USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1880 > Part 3
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street to the Court House, with the necessary manholes, catch basins, etc., has been estimated by the engineer at $8,470.88, or $1.863 per linear foot. The large expense per linear foot is due to the fact that the outlet of the systemn at North street is included in this estimate, the outlet being the most expensive part of the work.
The Board are unwilling to recommend that the Town incur so large an expense at present, and while the Leyden street sewer works as well as it has of late, the necessity for the con- struction of a new sewer on that street, connecting with the main outlet by a line of pipe laid through Water street, does not exist.
But the time has come when some action must be taken to abate the nuisance arising from the offensive condition of the street openings in Main and North streets, which are a fruitful source of complaint. It may be possible to obviate much of . the present evil by the construction of an underground trap connecting with the catch basin at the head of Middle street, on Main street, and by the relaying of the sewer pipe in Main street, and severing its connection in Shirley Square with the North street sewer.
The sewerage of Main street should be carried by a line of pipe laid down Middle street and round Cole's Hill, connecting there with the North street sewer, as recommended by the engineer.
The condition of the Main street sewer, owing to its being improperly and irregularly laid, and its consequent partial filling with sewage, is such as to require prompt and thorough action on the part of the Town. As at present constructed it is injurious to the health, and a source of annoyance to the public.
If the catch basin at the head of the North street sewer ere properly trapped, and frequently flushed, much of the
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nuisance would undoubtedly be removed. For this reason the Board renew the recommendation of their last report, that the sewers be placed in the charge of the Water Commissioners, who should be required to take every precaution, by a frequent and thorough flushing with water from the hydrants, to keep the basins at the street openings clean and odorless. If . venti- lators were also attached to the sewers and carried above the roofs of the houses, the offensive odor could be obviated in part.
The Town having made no appropriation for the uso of the Board, no considerable expense could be properly incurred, and the more important recommendations they are unable to carry out. It has been found in Boston that great benefit has been derived by a thorough inspection of the houses of the city by a competent inspector, who by careful and simple tests is able to detect the presence of sewer gas in the houses, and defects in the connections between the houses and line of street sewers. In a large proportion of the houses examined, radical defects were discovered, and the danger to the health of the inmates averted by some slight repairs. It is believed that such an examination would be of benefit to the health of this community, and we would have obtained the services of some competent inspector, and had the needed examination made, had there been an appropriation at our disposal.
The Board ask for an appropriation of two hundred dollars for the ensuing year.
ARTHUR LORD, 1 WILLIAM P. STODDARD, | Board E. D. HIGT,, JAMES D. THURBER, Health.
CHARLES H. HOWLAND, J
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OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
REPORT.
We can report to the Town that its poor at the Almshouse during the year that has just closed have been kindly treated, have had faithful care, and good food, shelter and clothing.
The poor, not inmates, have had their wants supplied, not scantily or grudgingly, yet with carefulness.
The Overseers have exercised their best judgment in bestow- ing the alms of the Town. That they at times have made mis- takes, they are quite willing to admit.
About the number of applications for assistance have been made during the year as in former years, but, as will be seen by the figures, we have not exceeded our appropriation.
The Town has the satisfaction, in raising money to help along the poor, that with small sums for bread widely scattered, they relieve a large amount of distress, and smooth the way of life for a large number of grateful, deserving persons.
Although the money raised for the poor is not so conspic- uous as some other town expenditures, yet it interests, and is appreciated by us all.
Charity, like Mercy, "is twice blessed : It blesses him that gives and him that takes."
"The short and simple annals of the poor," touches, or should touch all hearts.
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The Almshouse needs some repairs, and an additional num- ber of sleeping rooms will be necessary at no distant day. It has a pleasant, sunny location, is well sheltered from the north and east winds, and can be extended and enlarged without great expense so as to meet all future wants of the Town.
Tramps have been less numerous in Town than in some former years. In the year 1878, we entertained at the Alms- house 1,029 ; the last year but 517. Why the Legislature does not enact a law that will relieve the community of this annoy- ing and dangerous element, is a question that we have not seen satisfactorily answered.
The Town raised for the support of the poor the past year. $7,000 00
Received from other towns for relief furnished
their poor 1,752 SC
Balance undrawn Jan. 1, 1879 188 17
$8,941 03
Amount expended.
$8,878 70
Amount unexpended Jan. 1, 1880 62 33
$8,941 03
Amount raised for the support of the insane poor. $1,450 00
Received as reimbursements. 279 40
Balance undrawn Jan. 1, 1879 264 78
$1,994 18
Amount expended.
$1,418 51
575 67
Amount unexpended - $1,994 18
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Poor at the Almshouse.
Number of inmates Jan. 1, 1879
22
Number admitted during the year. 6
Number discharged 4
Number died 3
Number remaining Jan. 1, 1880. 21
Insane Poor.
Number of poor at the hospitals Jan 1, 1879. 8
Number of poor discharged 0
Number of poor died 0
Number of poor admitted. 1
Number of poor remaining Jan. 1, 1880 9
Tramps.
Number entertained during the year 517
We recommend that there be raised for the support of the poor for the current year $7,000, and for the support of the in- sane poor $1,000, which is $450 less than was appropriated the last year.
WILLIAM H. WHITMAN, { Overseers of JOHN CHURCHILL, ) the Pour.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
-
The following annual report of the Plymouth Fire Depart ment for the year 1879, I respectfully submit to the Honorabl Board of Selectmen of the Town of Plymouth. -
Expenses of the Department.
CR.
-
By balance from old account, Jan. 1 $11 4
appropriations, March 17 2,200 C
receipts, Dec. 31. 2 7
.
$2,214
DR.
To expenditures. $2,31€
Overdrawn balance. $10%
I recommended an appropriation of $2,400 for the ensu: I year. As will be seen, we have overdrawn our appropriatid This comes from the general wear and decay of the appars and its connections. It is expected of us by the citizens this Town that we keep this Department in a reliable conditid and we have endeavored to do so.
.. ... '
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Apparatus,
The apparatus is the same as given in the report of last year. It consists of two steam fire engines with hose carriages, two hand engines, each with hose carriages, one hook and ladder truck, two hand engines that are not in working order, but could be made so at a small expense. The question has been asked why not sell them ? I share, with other citizens of the Town, a feeling of veneration on account of their antiquity and the good services they have done in olden times. There are also four independent hose carriages, also two force pumps. The above is all in good working order.
Hose.
There has been purchased, this year, two hundred feet of new hose, one hundred feet of old having been condemned ; on hand, and fit for service, 3,400 feet.
Reservoirs and Hydrants
are all in good condition. With the increased water pressure, it will be our policy to use the hydrant pressure where it can be done so satisfactorily. There has been purchased, the past year, two post hydrants ; one has been set on Fremont street, the other will be placed on Lothrop street, when larger pipes are laid there, so as to warrant a full supply of water. I here say that this Board will grant no further use of hydrants for sprinkling streets.
.The houses of the Department are in good condition, with the exception of the Hook and Ladder room. In my last year's report I stated the objections to it. Very likely, at no distant day, the Town will provide better quarters.
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Manual Force.
The manual force of the Department is one hundred ar forty men, with a Board of Engineers of five men, and twent call members at North Plymouth, on pay only at time of actu service.
Fires.
There has been but two alarms of fire during the yoa May 10, a building belonging to the Woolen Mill Company w; damaged to the amount of ten dollars ; caused by sparks fro chimney. Sept. 19, a fire occurred at the house of B. F. Fick partially destroyed ; covered by insurance ; cause unknow Under this head, I would recommend to the church societies( Town that they put ladders upon their buildings. Every o will see that in a threatening fire, it would be of great adva tage to the firemen, and may be the means of saving a gener conflagration.
Remarks.
Although the calls for the labor of the Department for t. year have not been frequent ; when called for, they have show by their promptness and good conduct, that they do not forg that they are firemen and are always ready, for which recei my thanks. I also thank my assistants for their valual recommendations.
SAMUEL BRADFORD,
Chief Engineer Fire Department.
Duxbury & Cohasset Railroad Sinking Fund.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF PLYMOUTH :
Gentlemen :- The following statement of the condition of the Duxbury &: Cohasset Railroad Sinking Fund, at this time, is respectfully submitted :
DR.
To ---
Amounts received from Town Treasurer at various
times
$11,193 20
Income received from same 1,555 60
$12,748 80
CR.
By-
Cook County $500 bond, @@ 7 per cent., $515 00
City of Chicago $1,000 bond, @ 7 per cent., 1,067 50
Plymouth Water Scrip $1,000 bond, (@ 6 per cent., 1,067 50
Old Colony Railroad $2,000 bond, (@ 7 per cent., 2,207 50
Old Colony Railroad $1,000 bond, @ 6 per cent., 1,022 50 Boston & Lowell Railroad $2,000 bond, @ 6 per cent., 2,000 00 Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad, $2,000 bond,
(@: 7 per cent .. 2,219 53
Eastern Railroad, $1,000 bond, (@ 43 per cent 832 75
Webster Bank, five shares 550 00
Old Colony National Bank, ten shares 1,250 98
Deposit in Plymouth Savings Bank 15 54
$12,748 80 JNO. J. RUSSELL, GEORGE G. DY ER, Trustees. ISAAC BREWSTER,
PLYMOUTH, February 17th, 1880.
PLYMOUTH WATER SCRIP SINKING FUND.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF PLYMOUTH :
Gentlemen :- We submit the following report of the condition of the Plymouth Water Scrip Sinking Fund at the present time :
DR.
To amounts received from Town Treasurer $1,759 43
Income on the same 60 SO
$1,820 23
CR.
By United States 42 per cent. bonds $717 50 Mansfield & Framingham Railroad bond, 6 per cent . 1,025 67
deposit in Plymouth Savings Bank
77 06
$1,820 23
WILLIAM H. NELSON, 1 Trustees.
GEORGE G. DYER,
PLYMOUTH, February 17th, 1880.
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The year past has called for an important and expensive outlay for the purpose of providing an increased supply of water, the Town having authorized the Commissioners to fur- nish the Plymouth Woolen Mill with a quantity not exceeding two hundred thousand gallons for manufacturing purposes.
The application of the present proprietors of the mill for the conditions under which a supply could be furnished them if desired, resulted in their application being laid before the Town' at a meeting held September 30, 1878, at which meeting the matter was referred to a committee, and a report was submitted by them at a meeting held October 14th, of the same year, and the following votes were passed :
"The Water Commissioners are hereby authorized to lay a six inch iron and cement pipe from the head of the Plymouth Acqueduct Company, purchased by the Town, or from sach point on the Town Brook as may be agreed upon with other parties interested in said stream, to the Plymouth Woolen Mills and the Old Colony Railroad station, for watering streets and for such other uses as may economize the use of water from South Pond."
Also votod : "That the Town accept the proposition of par- ties who propose to purchase the Plymouth Woolen Mills, for furnishing water for manufacturing purposes in said mills for a
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period of fifty years, for a mill not exceeding twelve sets. provided the same shall not exceed two hundred thousand gallons per working day, and the same shall be used economi- cally, under such restrictions and conditions as may be agreed upon by a contract in writing by the Water Commissioners i . behalf of the Town ; and provided further that the Town shall not stipulate to maintain an acqneduct, or to furnish water as aforesaid in case of interruption by accident or for repairs, on condition that the owners of said mill, and their assigns, shall pay an annual rent equal to the interest on the cost of the outlay for the said work, and not less than three hundred dollars per year, payable semi-annually, said mill having the prior right to the said water, subject to the right of the Town to use the same in case of accident, fire, or repairs of the South Pond water pipes or its connections."
An appropriation was also voted at the annual meeting in April, 1979, for the purpose of carrying this vote into effect. . While the Commissioners were maturing arrangements for! the work contemplated by these votes, having progressed so far as to receive proposals for laying the water pipes, a meeting of the Town was called for the purpose of acting on the ques- tion of a reconsideration of the vote authorizing the supply to the Wooden Mill from the Town Brook, and also to consider a proposition for increasing the supply of water by means of a steam pump.
At this meeting, held on the 10th day of May last, the prey vious action of the Town, authorizing the taking of water from Deep Water, was reconsidered, and a vote passed by which "the Water Commissioners were authorized and directed to procure a steam pump of such manufacture as they may consider expo- dient and for the interest of the Town, the said pump to be connected with the South Pond water pipes, and located at such point as they may find best for the working of such pump,
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unless, in their judgment, an arrangement more advantageous for the Town can be made by the purchase or lease of a water privilege on Town Brook or Billington Sea, and by pumping the supply water used by the Town by water power."
Worthington Steam Pump.
No suitable arrangement for the operating a pump by water power appeared, and proposals were invited for the furnishing a steam pump, resulting in the acceptance, on the 21st of June, of the bid by H. R. Worthington, Esq., of New York, for a Worthington Compound Condensing Duplex Pumping Engine, of the capacity of 60,000 gallons per hour delivered against a pressure due to seventy feet head above centre line of pump, boiler pressure required not over thirty pounds, it being also understood that the engine has ample capacity to deliver the contract quantity (60,000 per hour) against a pressure equal to a height of one hundred and seventy-five feet and a steam pres- sure of sixty pounds, at a piston speed not exceeding seventy- five feet per minute, the contract price being $7,000. The engine has two high pressure steam cylinders, fourteen inches in diameter ; two low pressure twenty-four and one half inches in diameter; two plinges fourteen inches in diameter and eighteen inches stroke.
The boiler is return tubular set in double expansion walls, having four hundred square feet heating surface.
The Commissioners desired the starting of the pump before the Woolen Mill commenced drawing from the works, or by the first of November, but the selection of a location, and obtaining plans for the pump house, caused an unavoidable delay, and the building was not prepared for placing the pump and boiler connections until December 23d.
We are able to report, however, that the pump was put in operation on the 24th of January, and has continued to deliver
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water freely, the reservoir being filled to its capacity, giving an increased head of eight feet from the lowest point, since the Woolen Mill commenced drawing, and four fect above the present level of South Pond ; contains little more than 2,000,000 gallons. No tests of the full capacity, or duty of the pump, have yet been made, although, since starting, the delivery a large part of the time has been abont 42,000 gallons an hour, through 9,000 feet of driving pipe, against a head of fifty feet on the main pipe, with a boiler pressure of twenty-three pounds, and sixty strokes a minute of the pump plungers. The well known reputation of the builder warrants a fulfilment of the contract whenever it is found expedient to apply the cou- tract test. Probably the time will not soon arrive when one hundred and seventy-five feet head of water will be required, or a supply of 60,000 gallons an hour needed, but it was con- sidered good economy to procure a pump that by slow and easy working would supply all probable wants.
The agent of the builder, D. H. Johnson, Esq., has withheld no efforts that would tend to make this pump all that the contract specified, or that was expected by the Water Board.
Location of Pump.
It was deemed advisable to relieve the main pipe from the pressure required of a driving main, provided a sufficient quan- tity of water could be obtained, and secure a location for the pump station as near the Town as possible. With this view a lot near the Plymonth Mills was selected, under the expectation that about 28,000 gallons of water per hour would be the quan- tity the pump would deliver, the length of pipe from this point to South Pond being nearly 13,000 feet.
This delivery was estimated by the engineer, and based on the supposition that the main pipe from South Pond was laid on or below a grade line to the pipe at Deep Water bridge.
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By reference to the report of the consulting engineer, on con- struction of the works in 1855, it appears that a portion of the pipe near the Thomas farm was abore this grade line, which reduced the estimated delivery to 22,000 gallons an hour, and the contemplated location was abandoned.
At this stage the question was again referred to Mr. Her- schel, our consulting engineer, and his several reports are herewith presented.
By reference to his letter of July 12th, 1879, and previous to his consideration of the expedieney of placing the pump at Lont Pond, it will be seen that he gives a preference to a location near the shore of South Pond, limiting the supply that can be driven through the pipe economically, to 29,000 gallons per hour, or 348,000 gallons in twelve hours running time of the pump.
This quantity being 50,000 gallons less than the amount that the Town may be called upon to furnish during the next sum- mer, it was evident that some plan for an increased amount should be sought, and provision made for the future increased consumption. This could be done by increased running time of the pump, bringing increased pay of the engineer, or by the laying of an additional main pipe, at a large outlay. Either of these expenditures it was desirable to avoid, and the proposi- tion of a location at Lout Pond was therefore presented to Mr. Herschel, and his reply appears in the paper dated July 26, 1879, giving this spot his preference.
After a full and free discussion, a majority of the Commis- sioners decided to place the pump at Lout Pond, and at a point that would intersect the grade line from South Pond to Deep Water bridge, and secure the 28,000 gallons an hour expected at the first contemplated location, relying also on a greater supply by the suction power of the Worthington pump, the ex- pected addition being based on the assurances given by the
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contractors, and which have proved correct, the pump now delivering from 33,000 to 35,000 gallons an hour by easy work- ing, the water vacuum or draft on the South Pond main being from ten to twelve feet.
This delivery will supply all present, and probable future needs for some years, and whenever the consumption calls for a greater quantity, and the Town decide to obtain it by laying an additional main, the distance and cost will be no more than if ( the location were at South Pond, and equal or greater advan- vantages would be secured. Whenever the present supply by the South Pond main proves insufficient, all future outlay may be avoided by making Lout Pond a reservoir, storing the night delivery, and drawing from it such amount as may be required in excess of the quantity now received from South Pond by ( twelve hours pumping.
The quality of the water is undoubtedly similar to that of other ponds in the vicinity, the water of two of them having been examined by Professor Horsford of Cambridge, and pro- nounced of purest quality. The water was taken from this pond on starting of the pumps, the supply continued for three weeks, and no cause of complaint of discoloration or unpleas- ant taste appeared. No drainage from impure surroundings exist, the land being covered with forests of oak and pine.
The lot upon which the pump house is built was purchased of Mr. T. O. Jackson for $150, includes about four acres of woodland, the line running about forty rods on the shore of this pond, and the corner bounds are designated by stone posts.
A pipo chamber of brick, laid in cement mortar, has been con- structed on the shore of the pond uear the pump station, with which a ten-inch pipe is connected four feet below the usual height of this pond, and the pipe carried at a depth of thirteen feet below the roadway into a well room of brick in the base- ment of the pump house. Water was let into this pipe October 9th.
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The water of this pond is intended mainly for supplying the boiler and condenser, as the quantity required for this purpose could not well be spared from the South Pond delivery. There undoubtedly will be occasions when the water from this pond will be acceptable, and the coming season will very likely require a supply from this source, as the dilapidated condition of the pipe chamber at South Pond will require attention and repairs, during which time no water can flow into it. In anticipation of such an emergency, a ten-inch pipe connects the twelve-inch suction pipe of the pump with this well room, and by the rais- ing or closing of a valve, water can be taken or shut off as desired.
A check valve is to be placed in the ten-inch pipe on Stoddard street, and when completed the flow of water into the reservoir can be regulated, and the head of water can then be raised to any height desired. It will be necessary to drain the water from the reservoir when this work is done, and the Town must then be supplied by pumping directly into the pipes, the engine to continue running, if required, during the night.
Pump House.
Plans for the pump house were prepared by Mr. L. F. Rice of Boston, and the contract for the carpenter work was awarded to Mr. George A. Barnes of this town. The engine room is twenty-four by twenty-seven and one half feet, and twelve feet high ; the floor four feet ten inches above main pipe. The boiler room is twenty-one by thirty feet, fourteen feet high, and the floor two feet below that of the engine room. A stairway between these rooms leads to the second story, in which is a convenient tenement of five rooms, exclusive of pantry and closet room, affording ample accommodation for the engineer and family. The chimney for boiler furnace is six feet square the base, and sixty feet high from boiler room floor. This
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piece of masonry, and also the foundation of building and plastering, was contracted for by Messrs. Shaw, Bradford and Perkins, and the several parties appear to have properly ful- filled their contracts.
Appointment of Engineer.
Mr. Harry F. Gibbs received the appointment of engineer, and was employed while the engine was being placed and pre- pared for working, and under the direction and instruction freely given by Mr. C. T. Johnson, the machinist who super- intended the adjustment of this machine, he derived much valuable information. The engine was put in charge of Mr. Gibbs by the agent of the contractors, after a few days practice in running, and since January 31st has been solely under his care, and his services thus far have been satisfactory to the contractors and Commissioners.
New Workshop.
The building for use of the Works, recommended by the Commissioners in their report of last year, and authorized by the Town at the annual meeting in April, 1879, has been com- pleted, and gives all the needed room for Superintendent, workmen, and storage of materials. The building is one story, ten feet stud, and tinned roof. The office of Superintendent is thirteen by fifteen feet, with an adjoining room for storing the more valuable materials used in pipe laying. These rooms are connected with one twenty-four by twenty-six feet, used for storing finished pipe and the heavier materials, in rear of which is the workshop, eighteen by thirty-six feet, in which are all the needed arrangements for lining pipe, of sizes from one half inch to twelve inches in diameter.
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