USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1896 > Part 3
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Dr.
Total tax of 1896 .
$77,796 16
Interest collected on tax of 1896
32 71
$77,828 87
Cr.
Principal paid Treasurer . ·
$59,519 92 ·
Interest paid Treasurer
32 71
$59,552 63
Balance due on tax of 1896
$18,276 24 ·
Balance of tax, 1894 $399 24 .
Balance of tax, 1895
.
.
982 62
Balance of tax, 1896
18,276 24
$19,658 10
DANIEL POTTER, L. W. MORRISON, CHAS. G. SHEPPARD, Auditors.
BRAINTREE, Jan. 27, 1897.
Auditors' Report.
We, the undersigned, auditors for 1896, have thoroughly ex- amined the accounts and securities of each and every financial department of the town for said year, and proved the same.
DANIEL POTTER, L. W. MORRISON, CHAS. G. SHEPPARD, Auditors of the Town of Braintree.
BRAINTREE, Feb. 9. 1897.
1
AUDITORS' REPORT. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS AGAINST EXPENDITURES FOR 1896.
Appropriations.
Expended.
Unexpended.
In Excess-
Credit.
For payment of teach-
ers
· . $12,550 00
$13,617 14
$13,130 00
$487 14
$54 16
Dog tax of 1896
717 14
School fund, 1896
350 00
Superintendent of schools
1,200 00
1,200 00
For payment of janitors
1,350 00
1,424 07
$74 07
For payment of fuel
1,300 00
1,256 20
43 80
Conveyance of pupils .
800 00
795 50
4 50
Incidentals for schools, text books and supplies . · .
1,000 00
2,629 32
1,629 32
Incidentals for school houses
500 00
579 52
79 52
450 00
450 00
Poor department
1,000 00
3,965 64
34 36
310 70
300 00
541 03
241 03
20 00
150 00
176 00
26 00
Incidental expenses
2,000 00
3,653 15
1,653 15
402 40
Hospitals
661 27
661 27
344 82
Town officers
2,850 00
2,892 15
42 15
Highways and bridges
6,000 00
7,098 78
1,098 78
439 75
64
-
·
Middle Street School
,
·
·
·
Soldiers' Relief Act Do.
do. chap. 279
·
.
$1,950 00 )
900 00S
Removal of snow
600 00
1,076 81
476 81
Town lands .
100 00
40 75
59 25
Town Hall
300 00
408 84
108 84
218 65
Janitor, Town Hall and Public Lib- rary
600 (
600 00
Water loan sinking fund .
5,000 00
5,000 00
Interest on town debt .
5,000 00
6,185 13
1,185 13
255 26
Hydrant service
3,975 00
3,950 00
25 00
Electric light revenue for 1896
6,704 98
Fire department
500 00
Night police .
1,800 00
1,800 00
Court fees and expenses
200 00
217 12
17 12
110 42
65
Grand Army
175 00
175 00
Collection and abatement of taxes
1,500 00
1,409 51
90 49
Thayer Public Library
800 00
800 00
Insurance on Public Buildings
600 00
20 00
580 00
Distribution books .
·
100 00
100 00
Jonas Perkins' school house note
3,100 00
3,100 00
Monatiquot school house note
3,300 00
3,300 00
New hose wagon
600
00
600
00
New hose
325
00
325 00
Electric light note
2,000 00
2,000 00
Amounts carried. forward
$74,202 12
$73,126 20
$1,774 54
$7,403 60
$2,157 20
.
§ $1,405 00
1,905 00
2,015 41
110-41
1 04
.
.
-
·
.
AUDITORS' REPORT. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS AGAINST EXPENDITURES FOR 1896.
Appropriations.
Expended.
Unexpended.
In Excess.
Credit.
Amounts brought forward
$74,202 12
$73,126 20
$1,774 54
$7,403 60
$2,157 20
$6,704 98
Street lighting .
8,052 00
8,052. 00
14,110 01
646 97
$14,756 98
Wiring Public Library for electric lights .
200 00 3,000 00
198 37
1 63
Extending water mains
3,000 00
State Aid, Chap. 301 .
2,141 00
2,141 00
Drawbridge and buoys
126 25
126 25
3.00
Stand-pipe lot, including land and drain
570 58
570 58
-
$85,454 12
$93,272 41
$2,423 14
$10,241 43
$2,160 20
.
·
ʻ
66
Thayer Public Library.
1
The Trustees record an increased interest in the library as shown by the accompanying report of the Librarian. We cal especial attention to the list of books presented during the past year. In an old town like Braintree there must be many books, pamphlets and papers, written and printed, of little value to their owners, but which may be of great importance in throwing light upon the past history of the town. We earnestly invite contri- butions of such documents, and promise that they shall be duly acknowledged and faithfully cared for.
ASA FRENCH, F. A. HOBART, N. H. HUNT, HENRY A. JOHNSON, E. WATSON ARNOLD, Trustees.
BRAINTREE, Feb. 1, 1897.
68
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The library has been opened during the year 281 days.
Number of bound volumes borrowed
25,144
Average per day .
89
The largest daily issue, Nov. 7
246
The smallest daily issue, Sept. 4 . .
.
9
The number of volumes circulated of each class is as follows :
History
935
Biography
529
Travel .
766
Science
955
Fiction .
13,951
Poetry .
495
Juvenile
3,958
Miscellaneous
906
Reference
2,649
Number of bound volumes added .
426
Number of pamphlets .
235
Plates .
2
Number of names registered since the opening of
the library
5,309
Number added during the year
·
221
Whole number of bound volumes in the library
· 11,118
A. M. ARNOLD,
Librarian.
The following books and pamphlets have been presented to the library during the year, viz. :-
Science of Nutrition, by Mass. Board of Education.
Worthington's History of Dedham, Harper's Magazine for 25 years, (unbound) by Prof. J. B. Sewall.
Public documents, 73 vols., by Asa French.
Gypsy Moth, 2 copies, State Board of Agriculture.
Cause of Hard Times, Urial Crocker.
Public Libraries as a Means of Education, J. H. Benton, Jr.
.
.
.
69
Ancestry of Joseph & Daniella Wheeler, J. Wheeler.
Public documents, 19 vols., An Inquiry into the Accordancy of War with the Principles of Christianity, Mrs. M. A. H. Brown.
Record of the Massachusetts Volunteers, 2 vols, George D. Willis.
Tom Crogan, a novel, F. E. Arnold.
Oliver Twist, Mrs. M. A. Jones.
The Knightly Soldier, Centennial Celebration of the town of Longmeadow, The Misses Susanna and Sarah S. S. Thayer.
Science and Health, Mrs. W. G. Nixon.
Souvenir of Dedicatory Exercises of the new Norfolk County Court House, County Commissioners.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Cash in Braintree Savings Bank
$312 39
Received of Town Treasurer, town appropriation
800 00
Of the Town Treasurer, interest on note
400 00
Of Librarian, for fines
.
33 12
Of Librarian, catalogues . ·
2 95
Of Braintree Savings Bank, in-
terest
4 02
$1,552 48
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Abbie M. Arnold, Librarian
$400 00
Abbie M. Arnold, assistant
100 00
Abbie M. Arnold, incidentals
5 67
Estes & Lauriat, books
256 95
Amount carried forward
$762 62
70
Amount brought forward . $762 62
Joel F. Sheppard & Sons, coal . 110 00
J. L. Fairbanks & Co., book 6 50
F. W. Nash & Co., printing
21 00
Wm. H. Guild, magazines
40 80
F. J. Barnard & Co., binding books 43 45 . Home Science Pub. Co., books . 4 50
Braintree Water Department
water 11 00
Town of Braintree, electric lights
31 16
Town of Braintree, kindlings 6 00
C. S. Hannaford, repairs . ·
7 50
C. S. Hannaford, basket, coal hod, etc. 2 20
Geo. W. Prescott & Son, print- ing
10 00
Geo. W. Prescott & Son, Brain- tree Observer 4 00
Bradford & Mansfield, oil
7 70
O. M. Rodgers, repairing gutter, etc.
2 10
J. Gallivan, covering pipe 12 00
Weymouth & Braintree Pub. Co., advertising .
1 00
W. A. Torrey, stationery . ·
1 95
Woodsum's Express Co., ex-
pressage .
4 35
New York & Boston Fxpress Co., expressage · .
30
Postage stamps
28
.
$1,090 41
Cash in Braintree Savings Bank
$462 07
$1,552 48
DECEMBER 31, 1896.
N. H. HUNT, Treasurer.
Fire Department.
Chief Engineer's Report for the Year ending Dec. 31, 1896.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
GENTLEMEN-I herewith submit my sixth (6) annual and the twenty-third (23) report of the Fire Department, for the year end- ing Dec. 31st, 1896, together with some recommendations which I trust will be found of sufficient interest to receive your kind con- sideration.
FORCE OF DEPARTMENT.
The force of the Department consists of a Chief Engineer and two Assistants, forty-five (45) hosemen and thirty (30) ladder- men, divided into five (5) companies of fifteen (15) men each.
ROLLING STOCK.
The rolling stock of the Department consists of three (3) hose jumpers, two (2) hose wagons, one (1) hose and ladder wagon, and two (2) hook and ladder trucks which are in good repair, also two (2) hand engines and one (1) four-wheel hose carriage which are not in active service.
FIRE ALARM.
This branch of the system is in excellent condition and has proved itself of great value in protecting the property of the town.
FIRE ALARMS AND LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
The loss by fire for the year ending Dec. 31, 1896, is as follows : Losses on buildings, $2,925 ; losses on contents, $3,682 ; value on buildings, $22,600; value on contents, $26,800; insurance on buildings, $21,900; insurance on contents, $10,750.
72
Number of alarms twenty-one (21) divided as follows : three (3) false alarms, seven (7) where hose were used, seven (7) where extinguishers were used, four (4) where no apparatus was used, and two (2) which were near Holbrook line to which no alarm was given.
HOUSES.
The Engine Houses are in need of a great deal of repair inside, and need painting outside. I would, therefore, recommend that the town make an appropriation for the same.
HOSE.
There has been six hundred feet of new hose purchased the last year. I would recommend that the town purchase the same amount this year.
APPROPRIATIONS.
To meet the expenses of the Department for the ensuing year I would recommend the following appropriation for salaries for engineers, firemen and stewards, $1,180 ; for expenses and care of fire alarm, engine houses, apparatus and incidentals, the sum of $750; for repairs on engine houses $300; for new hose $325.
Respectfully submitted,
F. O. WHITMARSH.
73
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY.
HOSE HOUSE NO. 1.
One hand engine and jumper, one hose and ladder wagon, 1,350 feet of cotton rubber-lined hose, 50 feet cotton half-inch hose, 4 lanterns, 6 belts, 12 spanners, 3 axes, 1 hydrant gate, 2 hydrant wrenches, 10 coats, 5 pipes and nozzles, 4 fire hats, 4 fire ex- tinguishers, 1 plaster hook, 1 iron bar, 2 horse blankets, 64 feet of ladders, 15 badges.
HOSE HOUSE NO. 2.
One hand engine and jumper, one hose wagon, 1,500 feet of cotton rubber-lined hose, 50 feet cotton half-inch hose, 1 iron bar, 1 hydrant gate, 2 hydrant wrenches, 1 axe, 1 plaster hook, 4 pipes and nozzles, 2 lanterns, 8 fire hats, 5 rubber coats, 6 army coats, 5 belts, 10 spanners, 15 badges.
HOOK AND LADDER.
One hook and ladder truck, 186 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, one hose jumper, 1,650 feet cotton rubber- lined hose, 50 feet one-half inch hose, 1 hydrant gate, 3 hydrants, 4 pipes and nozzles, 2 fire extinguishers, 1 axe, 1 iron bar, 1 plaster hook, 11 coats, 4 fire hats, 6 belts, 12 spanners, 4 lan- terns, 15 badges.
HOOK AND LADDER.
One hook and ladder truck, 130 feet ladders, 17 buckets, 2 lanterns, 11 coats, 2 forks, 2 axes, 3 pole hooks, 2 ladder dogs, 15 badges.
74
LIST OF PROPERTY OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
3 rubber coats, 3 fire hats, 3 lanterns, 25 lbs. oil of vitrol, 15 lbs. soda, 1 gross of bottles for fire extinguishers.
LIST OF FIRES FOR THE YEAR 1896.
Feb. 13 at 7.45 P. M., box 43. Fire in repair shop owned by N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. and occupied by the same ; cause unknown ; Hose 2 and 3 and Hook and Ladder 1 and 3 responded; loss on building, $800; value of building, $1,200; loss on contents, $600; value of contents $1,000; no insurance.
Feb. 18 at 3.35 A. M., box 23. Fire in dwelling house, Com- mercial street, owned by the Glover estate and occupied by J. F. Perry ; cause, defect in chimney ; Hose 1 and Hook and Ladder 1 responded; loss on building, $30; value of building $3,200; insurance on building, $6,000 ; loss on contents, none ; value of contents, $2,000; insurance on contents, $1,500.
March 7 at 12.20 A. M., box 29. . Fire in storehouse owned by the Jenkins' Manufacturing Co. and occupied by the Columbia Rubber Co .; cause, spontaneous combustion ; Hose 1 and Hook and Ladder 1 responded; loss on building, $10; value of build- ing, $1,000; insurance on building, $800; loss on contents, $617; value of contents, $2,500; insurance on contents, $3,000.
March 27 at 1.10 p. M., box 46. Fire in saw mill on Liberty street owned by the Braintree Lumber Co. and occupied by the same; cause, unknown; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 re- sponded; loss on building, $200; value of building, $200; in- surance on building, none; loss on contents, $1,200; value of contents, $2,000 ; insurance on contents, none.
April 9 at 4.29 P. M., box 43. Fire in wood owned by William Philipson ; house caught from bonfire; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded ; no loss.
April 10 at 3.15 P. M., box 43. Fire in woods owned by George Osgood ; cause unknown; Hose 2 responded ; no loss.
75
April 10 at 7.45 p. M., box 43. Fire in woods owned by Dr. Simonds ; cause unknown; men from Hose 2 and Hook and Lad- der 2 responded ; no loss.
April 11 at 2.48 P. M., box 34. Fire in woods owned by Charles Belcher; cause unknown; Hose 3 and Hook and Lad- der 1 responded ; no loss.
April 11 at 6.25 P. M., box 42. Fire in dwelling house owned by heirs of Stephen Ellis and occupied by the same ; cause, defect in chimney ; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded ; loss on building, $5; value of building, $6,000; insurance on building, $6,100; loss on contents, none ; value of contents, $8,000; in- surance on contents, $2,500.
April 28 at 9.23 P. M., box 23. Fire in dwelling house owned by James Reynolds and occupied by the same ; cause, spontaneous combustion ; Hose 1 and H. & L. 1 responded ; loss on building, $530; value of building, $1,200; insurance on building, $1,400 ; loss on contents, $395 ; value of contents, $1,200; insurance on contents, $1,000.
May 2 at 6 A. M., box 46. Fire in piles of cord wood owned by Braintree Lumber Company, cause unknown; Hose 2 and H. & L. 2 responded ; loss on wood, $90 ; value on wood, $5,000 ; insurance on wood, $1,000.
May 14 at 8.45 P. M., box 43. Fire in store on Washington Street, owned by Russell Randell, occupied by Miss Johnson, cause, spontaneous combustion ; Hose 2 and H. & L. 2 responded ; loss on building, $500; value on building, $2,500; insurance on building, $2,000; loss on contents, $400; value on contents, $1,400; insurance on contents, $1,000.
May 16 at 4.05 p. M., box 45. Fire in woods owned by Dr. Babbitt ; cause unknown ; Hose 2 and H. & L. 2 responded ; no loss.
May 18 at 1 P. M., box 34. Fence afire on School Street ; cause, children playing with matches ; Hose 3 and H. & L. 1 re- sponded ; loss on fence $5.
July 4 at 12 M., box 32. False.
76
July 4 at 1.25 A. M., box 46. False.
July 4 at 2.A. M., box 47. False.
July 25 at 11.15 A. M. No alarm ; dwelling house on Division street owned by Harry S. Allen and occupied by Rubert Scoffield ; cause, defect in chimney ; responded to by the Holbrook fire de- partment ; loss on building, $300; value of building, $300; in- surance on building, $200; loss on contents, $50; value of con- tents, $500; insurance on contents, none.
July 31 at 1.05 P. M., box 46. Fire in storehouse owned by Ellis Hollingsworth ; not occupied; cause, caught from sparks from a locomotive; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded ; loss on building, $5; value of building, $500; insurance on building, $300.
Sept. 21 at 8.04 A. M., box 41. Fire in dwelling house on Union street owned by Thomas Doyle and occupied by James Neil; cause, defect in chimney ; Hose 2 and 3 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded ; loss on building, $45; value of building, $900; insurance on building, $1,100; loss on contents, $50; value of contents, $850; insurance on contents, $750.
Nov. 6 at 5.40 p. M., box 43. Fire in dwelling house on Franklin street owned by J. R. Hathaway and occupied by the same ; cause, chimney fire; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 re- sponded ; loss on building, none; value of building, $4,000; in- surance on building, $3,000 ; loss on contents, none; value of contents, $1,500 ; insurance on contents, none.
Dec. 8 at 8 A. M. No alarm; piggery on South street owned by Herbert White ; cause unknown ; loss on building, $400 ; value of building $400; insurance on building, none ; loss on contents, $200; value of contents, $200; insurance on contents, none.
Dec. 11 at 2.45 P. M., box 46. Fire in dwelling house on Hancock street owned by James Sweeney and occupied by James Sweeney and Michael Ross; cause, defect in chimney ; Hose 2 and Hook and Ladder 2 responded ; loss on building, $100; value of building, $1,200; insurance on building, $1,000; loss on contents, $75; value of contents, $650; insurance on contents, none.
TOWN OF BRAINTREE.
Department of Public
Water Supply.
REPORT FROM
January 1, 1896, to December 31, 1896
ORGANIZATION.
Board of Water Commissioners, HON. JAMES T. STEVENS, .T. HAVEN DEARING, M. D JOHN V. SCOLLARD.
Superintendent, WILLIAM E. MAYBURY.
Treasurer,
PETER D. HOLBROOK.
Registrar and Collector, JOHN V. SCOLLARD. Engineer, JOHN W. MULCAHY.
Report of Board of Water Commissioners.
The Board of Water Commissioners respectfully presents the following report for the year 1896, of the department entrusted to its care.
It is encouraging to note that a material increase has been made in the number of consumers, and consequently the revenue from . water service shows a corresponding gain.
ORGANIZATION.
The organization remains the same as for the past few years.
Hon. James T. Stevens continues as Chairman, and John V. Scollard acts in the capacity of Secretary and Water Registrar. The Town Treasurer, Mr. P. D. Holbrook, acts as Treasurer of the department, as well as Treasurer of the Water Loan Sinking Fund.
Mr. William E. Maybury is Superintendent of the works, and fills the position to the satisfaction of the Commissioners, and we believe to the consumers. As the duties of his position become more onerous as the system develops, and as he is obliged to keep a team almost wholly for the use of the town, we have considered it but justice to increase his salary from $1,000 to $1,125 per an- num. In view of the duties of the position, we do not think that the latter amount is excessive.
Mr. John W. Mulcahy is employed as Engineer at the pumping station. Mr. Mulcahy has been connected with the works since their construction, and is still a valuable and faithful employe of the department.
80
EXTENSIONS.
The town at its annual meeting made an appropriation of $3,000 for extension of mains. This has been expended, and pipe has been laid upon all streets where a revenue of 6 % was guaranteed. We believe it would be wise for the town to make a similar appro- priation for the ensuing year.
It must be apparent that the failure of the town to extend the water system will retard new building in the community, as houses constructed without modern conveniences, of which water service is a principal one, are in little demand. There have been built during the winter a few houses off the line of the water-pipe, the owners of which expect that the town will supply them with water in the early spring. In view of these facts we believe that it would be good policy for the town to expend a moderate sum every year in extension, of course with the understanding that the new lines should be self-supporting.
We are of the opinion that the town should not pipe any street unless takers enough could be secured to pay a yearly revenue of 6 % upon the cost of the construction.
STAND-PIPE AND. LOT.
Under the direction of our Superintendent extensive repairs have been made upon the stand-pipe, and it has been thoroughly cleaned and painted inside and outside. The overflow pipe has been con- nected to the drain, built by the town and Mr. N. E. Hollis. This change will be of great advantage in draining the stand-pipe, and does away with the nuisance of flooding private property in case the stand-pipe is overflowed.
We think the towns-people will appreciate the change which has been made in the grounds around the stand-pipe. This lot has long been an eyesore to the Commissioners, and we think the feeling has been shared by the citizens. The lot is now graded and with a little attention every year can be made an ornament to the town. In this work we were materially assisted by Mr. N. E. Hollis, who evinced considerable public spirit in the matter. We believe that all town lands should be well kept, as it goes far to show the standing of a town, and inculcates a spirit of neatness in the towns-people.
81
INCREASE OF SUPPLY.
In conformity with the recommendation of this board, the town, at its last annual meeting, voted to ask authority of the Legisla- lature to issue $20,000 additional water bonds for the purpose of increasing the water supply. The increase was to be made by connecting Great Pond with Little Pond, according to the plan extensively outlined in the report of the department for 1894. The commissioners petitioned the General Court, and legislation was enacted giving the town the right to issue $20,000 additional water bonds. The following is the text of said act :
CHAP. 312. An Act to authorize the Town of Braintree to make an additional Water Loan.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECT. I. The town of Braintree may, for the purpose of in- creasing its water supply, incur additional indebtedness to an amount not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, and issue bonds, notes or scrip therefor. The provision of section eleven and twelve of chapter two hundred and sixty-nine of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and eighty-six shall, so far as applicable, apply to the bonds, notes and scrip issued under the authority hereby granted.
SECT. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its passage. Approved April 27, 1896.
In further consideration in the matter of increase the board became convinced of the fact that much expense could be spared if an additional amount of water could be obtained from our present source, with the outlay of a moderate amount of money, rather than to lay the main to Great Pond as originally contem- plated. We investigated the matter of putting in another gallery similar to the one already in use, and we also considered the feasi- bility of driving wells in the vicinity of the pumping station. It was finally decided that it would be wise to lay the whole matter before the town before any work was commenced. At an ad- journment of a town meeting called for the purpose, this board advised that wells be put in, provided that the project would com
82
mend itself to the State Board of Health. The town, at this meeting, also authorized the issuance of $7,000 in bonds to de- fray the expense of the job. We immediately laid the whole matter before the State Board of Health and received the follow- ing reply :--
OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, STATE HOUSE,
BOSTON, August 6, 1896.
To the Water Commissioners of the Town of Braintree :
GENTLEMEN : The State Board of Health has considered your application with reference to a proposed additional water supply for Braintree, to be taken from the ground north of the present filter gallery near the shore of Little Pond, and has caused an examination of the proposed source to be made and a sample of the water from a test well in this locality to be analyzed.
The results of the analysis show that the water is of the same general character as that of the filter gallery. An examination of the conditions about your present filter gallery, taken in connec- tion with the temperature of the water and the character of the analyses, shows clearly that the greater portion of the water entering your filter gallery comes by filtration from the pond.
From the information obtainable as to the area of the pond and its watershed, and with certain assumptions as to its storage capacity, it is found that the draft from your present filter gallery in the past two years approached quite closely the probable capacity of the pond in a very dry year. The quantity of water that can be obtained from the ground within the watershed of the pond is no greater than could be drawn from the pond direct, unless, by lowering the ground water near the border of the watershed, water may be induced to flow through the ground toward the filter gallery from beyond the limit of the superficial · watershed of the pond. There is no evidence that any large amount of water will flow toward the proposed works from points outside the watershed, and consequently an extension of the col- lecting system as proposed cannot be expected to increase very
83
materially the quantity of ground water obtainable in the vicinity of Little Pond. The construction of additional works along the shore of the pond would make it possible, by lowering the level of the ground water, to draw a somewhat greater quantity of the water stored in the ground over a larger area than at present, and probably to cause a somewhat greater amount of filtration from the pond into the ground.
The watershed of Little Pond contains a population ,of about 620, or about 1,100 persons per square mile, and as there are no sewers in this territory the water is exposed to danger of pollution from this population, so that this pond cannot be regarded as a proper source of water supply if the water is taken directly.
An examination of the results of analyses of samples of water collected from your present filter gallery from time to time shows that there has been a deterioration in the quality of the water, and in the latter part of 1895 the presence of an excessive amount of iron gave evidence, that the water of the pond is only partially purified in its passage through the ground. The character of the water varies with the season, the water being better in wet than , in dry seasons, but it is probable that with a continued draft upon the filter gallery the water will grow worse rather than better in the future.
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