USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1895 > Part 3
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400 00
397 83
2 17
Damage to Monatiquot school build- ing by lightning,
108 00
98 00
10 00
Poor department,
4,000 00
1,635 20
635 20
170 43
State Aid, Chap. 301,
1,400 00
1,670 00
270 00
*No return for Dog Tax of 1895 to date, Jan. 25, 1896.
62
~
Rent for kindergarten, .
ance appropriation of 1894, .
State Aid, Chap. 279,
200 00
188 00
12 00
6 00
Hospitals, . .
738 48
738 48
644 02
Incidental expenses,
2,000 00
2,956 93
956 93
421 00
Town officers, .
2,430 00
2,930 38
500 38
Highways,
4,000 00
4,835 37
835 37
1 00
Steam road roller,
2,300 00
2,300 00
Removal of snow,
600 00
633 36
33 36
Hall avenue and Thayer place,
150 00
120 00
30 00
Town lands,
50 00
36 90
13 10
Drawbridge,
115 00
115 00
Draining Tremont street and stand pipe,
300 00
153 87
146 13
Town Hall,
300 00
515 90
Janitor, Town Hall,
650 00
650 00
Water loan, sinking fund, .
5,000 00
5,000 00
Interest on town debt,
5,000 00
5,000 00
Electric light, sinking fund,
430 00
430 00
Hydrant service,
3,950 00
3,950 00
Electric light plant,
6,146 00 )
Additional for electric light plant
13,378 01
52 82
8 00
Changing circuit, . 400
1,600 00
₹ 4,124 93
Electric plant, revenue for 1895,
5,579 19 |
Fire department,
1,800 00
1,680 56
119 44
10 00
Night police,
1,800 00
1,762 00
38 00
Court fees and expenses,
300 00
195 40
104 60
51 47
Amounts carried forward.
$71,063 19
$78,327 48
$2,413 42
$9,677 71
$5,628 63
.
.
-
63
Connecting new users, . $1,200
1
.
215 90
139 98
.
AUDITORS' REPORT .~~~ Continued. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS AGAINST EXPENDITURES FOR 1895.
Appropriations.
Expended.
Unexpended.
In Excess.
Credit.
Amounts brought forward,
$71,063 19
$78,327 48
$2,413 42
$9,677 71
$5,628 23
Grand Army,
175 00
100 0
75 00
Collection and abatem
ement of taxes,
1,500 00
1,696 00
196 00
Thayer public library,
950 00
936 00
14 00
Insurance,
600 00
355 00
245 00
Distributing books,
100 00
100 00
$74,388 19
$81,514 48
$2,747 42
$9,873 71
$5,628 23
64
·
Thayer Public Library.
The Library continues to perform its useful work as hereto- fore, and the number of those who avail themselves of its ad- vantages is constantly on the increase.
Town water has been introduced into the Library building during the past year, much to the convenience and comfort of all who have occasion to visit it. The Trustees renew their recommendation that it be lighted by electricity. As the town owns the electric plant, this can be done without great expense, and will give a much better, and, it is believed, safer light.
The usual statistics of the Library, as furnished by the Li- brarian, are appended.
ASA FRENCH, F. A. HOBART, N. H. HUNT, HENRY A. JOHNSON, E. WATSON ARNOLD,
Trustees.
66
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The Library has been opened during the year 278 days.
Number of volumes borrowed
23,725
Average per day .
85+
The largest daily issue, Feb. 9
235
The smallest daily issue, July 18
6
The number of volumes circulated of each class, is as fol- lows :
History
716
Biography
509
Travel
888
Science .
864
Fiction
13,289
Poetry
523
Juvenile
3,126
Miscellaneous
1,068
Reference
2,742
Number of bound volumes added
336
Number of pamphlets
228
Number of names registered since the opening of the Library
5,088
Number added during the year ·
191
Total number of bound volumes in the Library .
10,763
.
A. M. ARNOLD,
Librarian.
67
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Cash in Braintree Savings Bank
$166 31
Received of Town Treasurer, town
appropriation . 800 00
Of Town Treasurer, interest on note
400 00
Of Librarian, for fines
31 03
Of Librarian, for catalogues 1 60
$1,398 94
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Abbie M. Arnold, Librarian $400 00
Abbie M. Arnold, assistant
100 00
Abbie M. Arnold, incidental
3 29
Estes & Lauriat, books
308 20
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, coal
97 00
William H. Guild & Company, magazines 40 80
F. J. Barnard & Company, bind- ing books 57 86
George W. Prescott & Son, print- ing, advertising, etc.
41 00
Braintree Water Department,
water
11 00
C. S. Hannaford,repairs, locks etc.
6 35
New York & Boston Express
Company, expressage .
1 05
Woodsum Express company, ex- pressage . 2 85
W. A. Torrey, stationery
·
3 75
Bradford & Mansfield, oil . 4 50
Amount carried forward, $1,077 65
68
Amount brought forward, $1077 65
Weymouth & Braintree Publish- ing company, advertising 1 00
Town of Braintree, kindlings
5 40
A. A. Sanborn, Crosby guage 2 25
Postage stamps .
.
25
$1086 55
Cash in Braintree Savings Bank
312 39
$1,398 94
N. H. HUNT,
Treasurer of Trustees.
January 1, 1896.
Above account examined and found correct with vouchers, balance on hand, deposited in Braintree Savings Bank, $312.39, three hundred twelve and for dollars.
DANIEL POTTER, L. W. MORRISON, CHARLES G. SHEPPARD,
Auditors.
Braintree, January 18, 1896.
Fire Department.
Chief Engineer's Report for the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1895.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN-I herewith submit my annual report of the year ending Dec. 31, 1895, which contains several recommendations which I trust are of sufficient worth as to receive favorable consideration. Fortunately we have not had any large fires to contend with during the past year, although the opportunity has been frequent enough. Owing to the excellent judgment dis- played in gaining control, large fires have been averted. The men in the service are capable, faithful and deeply interested in the arduous duties which they have to perform, and deserve the confidence of the town.
FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The force of the Department consists of a Chief Engineer and two Assistants, 45 hose men and 30 ladder men.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the Department consists of one four-wheel hose carriage, two hose wagons, three hose jumpers, two hook and ladder trucks, and two hand engines, which are in good con- dition with the exception of the carriage in the East District. I would recommend that the town provide for the purchase
70
of a new hose and ladder wagon, known as a Combination wagon, in place of Hose 1, which has been in service a great many years and is not worth the repair which will be required if allowed to remain.
1
FIRE ALARM.
This branch of the system has been maintained in a most ex- cellent condition by the Superintendent, Mr. Perry. There is connected with the system about 26 miles of wire, 15 signal boxes, 1 bell striker, 2 whistling machines, 2 galvanometers, 7 mechanical gongs and 1 switch board. The whole supplied by a gravity battery of 6.6 cups.
ALARMS AND LOSSES.
The fire record for the past year has been one of success both in frequent fires and small losses, which can be rightfully as- cribed to the quick response of the men in the service and the invaluable service rendered by the fire alarm system. The losses although small would be much less if the Department had ade. quate hydrant service, as 85 per cent. of the total loss sus- tained was in localities without that much needed protection.
Number of alarms given 13, divided as follows: 1 false ; 6 at which hose was used, and 7 at which no hose was used; 1 fire of which there was no alarm given. Property endangered was $23,200. Insurance on the same, $13,050. Loss, $5,495.
HOUSES.
The engine houses are in good repair, with the exception of the house in the North District, which will have to have a new platform built,
HOSE.
There has been no new hose purchased the last year, and as a
71
greater part of the hose in the Department is in a poor condition, I would recommend the purchase of 1,200 feet of new hose.
APPROPRIATIONS.
To meet the expenses of the Department for the ensuing year I would recommend the following appropriation for salaries of firemen, engineer and stewards, and expenses of fire alarm and care of engine houses : Apparatus and incidentals, the sum of $2,500; for new hose, $650, and for a new wagon for the East District, $600.
To my associate engineers, please accept my heartfelt thanks for co-operation in all matters pertaining to the management of the Department. To the officers and members of the several companies for their promptness in responding to the alarms and the interest taken, striving to render quick and effective service.
Respectfully submitted,
F. O. WHITMARSH, Chief Engineer.
72
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY.
HOSE HOUSE, NO. 1.
One hand engine and jumper, 1,200 feet of cotton rubber lined hose, 50 feet cotton half-inch hose, 1 hose carriage, 2 lanterns, 6 belts, 12 spanners, 4 axes, 1 hydrant gate, 2 hydrant wrenches, 11 coats, 5 pipes and nozzles, 4 fire hats, 2 fire extinguishers, 15 badges.
HOSE HOUSE, NO. 2.
One hand engine and jumper, 1 hose wagon, 1,500 feet cotton rubber lined hose, 50 feet one-half inch hose, 1 iron bar, 1 hy- drant gate, 1 ax, 1 plaster hook, 4 pipes and nozzles, 2 lanterns, 8 fire hats, 5 rubber coats, 6 army coats, 5 belts, 10 spanners, 15 badges.
One hook and ladder truck, 161 feet of ladders, 1 shovel, 2 roof hooks, 2 lanterns, 2 iron bars, 3 ropes, 6 buckets, 2 axes, 1 pole hook, 12 coats, 4 fire hats, 2 fire extinguishers, 15 badges.
HOSE HOUSE, NO. 3.
One hose wagon, 1 hose jumper, 1,400 feet cotton rubber lined hose, 50 feet one-half inch hose, 1 hydrant gate, 4 pipes and nozzles, 3 hydrant wrenches, 2 fire extinguishers, 1 axe, 1 bar, 1 plaster hook, 11 coats, 4 fire hats, 4 belts, 12 spanners, 4 lan- terns, 15 badges.
One hook and ladder truck, 130 feet of ladders, 17 buckets, 2 lanterns 11 coats, 2 forks, 3 pole hooks, 2 axes, 2 dogs, 15 badges.
List of property of the engineers : Three rubber coats, 3 fire hats, 3 lanterns, 75 pounds of oil of vitriol, 25 pounds soda, 3 dozen bottles for extinguisher's chargers.
List of property at fire alarm station: Twelve coppers for batteries, 90 zinc, 200 pounds vitriol, 12 glass jars.
73
LIST OF FIRES FOR THE YEAR 1895.
January 10, 1895. No alarm; dwelling house on private way, off West street, owned and occupied by Henry Horseford ; value of building, $1,100; insured for $1,000; value of contents, $300; no insurance; total loss ; cause unknown.
April 12, 1895. Alarm from box 45 at 1.28 P. M., in woods owned by Dr. Babbitt; no loss; cause unknown; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded.
April 21, 1895. Alarm from box 46 at 11.13 A. M. ; boot shop on Hancock street, owned and occupied by James Sweeney ; value of building, $500; damage to building, $20; insured $150; value of contents, $150; no damage ; no insurance ; cause, defect in chimney ; Hose 2, Hook and Ladder 2, and paper mill hose responded.
April 22, 1895. Alarm from box 35 at 10.35 A. M .; in woods owned by C. A. Belcher and others; no loss; cause unknown; Hook and Ladder 1 and Hose 3 responded.
April 25, 1895. Alarm from box 45 at 2.40 P. M. ; dwelling house on Pearl street, owned and occupied by Mary Thayer; value of building, $5,000; damage to building, $450; insured for $3,500; value of contents, $1,100; damage to contents, $200; insured for $200; cause, struck by lightning ; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded.
May 18, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 43 at 1.10 P. M .; dwell- ing house on Taylor street, owned by Mrs. Edwin Pratt and occupied by E. D. Beacon; value of building, $1,500; damage to building, $10; insurance on building, $1,000; value of con- tents, $500; damage to contents, $50; no insurance; cause un- known; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded.
July 4, 1895. Alarm from box 31 at 1.30 A. M. was false.
September 11, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 43 at 3.25 P. M .; dwelling house and barn on Liberty street, owned and occupied by David G. Strathdee ; value of buildings, $1,700; damage to buildings, -; total insurance on buildings, $1,000 ; value of contents, $1,200 ; damage to contents, $500; insurance on con- tents, $800; cause, struck by lightning ; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded.
74
September 29, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 25 at 3.25 P. M .; second alarm at 3.30 P. M. ; barn on Union street, owned and occu- pied by Albert Avery ; value of building, $800; total loss ; in- surance, $500; value of contents, $500; damage to contents, $300; insurance on contents, $100; cause, unknown; Hose 1, Hose 3 and Hook and Ladder 1 responded.
October 22, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 34 at 1.30 P. M .; dwelling house on River street, owned by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company ; occupied by George Smith ; value of building, $800; damage to building, $10; no insurance ; value of contents, $1,000 ; damage, none; insurance on contents, $500; cause, sparks from locomotive; Hose 3 and Hook and Ladder 1 responded.
October 25, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 47 at 5.40 P. M .; woods owned by H. M. White ; no loss; cause unknown ; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded.
November 11, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 34 at 5.30 P. M. ; brush fire; no loss ; caught from bonfire ; Hose 3 responded.
November 14, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 34 at 5.35 P. M. : dwelling house on Hollis avenue, owned by Winsor Nickerson ; occupied by Waldo Cushing; value of building, $3,000; dam- age to building, $25; insurance on building, $2,500; value of contents, $3,500 ; damage to contents, $25; insurance on con- tents, $1,500 ; cause, explosion of a kerosene lamp ; Hose 3 and Hook and Ladder 1 responded.
December 22, 1895. Alarm of fire from box 25 at 8.15 P. M .; dwelling house on Hobart street, owned by the heirs of Thomas Porter; occupied by Mrs. Binney; value of building $400; damage, none; insured for $300; value of contents, $150; damage to contents, $5; insurance on contents, none; cause, explosion of a kerosene lamp; Hose 1 and Hook and Ladder 1 responded.
TOWN OF BRAINTREE.
Department of Public
Water Supply.
REPORT FROM
Janaury 1, 1895, to December 31, 1895.
ORGANIZATION.
Board of Water Commissioners,
JAMES T. STEVENS, T. HAVEN DEARING, JOHN V. SCOLLARD.
Superintendent,
WILLIAM E. MAYBURY.
Engineer, JOHN W. MULCAHY.
Collector and Registrar, JOHN V. SCOLLARD.
Superintendent's Report.
To the Water Commissioners of Braintree :
GENTLEMEN :- The Superintendent of the Water Depart- ment respectfully submits his annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1895.
New service pipes were laid during the year,-kind of pipe, size, and number of feet as follows :
§ inch galvanized iron
293 feet 2 inches
4 inch enameled iron
72 feet 6 inches
§ inch lead
1,672 feet 8 inches
¿ inch lead
116 feet
§ inch tin lined lead
82 feet 6 inches
3. inch tin lined lead
152 feet 6 inches
Total
2,389 feet 4 inches
EXTENSION OF SYSTEM, 1895.
Two inch pipe in private way off Shaw street, west to dead end, 502 feet 2 inches.
The above pipe was put in by Mr. Charles Hayward.
Four inch pipe in Sampson avenue, east to dead end, 239 feet.
The above four inch pipe was put in at the expense of Mr. Josephus Sampson.
78
Twelve inch pipe in Tremont street, south from West street to dead end, 279 feet.
Six inch pipe in hydrant branch, 7 feet.
Total extension of mains, 1,027 feet, 2 inches.
Total service pipe in system, Dec. 31, 1895, 66,392 feet 11 inches=12.57+ miles.
NUMBER, LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF VALVES SET IN EX- TENSIONS DURING 1895 .- W. E. MAYBURY, SUPT.
VALVE NUMBER.
STREETS.
LOCATION POSITION.
VALVE SIZE. 2 in. 4 in. 12 in.
168
Private way,
off Shaw St.
West line, Shaw St.
1
169
Sampson Ave.
East line, Washington St.
1
170 Tremont St.
South line, West st.
1
Total valves set 1895
1
1 1
CONSTRUCTION.
TURN TO OPEN.
BELL OR SPIGOT.
MAKER.
Left.
Thread.
Left.
Bell.
Chapman. Coffin.
Left.
Bell.
Renselaer.
NUMBER, LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF HYDRANTS SET, EXTENSION OF 1895.
HYDRANT NUMBER.
LOCATION POSITION.
No. NOZZLES. 2 HOSE, 1 STR.
LENGTH OF CONNECTION 6 IN.
159
279 feet south of West St.
1
7 feet
Total
1
1
79
CONSTRUCTION.
TURN TO OPEN.
BELL PLAIN OR BOLTED.
FROST CASE.
MAKER.
Left.
Bolted.
No.
Coffin Valve Co. Improved.
Total valves in operation, Dec. 31, 1895, 170. Total hydrants in operation, Dec. 31, 1895, 159.
DISTRIBUTION MAINS IN OPERATION,
DEC. 31, 1895.
ft.
in.
12-inch
5,705
6
10-inch
10,407
10
8-inch
8,280
6
6-inch
75,831
3
4-inch
8,856
0
2-inch
4,240
5
1-inch
534
9
2-inch
101
2
Total
.
.
.
113,957
5
21.58+ miles.
PUMPING RECORD FROM JAN, 1, 1895, TO JAN. 1, 1896.
MONTH.
GALS. PUMPED.
HOURS PUMPED.
TOTAL COAL.
DAILY AVERAGE.
GALLONS PUMPED WITH 100 LBS. COAL.
January
8,356,154
182 h. 40 m.
38,712
1,248
21,585
February
7,424,672
156 h. 00 m.
34,260
1,223
21,671
March
7,761,088
181 h. 00 m.
39,143
1,262
19,827
April
8,042,757
168 h. 15 m.
33,722
1,124
20,884
May
10,014,120
209 h. 55 m.
37,955
1,224
26,771
June
11,937,523
264 h. 05 m.
44,591
1,486
26,954
July
10,732,124
238 h. 50 m.
39,816
1,284
27,158
August
11,429,944
250 h. 30 m.
42,086
1,357
23,340
September
10,093,278
350 h. 45 m.
43,244
1,441
21,020
October . .
.
9,236,495
396 h. 30 m.
43,941
1,417
22,322
November
9,134,090
235 h. 30 m.
40,919
1,364
16,470
December
8,163,481
363 h. 45 m.
49,563
1,599
TOTALS
112,325,726
2,997 h. 45 m.
487,952
Daily Average
307,741
8 h. 12 m.
20,667
.
.
.
The largest days pumping, June 13th, 519,750 gallons. The smallest day's pumping, Dec. 11th, 106,750 gallons.
80
.
81
OVERFLOW FROM HOT-WELL.
To obviate the danger from the overflow of the hot-well into the pond at its original location, I have extended the over-flow pipe south-east a distance of about three hundred and sixty-one (361) feet to a point little frequented by skaters where the water is so shallow that the breaking of the ice would occasion no danger to life.
SUPPLY.
The matter of an additional supply of water seems to me to be still deserving of your attention. Another year's experience and observation has confirmed me in my belief that the con- sumption of water has approached dangerously near the available supply and I earnestly recommend that measures be taken at the earliest possible moment to increase the supply.
During the last year the filter gallery has been completely exhausted ninety-five times and I have been obliged to work the pumps nights, pumping the water as fast as it accumulated at an expense which has added considerably to the cost of maintaining the works.
HYDRANTS.
We have taken out and replaced five hydrants the past sea- son, mostly Whittier Machine Company hydrants. There are but very few which need repairs at present.
GATES.
We have been compelled to repack a few gates which have been operated during the season, and the packing was decayed and blown out.
SERVICE LEAKS.
· We have had but very few service leaks the past season. The short lead connections have mostly all been replaced by longer ones, which makes the system in good condition.
82
PUMPING STATION.
The building is in good condition with some exceptions. The pump room floor is badly decayed. There are also some minor repairs required about the building.
LEAD PIPE.
In accordance with the suggestion offered in my last report, I have used lead pipe whenever possible. Reference to the table at the beginning of this report will show that we have laid nearly four times as much lead pipe during the past year as was laid in 1894. Lead pipe adds greatly to the cost of service construction. But it is economy in the end, as there are less repairs and no corrosion, no rusty water, no scales of iron or rust which some times gets under your faucet and cause it to leak.
THE STANDPIPE.
I have caulked and painted the seams of the standpipe and repaired the braces broken by ice during the winter.
I recommend that the standpipe be cleaned inside and out and painted during the coming year. The paint has nearly dis- appeared and the iron is scaling badly, and the matter of painting needs your immediate attention.
The balcony at the top of the standpipe is badly decayed and in a very dangerous condition.
I recommend that the overflow pipe inside the standpipe be changed so the difficulty caused by the breaking of the braces may be overcome. Every winter the accumulation of ice breaks the bolts and the constant strain has also cracked the plates, ren- dering patching necessary.
Work has begun looking to connecting the overflow with the drain dug during the fall in accordance with the vote of the town meeting.
Pipe has been laid from the main drain toward the stand-
83
pipe and the work will be completed and connection made with the overflow pipe as soon as the weather will permit.
ELECTRIC WATER GAUGE.
I recommend in the interest of economy that a telemeter be attached to the standpipe to enable the engineer to determine with exactness the height of the water in the standpipe. Under the present conditions, with the instruments in use, it is impossi- ble, while the pumps are working, to ascertain with any degree of accuracy the amount of water in the standpipe, and in consequence the water often overflows and is wasted.
I desire to render my acknowledgements to the honorable gentlemen of the Board of Water Commissioners for their many courtesies to me, and their earnest co-operation with me in my endeavors to produce the most favorable results in my special department.
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. MAYBURY, Superintendent.
Report of Board of Water Commissioners.
The Board of Water Commissioners respectfully submits the following report of the conduct of the department from January 1, 1895 to December 31, 1895, inclusive.
The organization of the board continues the same as it has been since the water system was acquired by the town. During the past year but little changes are to be noted outside of the regular routine business of the department.
It will be remembered that during the year 1894 this board called the attention of the citizens to the scant supply of water available from the present source of supply; that the matter was considered at a special town meeting and by that referred to the last annual meeting, which took no action, indefinitely postponing the whole subject. We have never been disposed to unneces- sarily alarm the people with regard to the inadequacy of the water system, neither are we, any more than any other three citizens of the town, in favor of needlessly adding to the already large water debt of this town, but we do feel that being entrust- ed with the management of the system, and necessarily being familiar with its limitations, we are in duty bound as servants of the public in this capacity to acquaint the town of the existing condition of affairs in this department
With this idea in view we again call upon the town to take some action, either in the manner suggested by our board or otherwise, to insure an adequate supply of water. Although we were particularly fortunate during the past season in having an unusually large number of heavy rainfalls, we were still compelled
85
requently to run the pumps nightly in order to maintain a supply. When we take into consideration the fact that during the last season, an unusually wet one, there have been days when it was impossible to get water enough from the gallery to maintain sixty feet in the standpipe, it must be apparent that we have reached a stage when immediate action is important. A head of sixty feet in the standpipe affords next to nothing in the way of hy- drant service for the south part, and most of the north part of the town. And if the gallery in a wet season has no more capac- ity than has been shown it is easily capable of demonstration that in a dry season it would be impossible to maintain even sixty feet in the standpipe, which would mean an entire cutting off of the supply from three quarters of the customers of the depart- ment. We have had several times during the past year when the gallery was drained to raise the standpipe to sixty feet. If a fire should occur at this time the hydrant service would certainly be ineffective, unless in the east part of the town, and if in that part of the town the standpipe would be drained before the gallery would have filled in so that the pumps could be started.
If these works were owned by a corporation, a condition of affairs of this kind would be reported by the directors to the stockholders of the company. We, occupying a like position, report it to the citizens and taxpayers of the town, and it is for them to apply the remedy. We do not believe that any private company in a solvent condition would allow such a state of affairs to continue, and we are certain that the good sense of the town will be shown by speedily reinforcing the water supply.
We are still of the opinion that the most economical and feasible way of securing what we need is by connecting the two ponds, which was elaborately explained in the report of 1894, and undoubtedly is familiar to the citizens. Our town with its nine hundred and fifty consumers has outgrown the present sys- tem ; and the only way to secure an increased supply is to take from another watershed. We might put in another gallery ; or drive wells in the vicinity of the pond, but we would not secure any more than the yield from a watershed of 425 acres ; which is far from sufficient for our consumption.
With the idea that the town might at some time desire to
86
connect the two ponds, the water commissioners of Randolph and Holbrook met with this board and informally discussed the tak- ing of water from Great Pond in the method proposed by our board, as affecting the rights of those two towns. The commis- sioners of Randolph and Holbrook asked for an opinion upon the matter from Freeman C. Coffin, a competent authority upon such matters. Mr. Coffin's reply was as follows, and evidently satis- fied the boards of the feasibility of the proposition.
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