging about $8,500.
The bid of William O'Connell of Canton being the lowest, and his references being very satisfactory, the contract was given to him for $6,500. Some changes were afterward made that reduced this amount to $6,412 and additions and extra work made the total amount paid him $6,506.58.
The contract for the engine and boiler foundations and brick work were afterwards awarded to Mr. O'Connell for $897.
Mr. O'Connell's contract was faithfully carried out, and he has given the town a first class station and chimney.
We have taken special pains to secure a boiler that is the best in all respects that can be built, and the following are the principal points of the specifications that have been thoroughly carried out by the Roberts Iron Works Co., of Cambridgeport, with whom we placed the order.
Boiler to be built to carry 130 lbs. steam pressure ; to be 72 inches diameter by 17 feet 4 inches long ; to have 138 3-in. tubes 16 feet long. To be built of best fire box steel 76-in. thick, from 55,000 to 60,000 lbs. tensile strength, not less than 56 per cent. reduction of area, nor 25 per cent. elongation in 8 inches. Heads of same steel & inch thick. Longitudinal seams butt jointed, with double covering plates and triple riveted ; rivet holes drilled in place. Longitudinal braces without welds. Internal feed pipe. All castings for setting, and furnished with one nickel seat pop safety valve; 3 2 inch gauges ; 18} inch steam gauge ; 1 2 in. water guage and combination column. Price on team at shop in Cambridge $955.
The question of high speed or low speed engine was finally settled, June 24th, by accepting the proposition of the Provi- dence Steam Engine Co., as follows :
Providence, R. I., June 23d, 1892.
Electric Light Committee, Town of Braintree.
DEAR SIR :- We hereby offer to build and deliver F. O. B. cars in Providence, or at our wharf, one Improved Greene Engine, having one cylinder, 12 inches bore, 23 feet. stroke; 2 pulley balance wheels, each 9 feet diameter, 10 inches face, turned on face for belt ; wrought iron shaft made from the best scrap (ham- .
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mered) ; out board pillow block ; stop valve; governor and belt ; holding down bolts ; automatic lubricator and adjustable oil cups.
We will furnish drawings for the engine foundation, will furnish man to set up and start the engine and will pay his wages.
You will pay the board and traveling expenses of man sent to set up engine, and will at your own expense, do all mason, car- penter work and stone dressing, furnish laboring help required in setting up engine, and pay cost of transportation.
The shaft to be of sufficient length to admit a pulley of twelve inch face between these pulleys and the pillow block, and to ex- tend through the pillow block 12 inches for a coupling-key-way to be cut in shaft where space is left for the 12 in. wheel, and also in the extension-the latter key-way to be filled up by a piece of iron held in with two screws. The end of shaft to be full size both in pillow block and in the extension beyond the pillow block.
Engine runs under.
Belt runs towards cylinder.
130 revolutions per minute.
Cylinder oiler to be Seibert.
Oil cups to be sight feed as far as practical.
We will accept in payment of the same, the sum of seven- teen hundred dollars, ( $1700.00).
[Signed] PROVIDENCE STEAM ENGINE CO.
All the work of fitting up the station and putting in the steam and electrical machinery has been done by the Fore River Engine Co. The Committee realized that this was a difficult, complicated and expensive job and it did not seem advisable to them to call in outside help when the experts in the employ of that company were so close at hand.
To avoid the possible imputation that a concern in which the chairman of this committee is so largely interested, has made a profit out of. the town, the bargain was made that all goods and materials used were to be charged for by the Engine Company at cost price; thus giving the town the benefit of wholesale prices and all the time of engineers, machinists, blacksmiths and laborers, at cost of their wages with an addition of ten cents per hour to pay for superintendence and the use of shops and tools. The services of Mr. F. O. Wellington in mak- ing plans for the arrangement of piping and machinery and as consulting steam engineer, have been given without charge.
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The most minutely itemized bills have been required for all work done by the Engine Co., the original vouchers have been filed by them wherever possible, and the town's auditors have been requested to give this part of the committee's account the most searching examination and criticism.
Beside the engine and boiler which are described above, the steam apparatus comprises a 200 horse-power feed water heater, Spencer damper regulator, Hancock locomotive inspi- rator, Worthington duplex steam feed pump. Best quality Chapman valves, with bronze seats. Howe platform scale for weighing the coal and all pipes and fittings necessary for a first-class job.
The outside plant comprises about 24 miles of triple insulat- ed No. 6 copper wire (Calumet and Hecla metal) strung on 711 poles.
These poles are set on the average 44 to the mile making the entire length of pole line 16 1-7 miles. These wires are run in three circuits, one circuit running from the station through Mill Lane, Commercial and Union streets, to and about the whole of the south section, returning to the station via River and Middle streets. One for the north section and another for the east section. The two latter are joined at the station and run by one dynamo.
Special attention has been paid to the insulation of the wires where they run through trees. Where the trees could not be trimmed and so prevented from touching the wires, special tree insulators made of moulded mica have been used. All poles on curves or bends and all cable lamp poles have been carefully guyed.
While the poles were being distributed and set, as there was some liability of accident to persons and property, insurance to the amount of $10,000, was placed in the Employers Liability Insurance Co., at a cost of fifty dollars, ($50). The policy ran four months.
We have given the matter of the location of lights careful attention. We have gone over the ground several times, and since the plant was in operation, have added several lights where they seemed to be needed.
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We have at present in operation 75 1200 candle power arc lamps; of which 41 are suspended in centre of streets and 34 are placed on tops of poles. The suspended lamps are between 35 feet poles. Of the pole lamps 18 are on 35 feet poles and 16 on 30 feet poles. We have also 72 twenty-five C. P. incandescent lamps in operation, besides eight in the station.
The arc lamps are located as follows :
Quincy avenue, opposite D. Hayward's house 1
Opposite Crane's house . 1
Opposite Hayward street
·
1
Opposite Johnson estate
1
Opposite J. F. Sheppard's estate .
1
Corner Allen street
1
Opposite Captain Hall's house
1 Corner Commercial street 1
Allen street, halfway between Quincy avenue and Shaw st. 1
Corner Shaw street
1
Opposite Waterman's house .
.
1
. At Railroad crossing 1
Shaw street, opposite Sheppard's coal shed
.
1
At Railroad crossing
1
Front street, opposite East Braintree depot
1
Opposite Freight yard
1
Commercial street, opposite N. L. White's house Corner Union street
1
Opposite East Braintree Post Office At Hay Scales
1
Corner Front street
1
Corner Adams street
1
Opposite J. Wilkins' house
1
Corner Elm street .
.
1
Cedar street . .
1
Opposite Reed estate
.
1
Opposite Child's estate
.
1
At railroad crossing
.
1
.
Elm street, corner Adams street
1
.
1
1
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Middle street, corner Union street . 1
Opposite George Arnold's house
1
'At bend of street 1
Corner River street
1
At Railroad bridge
1
River street, opposite Jersey avenue
1
Corner Railroad street 1
Cedar street, opposite School street
1
Opposite Amos Stetson's
1
Washington street, at Railroad bridge 1
Half way between R. R. bridge and School street 1
Corner School street
1
Corner Elm street
1
Corner River street
1
Washington street, cor. Hollis avenue
Opposite Dr. Dearing's house .
1
Opposite Maple street 1
1
Opposite C. Custance's house
e
1
Nearly opposite Monatiquot school
1
Opposite Thayer Academy
1
Cor. Union street . 1
Cor. Taylor street .
1 .
Cor. Holbrook avenue
.
1
Cor. Pearl street
1
Cor. Tremont street
1
Between Franklin and Pond streets
1
Cor. Pond street
1
Opposite Hollingsworth's house
1
Cor. Hancock street
1
Hancock street, opposite Hollingsworth mills
1
Opposite Hall avenue 1 .
Pond street, opposite cemetery
1
1200 feet beyond cemetery light 1 Pearl street, at railroad crossing 1.
Opposite Stevens and Willis' factory
1
Pearl street, opposite Fountain street 1
Thayer Place , 1
1
Corner Mt. Vernon avenue
-
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Franklin street, corner Summer street Central avenue 1
1
Tremont street, corner Taylor street
1
Central avenue, near Library . 1
Summer street, near Washington
1
Front of Town Hall
1
Union street, at railroad crossing
1
Hollis avenue, opposite Ash street . 1
Total number of arc lamps . 75
The incandescent lamps are located as follows :
Quincy avenue, opposite Johnson estate . 1
Commercial street, opposite J. Wilson's store Methodist churchı
1
1
Mill lane
1
A. Hobart's house .
1
Stetson estate 1
Union street, from Commercial to Middle street 13
Middle street to railroad crossing . . 12
Central, cor. Tremont street
Dyer's Hill
5
· Pond street, beyond cemetery .
4
Oak street, from West to Hollis avenue
3
Monatiquot avenue from Oak street
2
Hollis avenue from Washington to Oak street
4
Middle from Union to River street River street to Elm street
2
Elm street from Adams street to Commercial street 6 Adams street from Elm to Commercial street 9 ·
In station 8
Total number of incandescents
. 80
Total number of arcs . 75
Total number of lights 155
1
West street, from Washington to Oak
4
1
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We have graded the station grounds, and have built a road to render them easily accessible from Allen street. All poles and cross-arms have been painted with two coats of paint.
In designing and laying out the plant, special care has been taken to so arrange every department that it could be added to without disturbing the present plant.
Space has been left on the poles for fire alarm or any other wires that the town may hereafter need. This will much diminish the cost to the town of a fire alarm system, or any sys- tem requiring electric wires.
The Electric Lighting Act requires the appointment by the selectmen of a manager, who shall have general charge of the lighting plant 1
Under this law the selectmen have appointed the Chairman of this Committee manager of the Electric Light Department, and in his report will be found an account of the operation of the plant.
Allowing for the only bill still remaining unpaid, that of J. F. Sheppard for two hundred and eighty-three dollars, we have exceeded the appropriation $853.85, but we have on hand a stock of lamps, hoods, fixtures, and line material costing $692.47. These goods could have been returned but we have not deemed it well to do so, as they will all be needed for the extension of the plant, and could not be repurchased at the same amount for which they would be credited to the town were they returned.
Their value should be deducted from the total amount. we have spent in order to show the actual cost of the plant now in operation. This reduces the amount we have overdrawn on account of the present plant to $161.38.
We regret that it should have been overdrawn at all but there were so many contingencies that arose during the progress of the work that it was impossible to prevent it.
For instance when we came to the final decision as what kind of an engine to use, the bulk of the testimony was in favor of low speed as better than the high speed engine we had esti- mated on. We adopted the former although it cost with foundations $500 more than the latter; for we felt that the difference in value was much more than this.
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In order to cover the streets of the town satisfactorily we had to set over a mile of poles more than we estimated, and we used four miles more of wire. A fair estimate of the value of this extra work would be nearly a thousand dollars. We have painted all the poles at a cost of over $500, an item the necessity of which we did not appreciate until we had the poles set.
There were mány smaller contingencies but when it is con- sidered that those we have mentioned amount to $2,000 and that the work that has been done has required contracts, bargains and purchases, from at least sixteen departments of industry, including architects, electrical engineers, steam engines, dynamo and lamp manufacturers (a business that had become a practical monopoly during the time that elapsed from the meeting at whichi we made our report and the town meeting at which the appro- priation was made) steam engine and pump manufacturers, electric wire makers, dealers in line material, boiler makers, steam pipers and fitters, stone and brick masons, stone cutters, pole dealers, pole setters, line men, teamsters, and laborers, the small sum by which we have over-run the appropriation will not be wondered at.
We append a detailed report of the cost of the plant :
THOMAS A. WATSON, RICHARD H. LONG, HENRY A. MONK, AMASA S. THAYER, JOHN V. SCOLLARD,
Committee.
Braintree, February 1st, 1893.
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CLASSIFIED STATEMENT.
Of Expenditures of the Electric Light Committee. 1
. LAND AND GRADING.
Paid J. F. Sheppard, for lot on Allen
street $750 00
Charles H. Custance, grading, building wall and road 190 00
$940 00
ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS SERVICES ..
Paid E. H. Kitfield, station plans · $125 00
J. F. Perry, services as engineer 500 00
$625 00
STATION AND CHIMNEY.
Paid William O'Connell, as per con-
tract
$6,504 58
Fore River Engine Co., iron work for station 10 60
F. A. Bates, plumbing 63 00
C. C. Webster, whitewashing and mason work 48 25
Charles H. Custance, moving
O'Connell lumber (deducted O'Connell account) 2 00
$6,628 43
STEAM PLANT.
Paid George E. Fogg, carting boiler $30 00
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