USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1911 > Part 11
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It follows, therefore, that Braintree has available a daily minimum supply of 1,100,000 gallons.
The use of water in Braintree has for many years been a variable quantity. This is explained in several ways. In 1910 the Town used an average of 652,783 gallons a day, and in 1911 an average of 523,678 gallons a day. The Water Commissioners explain this 20% reduction by the decrease in use of water by a South Braintree manufacturing plant and by the railroad and by the stoppage of leaks.
On the 1911 record Braintree is using approximately 65 gallons per day per capita which checks closely with towns of similar size and conditions.
It is apparent, then, from the investigations made by vari- ous committees, and from the report of Engineer Wheeler (Mr. Wheeler made allowance for 80 gallons per capita per day) that the Town has a sufficient quantity of water for many years to come, if both ponds ar considered. With Great Pond alone, however, Braintree will in a short time reach her proportion of the total amount of water due her. If, however, Braintree is permitted to use water in common with Holbrook and Randolph until such time as a general shortage occurs, there is sufficient water there for the three towns at the present rate per capita for at least the next ten years.
Considering the above, therefore, the Committee feels that the important question before the Town is, the quality of the water, rather than the quantity of the water. On investigating the quality of the water, the State Board of Health was referred to as directed by the vote of the Town. This correspondence has already been given above in full.
This same Board also made a detail report on May 7, 1903, to the 1902 Committee. This report was published at that time, and was in substance of the same general character as the present report.
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Dr. Wm. T. Sedgwick, professor of Sanitary Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also made a report at about the same time to the Town Water Commissioners. His report concerned Little Pond alone, and the following extracts are pertinent.
"A very brief inspection of the water shed supplying the Braintree wells and filter-gallery is sufficient to show its abso- huite unfitness for a sanitary water supply, such as is demanded by a progressive modern community. The natural flow of the ground water which supplies the wells and gallery is from the higher levels of the town under numerous and increasing habita- tions with their various privies, cesspools, drains, stables, barn- yards, and the like, towards the pond, the natural catch basin of the neighborhood. By interpreting this flow on its way to the pond, you derive from it a necessarily limited supply of water, which as is shown by my analysis, is today apparently well puri- fied somewhere in the course of its subterranean journey, but which, tomorrow may fail of adequate purification, and reveal its polluted origin either to the senses or by the causation of epidemic disease. The analysis show that, while at the present time the water is probably safe to drink, it bears within it unmis- takeable evidence of sewage contamination at some point or points near or less remote."
"In conclusion, I may say that the results of my examina- tions in my opinion indicate clearly that the pond is unfit for use as a water supply, and that while the water as at present, taken from its shores may probably be used for a time with com- parative safety, its use for domestic purposes should be discon- tinued at the earliest possible moment."
It is apparent to the Committee having reviewed previous reports, the letters from the Metropolitan Water Commissioners, State Board of Health, etc., and having carefully examined the existing conditions, that the quality of Braintree water should be immediately improved. To bring this about, two methods seem most feasible :
1. To filter the present supplies.
2. To secure water from the Metropolitan Water District.
The choice between these two methods is then in the opinion of the Committee the vital question before the Town.
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The Committee is agreed that if any of the present Town water is filtered, all of it should be filtered and pumped from one station situated at Little Pond. (This agrees with Engineer Wheeler's report.)
To do this will require a conduit to connect Great Pond with Little Pond, a new pump with accessories and two new boilers, and slow sand filter beds at Little Pond station,, and possibly a new standpipe. In addition, sewerage works might also be necessary, but this point the Committee has not entered into.
The Committee estimates that the cost of this entire work including the land damages, etc., would not be less than $100,000.
If we assume. that this system would then last about twenty years, (and under the present growing conditions of the Town it does not now seem wise to figure longer) a sinking fund would have to be arranged to cover this period, since at the end of that time, a new supply would have to be secured. This annual sink- ing fund payment would be approximately $3,246.00 a year, since this amount of money at 4% compound interest would pay for the plant in 20 years.
To enter the Metropolitan District the Town will have to pay $120,000 cash. This amount can be considered as represent- ing a permanent investment, or asset since the Town water ques- tion, both as to quality and quantity would then be settled for all time. In making comparisons, therefore, between these two propositions, it can be assumed that the Little Pond sinking fund payment represents depreciation, and that there is no de- preciation in case the Town joins the Metropolitan system. This then gives an apparent annual saving of approximately $3,246.00 in fixed charges in favor of Metropolitan service. This is offset in part, however, by the extra $20,000 investment, the interest of which would be $800 a year. The net result would then be an apparent saving of $2,446.00 a year in fixed charges in case the Town joins the Metropolitan Water District.
In 1910 it cost $5,727.21 to operate the Great and Little Pond. stations. With one station at Little Pond (this station doing all the work) the cost would necessarily be less. There would, however, be added expenses due to filtering the water, maintenance of conduit, etc. Many variable. factors enter into
214
the computation of these expenses, but for comparison pur- poses, it seems conservative to assume that the total operating expense would be approximately $6,000.00 a year.
The Town's assessment for the Metroplitan Water District based on the year 1910 would be $11,850.00; (for 1911 the as- sessment would be $10,100.00).
. Reducing this amount by $2,446.00 which is the apparent saving in fixed charges as compared with the plan of filtering the existing supplies, the following comparison results :
OPERATING COST PER YEAR.
1. By filtering present systems. $6,000 00
2. By joining the Metropolitan service. 9,404 00
NOTE: The above is on the basis of the annual interest charges in each instance being $4,000.00.
It is apparent on its face, therefore, that a $3,404.00 annual saving can be made by utilizing the Town's present sup- plies.
In connection with this, however, no allowance has been made for the cost of protecting sewers at Little Pond, and at Great Pond. As stated by the State Board of Health, such sewers will reduce the yield of these water sheds. Even if these systems are so improved, it will be necessary within fifteen years for the Town to again consider the question of water supply.
The all important point, however, in the comparison is as follows: In the Committee's opinion the Town must ultimately go to the Metropolitan District for its water. The expense to join the system at a later date can not now be definitely stated because of the many variable factors involved. In the opinion of the Chairman of the Metropolitan Water district, however, the cash payment which the Town will have to make at some future date to enter the District will at least be equivalent and probably greater than the cash payment asked at the present time plus interest up to the time the Town desires to enter the District. If this is so, and if at some future time the Town must get its water from this source, it follows that no matter what other plan the Town may adopt at the present time, the interest on $120,000 the cost to now enter the Metropolitan water dis-
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trict, or say $4,800.00 a year, should for comparison purposes be added to the cost of any adopted service.
On this basis the following comparison results :
OPERATING COST PER YEAR.
1. By filtering present supplies. $6,000 00 Interest on future Metropolitan supply . . 4,800 00
$10,800 00
2. By joining Metropolitan service. $9,404 00
Apparent annual saving by immediately joining Metropoli- tan water district $1,396.00.
This is perhaps more plainly stated as follows :
COST PER YEAR DELIVERED TO STREET MAINS.
(Present Consumption.)
I. By filtering present supplies :
Interest on $100,000 00. $4,000 00
Depreciation on $100,000 00 3,246 00
Operating charges 6,000 00
Apparent total. $13,246 00
Interest on future Metropolitan supply. . 4,800 00
Actual total. $18,046 00
1I. By joining Metropolitan District :
Interest on $120,000 00 $4,800 00
1911 Assessment. 11,850 00
Total $16,650 00
Difference, $1,396 00.
Using the 1912 Assessment $10,100.00, the difference would be $3,146.00.
This fact in the Committee's opinion is the most important one brought out in its investigations. It is apparent that the opportunity is at hand to settle the water question for all time.
All things considered, therefore, the Committee is of the opinion that judging this problem from a broad standpoint, and considering the future welfare of the Town, connection with the
216
Metropolitan Water District should be made as expeditiously as possible.
The Committee is further of the opinion that all interest, depreciation and sinking funds charges, in connection with any improvements of or extensions to the water supply should be taken care of in the water rates, and not by direct taxation.
This is an unanimous report.
MERTON L. EMERSON, Chairman, CHAS. O. MILLER, Secretary, JAMES T. STEVENS, JOHN KELLEY,
Water Commissioners,
HORACE R. DRINKWATER, DANIEL E. KANE, CHAS. T. NICKSON, EDWARD SHAY,
Committee.
Attest :
CHAS. O. MILLER, Secretary.
In making these investigations, the Committee has made use of the following information :
1. Data contained in various Town reports.
2. Report of Engineer Hartley L. White, Jan. 14, 1901 to Water Commissioners.
3. Report of Engineer Wm. Wheeler, Feb. 24, 1903 to the 1903 Town Committee.
4. Report of the State Board of Health to the 1903 Com- mittee.
5. Report of Professor Wm. T. Sedgwick to the 1903 Water Commissioners.
6. Report of the 1903 Committee.
7. Majority and minority reports of the 1910 Committee.
8. Two reports of the State Board of Health to the present Committee.
9. Report Metropolitan Sewer and Water Board to the present Committee.
10. Reports of sub-committees to the present Committee.
11. Special reports from the Water Commissioners to the present Committee.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEP'T
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1911
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN
PIGER
EE
MAS
$ 1640. SSACHUST
BEE PRINT PRATT & PRATT, PUBLISHERS BRAINTREE, MASS 1912
218
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT.
REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD.
The Municipal Light Board herewith submits its annual report, together with the report of the Manager, which we hope will meet with the approval of the citizens of the town.
The plant is now in such a satisfactory condition, we do not need any new appropriation, but if new consumers increase as fast the coming year, as they have in the past year, or if the Town vote to install additional street lights, then we may need to use the unexpended cash balance now in the treasury.
It ought not to be necessary for us to ask for this reappropri- ation, for we believe that any sums of money once appropriated should remain subject to the order of the board until used, and that the same rule should apply to the unexpended balances of all the departments of the town.
We were, however, early informed, that all unexpended bal- ances remaining at the end of the fiscal year reverted to the town treasury. Upon investigation we could not find any by-law re- ferring to the subject. It was then stated that a vote had been passed at an annual meeting some years ago requiring this reversion.
But we have reliable authority for stating, that a "vote" is inoperative beyond the year in which it was passed. These bal- ances ought at least to be available for necessary expenses, for the two and a half months between January 1st and the annual meeting.
We would like to have the citizens of the town seriously consider the article in the warrant, which proposes the payment by the town of a fixed sum for its street lights and taking from the income of the Department the necessary amount for the several funds mentioned.
CHARLES T. CRANE, ALEXANDER A. CARSON, NORTON P. POTTER.
219
REPORT OF MANAGER ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPART- MENT.
Town of Braintree, Mass. Dec. 30th, 1911.
To the Municipal Light Board :
Gentlemen :- I hand you herewith the report of this depart- ment for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1911.
No renewals other than the ordinary repairs have been made at the Power Station during the year. Our distributing mains have been extended via West Street to the Five Corners, from which point we expect in the near future to place quite a number of services.
House lighting mains have also been extended to Plain street, and to several of the shorter streets throughout the town; one hundred and seven new consumers have been added to the system during the year, making 988 active services, while 27 are reported as being idle, making a total of 1,042 connected to date.
Street lighting service has been extended to Robinson avenue, Braintree, to Oak, Fairmont, Fairview and Atherton streets in East Braintree and to many of the short side streets in all three Precincts.
The substitution of incandescent for arc, as street lighting lamps, was completed on July 12th last, and the cost of the present year's installations are given in detail on another page of this report, and while the department receives no credit on its income account, for the current supplied to the street lights, it is really equivalent at the prevailing rates paid for street lighting in our neighboring towns to the sum of $9,700.00.
Owing to the many new connections that have been made to our service mains during the year, we have in some instance been obliged to replace the same with larger wire in order to keep our voltages at normal, and this policy we expect to continue wherever it becomes necessary.
The generating end, or Power Plant of the department seems to be in an unusual good state of efficiency, as you will note by a comparison of the manufacturing account of 1911 with that of previous years, and I might add here that $311.72 of the total
220
amount charged to manufacturing for the present year, was used to purchase line material for the extension of street lights.
I also suggest that you tender a special invitation to all interested citizens, to visit the plant, and locate any deterioration as the results of efficient operation.
Respectfully submitted,
F. B. LAWRENCE, Manager.
CASH ACCOUNT.
Receipts and Disbursements for Year 1911.
Received Light and Power, ordinary
meters $21,025 29
Do. Light and Power, pay meters. 2,654 50
Do. for meter rents. 755 42
Do. from sale consumers' lamps. . . . 971 55
Do. from connecting charges and sup- plies 1,334 54
Do. from depreciation fund, cash ... 551 81
Do. from unexpended balance 1910. . 4,737 00
Do. appropriation salaries M. Bd .. 300 00
Paid Manufacturing Account.
$19,905 40
Do. Stetson note.
2,500 00
Do. for electric line extension
631 95
Do. consumers' meters.
1,416 96
Do. for line material in stock.
1,722 73
Do. for consumers' supplies.
1,759 32
Do. for consumers' lamps.
1,215 52
Do. for incandescent street lamps fix- tures
676 62
Balance cash on hand
2,501 61
$32,330 11
$32,330 11
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DETAIL COST
Of Additions and Changing Street Lights Year 1911.
Labor
$301 13
Line material
78 28
Wire
263 44
Fixtures
676 62
Lamps
507 72
$1,827 19
From the sum total of the above amount, $676.62 was charged to incandescent street lamps, and the balance $1,150.57 to manufacturing and is included under repairs of lines and lamps.
HOURS BURNING STREET LIGHTS.
From January 1st to June 30th lights burned. 1327 hrs., 25 min. Do. July 1st to December 31st lights burned. 1398 hrs., 28 min.
Total hours
2725
53 min.
Kilowatt hours registered for same 128180,
Kilowatt hours registered for houses and
motors
303170
Totals 431350
COMPARATIVE EARNINGS AND INCOME THREE YEARS ENDING DEC. 31, 1909, 1910, 1911.
1909.
1911.
Rec'd for light June 30
$7,712 30
1910. $9,312 80 10,261 96
Due
$9,914 06 11,097 01
Do. P. P. meters June 30
807 50
1,843 00
Due
1,888 25
Do. P. P. meters Dec. 30
1,529 50
782 32
766 25
Rec'd for power June 30
181 44
200 60
Due
347 26
Rec'd for light
Dec. 30
8,684 16
222
Rec'd for power Dec. 31
1909. $176 64
1910. $186 43
1911.
$385 52
Rec'd for meter rent
June 30
315 20
370 00
Due
401 11
Rec'd for meter rent Dec. 31
313 50
385 00
384 40
$19,720 54
$23,342 11
$25,183 86
Less sundry dscts.
100 06
232 74
169 88
$19,620 48
$23,109 37
$25,013 98
Rec'd for connecting
houses, lamps and .
supplies. ..... June 30
1,502 67
475 67
401 11
Dec. 31
656 53
665 73
Due
1,576 43
Gross earnings
$21,779 68
$24,250 77
$26,991 52
MAINTENANCE THREE YEARS ENDING DEC. 31, 1909, 1910, 1911.
1909.
1910.
1911.
Station wages.
$4,981 67
$5,187 91
$4,845 18
Fuel at station.
4,303 42
4,647 31
4,107 55
Repairs lines and
lamps "street"
2,296 23
2,292 67
3,172 29
Stable expense.
1,181 98
963 93
739 06
Wages distribution .. .
599 56
862 49
1,351 57
General salaries Man- ager and Bd. . . ...
2,150 00
1,650 00
2,170 68
Repairs steam plant.
525 00
623 95
899 23
Repairs electric plant
196 68
Water expense.
584 46
556 18
553 19
Office expense
336 82
482 77
314 69
Oil waste and packing
818 04
357 52
358 65
Insurance account ...
425 16
416 88
465 89
Repairs real estate. ..
729 76
6 23
310 96
Carbons
145 85
100 60
30 00
Dist. tools and appli-
ances
155 79
19 85
28 30
Stn. tools and appli-
ances
17 82
6 20
30 90
-
223
1909.
1910.
1911. $19 54
Globes for arc lamps.
$12 00
$7 47
Incandescent street
lamps
1,131 78
507 72
$20,395 34
$18,378 64
$19,905 40
Surplus earnings. . . . 1,384 34
5,872 13
7,086 12
$21,779 68
$24,250 77
$26,991 52
DEPRECIATION FUND ACCOUNT.
Balance forward Dec. 31, 1910.
$7,519 15
Appropriation March, 1911. 4,539 11
Interest rec'd during year
147 45
$12,205 71
Paid for street light fixtures
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1911.
$551 81 $11,653 90
$12,205 71
STATEMENT DECEMBER 31st, 1911.
Assets.
Liabilities.
Electric plant.
$12,560 95
Steam plant.
12,560 10
Real estate.
10,446 32
Electric lines
30,248 39
Transformers
5,067 12
Meters
13,360 59
Incand. street lamps
2,501 64
Stable account
1,530 00
Electric plant repair parts.
1,125 00
Steam plant repair parts.
699 10
Oil waste and packing. 185 45
Lines and lamp repair stock.
1,131 08
Consumers' account.
9,172 65
Consumers' supplies
685 93
Fuel at station
169 09
224
Assets.
Liabilities.
Sundries account.
$94 94
Cash Town Treasurer
2,501 61
Series street lamps
168 90
Line material in stock.
1,710 25
Sinking fund commission
11,049 40
Depreciation fund.
11,653 90
Station tools and appliances
679 50
Consumers' lamps
437 13
Distribution tools
375 00
Office furniture and fixtures
419 50
Arc street lamps in stock.
147 00
Profit and loss account.
31,901 14
Appro. construction
$16,439 32
Bonds do.
16,500 00
Appro. note payments.
64,000 00
Appro. sinking fund.
7,740 00
Accrued interest
233 33
Overdraft construction
50,252 59
Overdraft Town cash as of 1909.
And 1910 not appropriated.
7,416 44
$162,581 68 $162,581 68
APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED 1912.
Depreciation Fund :
Notes payable issued
$66,500 00
Bonds issued.
16,500 00
Appro. construction.
16,439 32
Overdraft construction
50,252 59
$149,691 91 3% $4,490 75
Int. on bonds.
660 00
Int. on Stetson note to Dec. 31, 1911
77 50
Sinking fund.
430 00
Unexpended revenue 1911. .
2,501 61
$8,159 86
225
Braintree, Mass., January 23, 1912.
Have examined the accounts of F. B. Lawrence for 1911 and find the same to be correct as stated ; total amount of cash revenue ($26,741.30) twenty-six thousand seven hundred and forty-one and 30-100 dollars, and the same has been paid to the Town Treasurer as per receipts given to said F. B. Lawrence for the above amount.
WM. A. McKEAN, GEO. W. STEVENS, DANIEL POTTER,
Auditors.
226
SHADE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
Braintree, December 31, 1911.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :-- I beg leave to submit the following report of the department under my charge.
We feel that the work done this year was very successful, especially in the spring. In many respects the season resembled last year, that is, in the large number of the various leaf-eating insects appearing. About all the elm trees on the town property were sprayed, and no trouble in any case as regards stripping occurred. A number of woodland colonies of the Gypsy Moth were sprayed and good results were obtained. It looks as if there would be a continual fight, as we never had as many Brown Tail Moth nests in town as at the present time. Our woodlands are all infested with them ; in spite of the cutting of the nests, spray- ing, etc., we still continue to have this pest in our midst. The moths are rapid flyers, so the eggs are deposited everywhere. This occurs in August, so while the spraying done in May and June kills a large number, there are enough left to make the winter inspection necessary. At the present time the men are engaged in cutting off Brown Tail webs and treating Gypsy Moth nests in the villages and along the roadsides, to protect the town trees.
It is hard to say where any progress has been made on the Gypsy or Brown Tail Moth work; as I see it, the conditions are just about the same. The time is coming when you will be obliged to expend more money on this work. However, realizing other needs of large appropriations, I believe you can safely continue along the present lines for a while. The plans for next year should be practically the same as this, all the spraying pos- sible should be done from about May 15th to July 1st, inclusive, and there should be a supervision of the woodland colonies of the Gypsy Moth to see that they do not assume serious propor- tions.
I again urge the importance of trimming and pruning our shade trees and putting them in the best possible condition. The continual opening of the streets, wires in the trees and
227
gas pipes running through the roots are bad enough. If each property owner or tenant would look over every place carefully for Brown Tail Moth nests and destroy them, it would assist this department very much. The property owner should do this because he is required to by law; the tenant should do it for his own comfort. In this, as in other lines of work, co-operation is the key to success. We therefore ask your co-operation.
Thanks are due to all the citizens who have had their trees sprayed or trimmed; this is the greatest help in protecting the shade trees; also to Thayer Academy, who have expended over $800 improving the trees on their grounds ; to the various church and cemetery associations, etc .; to your Fire Warden, Mr. Cut- ting, and to Mr. F. A. Bates for valuable assistance ; last, but not least, to your various Boards for their kind assistance and courteous treatment.
Respectfully submitted,
O. A. HUBBARD.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Sundry persons as per payrolls
$2,305 05
Ames Plow Co.
3 38
L. F. Bates.
2 60
Braintree Hardware Co.
32 08
C. R. Dimmick
8 50
Fottler, Fiske & Rawson.
4 50
Frost Insecticide Co
3 84
C. H. Hobart.
2 53
S. J. Hoffarty
5 20
Hollis Garage
18 87
New York & New Haven R. R.
6 36
Pratt & Pratt. 46 50
O. M. Rogers.
12
E. Shay.
2 25
H. B. Whitman
75
The Woodsum Coal Co. 4 28
J. M. Arnold. 1 00
Prescott Publishing Co
8 75
Cobb Insecticide Co
100 00
228
W. M. Farwell Co.
$18 95
Fitz Guptill Co.
12 50
Gresselli Chemical Co.
162 00
Merrimack Chemical Co
284 51
Segar Engine Co
15 44
Richard Belyea
9 55
C. R. Bestick. 3 00
O. A. Hubbard
6 21
$3,068 72
CREDITS.
Bills rendered to the Selectmen for collection
$890 17
$2,178 55
Appropriation
2,000 00
Overdraft
$178 55
!
229
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Braintree, Dec. 31, 1911.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- I submit herewith my report of the work per- formed by the police department during the year ending Dec. 31st, 1911.
Whole number of arrests 164
Residents of Braintree 88
Non-residents
148
Female
16
CAUSES OF ARRESTS.
Adultery
2
Assault and battery.
5
Assault with intent to rape.
2
Assault with loaded revolver.
1
Assault with dangerous weapon.
2
Bastardy
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