USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1894-1896 > Part 5
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RESERVOIRS.
Both high and low service reservoirs are in good condi- tion. The weeds have been cut down and removed, both Inside and outside the enclosure, at a cost of $81.00
93
BUTMENTS AT THE PONDS.
The butments at Little South Pond, and Great South Pond have been inspected and put in good condition at a cost of $21.10. The butment at Lout Pond has not had any repairs the past year. All three butments are in good condition. Two new screens have been put in at the Pump Station at a cost of $8.54.
3
TELEPHONE AND TELE-HYDROBAROMETER.
There have been some repairs on the transmitter and wires, the receiver in the office has been oiled and put in order; the batteries have been charged; the cost of repairs and maintenance has been $29.26.
PUMPING STATION.
The boilers have been regularly inspected, and are in good condition, the boiler room has had some minor repairs at a cost of $6.00. The chambers of the house have been painted, and some other repairs, such as new locks, repair- ing of water pipes, roof over the back staircase, at a cost of $20.75. A new coal shed has been built this year with stone and brick foundation, which will last many years, at a cost of $346.65.
NEW TAKERS.
There have been added to the water takers this year 43 tenements, 82 water closets, 22 bath tubs, 5 stables, 2 meat markets, 1 restaurant and 1 office.
There have been 10 water closets put in the school houses this year that the Water Department makes no charge for,
94
and are not included in the 82 water closets above, which makes a total of 92 water closets the past year.
BOXES.
Fifty-nine service boxes and seven gate boxes have been replaced by new ones at a cost of $86.50.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS AND STAND PIPES.
There have been two new drinking fountains added this year, making the whole number seven. There are five standpipes. There has not been any addition the past year. All are in good condition.
WORK SHOP.
There have been a few minor repairs on the shop this year at a cost of $3.97.
LABOR.
Whole amount expended during the year :
For-
Labor on extensions . $387 20
trenching for service pipe. 45 35
on reservoirs and butments at ponds . . 158 52
Labor on coal shed 88 60
All other labor 1,392 73
$2,072 40
·
95
Amount received for labor, trenching. $313 80 Amount received for shutting off ser-
vices 105 00
418 80
Total cost of labor during the year less re-
funded $1,653 60
SCHEDULES
Showing the number of feet of each size pipe, and num- ber and size of gates on the works December 31, 1894.
SIZE IN INCHES.
LENGTH OF PIPE IN FEET.
NO. OF GATES.
NO. OF CHECK
VALVES.
NO. OF AIR
VALVES.
NO. OF 10-INCHI
NO. OF 6-INCH
BLOW-OFFS.
NO. OF 4-INCH
BLOW-OFFS.
NO. OF 2-INCH
BLOW-OFFS.
NO. OF HY- DRANTS.
20
65
16
7,515
2
2
1
1
1
2
12
64
2
10
19,749
20
2
5
1
1
6
8
4,732
11
10
6
13,167
26
2
15
4
71,014
115
3
1
7
54
3
9.562
18
1
1
1
2
40,281
100
3
5
1
1
1,177
6
780
1
176,358
307
3
23
2 | 2
1
5
13
89
14
8,252
6
1
8
BLOW-OFFS.
- -
Thirty-three miles and 2,118 feet of main and distribution pipes, the street length of service pipes being 28,801 feet, with the main and distribution pipes makes a total of 205,-
2
96
159 feet of pipe, or 38 miles and 4,519 feet. Hydrants on high service, 53; hydrants on low service, 36; post hydrants, 45 ; flush hydrants, 44; private hydrants, 16. Whole num- ber of hydrants available, 105.
STOCK AND TOOLS ON HAND.
Stock and tools on January 1, 1894. .. $1,283 46
Furniture in office January 1, 1894. . . 229 50
$1,512 96
Stock and tools on January 1, 1895. . $1,377 72
Furniture in office January 1, 1895. . 304 50
1,682 22
Increase for the year $169 26
Stock and tools at pumping station
January 1, 1894 $631 20
Stock and tools at pumping station January 1, 1895 720 10
Increase for the year .
$88 90
Total stock and tools on hand January 1, 1895 .. $2,402 32
97
WEATHER RECORD
Showing the rain-fall and melted snow for the last twelve months, kindly furnished by Miss Louisa&B. Knapp, volun- teer observer for the New England Meterological Society :
MONTHS.
RAINFALL ..
January
3.50 inches
February
4.85
March
1.56
66
April .
3.97 66
May
4.35
June
1,54
66
July
1.08
66
August
0.73
1
September
2.37
66
October
7.97
66
November
4.98
66
December
5.78
66
In the year
1894
42.68 inches
1893
48.33
1892
37.90
1891
44.65
66
1890
51.80
66
1889
49.14 66
1888
50.28
1887
43.14 66
Yours respectfully,
R. W. BAGNELL, Sup't.
7
PUMPING RECORD FOR THE YEAR 1894.
MONTHS.
HOURS RUN.
COAL USED FOR PUMPING, HEATING AND BANKING.
NO. OF REVOLU- TIONS.
NUMBER OF GALLONS PUMPED.
DUTY.
AVERAGE HEAD.
No. of Gallons Average No. of pumped with pounds of coal per day one pound of coal.
January,
132
18,500 lbs.
164,000
7,793,280
22,187,385
66 feet.
421.25
596.77
February,
123
17,550
156,000
7,413,120
23,250,585
422.4
626.78
March,
118
17,250
150,500
7,151,760
22,521,792
414.61
556.45
April,
110
16,300
142,500
6,771,600
22,868,928
415.43
543.33
May,
147
18,800
190,000
9.028,800
26,422,496
66
480.25
606.45
June,
183
22,050
66
237,000
11,262,240
28,113,723
66
510.75
735.
July,
217
25,600
252,500
11,998,800
25,799,122
468.7
825.8
August,
2383
27,800
66
285,000
13,543,200
26,815,235
6
487.16
896.77
September,
193
22,300
219,500
10,430,640
25,746,831
467.75
743.33
October,
1373
18,950
164,500
7,817,040
22,711.704
412.61
611.29
November,
1353
18.900
164,500
7,817,040
22,766,198
66
413.6
630.
December,
1433
19,750
6
173,000
8,220,960
22,358,872
416.2
637.09
Average head for year 66 ft. dynamic. Average duty for year, 24,670,170. The above figures are a report of the year 1894, and are correct to the best of my knowledge.
Average number of gallons to one pound of coal, 448.19 Average number of pounds of coal per day, 667.8.
W. A. H. JONES, Engineer in Charge,
98
Totals,
1878
243,750 lbs.
2,299,000
109,248,480
66
99
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE, ROOM 140, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS., Dec. 22, 1894.
Mr. R. W. Bagnell, Supt. Water Works, Plymouth, Mass .:
Dear Sir,-The organism uroglena has recently re-ap- peared in the water of Little South Pond, and for this rea- son we would like to get some extra samples from the pond. I have therefore, sent you two bottles for the purpose.
Will you kindly have them filled on Wednesday next, if convenient, and return as usual.
Yours truly, X. H. GOODNOUGH, Ass't Engineer.
EALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, PLYMOUTH. WATER ANALYSIS -(PARTS IN 100,000).
ec 1894
APPEARANCE.
ODOR.
RESIDUE ON EVAPORA- TION.
AMMONIA.
DATE OF
"BER.
Turbidity
Sediment
Color ..
Cold.
Hot.
Total.
Fixed .
Free.
Total
In Solution ....
In Suspension.
13,452
*6
Very Slight,
Slight,
0.00
Decidedly oily.
Strongly oily.
2.65 0.75 1.90
.0006
.0144
.0124
.0020
.67
.0000
.0000
.1078
0.5
.0010
13,453
16
None,
0.00
None.
None.
3.90
-
-
.0004
.0012
-
-
.85
.0250
.0000
.0102
0.3
.0000
13,459
¥10
11
Slight,
Very Slight,
0.02
Distinctly oily.
Strongly oily.
2.60 0.55 2.05
.0006
.0212
.0162
.0050
.70
.0000
.0000
.1001
0.0
.0010
13,460
§10
11
Very Slight,
Very Slight,
0.02
Decidedly oily.
Strongly oily.
2.55 0.65 1.90
.0000
.0168
.0152
.0052
.68
.0000
-0000
.1116
0.3
.0010
13,626
Jan.1895 8 - 9
Very slight scum,
Slight yellow scum,
0,04
Distinctly sweetish.
Decidedly vegetable and sweet corn.
1.85 0.40 1.45
.0002
.0134
.0104
.0030
.56
.0000
.0000
.1022
0.3
.0020
*Tap at Town House.
+Cold Spring. #Little South Pond,
§Tap on Howland Street.
100
Chlorine ..
NITROGEN AS
Oxygen consumed.
Hardness
Iron
Collection.
Examinalion.
....
.....
Loss on Ignition ..
Albuminoid.
Nitrates
Nitrites
Very Slight,
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
H. P. Bailey, Chief;
A. E. Davis, Clerk;
Geo. E. Saunders,
Wm. E. Baker,
J. M. Bosworth, E. D. Bartlett.
The Board of Fire Engineers respectfully present their annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1894.
The working force of the Department is the same as last year, and consists of a board of six engineers and 155 men, as follows :
Two steamer companies of 30 men each, one steamer company of 15 men, two hook and ladder companies of 16 men each, one chemical engine company of 16 men, one chemical engine company of eight men, four hose companies of six men each.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the Department consists of three steam fire engines, two hook and ladder trucks, two chemical en- gines and four hose carts. All are now in good working order.
102
Some changes in location of apparatus have been made the past year. No. 2 steamer has been located at the engine house on South Street ; the small chemical in house of No. 5 hose, on Watson's Hill ; hose No. 5 in room in rear of central engine house, on Main Street.
HOSE.
The supply of hose is the same as last year-5,500 feet. None has been purchased the past year. The hose is in good condition.
BUILDINGS.
The buildings occupied by the Department are owned by the Town, with one exception. That occupied by Hose 3 is rented from Mr. Seth Paty, andlocated on Whiting Street. All the above buildings are in fair condition and well suited for the purpose, except the building on South Street, occupied by steamer No. 2 and ladder No. 1. We find these quarters rather crowded with these two large companies ; and we also feel the need of a tower on this building to dry the hose, and hope the Town will give us money next year to enlarge and improve this building.
HYDRANTS.
The number of hydrants belonging to the Town is 89. Two have been added the past year-one near the Standish Mills, on Billington Street, and one on Water Street, near the electric-light station. There are 16 hydrants owned by
103
private parties. The new hydrants are all in good order. We have some old ones about worn out, and will soon need to be replaced with new.
RESERVOIRS.
The five reservoirs belonging to the Town are in good condition and kept full.
FIRES IN 1894.
The following fires and alarms have occurred the past year, as follows :
April 5, 11:55 p. m., from Box 54, B. L. Bramhall's store ; loss on building and stock, $1,900-insured.
May 29, 4 a. m., from Box 37, at Atlantic House, on Mur- ray Street; loss on buildings, $800-insured.
July 3, 11:55 p. m., from Box 37, shoe factory, on Water Street; loss on building $118, stock $1,527.31-insured.
September 21, 1 p. m., from Box 38, in shoe shop on Howland street; damage slight; cause, exploded kerosene- oil lamp.
September 11:55 p. m., from Box 54, fire in Avery & Doten's printing office, in basement ; no damage.
FINANCE. CR.
By-
Appropriation, 1894, maintenance $4,500 00
DR.
To-
Expenditures, running expenses
$4,551 43
Overdrawn $51 43
104
APPROPRIATION.
We estimate that an appropriation of $5,000 will meet the running expenses of the Department the coming year, and this sum is recommended.
RECOMMENDATION.
We feel that some alterations must be made at the South Street engine house, if the steamer is to be kept there; and we would recommend that the building be enlarged, and that a tower be built for drying hose.
We estimate that these changes can be made at a cost of $1,500, and hope the Town will appropriate this sum, so that the work may be done the coming year.
H. P. BAILEY, Chief.
SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
MORTON PARK ACCOUNT.
Undrawn balance from 1893
$0 61
Received from sale of 38-3 cords of wood 119 44
$120 05
Expended for-
Labor
$97 22
Printing
7 00
Tools
6 50
110 72
Undrawn
$9 33
BATES PARK ACCOUNT.
Undrawn balance from 1893. $14 73
Expended for labor on grounds and walks 8 34
Undrawn $6 39
106
BURTON PARK ACCOUNT.
Undrawn balance from 1893
$4 73
Expended for labor 1 64
Undrawn.
$3 09
BEACH PARK ACCOUNT.
Undrawn balance from 1893 .
$16 79
Received for two bathing house permits 2 00
Expended for- $18 79
Painting settees
$1 75
Printing 2 00
3 75
Undrawn
$15 04
TRAINING GREEN ACCOUNT.
Appropriation
$200 00
Expended for-
Hose.
$12 50
Labor on gravel walks, and rolling grass 24 23
Labor on board walks 10 90
Painting settees . 2 00
B. E. Blackmer, care of Green 125 00
174 63
Undrawn
$25 37
107
As no appropriation was made for any of the parks this year, nothing could be done to improve them and little to maintain them with the undrawn balances from the year 1893.
At Morton Park a considerable part of the money received from the sale of wood was spent in removing from the roads and paths the trees and branches which were broken by unusual lodgments of snow in two storms of the year.
Besides the amount of expenditures charged in the Mor- ton Park account, an additional sum of $204.79 has been paid, by the Commissioners personally, for labor needed to keep the roads and paths in condition for use, and to guard against fire risks, and in cutting trees that grew near the young whitepines that are found in great numbers among thick growths of oak. It was necessary to thin the oaks that the new growth of pine may have room to grow, and a chance to become a prominent and desirable feature in the years to come. The whitepine and sweet chestnut groves are making rapid growth.
If the Town desires to make this park more and more valuable in the purpose it serves, some money should be spent each year to improve the roads and paths, and to plant new trees. Many small trees can be planted at little cost.
The plan that has been followed, looking to the permanent improvement of Morton Park, well accords with the teach- ings of those to whom we look as authority in such matters.
We take the liberty to quote an abstract from Garden and Forest," January 9th, 1895, under the heading, "Parks and Park Planting." In defining a park, the editor says :
" We have always used the word park to indicate primarily a place where the mind and body are refreshed by rural scenery. Of course, a park will also furnish fresh air and sunshine, opportuni-
3
108
ties for bodily exercise and rest, but beyond these, and more im- portant than these, is the refreshment of mind which comes from the influence of beautiful natural scenery. The paths and roads are not, therefore, merely places to walk in or drive over ; their fundamental use is to make the scenery of the park available to persons on foot or in carriages or on horseback, so that they may find that relief and repose which natural beauty alone can bring."
" A park is more than mere wood land and field, but, on the other hand, it is not a garden in the narrow sense of the word."
" Of course a park must be beautiful, for if it does not speak to the eye like a picture-it will not appeal to the heart like a song ; and if it shows no refinement of taste it falls far below the rank of what a forest, or meadow, or a vineyard may happen to be. It is a happy accident when a forest, which is treated in strict accordance with the forester's craft, chances also to be striking from a pictorial point ofview, or when a meadow or vine- yard, by reason of the fortunate dispositions of its hills and val- leys, its foliage and its water, is beautiful as well as useful. But the first purpose of a park is to secure these results which in the woods and the meadow are happy accidents. Not only is beauty essential to a park ; its whole value lies in beauty. But it must be that serene and enduring beauty which is embodied in its essential and permanent features, and not merely the transient and superficial beauty of floral embroidery. It must have a dig- nity of expression, and not mere prettiness."
" And since we aim at permanent beauty rather than any tran- sient impression, this explains why tender exotics, which seem to shudder in a cold climate, and imported novelties, which drag out a homesick life in exile, are not to be compared with native Oaks and Pines, which rejoice in the vigor of health, and grow more beautiful through years, and even through centuries."
" This longevity of the noblest trees and their continued growth in dignity and beauty suggest the thought that one who creates a great park must plant for posterity. What is called planting for
109
immediate effect is usually a makeshift, and like other makeshifts, an expensive blunder. Light is the life of plants, and as the whole plant is condemned to death if it gets no light, any part of it which the sunbeams no longer reach is doomed. The advice to set the sapling where it will have enough light when it becomes a tree is simple, but it is constantly disregarded."
TRAINING GREEN has been kept neat and the grass well trimmed by Mr. Blackmer, much to his credit, as nothing less than daily attention would keep it tidy.
BATES PARK AND BURTON PARK have deteriorated some- what for the lack of money to do anything that would result in permanent benefit.
BEACH PARK was made more than usually attractive this year through the public spirit of the Electric Railroad Company in erecting at their own expense and giving to the Town a large pavilion as a resting-place where shelter could be found against sun and storms. The call for money for such purpose not being responded to by the Town, the Commissioners were very glad to receive this help.
The waiting room, supplied with water and toilet rooms, has been a great convenience to the public. Mr. Hodges has taken good care of the premises.
The following rules have been adopted by the Park Com- missioners, under the authority vested in them by the statutes :
Rule No. 1 .- Any person killing a bird or other animal, robbing a nest, discharging firearms or setting a fire within the limits of the park lands belonging to the Town, without permission of the Park Commissioners, will be subject to a fine not less than three dollars nor more than twenty dollars for each offence. Beach Park is excepted from this rule.
al. in is it its nt
be to in be e-
ak
be
ds eir to & F 1! .
to ut ks re
110
Rule No. 2 .- No person shall be allowed to use any public park or any portion thereof for the erection or maintainance of any building, or for the storage or deposit of property of any kind without the consent in writing of the Park Commissioners.
Rule No. 3 .- No person will be allowed to camp at night on any public park without the consent of the Park Commissioners.
The penalty for violating either of the above rules is a fine of not less than three dollars nor more than twenty dollars for each offence.
The total amount of individual contributions to procure the land for Morton Park, and maintain it to this time, has been about $1,600.
The total contributed by the Town has been $2,000, and a few acres of land worth about $100.
The cost so far is very small compared with its value to our community. Perhaps we do not fully realize the bene- fits it confers upon the many who now use it. The benefit to health, and also its elevating influence, is beyond money value. It adds immensely to the attractive interests of our Town for the strangers who annually come to Plymouth, helping to prolong their stay, and tempting them to renew their visits later. Because of its small cost, can we not more highly appreciate it and better afford to maintain and improve it, to the end that we, and generations to follow, may enjoy its benefits ? Let us try to appreciate our good fortune in having a park ready made for us very near the central part of the Town, more attractive for its purposes than parks that cost very large sums of money to create.
The report of the Agent of the Trustees of Public Reserva- tions of Massachusetts, 1893, says : "Plymouth has at present the best system of parks south of Boston. . . I doubt if another town in the country gets so much for the money."
111
A little money well expended yearly upon Bates Park and Burton Park would soon make a great improvement in their appearance, enhance the pleasure of those living in the vicinity, and make them valuable attractions to the Town.
Your Commissioners feel that it is the wish of the Town to avoid unnecessary expenditures during the present period of business depression. Some communities have purposely made unusual appropriations for parks during the last two years, on the ground that the money is mostly spent at home, and goes into the pockets of its laborers at a time when work is scarce ; but this policy is not in favor here. Still, in economizing, we should avoid going to the extreme of wasteful penuriousness. Your Commissioners do not believe that the Town wishes to abandon its parks and allow the ravages of time and storms to destroy the roads and choke its young plantations, and, perhaps, have much of its beautiful growth of woods swept off by fire. It is obvious that labor is needed every year to maintain the roads, guard against fire, and give nature the opportunities for improvement which we know she will promptly avail herself of.
Neglect of maintenance is, in all business, either extrava- gance or mismanagement, and can only be excused by the necessity sometimes caused by exhausted credit. Our Town is in no such predicament, and should be ready to take the " stitch in time which will save nine."
In order that your Commissioners should be in a position to practice that true economy which avoids the wastefulness of neglect, either of maintenance or exceptional opportuni- ties for improvement, they ask for an appropriation of $500, for the care of all the parks, and a further appropriation of $150, for the care of Training Green.
od he es
a- at I he
of ich
blic of in y
Lot und
ire
5
as
nd
to ne- fit ey ur
112
We desire to mention again the need of a sum of money larger than we can reasonably ask the Town to supply, for certain desirable improvements that might be made at Morton Park.
Here is an inviting field for persons of wealth who may desire to do something to benefit Plymouth, and are study- ing how they can be wisely generous.
Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL MORTON, GEORGE R. BRIGGS,
HENRY O. WHITING,
Park Commissioners.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee,
For the Year 1894.
-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Term Expire &
H. N. P. HUBBARD, 1897
GIDEON F. HOLMES, 1897
ELIZABETH THURBER, 1896
CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD, 1895
JAMES MILLAR, 1895
Chairman, CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD. Secretary, ELIZABETH THURBER.
At the annual meeting in March elections must be held for two members of the School Committee for three years, and for one member for one year.
REPORT.
The School Committee respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1894.
At the annual meeting in March, 1894, the Town made the following appropriations :
Support of schools
$26,000 00
School books and supplies
2,000 00
In addition to the above, the School De- partment has placed to its credit. 46 20
Credits $28,046 20
Expenditures for 1894 29,698 83
Balance overdrawn
$1,652 63
CLASSIFIED EXPENDITURES.
Salaries of teachers. $19,420 50
Salary of Superintendent and horse hire . . 1,080 00
Salary of music teacher and horse hire ... 750 00 Books and supplies 1,840 95
Fuel . 1,423 68
Janitors and care of school-houses 1,657 07 Printing 47 40
r
e
116
Truant officer $100 00 Furniture 36 29
Repairs 91I 20
Russell Street 1,724 66
Incidentals
707 08
$29,698 83
The Committee recommend the following appro- priations for the current year :
Support of schools.
$28,000 00
Books and supplies 2,000 00
The amount expended for Schools has ex- ceeded the appropriation by the sum of sixteen hundred and fifty-two dollars and sixty-three cents ($1,652.63).
This was rendered necessary by the condition of the sanitary arrangements at the Russell Street Grammar school-house, which required a change to be made that would be more conducive to the welfare and health of the scholars, to which attention was called by the Board of Health, and by whom it was deemed absolutely necessary.
The outbuildings have been removed, a well-lighted and ventilated cellar constructed under the entire building, in which the sanitary arrangements have been placed, and to which easy access is had from the floor above.
Sufficient room is now available for placing the heating arrangements in the basement, which should
117
be done at an early date, and the old and unsatisfac- tory way of heating by stoves in each room should be abolished.
Early in the year the Primary School-house, on Lincoln Street, was completed, and occupied by the two schools formerly located on South Street. The heating and sanitary arrangements are in the base- ment, the building is well lighted and ventilated, and everything is arranged for the comfort of both teach- ers and scholars.
The Lincoln, Allerton and Spooner buildings are model school-houses, and a credit to the Town.
At a special Town meeting held April 30, 1894, twelve hundred (1,200) dollars was appropriated for the purchase of land and the erection of a school- house at Vallerville or Ship Pond. The work was at once undertaken by the Committee, the contract for building the same awarded to Mr. Ernest B. Jones, and a building satisfactory to the Committee erected, which will probably meet the requirements of that locality for many years. The amount appropriated was sufficient to cover the expense of erecting and furnishing the building.
Mr. Robert B. Blodgett generously presented the Town with half an acre of land on which to erect the school-house, which kind act was duly acknowledged by the Committee, and a vote of thanks for the same forwarded.
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