USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1920 > Part 10
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Under Article No. 49, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to extend the 6 inch main in Audubon Road from Ferncroft Road to Argyle Road. At a meeting March 29th, it was voted to raise and appropriate $1,500.00 provided the abutters release all their rights in the street. At an adjourned meeting held April 18, 1920, the vote to appropriate $1,500.00 was reconsidered and on motion of Mr. Geo. E. Fogg, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 to furnish the consumers in the territory men- tioned yearly supply. This work was accomplished by drop- ping the pipe which had been laid as a summer service pipe to a depth below the frost line and at an expense of $156.25. The balance of the appropriation, $143.75, still re- mains in the hands'of the Town Treasurer.
In the winter of 1919 and 1920 we were several times- under considerable anxiety relative to a supply of coal and found ourselves once or twice with less than a week's supply of coal in the pockets at the pumping station. We have this . year secured a sufficient supply at an average cost of about $13.87 per ton to carry us through to the good weather in the spring.
During the year, the Pumping Station at Little Pond which was damaged by fire has been repaired at a cost of $1,127.68. and the station is in condition for immediate use in case of emergency.
We have purchased a new chassis for one Ford truck at a cost of $500.00 and at the present time our motor cars are in good condition apparently for some time to come.
It will be noticed by the Treasurer's report that the De- partment ends the year with a cash balance of $14 411.78. This includes the $4,800.00 appropriation from the balance of 1919 for extension of mains on West Street and Storrs Ave- nue, and $3,124.39 appropriated for the upkeep and improve- ment of the Department less $1,127.68 expended for repairing the Little Pond Station and $1,396.71 unexpended of the over- lay of 1919 or a surplus in the hands of the Water Commis- sioners Dec. 31, 1920 of $8,484.10. Of this surplus $1,600.00 has been pledged on contracts made but not completed in 1920.
A largely increased average daily consumption of water will be noticed by reference to the report of the Chief En- gineer. This is accounted for by the addition to the list of con-
150
sumers of the Massachusetts Oil Refining Company whose re- quirements are large and destined to tax our capacity to the limit, and beyond, unless some additional supply can be put into use.
At an adjourned meeting held March 15th, under Article No. 5, Elmer E. Abercrombie offered a motion, "To instruct the Water Commissioners to investigate the matter of filtration of the water and they be authorized to expend money from the balance of 1919 for that purpose and report at some adjourn- ment of this meeting." Under this vote, the Commissioners felt that if an investigation was to be made, it should not only include the matter of filtration of the water but any other mat- ters that would improve or add to the value of the system. Having carefully considered the matter, they decided that the result of a thorough examination by expert engineers would be the only report that would meet the requirements of the object to be obtained and it was unanimously voted to employ the services of a Water Works Engineer. In consequence, the Board entered into a contract with Mr. Fred O. Stevens and Mr. Henry A. Symonds of Boston, Water Supply Engin- eers, to make a study of the Water Supply of the Town and make a thorough and exhaustive report of their examination.
This report submitted and dated January 25th, 1921 be- ing of a voluminous nature and in consideration of its being received at a date prohibiting its full publication in this An- nual Town Report, the final conclusions and recommendations contained therein are here presented together with other in- formation.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
from the Report on improvements and enlargement of the Water Supply of Braintree.
The net result of the foregoing studies can best be sum- marized by the statement of the following leading facts, which in our opinion have been clearly established and should serve as a guide for future operations :.
1. The consumption of water in Braintree is at the present time in excess of one third of the dry period yield of Great Pond, which is Braintree's share of these waters under the legislative act (Chap. 217 Acts of 1885) under which Brain- tree, Randolph and Holbrook were authorized to take them for water supply purposes.
2. Due to the fact that Randolph and Holbrook do not need all the water allotted to them, at the present time, there is a surplus, which, if the other towns were agreeable, would be available for Braintree's use and sufficient to meet Brain- tree's demands until about 1935.
151
3. Sometime previous to 1935 it would be necessary to develop additional supply, which can best be obtained from Little Pond.
4. The waters of Little Pond cannot under any consid- eration be used without treatment, and the large and constantly increasing population on the Great Pond water-shed is a menace to the health of the water consumers unless the supply is filtered.
In this matter of the quality of the Great Pond supply, we wish our attitude to be clearly understood: We do not claim that Great Pond water at the present moment contains di- sease breeding bacteria. We have no evidence to that effect, but even though repeated analyses fail to establish the presence of such bacteria, conditions on the water-shed are such as to constitute an ever present source of danger, and we could not conscientiously advise the citizens of Braintree, through your Board, to continue indefinitely the use of this supply without treatment.
5. For these reasons, if Great Pond is to be retained as- a. source of supply and Little Pond added later, we recommend that both supplies be treated by slow sand filtration.
A detailed analysis of costs and physical considerations seems to show that the best location for the filtration and pumping plant would be at Little Pond.
6. The Great and Little Pond supplies, together, are suf- ficient to meet the estimated demands of the town until 1945, at which time the construction necessary for the introduction of an additional supply must be completed.
An additional 400,000 gallons per day can be obtained by raising the high water level of Great Pond 4 feet, and a sup- ply of 1,500,000 gallons per day is available from the valley of the Blue Hill river. This last mentioned supply would also require filtration and would be conducted to the plant at Little Pond for that purpose.
Owing to the size of the investment required for this Blue Hill River project (estimated at $250,000.00), we have placed it last on our tentative program, and have not attempted any detailed study of its economic features, believing it sufficient to show, at the present time, the existence of a supply large enough to meet the demands of the town for the greater part of this century.
7. There is a possibility of a ground water supply from the Blue Hill River drainage area, which should not be passed over without investigation.
8. The Metropolitan District Commission makes two of- fers to supply water of excellent quality under two different sets of conditions :
152
(a) If the town of Weymouth will enter the district;
To lay a main through Braintree, and East Braintree to the Weymouth line, connecting at different points to the Brain- tree distribution system, at an initial cost to Braintree of $240,- 000.00. Brainree would spend $5,000.00 for safeguard against interruption of service, making a total investment of $245,- 000.00, with an annual charge for water of $13,000.00.
The service would be excellent, the costs compare favor- ably with those for developing the local supply for purification, and if no underground supply can be located, it would appear to be greatly to Braintree's advantage to enter the Metropolitan . District under these conditions.
(b.) If the Town of Weymouth declines to enter the district :
To deliver water to the Braintree force main at Great Pond at a pressure that will necessitate the building by Brain- tree of an elevated tank for an equalizing reservoir.
Conditions as to pressure and quantity of water available would then be little if any better than at the present time.
The entrance fee under this plan would be $320,000.00, to which must be added $35,000.00 for the elevated tank, mak- ing a total initial investment of $355,000.00 with an annual charge for water of $13,000.00 as in offer (a).
The annual costs are extremely high and the general plan rather a weak one. With rational planning and proper co- operation on the part of neighboring towns, who must eventu- ally enter the district, Braintree should obtain Metropolitan service under much more favorable conditions, and we can not advise the adoption of this plan at the present time.
9. With the aid of the foregoing figures and conclusions, we believe that your Board can proceed intelligently with the formulation of a policy for the future.
We do not feel it to be within our province to lay down a hard and fast program and insist that it is the only one for you to adopt, but we will take the liberty to suggest, what would seem to us a wise method of procedure in the imme -. diate future.
The water supply business is facing at the present time, a possible reduction in prices, which, if permanent, would affect somewhat, our estimates for the development of local re- sources and the Metropolitan entrance fee.
'The writers are, at the present time, studying the water supply problems of Weymouth, contemplating a report on the advisability of entering the Metropolitan District, and a joint committee of the State Department of Health, and the Metro- politan District Commission, are studying the larger question of the needs of the towns outside the district and means of
153
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supplying them. The results of these studies may have a vital effect upon the 'conditions of Braintree's admission to the dis- trict.
We would suggest therefore, that Braintree, as repre- sented by your Board, investigate. during the coming summer, the possibilities of a ground water supply, and defer further action for the present, awaiting a hoped for decrease in costs. of construction and the more definite knowledge of what may be expected from the Metropolitan System, which will be fur- nished by the above mentioned reports. h
In the meanwhile every possible precaution should be taken to prevent the pollution of Great Pond. Frequent analyses and inspections should be made and at the first signs of danger, emergency sterilization should be provided.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED O. STEVENS, HENRY A. SYMONDS, Consulting Engineers.
Relative to the Blue Hill River Ground water supply, Item 7 in the foregoing report, and later noted in Item 9, the possibilities of which can be viewed with nothing but optimism, the reader should not confuse with the Blue Hill River pro- ject mentioned in Item 6 of the report, this latter project con- sisting of the construction of a storage pond by means of a dam, and a pipe line connection with the Great Pond plant, the cost of which ($250,000.00) does not include filtration, be- lieved to be necessary.
The Engineers' views, and their report on the Blue Hill River (Ground Water Supply) are quoted herewith :
Between the Taunton Turnpike and a point on the Blue Hill River due west from the Great Pond Station lies a nearly level, swampy area of about 375 acres through which the Blue Hill River flows with an almost imperceptible velocity.
This swamp receives the run-off from the upper Blue Hill River catchment area (above the turnpike) which has been previously estimated at 1920 acres, an additional area east of the turnpike and north of the river of about 1160 acres and one between the river and the Great Pond water shed of about 650 acres, making a total area of 3730 acres more or less or approximately 5.8 square miles.
The run-off from this area is quite rapid until it reaches the swamp, where its progress is greatly retarded owing to the extremely flat slope and heavy vegetation, so much so in fact, that the water is practically ponded and has ample oppor- tunity to percolate down into the underlying strata and to form there an underground reservoir of unknown depth and capaci- ty.
154
Topographically then, conditions are ideal for a ground water supply. If the underlying material throughout the en- tire area is sufficiently porous to permit the easy passage of water through it, it should be possible to draw from this source a supply of excellent water in sufficient quantity to meet the requirements of the Town of Braintree for a number of dec- ades. If the porous deposits are limited in extent they could be made to yield a portion of the required quantity, thereby effecting a great saving in filtration costs, and delaying invest- ment for additional supply for a long period.
The one 'condition under which this method would fail entirely, would be, that no porous sub-strata of appreciable extent is found. Surface indications, however, are rather favorable, as there are numerous outcroppings of gravel along the borders of the swamp, the only unfavorable indications be- ing the presence of a considerable number of small boulders which might make well-driving difficult.
To determine whether or not a ground water supply is available in this locality it will be necessary to drive a number of test wells, and we strongly urge and recommend that this be done sometime during the coming summer and before any steps are taken towards filtration or securing an outside supply.
While in case of failure the amount expended for these tests would be a dead loss, the advantages of a good supply of ground water are so great, that we feel that the hazard would be well warranted.
An appropriation of about $2,000.00 would be needed to make what we call the "preliminary skirmish," that is to drive a sufficient number of wells to locate a supply or to prove that none exists. If water is found, about $2,000.00 more would be required to make the temporary connections and run test.
The remaining cost, if the tests proved satisfactory would be for connection to pumping plant and cannot be accurately estimated until the exact location of the wells is known.
We should hope to be able to locate wells near enough to the Great Pond station to permit of direct connection to the present pump. If this should prove impossible, it would be necessary to handle this part of the supply with a separate pump, probably electrically operated, which could be placed in a small, inexpensive building and could be operated very economically.
From the Engineers' report submitted, it is found that in order to utilize the combined available yield of both Great and Little Ponds, the necessary construction costs together with filters, would approximate, with works at Great Pond ($148,- 500.00), and with works at Little Pond ($178,800.00, it being estimated however that in a 30-year period, and although the first cost is more, the advantage is in favor of, the works and
155
filters being located at Little Pond, by the narrow margin of $11,500.00. From the detailed estimates of costs submitted and from which the above estimates of cost have been ascer- tained, it is deduced that the cost of apparatus for the filtra- tion of Great Pond water only, would be about $105,000.00 at the present time, this cost, however, covering apparatus capable of treating the combined Great and Little Pond output.
With the adoption of either of the above filtration pro- jects for Great and Little Ponds, or for Great Pond only, it should be borne in mind that the estimates cover the installa- tion only and that `operation, maintenance and depreciation would be a considerable additional expense.
In consideration of the ideas and recommendation em- bodied in the report of the Engineers and due to the unanimous opinion of this Board, that an additional supply of water is necessary for the needs of the town immediately or in the near future, your Commissioners have caused to be inserted in the Annual Town Warrant, an article requesting you to appro- priate for the use of this Department, such a sum of money as may be considered necessary to carry on exploration work with the object in view of developing a water supply along the lines suggested in the foregoing report.
JAMES T. STEVENS, WILLIAM C. HARRISON, GEORGE A. WALKER, Board of Water Commissioners.
MAINTENANCE
Randolph Water Works
$1,283.46
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co ..
220.18
Removal of snow
147.86
South Braintree Post-office
198.76
L. E. Murran & Co.
150.00
Braintree Postoffice
67.56
H. W. Bailey
57.00
E. A. Hammond & Company
33.69
W. A. Torrey & Co.
-
3.96
Dimond Union Stamp Company
7.85
A. E. Martel Co.
2.01
Munson Supply Company
4.00
Standard Oil Company
4.00
Library Bureau
25.53
Pratt & Pratt
54.75
H. L. Kincaide & Co.
11.00
F. L. Chandler
1.25
F. E. Hathaway & Son
34.00
Braintree Auto Express Co.
1.95
156
Waldo Bros. & Bond Company
5.09
J. E. Burke & Company
10.00
Adams Express Company
.37
The American City
1.50
W. L. Gage
22.01
James T. Stevens
-100.00
W. C. Harrison
100.00
Geo. A. Walker
100.00
W. L. Gage
1,500.00
Pay of men as per payroll
2,301.25
$6,449.03
GREAT POND STATION
Dow Manufacturing Company
$8.94
F. L. Chandler
13.52
G. E. Warren
3.75
Standard Oil Company
5.50
Dyer and Sullivan
$9.69
Garlock Packing Company
91.02
Electric Light Company
91.05
Underhay Oil Company
123.43
Braintree Auto Express
16.00
Gutta Percha & Rubber Mfg. Co.
15.55
J. Mellaconda
14.00
Atwood & Morrill
.32
Commonwealth Oil Company
35.36
R. W. Haskell
.80
Haskell Garage
4.40
Adams Express Company
.. 53
Ashton Valve Company
15.85
H. W. Johns Manville Company
2.75
Pinel Tool Company
22.00
A. W. Chesterton Company
28.42
U. S. Rubber Company
44.17
Waldo Bros. & Bond Company
47.46
Walworth Manufacturing Company
81.71
F. H. Hayes Machinery Company
171.91
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, Inc.
295.72
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Company
1,025.80
R. Allen Gage
1,567.86
Curran & Burton, Inc.
6,967.33
Removal of snow
246.21
Pay of men as per payroll
4,280.88
$15,231.93
LITTLE POND STATION
Adams Express Company $0.68
Braintree Auto Express Company
1.00
Dyer & Sullivan 7.41
157
G. E. Warren
1.00
W. H. Heath
4.00
Walworth Mfg. Company
1.07
F. L. Chandler
6.37
Electric Light Dept.
15.55
Taunton & New Bedford Copper Co.
12.25
J. J. Gallagher
11.25
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.
15.56
H. W. Borden
46.59
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, Inc.
69.22
Woodsum Coal Company
60.49
Donato Richardi
14.00
T. H. Gould
16.87
Rhines Lumber Company
37.90
Urban T. Landry
85.00
J. H. Mitchell
960.00
Pay of men as per payroll
482.26
$1,848.47
SERVICE WORK OUTSIDE STREET LINES
F. L. Chandler
$31.96
Walworth Mfg. Company
193.52
Braintree Auto Express Company
33.25
H. Mueller Mfg. Company
817.60
A. M. Morton Company
59.63
Chadwick Boston Lead Company
540.77
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Company
1.35
Woodsum Coal Company
1.95
Adams Express Company
5.30
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Company
28.80
W. B. Skinner
4.45
Weymouth Water Works
6.58
Chapman Valve Mfg. Company
19.94
Donaldson Iron Company
499.84
A. C. Trojano
506.56
Pay of men as per payroll
818.93
$3,570.43
SERVICE WORK IN STREET
Dyer & Sullivan
$5.40
W. B. Skinner
3.00
Woodsum Coal Company
.78
Adams Express Company
6.00
Braintree Auto Express Co.
43.80
Walworth Mfg. Company
135.23
Chadwick Boston Lead Company
292.73
H. Mueller Mfg. Company
336.17
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Company
14.97
Sumner & Dunbar
90.59
-
158
Rensselaer Valve Company
102.00
F. L. Chandler
.78
A. M. Byers Company
63.33
W. H. Gallison Company
17.28
E. L. LeBarron Company
21.84
P. S. Lynch
3.75
A. C. Trojano
402.75
Pay of men as per payroll
513.50
$2,053.90
SERVICE REPAIRS IN STREET
C. R. Bestick
$18.00
D. Richardi
26.00
W. B. Skinner
2.25
H. F. Tarbox
9.10
J. F. Dacy
1.00
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Company
18.08
Chadwick Boston Lead Company
20.00
H. Mueller Mfg. Company
76.93
A. C. Trojano
50.10
Pay of men as per payroll
384.94
$606.40
REMOVAL SERVICE WORK IN STREET
Chadwick Boston Lead Company
$71.60
A. C. Trojano
64.12
Pay of men as per payroll
109.33
$245.05
HYDRANT'S
Removal of Snow
$116.09
Pay of men as per payroll
32.42
$148.51
HYDRANT REPAIRS
Chapman Valve Mfg. Company
$22.50
Carpenter Morton Company
16.75
Braintree Auto Express
.50
F. L. Chandler
.50
G. E. Warren
8.40
Woodsum Coal Company
.55
Coffin Valve Company
204.50
G. L. Winslow & Company
42.50
Pay of men as per payroll
213.64
$509.84
TESTING AND FLUSHING HYDRANTS Pay of men as per payroll $169.92
$169.92
METERS
Braintree Auto Express Company $1.00
159
Adams Express Company
1.14
N. Y., N. H., & H. R. R.
2.29
National Meter Company
607.50
$611.93
READING, INSPECTING AND TESTING METERS
G. E. Warren
$7.15
F. L. Chandler
.93
Donato Richardi
25.00
Pay of men as per payroll
1,081.32
$1,114.40
METER REPAIRS
G. E. Warren
$1.65
F. L. Chandler
.25
Adams Express Company
1.29
Braintree Auto Express
:75
Donato Richardi
48.00
National Meter Company
523.01
Pay of men as per payroll
709.55
TOOLS
G. E. Warren
$1.80
H. Mueller Mfg: Co.
16.44
Chadwick ,Boston Lead Company
15.95
Chase, Parker & Company
2.99
Dow Mfg. Company
.94
Waldo Bros. & Bond Company
21.96
National Meter Company
1.10
L. Pizzella
2.00
C. A. Hobart
.50
F. L. Chandler -
6.21
. Adams Express Company
.82
Est. C. E. Gilman
2.95
W. H. Cobb
10.50
Pinel Tool Company
46.13
Braintree Auto Express
.70
Walworth Mfg. Company
96.13
R. W. Haskell
.15
Pay of men as per payroll
9.00
$236.27
MAIN PIPE EXTENSION
W. H. Gallison Company
$82.74
Braintree Auto Express
5.50
E. L. LeBarron Company
21.84
Builders Iron Fdy. Co.
34.00
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Company .90
Harrington, King Company
6.24
R. Allen Gage
15.00
$1,284.50
160
Chas, Nelson A. C. Trojano
1.00
344.75
Pay of men as per payroll
184.00
MAIN PIPE REPAIRS
F. L. Chandler
$0.48
Standard Paint Company
3.20
W. S. Levangie
5.00
Chadwick Boston Lead Company
5.88
R. A. Gage
3.00
Pay of men as per payroll
435.39
$452.95
PROTECTION WATER SUPPLY
John P. Shay
$155.00
$155.00
GARAGE
Dyer & Sullivan
$0.47
F. L. Chandler
.55
Woodsum Coal Company
4.36
Pay of men as per payroll
301.75
$307.13
AUTO CARS
MATHURSON CAR:
F. L. Chandler
$1.00
Dyer & Sullivan
1.20
Haskell Garage
37.50
A. C. Damon
3.00
F. W. Robinson
9.75
Owen Tire Company
74.84
Underhay Oil Company
.70
W. Robertson & Co.
1.50
Tide-Water Oil Company
11.12
Central Auto Tire Company
54.00
G. E. Sampson
75.00
Adams Express Company
.90
G. Van Gimmert
1.00
P. S. Lynch
5.62
S. Scannell & Sons
10.00
Mass. Highway Commission
10.00
Standard Oil Company
132.09
METER CAR :
Adams Express Company
$1.62
Haskell Garage
162.17
Mass. Highway Commission
14.00
G. E. Warren
2.15
$695.97
$429.22
161
Underhay Oil Company
.75
G. E. Sampson
67.00
Tide-Water Oil Company
13.25
Standard Oil Company
179.38
Central Garage
5.65
P. S. Yerxa
500.00
$945.97
SUPERINTENDENT'S CAR :
G. E. Sampson
$67.00
Mass. Highway Commission
10.00
Fisk Rubber Company
26.20
Tide-Water Oil Company
13.25
Underhay Oil Company
.75
Haskell Garage
247.12
R. W. Haskell
.20
Standard Oil Company
194.28
$558.80
$1,933.98
INSURANCE
H. A. Monk
$16.25
G. E. Sampson, agent
481.70
$497.95
SUPERINTENDENT
J. W. Mulcahy
$1,770.00
$1,770.00
RECAPITULATION
Maintenance
$6,449.03
Great Pond Station
15,231.93
Little Pond Station
1,848.47
Service work outside street-lines
3,570.43
Service work in street.
2,053.90
Service repairs in street
606.40
Renewal of service work in street
245.05
Hydrants
148.51
Hydrant Repairs
509.84
Testing and flushing hydrants
169.92
Meters
611.93
Reading, Inspection and Testing meters
1,114.40
Meter repairs
1,284.50
Tools
236.27
Main Pipe Extension
695.97
Main Pipe Repairs
452.95
Protection of Water Supply
155.00
Garage
307.13
Auto Cars
1,933.99
Insurance
497.95
Superintendent
1,770.00
.
$39,893.57 -
162
COLLECT1OR'S REPORT 1920
Received of Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer $600.00
Collections
50,904.92
Turned over to Treasurer
$50,904.92
Balance, Dec. 31, 1920
600.00
$51,504.92 $51,504.92
WATER REGISTRAR'S REPORT 1920
Water Rates charged
$49,090.79
Pipes, labor, etc., charged
4,364.03
Water rates outstanding Jan. 1, 1920
2,033.76
Pipes, labor, etc., outstanding Jan. 1, 1920
279.37
Summonses
8.50
Received from sale old material
47.00
Rebate on Auto Insurance
13.10
Rebate on Liability Insurance
72.38
Refund on telephone a-c
22.99
Received from New Haven R. R. car coal confiscated
476.83
Collections
$50,904.92
Water rates outstanding Dec. 31, 1920
4,602.28
Pipes, labor, etc., outstanding Dec. 31, 1920
627.68
Abatements
63.52
Uncollectible accounts charged off
210.35
$56,408.75 $56,408.75
SECRETARY'S FINANCIAL REPORT DEC. 31, 1920
Balance January 1st, 1920
$7,324.39
Otis B. Oakman, Treas,, advanced for
use of collector
600.00
Town of Braintree, Hydrant Appr. .
500.00
Merchants Nat. Bank, Int. Gen'l a-c
111.70
Merchants Nat. Bank, Spec'l deposit
44.64
Braintree Nat. Bank, Spec'l deposit
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