USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1906 > Part 5
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Although the construction account showed a balance of $151.17, materials had been ordered to the amount of $171.00 and received the latter part of December, but bill was not rendered until after January, 1st so in reality the account was overdrawn $19.83.
Nearly the same condition prevails with the construction of meters account, there being meters ordered but not de- livered to nearly consume the balance on hand.
Bills payable: Further evidence of the prosperity of the plant may be found in the fact that on January 1, 1907, the bills payable amounted to $1,001.04 as against $2,899.26 on January 1, 1906.
To offset the bills payable are the accounts receivable which on January 1, amounted to $4,013.89.
Gas Manufacturing Account :- Loss for the year, $851.09.
Electric Manufacturing Account :- Profit for the year, $1,519.16.
Profit and Loss Sheet :- The depreciation charged off for the six months from January 1st to June 30, namely $7,354.00, is one half of the amount charged off June 30 for the preceding year, which was done by the advice and ap- proval of the State Board of Gas & Electric Commissioners, to bring the value of the machinery, lines and other appli- ances to the appraisal of the experts employed by the in- vestigating committee, appointed at the town meeting.
The total amount charged off at that time and the per cent. is as follows :
Depreciation June 30, 1906.
Machinery-Gas 3%
152 73
Bench
66 54%
176 88
Meters
66
3%
34 74
Mains
66
3%
92 10
$456 45
Steam plant-Electric
63%
$3,278 30
Gas Eng. plant
66
13%
870 46
Electric plant
66
53%
2,531 33
Electric lines
52%
4,534 92
64
87
Arc lamps
66
82%
2,789 16
Series lamps
24%
135 43
Meters
66
3%
71 97
Transformers
3%
41 94
$14,253 51
Total
$14,709 96
The depreciation charged off for the six months from July 1 to December 31, is $1,890.46 which is 3% of the cost of plant and computed according to Chapter 411, Acts of 1906.
Meters :- Owing to the unusual demand last year upon all manufacturers of electric meters, caused by the general pros- perity of the country, it was impossible to procure meters with any degree of promptness.
But 69 electric meters were secured and placed in service as soon as possible after receiving same.
Of the 37 gas meters sent for repairs and inspection, 24 were condemned as unfit for further service, which neces- sitated the purchase of an equal number for replacing those condemned, together with the purchase of others needed, made a total of 28 new gas meters bought last year, and since then 15 more have been ordered but not as yet received.
Transformers :- The coming year it will be necessary as well as wise, to purchase some new transformers, as there are already 5,306 incandescent and 24 arc lamps connected to transformers of a rated capacity of 2,510 lights.
Twenty-nine of the 40 in use are of an old type in which the core loss, so called, is so great that by replacing them with ones of a more modern and efficient type, the saving in that item alone would in a few days more than pay for the new ones installed.
It is the purpose of the management to utilize a portion of the amount which it is presumed the town will appropri- ate for depreciation for that purpose.
The manager in preparing and presenting the data. con- tained in this report, has endeavored to present to you and the citizens, in a concise and comprehensive manner, the operation of the plant, and if the citizens consider it any im- provement over those referred to as pusillanimous reports of previous years, the manager will feel well repaid for the extra labor involved.
88
CUSTOMERS.
Total Jan. 1. 1906
Service ceased
Service trans- ferred
New customers
Total Jan. 1, 190℃
Increase
Gas,
3
11
51
8
Electricity,
165
20
33
178
13
Gas and Elec ..
75
1
11
82
7
Total,
28:
27
B
55
311
28
Disbursements.
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
$ 49 44 75
Murdock Shaw Co.
Lorenzo Wood
4 00
Telegrams
1 68
Smith & Hathaway
8 68
Shaw & Childs
1 30
J. F. McCormick
32 41
C. E. Ryder
6 00
A. S. Talman
3 00
D. B. Monroe
19 00
E. T. Jenks
2 40
N. Y. & B. D. Express
72 65
Sundry office supplies
16 25
Eagle Oil & Supply Co.
64 96
LeBaron Foundry Co.
10 31
General Gas Light Co.
8 29
So. Mass. Tel. Co.
89 41
George E. Gilchrist Co.
401 47
Walworth Mfg. Co.
40 67
Curry Oil & Supply Co.
85 91
A. M. Wood, Treasurer
6,805 58
Esterbrook & Co.
4,340 00
Amos H. Eaton. Treasurer
48 00
E. J. Morse
10 00
M. W. Baxter
22 07
George H. Shaw
8 50
M. T. Soule
7 54
HI. B. Caswell
2 03
F. H. Blackbird
8 50
II. L. Thatcher & Co.
44 00
89
Nathaniel Tufts Meter Co.
212 64
Lloyd Perkins, 2nd.
64 70
C. P. Washburn
57 59
Otis Briggs
234 98
C. W. Maxim
235 47
T. G. Ford
60 83
Middleboro Post Office
93 02
John A. Miller
129 49
H. W. Sears
50 00
T. S. Hodgson
50 00
F. C. Norris
32 45
C. A. Englestead
3 30
Geo. F. Day
3 50
Geo. A. Philbrook
21 36
McIntosh Seymour Co.
285 75
Boston Steam Specialty Co.
12 08
Harold Bond Co.
1 00
Frank E. Fittz Supply Co.
4 75
P. H. Pierce Co.
3 08
Cutter Tower Co.
3 30
India Alkali Works
5 85
Frank Ridlon Co.
134 88
D. D. Sullivan
117 65
E. F. Tinkham
1 00
Plymouth Co. Pub. Co.
5 75
C. H. Crowell
7 20
Bristol Co.
58 50
Samuel Ward Co.
1 45
Smith Premier Co.
75
Hartford Steam Boiler Insp. & Insur. Co.
40 00
F. N. Whitman
13 75
F. E. Pierce
10 00
Nernst Lamp Co.
2 00
Fort Wayne Electric Works
104 05
J. & G. E. Doane
195 74
American Oil Co.
60 58
T. W. Pierce
49 39
General Fire Extinguisher Co.
2 96
Bryan Marsh Co.
38 25
Western Electric Co.
57 86
McKenney-Waterbury Co.
55 62
Bryant & Soule
2,903 47
Matchless Mfg. Co,
12 55
90
Middleboro Fire District
129 77
Pettingell Andrews Co.
11 00
J. K. & B. Sears
65 03
Stuart Howland Co.
53 16
Vacuum Oil Co.
69 18
Westinghouse Machine Co.
56 85
Westinghouse Electric Mfg. Co.
410 25
Valvoline Oil Co.
103 77
Standard Oil of New York
1,242 74
General Electric Co.
1,569 55
Gilmore Electric Co.
122 28
Tremaine Electric Co.
65 84
C. H. McKenney Co.
16 09
W. F. Dean
1 25
M. H. Cushing Co.
64 15
Belcher Loomis Hardware Co.
194 51
Gulf Refining Co.
1,696 59
Electric Goods Mfg. Co.
225 69
Presby Stove Lining Co.
35 31
Wylie Bros.
41 58
P. Sutherland & Co. -
13 97
Seth L. Vickery
296 73
Pay roll
6,407 54
Investigating committee expenses
370 32
Total
$30,916 49
Construction account expended as follows :
Balance on hand and appro- priation
$1,783 92
Gas mains and services
$822 93
Arc lamps
333 13
Lines and wires
328 30
Transformers
112 74
Electric meters prior
to
special appropriation
35 65
Total expended
$1,632 75
Balance on hand 151 17
$1,783 92 $1,783 92
1
91
Construction of Meters.
Appropriation
$2,000 00
Expended for electric meters $1,246 84
Labor, installing and freight (electric) 43 97
Expended for gas meters
174 72
Labor, installing and freight (gas) 8 77
$1,474 30
Balance on hand
525 70
$2,000 00
$2,000 00
Bills payable as of December 31, 1906.
Bryant and Soule Oct. 1
$205 14
Nov. 1
266 23
Dec. 1
302 57
$773 94
General Electric Co.
125 CO
Standard Oil of New York
87 08
40
William F. Dean F. F. Shurtleff
52
C. P. Washburn
14 10
$1,001 04
Chargeable to following accounts.
New machinery
$14 10
Coal (gas)
57 87
(electric)
716 07
Repair lines
40
Repair electirc plant
125 00
Naphtha
87 08
Wiring
52
$1,001 04
92
Accounts receivable.
Balance Due
December Lighting
Total
From gas
$362 06
$392 97
$755 03
Commercial incandescent
627 52
912 40
1,539 92.
Domestic incandescent
537 34
441 90
979 24
Commercial arcs
128 50
189 00
317 50
Jobbing
421 45
421 50
Totals
$2,076 87
$1,936 27
$4,013 14
From committee on improvements
75
$4,013 89
Inventories December 31, 1906.
Wiring
$210 56
Gas Plant :
Coal
$2 50
Fuel oil
103 30
Repairs and maintenance
28 20
$134 00
Electric Plant :
Coal
15 00
Oil and waste
42 50
Naphtha
73 57
Carbons
37 22
Repairs series lamps
35 25
arc lamps
35 64
66
electric plant
194 86
60
steam plant
29 50
66 lines and wires
200 00
$663 76
$1,008 32
93
PROFIT AND LOSS SHEET FOR THE YEAR 1906.
Debits.
For interest paid on notes and bonds $2,693 58
For accrued interest 717 99
$3,411 57
For depreciation from Jan. 1 to June 30 7,354 98
For depreciation from June 30 to Dec. 31 1,890 46
$9,245 44
For suburban lighting
422 82
Expense of investigating committee
370 32
Balance wiring account
128 54
Balance gas manufacturing account
851 09
Total debits $14,429 78
Credits.
By appropriation for interest $2,706 22
66 Commissioners' salary 150 00
66 Suburban lighting 450 00
66 Committees' expenses 370 72
By bal. Elec. Mf'g. account 1,519 16
By premium from sale of notes
136 67
By interest drawn by balance of
$20,000 00 unexpended Dec. 31, 1906
271 54
Balance
$5,606 91
8,822 87
Total credits
$14,429 78
94 GAS MANUFACTURING ACCOUNT.
Operating Expenses.
I. Salaries and labor :
Salaries, general
$624 00
Salaries, clerical and coll. 244 38
Wages at works 653 81
$1,522 19
II. Materials and supplies :
Fuel oil
$1,703 69
Coal
412 84
Water
113 77
$2,230 30
III.
Maintenance :
Real estate
23 58
Works
157 56
Mains and services
17 77
Meters
43 33
$242 24
IV. Sundry expenses :
Stable accounts 42 16
General office expenses
141 76
Commissioners' expenses
75 00
$258 92
V. Accounts charged to bad debts
14 30
Total expenses
$4,267 95
Total debits
$4,267 95
95
GAS MANUFACTURING ACCOUNT.
Income.
1. From sales of Gas, (Jan. 1, 1906-Jan. 1, 1907) To private consumers $3,260 94 Less discounts 131 93
$3,129 01
II. From sales of Gas to municipal buildings :
Town house, 96700 cu. ft.
265 89
Less discounts
9 98
$255 91
High School, 11900 cu. ft.
32 75
Less discounts 1 56
$31 19
III. From collection of bad debts :
75
Total income
$3,416 86
Balance to profit and loss
851 09
Total credits
$4,267 95
96
ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING ACCOUNT.
Operating Expenses.
I. Salaries and labor :
Salaries, general
$780 00
Salaries, coll. and clerical
244 38
Wages at station 2,00 58
II.
Material and supplies :
Naphtha
$1,126 58
Coal
2,815 34
Carbons
64 37
Water
16 00
Oil and waste
160 41
$4,182 70
III.
Maintenance :
Repairs, lines and wires
$440 67
Electric plant
219 77
66
Steam plant
449 25
60
Gas engine plant
89 97
Real estate
19 58
66
Meters
40 51
Arc lamps
18 23
66
Series incan. lamps
62 89
Wages care lights
164 18
$1,829 95
IV.
Sundry expenses :
Stable
$379 49
General office expenses
141 76
Commissioners' expenses
96 36
Insurance
29 74
V. Accounts charged to bad debts
$647 35 3 47
Total expenses Balance to profit and loss
$9,692 43
$1,519 16
Total debits
$11,211 59
4
Water plant
324 90
$3,028 96
97
ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING ACCOUNT.
Income.
[. From arc lights on contract $1,943 00
Less discount 91 65
$1,851 65
II. From commercial incandes.
to
private consumers
$5,785 45
252 78
Less discount
$5,532 67
III. From domestic incandescent
$3,145 73
Less discount 108 67
$3,037 06
IV. From incandescent to Munic. Bldg. :
1. Town house
$452 86
Less discount
33 25
$419 61
2. Town stable
$22 75
Less discount
30
$22 45
3. High School building Less discount
$12 00
49
$11 51
V. From collection bad debts $11 94
VI. From appropriation for repair steam plant $325 00
Total income
$11,211 59
Total credits $11,211 59
98
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
BONDS.
1906. Mar. 28 Appropriation $2,000 00
1906 Dec. 31
Expended
$2,000 00
NOTES.
1906
1906
Jan. 1 Balance
$750 00
Dec. 31
Expended Balance
$6,500 00
Mar. 28
Appropriation
750 00
750 00
66
66
750 00
66
66
5,000 00
$7,250 00
$7,250 00
INTEREST.
1906
1906
Jan. L Balance
$4 44
Dec. 31
Expended Balance
$2,693 58
Mar. 28
Appropriation
2,709 22
20 08
$2,713 66
$2,713 66
COMMISSIONERS' SALARY.
1906
June 6 Appropriation
$150 00
1906 Dec. 31 Expended
$150 00
GAS ENGINE
ACCOUNT. 1906
1906
Jan. 1
Balance
$56 20
Dec. 31
Expended Balance
25 08
$56 20
$56 20
SUBURBAN
1906
Jan. 1 Balance
$77 99 . Dec. 31
Expended
$411 48
Mar. 28
Appropriation
450 00
Balance
116 51
$527 99
$527 99
DRAINAGE
ACCOUNT. 1906
1906
Jan. 1 Balance
$300 00
Dec. 31 Balance
$300 00
CONSTRUCTION
ACCOUNT. 1906
1906
Jan. 1 Balance
$83 92
Dec. 31 Expended
$1,632 75
Mar. 28
Appropriation 66
700 00
June 13
1,000 00
Balance
151 17
$1,783 92
$1,783 92
$31 12
LIGHTING. 1906
99
1
METER ACCOUNT.
1906
1906 June 6 Appropriation $2,000 00
Dec. 31
Expended $1.474 30 Balance 525 70
$2,000 00
$2,000 00
BRIDGE ACCOUNT.
1906
1906
Apr. 23 Appropriation
$500 00
Dec. 31
Balance
$500 00
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE'S EXPENSES.
1906
1906
Apr. 10
Appropriation
$81 00
Dec. 31
Order drawn $370 32
June 6
66
281 44
“' 13
66
7.88
$370 32
$370 32
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT. 1906
1906
Jan. 1 Bal. Town Treas. $21 74
Dec. 31
Expended $15,652 94
Cash in office 449 00
Bal. in Town
Mar. 28 Appropriation
325 00
Treas. 3 80
Dec. 31 Income 14,883 15
Cash in office 22 15
$15,678 89
$15.678 89
Gas Mains.
Sizes.
Total Length in feet.
1 inch
195 feet
11/4
66
50 66
11/2 66
375 60
2
66
1,371
3
66
13,685
66
4
826
Total
16,502 68
Gas made 1906
1874600. cu. ft.
Sold by meter at $2 20 per M, 1046600 cu. ft.
Sold by meter at 2 75 per M, 388300 cu. ft.
Used at works
23300 cu. ft.
Sold by meter at 1 60 per M,
118200 cu. ft.
Sold by meter at 2 00 per M,
39300 cu. ft.
Estimated supplied to stores pre- vious to installing meters 38000 cu. ft.
Total
1653700
66
100
Unaccounted for 220900
Which is a little less than 12% of the total gas made.
Greatest output during 24 hours, Dec. 6 and Dec. 27, 11000 cu. ft.
Least output during 24 hours, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22, 3500 cu. ft.
Average candle power as determined by state inspector, 22.9 candle power.
Legal Standard (minimum) as established by law, 16 candle power.
ELECTRIC LINES.
CIRCUIT
SIZE OF WIRE AND NO. OF FEET
LENGTH OUT AND RETURN
Public Arcs
Public Series Incan.
Commercial
No. 1
No. 4
No. 6
No. 8
Arc
Incan,
No. 1 D.C. (Commer.)
3,900
3,900
13
No. 2 A.C. (Str. Lt.)
9,117
9,117
12
1
No. 3 A.C. (Str. Lt.)
21,475
21,475
12
27
No. 4 A.C. (Str. Lt.)
100,407
5,180
105,587
2
143
No. 1 A.C. (Commer. )1 7,230
640
41,160
6,270
55,300
34
5,306
Total
7,230
640
176,059
11,450
195,379
26
171
17
5,306
Number of poles owned by plant set in public ways 521
Number of poles owned by plant set elsewhere 11
No. of electric railroad poles supporting plant's wires 173
No. of telephone poles supporting plant's wires 155 No. of fire district poles supporting plant's wires 33
No. of French cable poles supporting plant's wires
6
Total number of poles occupied 899
Length in feet of streets or public ways occupied by over- head wires, 98509.
LAMPS INSTALLED
101
METER DATA.
ELECTRIC :
Capacity of each in 16 c. p. lamps.
Number in use Jan. 1, 1906.
Added since.
Removed since.
Number in use Dec. 31, 1906.
6
17
17
10
32
58
2
88
20
45
12
1
56
30
63
1
62
50
6
1
7
60
3
3
80
100
4
1
3
160
2
1
3
Totals.
172
72
5
239
GAS :
Size. No. of Lights.
Number in use Jan. 1, 1906.
Added since.
Removed since.
Number in use Dec. 31. 1906.
3
101
12
4
109
5
21
21
10
11
11
20
4
2
6
30
2
50
1
1
2
Totals.
140
15
4
151
CAPACITY OF TRANSFORMERS AND NUMBER - OF EACH SIZE.
Capacity of each in 16 c. p. lamps.
Number in use Dec. 31, 1906.
Lamp capacity.
12
10
120
20
6
120
30
7
210
50
5
250
70
2
140
90
3
270
150
6
900
500
1
500
Total
40
2510
102
STREET LIGHTS.
Circuit
Total number of nights run.
Total number of hours run.
Average number of nights per month run,
Average hours run per month.
No. 2 A. C.
332
2720年
28
8 hrs. 10 min.
(all night arcs)
No. 3 A. C.
277
12261
23
4 hrs. 25 min.
(12 o'clock arcs)
No. 4 A. C. (12 o'clock incandes.)
252
10403
21
4 hrs. 8 min.
Total number of carbons used for street lights 685.
The following rate of discount was adopted by the Board of Gas & Electric Commissioners, to apply to electric bills only after November 1st, 1906.
Bills of $5
5 per cent. 66
$5 to 15 10
66 $15 to 25 15
66
66 $25 to 35
20
66
66 $35 to 50
25
66 $50 and over
30
66
Appended will be found the reports submitted by the experts at the June meeting.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. PHILBROOK, Manager and Superintendent.
Believing the report of the manager gives a full account of the operation of the plant, and as the appended reports of the experts as submitted cover any recommendations we might make, we do not think any added comments on the part of the commissioners are deemed necessary.
(Signed) JOHN A. MILLER, HENRY W. SEARS, THOMAS S. HODGSON, M. D.
Commissioners.
103
7
June 4, 1906.
Messrs. GEORGE F. TUCKER, ELISHA T. JENKS, CARLTON W. MAXIM,
Committee of Investigation, Gas and Electric Plant. Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :
In accordance with your instructions I have made a general investigation of the electric generating and trans- mission plant at Middleboro, Mass., and beg to submit the following comments upon what seems to be the more salient features of the problem.
The physical situation is quite complicated and, since to consider all its phases would tend to confusion, I will con- fine myself to those that seem to be most important at this time, although others may develop later to be of paramount importance.
The first matter that attracted my attention was the fact that the two plants for generating gas and electricity are widely separated.
This unfortunate situation, however, need not be dis- cussed here as the advantage is obvious, but does not seem to be susceptible of correction, and so I simply call atten- tion to the fact.
Assuming to be the desire of the town to continue the operation of the electric plant at its present location I will designate the general direction in which it seems to me the work should proceed, subject however, to such modifications as may be found to be advisable; when preparing plans, a more extended study may show present conditions to vary from my present understanding.
I advise the completion of the purchase of the Marinette Iron Works Mfg. Co. gas engine which I understand can be had for the sum of $2,000 over and above what has already been advanced. provided this will include the necessary parts to adapt the engine for "producer" gas.
I advise the purchase of a new gas engine considerably larger than either of those in your station and belting the three engines directly to generators, utilizing the present alternators to their capacity and adding at least one new
104
poly-phase generator, contemplating that ultimately the ex- ' isting alternators will be displaced by poly-phase machines. So much of the jack shaft as is now driven by the steam and gas engines will then be abandoned for power trans- mission as well as the steam boiler and steam engine.
I then advise that a "producer" gas plant of say 250 h. p. be installed in the present steam engine room and so planned that the producer may be duplicated at some future time, should occasion require.
The water wheels will then continue to drive the present arc light machine, perhaps the 35 k. w. alternator or such other generators as may be deemed advisable.
An entirely new switchboard with equipment of instru- ments and appliances to enable a proper manipulation and record of the service generated.
These changes can be accomplished at a probable cost of $18,000 to $20,000. The first cost of this apparatus is much higher than for the same capacity in steam, but with exist- ing conditions of location, its operating cost would be very much less and would not require additional building ca- pacity. Probably double the present capacity can be in- stalled within the space now occupied.
I approve the policy that seems to have been attempted of ultimately remodeling the motive power, but think its execution thus far to have been ill devised; and the advice above given is influenced materially by what has already been done rather than what might have been.
It is to be expected that both the present alternators will, ultimately, be discontinued or displaced by poly-phase ma- chinery and the arc machine be discontinued, but I should recommend their retention for a time.
I would recommend that an earnest effort be made to secure an all day motor load. Its results, if of reasonable magnitude, would be very beneficial to the entire enter- prise.
It will be vital that circuits be cleared from contact with trees and it is even now very important. The wires seem to be well secured and sufficiently and evenly taut, but much judicious trimming of trees at once is essential. "Grounds" in buildings should immediately be traced out and removed to eliminate a present danger of fire and detriment to service. I can not emphasize these points too strongly. I estimate the value of existing boiler, engines, belting, shafting, gen-
105
erators, switchboard and instruments, wires, poles, arc lamps, street-lamp fixtures, transformers, watt-meters, etc., for present purpose of operation, to be $20,000.00 as shown by the inventory herewith attached.
Respectfully submitted, (Signed) EDMUND H. HEWINS, Consulting Engineer.
May 29, 1906.
Middleboro Gas & Electric Plant.
Estimated Present Value
1.72 inches by 114.3 inches by 16 feet tubes, boiler
$500 00
1.16 inches by 15 inches 250 r. p. m. steam engine Steam piping heater, pump, etc.
400 00
Westinghouse Gas Engine
3,500 00
Marinette Gas Engine
2,000 00
Jack shaft
? ?
Foundations
500 00
Belting
900 00
Switchboard and instruments
300 00
$9,100 00
2.24 k. w. constant current transformers
$865 00
1 Thompson 30-1t K Arc Dynamo
75 00
1 5-h. 35 k. w. A. C. Generator
80 00
1 G. E. k. w. A. C. Generator
325 00
11 open Arc Lamps
? ?
55 enclosed Arc Lamps
600 00
$1,965 00
526 poles and cross arms
1,700 00
170 street lamp brackets
340 00
20,000 lbs. wire
2,000 00
Insulators, etc.
500 00
$4,540 00
1,000 00
106
10,
12-lamp transformers
@ $20 00
$200 00
6,
20
@
23 00
138 00
6,
30 66
@ 30 00
180 00
5,
50 66 66
@ 42 50
212 00
2,
70
66
66
@
52 50
105 00
3,
90
66
@
60 00
180 00
6, 150
6.
66
@
85 00
510 00
1, 500
66
237 00
$1,762 00
17, 3 amp. Watt meters
@ $13 75
$233 00
31,
5
a
13 75
426 00
52, 10
60
66
@
15 00
780 00
68, 15 66
66
@
16 50
1,122 00
1, 20 66
66
22 00
6, 25
60
66
a
22 50
135 00
4, 30
66
66
a
25 00
100 00
1. 40
66
66
25 00
7,50 66
66
@
25 00
175 00
1, 75
66
35 00
1, 80
60
60
40 00
1,150
66
66
50 00
$3,143 00
Wakefield, Mass., June 6, 1906.
Mr. George F. Tucker, Chairman,
Special Committee of Lighting.
Dear Sir :
As requested by you, I have made an examination of the gas works of the town of Middleboro, Mass., with the follow- ing results :
I find the gas holder, purifier, and small boiler in fair condition and ample for the requirements for several years.
The gas making apparatus is of ample capacity under best conditions, but as these do not always exist, it is an expen- sive process compared to other methods of gas making, and do suggest replacing by one of coal manufacture.
66
66
107
Also suggest a well for tar storage instead of the cellar under purifying room, as this has led to, and will con- tinue to be, a cause of interruption to the works.
The mains are far too small in several sections, particu- larly those leading from the works to the Four Corners, (so called).
This condition requires excessive pressure to be carried on' the mains to give any service at night during time of greatest output.
This high pressure is largely the cause of the poor service at time of light loads; in many of the places the gas blows out when the full pressure is on.
This condition should be remedied at once by laying of larger mains. I would also suggest the laying of mains in new sections of the town with a view of connecting gas stoves and heating appliances, as only nine stoves in use in your town shows a neglect to get a profitable business at your door.
I have made an inventory of the works and appliances as follows :
Gas holder, 10,000 cu. ft. capacity
$2,500 00
Four purifiers and connections
1,000 00
Gas making apparatus 800 00
Small boiler and chimney
1,000 00
Condensers
200 00
Water gas generator not in use
200 00
Gas mains
4,000 00
$9,700 00
My conclusions are the replacing of the oil gas plant with one of coal gas, laying of larger and additional mains, and building of a tar well for proper storage of tar.
I submit approximate cost of these changes :
Coal gas plant
$6,000 00
Mains 5,000 00
Changes in building to accommodate new retorts 500 00
Machinery, including tar well 1,000 00
$12,500 00
108
With changes as above mentioned and a hustle for busi-' ness, thereby increasing the output, gas can be sold with a profit at $1.80 per 1000 cubic feet.
Yours truly, (Signed) CHAS. E. WHITE.
Report of the Committee on the Improvement of the Electric Light Plant.
At the adjourned annual town meeting, June 13, 1906, the undersigned were appointed a committee to carry out the vote of the town concerning the improvements to the Electric Light Plant. -
The following Saturday, the committee organized by the choice of Elisha T. Jenks as chairman and Amos H. Eaton as clerk, and decided to make such investigations as would enable them the better to carry out the wishes of the town.
Examinations of Producer Gas Plants were made at Hing- ham, Newport, R. I., Nantucket, Somerville and Keene, N. H., also Gas Engines were observed in operation at the same places.
In consequence of these observations the committee de- cided to contract with the Westinghouse Machine Company, for the Gas Producer and the 125 H. P. Engine, which was done July 26, 1906, with the understanding that the ma- chinery should be installed by the middle of October. The committee thought it best to divide the Gas Producer Plant, having one of 125 H. P. and one of 175 H. P., thinking that for a part of the time only one would be needed.
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