Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1946, Part 8

Author:
Publication date: 1946
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 398


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GRANOLITHIC SIDEWALK & CURBING


Court St. at Railroad ave., the old sidewalk was re- moved, clay taken out and refilled with gravel. A cement top 60'x8"x4" was replaced over the gravel base. Corner Court St. and No. Park Ave., the old curb was removed, a new cement curb rebuilt, 30'x7"x18". Spooner St., 75 feet of the old cement curb was taken out and reset where the frost had pushed it up and out of line. 30 feet of new cement curb was rebuilt where the old curb was broken. Russell St., from Bartlett St., to a distance of 120', a new cement crub was built. The old paving stones were removed and the gutter was brought up to grade with gravel and resurfaced with tar and stone. Court St.,


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at Shwom's store, the old sidewalk was removed where the tree roots had raised up and 60 sq. yds. of new side- walk was rebuilt. Two cement slabs in front of Alve's Shoe Store was taken care of at the same time. Sand- wich St., in front of the property of Mrs. Sullivan, 38 sq. yds. of cement sidewalk was taken out and rebuilt where the water stood after each rainstorm. The old sidewalk had settled down about 11/2". Corner Russell and Court Sts., four new slabs were rebuilt where a tree was blown down from one of our heavy windstorms. These slabs covered an area of 15' by 17'. Several cement slabs in other sections of the town have been taken out and re- built where tree roots and frost have raised them and made conditions dangerous.


The gravel roads in the outlying districts have been scraped and gravelled in places most needed. This fall the brush along the sides of the roads were cut in places that were very narrow.


NEW TRUCKS


Two new trucks were purchased in 1946 by the High- way Department. The 1935 Chevrolet pick-up was re- placed with a 1946 Studebaker pick-up and a 1937 Ford dump truck was replaced by a 1946 Ford dump truck.


Line and grades for street and sewer work have been done by the Town Engineer, Edward Chase, and records of same filed in his office.


Respectfully submitted,


ELMER C. CHANDLER,


Superintendent of Streets & Sewers.


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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH BOARD OF HEALTH 1946


During the past year the usual health activities have been carried out by your Board of Health.


The report on contagious diseases show a large de- crease in the number of scarlet fever cases. We hope this will continue through the year 1947. Measels have been more prevalent. Generally throughout the State there has been a serious development of the increased number of diphtheria cases reported. Statistics show the number of cases double the number reported for any of the years beginning with 1937, and considerably exceeded the fig- ure for 1935.


With the report that diphtheria is on the increase, it is recommended by your Board of Health to have your chil- dren immunized after the age of six months, and especi- ally before entering school. All parents should protect their children from any contagious disease. Immuniza- tion in most cases give little reaction.


Once each year a clinic is held at the Board of Health rooms for immunization against diphtheria. We hope all mothers will avail themselves of this opportunity.


The work for tuberculosis control has been carried on as usual. There have been 45 person examined and x-rayed at the Plymouth County Hospital during the year, some arrested cases, but mostly contacts.


Weekly clinics are held at the Board of Health rooms on each Monday, which take care of veneral diseases, vaccinations, etc. of persons unable to pay for treatment.


All cases of contagion requiring hospitalization have been sent to the Haynes Memorial, although we still con- tribute to the maintenance of the contagious wing at the Jordan Hospital.


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We again emphasize the necessity of reporting all cases of contagious diseases to the office of the Board of Health. If there is no physician called a member of the household must make the report, as required by the General Laws.


The following table shows the number of contagious diseases reported for the year ending December 31, 1946.


Jan.


Feb.


Mar.


Apr.


May


June


July


Aug.


Sept.


Oct.


Dec.


Nov. Total


Chicken-pox


1


0


3


3


3


1


0


0


0


0 1 0


2


21


Meningitis


0


0


0


0


0


0


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


Malaria


1


0


0


0


0


0


0


0


0


0


0


0


1


German Measles


1


0


1


0


0


1


2


0


0


0


0


1


6


Scarlet Fever


7


8


9


5


3


1


0


0


2


1


0


3 39


Measles


1


0


0


0


0


1


6


1 12


0


0


0


0


2


Pul. Tuberculosis


0


0


1


0


0


0


0


0


1


0


0


0


2


T. B. Other Forms


0


1


0


0


0


0


0 0


0 0


0 0


0


0


0


1


Whooping Cough


1


0


0


0


0


0


Gonorrhea


1


0


0


1


5


0


0


0


0


1


2 1


2 1


12


Syphilis


1


2


1


0


5


0


2


0


4


2


19


0


3


0


2


2


6


3


2


Regular inspections of all eating establishments have been made at periodic intervals. Restaurant utensils are swabbed for bacteria counts, of which most reports are very favorable.


All milk sold in Plymouth is analyzed regularly at the Steele Laboratory in East Bridgewater. Mr. Steele is very cooperative handling other problems, such as check- ing pasteurization plants, keeping our local milk at a high standard.


The dump on South Pond is well established, equiped with an electric pump for water supply. We wish to ex- press our appreciation for the cooperation shown when closing Obery Street dump.


0 15 0 36


Mumps


0


1


0


1


0


0


0


0


2


0


0


3


0


1 12


Dog Bite


0


155


r


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Licenses and Permits issued by the Board of Health:


34 Sale of Methyl or Wood Alchol


1 Mfg. Non -Alcoholic Beverages


3 Mfg. Frozen Desserts


3 Massuer


4 Pasteurization Plants


8 Slaughter


2 Funeral Directors


133 For sale of Milk


29 To operate Recreational Camps


37 For sale of Oleomargarine


1 Mfg. Sausage


1 To operate Poultry Slaughter House


Permits- 20


Wholesale Milk


283 Plumbing


9 Collection of Rubbish


2 Collection of Garbage


1 Empty Cesspools


All complaints, which are many, are investigated by our sanitary inspector, most of which are corrected in a reasonable manner.


The garbage truck is covering more territory each year, adding more mileage and more collections.


MEDORA V. EASTWOOD, M. D., Chairman.


HERBERT S. MAXWELL PAUL W. BITTINGER


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REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE


The Director of Veterans' Services submits herewith his report for the year 1946.


A statistical break-down of work done for veterans during the year reads as follow:


Affidavits


46


Applications for Pensions


50


Apprenticeships 319


Candidates for Admission


to schools & Colleges 206


State Recognition Forms


847


Unused Leave Pay Forms


139


All Other Forms


471


Hospitalized


41


Interviews


2260


Letters Received


574


Letters Sent


944


Loan Referrals


83


Telephone Calls Received


361


Telephone Calls Sent


91


Visits of State & Federal Officials 29


Visits by Secretary to V. A.


Disabled Vets, Hospitals,


etc. 34


Notices (Summer School for Veterans)


Courtesy Mr. Mongan 1050


Effective December 30, 1946, the Board of Selectmen accepted with regret the resignation of Brigadier-General Andrew J. Carr from the Office of Director of Veterans' Services, General Carr having reached retirement age during the year. Thomas F. Quinn was appointed to suc- ceed him.


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The financial statement is submitted herewith: REHABILITATION COMMITTEE (January - March 1946)


Balance from 1945


$1500.11


Payments: Salaries


Secretary


$455.00


Clerical Assistance


280.00


735.00


Other Expenses


Stationery, Printing,


Postage 45.70


Telephone


13.11


58.81


Total Payments to March 31


793.81


Balance to Advisory & Finance Committee $706.30


VETERANS' SERVICE (April - December 1946)


$6000.00


Appropriation


Payments:


Salaries


Secretary


$1015.00


Clerical Assistance


780.00


Vacation Clerk


60.00


1855.00


Other Expenses


Stationery, Printing,


Postage


88.58


New Typewriter


104.78


Other Equipment


41.85


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Telephone 37.98


273.19


Total Payments to December 31 2128.19


Balance Remaining $3871.81


Respectfully Submitted,


THOMAS F. QUINN


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REPORT OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS


Men Women


Added to Voting List


By registration


400


247


Returned to list thru error


2


Removed from Voting List Not listed in January 1946


55


44


By reason of Death


67


36


Change of name by marriage


55


Moved from Plymouth


3


2


Registered Voters of the Town


December 31, 1946


3713


3347


In accordance with the requirements of Chapter 440 of the General Laws, listing was made of all persons, male or female, twenty years of age and older.


Such Assistant Registrars as were necessary to carry out the provisions of this act were appointed, and ad- ditional clerical help was engaged to compile and com- plete this work, which has now become the duty of the Registrars by legislative enactment. Alphabetical lists were prepared and printed in pamphlet form for use of the Assessors and public distribution, as provided in Section 4 of this chapter.


ENRICO FERRARI JOSEPH R. STEFANI WALTER R. ROBERTS HERBERT K. BARTLETT


Board of Registrars of Voters.


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DEPARTMENT FOR THE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen:


I hereby submit a summary of Building Permits issued during the year ending December 31, 1946.


No. Kind


Est. Cost


29 One Family Dwellings


$139,600


65 Summer Camps


85,850


24 Garages 18,800


28 Other Buildings


252,910


81 Additions & Alterations to Dwellings 82,695


52 Additions & Alterations to other Buildings 122,750


279


$702,600


Respectfully submitted,


THOMAS A. BODELL, Building Inspector.


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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS


The Park Commissioners submit their report for the. year 1946.


The Training Green, Bates Park, Park Avenue, and Spooner Park have had their usual care and have been kept neat and clean during the year.


The Nelson Street and Indian Reservation Camps have shown a marked increase in attendance. At Indian Res- ervation much work has been done cleaning after the 1944 Hurricane. Work was necessarily limited on this project as the department was limited to 105 gallons of gasoline per quarter, about one gallon per day during the war. The fence around the Indian Burying Ground has been repaired.


The November gale caused extensive damage to the bath house and parking area at Beach Park. The bath house, parking area, and beach have been put in a usable condition, but owing to the shortage of materials there is much more repair work to be done in the Spring. A jetty has been built North of the bath house, making a great improvement to the beach. The wall directly in front of the bath house has been rip-rapped. The sea wall that was destroyed by the storm, South of the bath house has not as yet been replaced or repaired. The re- pairing of this was left to the Selectmen's Department at their request.


Stephens Field has been very popular the past season, featuring Baseball, Softball, Football, and Bathing. The Plymouth Town Team have conducted Baseball Games each Sunday afternoon and the Plymouth Twilight League have played most every evening. During the day it was used constantly by the younger people.


The High School Girls' Hockey Team played their games here, and the Plymouth High Football Team used


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it for practice almost every afternoon and played their home games here. The All Veterans' Football Club used it also for their games featuring one Flood Light Game. The playground apparatus was popular with the young folks. The Swimming Instructor and Recreational Leader had very good attendance at her classes.


The Nelson Street Playground had a very good at- tendance at the Swimming Classes. Softball was played by the Plymouth Softball League during the season and all games were well attended. Rip-rap has been placed in front of the sea wall directly in front of the bath house.


Veteran's Field has enjoyed its usual popularity, es- pecially in the evening. 693 lineal feet of Chain Link Fence has been erected, enclosing the entire field.


The Standish Avenue Playground has been used ex- tensively this season. The Olympic Garibaldi Club have played their games there on Saturday and Sunday after- noons. The cement stadium has been erected and the ball diamond put in a usable condition. It will be com- pleted this Spring.


Morton Park has been very popular this season, more than usual. It was used as a picnic ground as well as a bathing beach. Considerable work has been done trim- ming trees and clearing after the Hurricane. The brush needs to be cut and the pine trees trimmed. This work should be done right away to eliminate a fire hazard. We are asking an appropriation of $2,000.00 for this work.


The Summer St. Playground has been well attended. Softball has been very popular at this field. See-Saws have been erected for the younger people. New play- ground apparatus will be erected in the Spring.


The South St. Playground has been well attended and a new piece of equipment will be erected in the Spring. The Plymouth Athletic Association erected a Memorial in memory of the three boys from South St. who died


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while in the Service of their Country. The Memorial was dedicated on July 4th, 1946.


The loam the Park Dept. was authorized to buy at the Oct. Town Meeting has been delivered at Standish Ave., Veteran's Field, Summer St., Nelson St., and the rest has been stored at Stephen's Field.


The portable band stand has been built and will be ready for use this coming season.


The 1936 Studebaker truck has been replaced with a 1947 Studebaker Truck.


The receipts from the Nelson Street Camping Ground was $1,588.35 for the year 1946 in comparison with $1,262.35 for 1945. The Indian Reservation receipts were $1,188.50 for 1946 in comparison with $381.00 for 1945. The bath house receipts are as follows:


1946


1945


Beach Park


$470.15


$352.78


Stephens Field


19.50


9.20


Morton Park


51.10


30.80


We regret to report the passing of one of our em- ployees, Mr. Albert Morton, Caretaker of Brewster Gar- den for the past 11 years. Mr. Morton took great pride in Brewster Garden and the Department misses him greatly. A new cement floor has been put in the tool house at Brewster Garden and new guard rails have been put on the bridge spanning Town Brook. The plants which us- ually came up each Spring failed this year, so had to be planted over. The flowers were late, but were in bloom up until the last of Nov. The Department takes this op- portunity to thank the Town Brook Society and the Gar- den Club for their cooperation and help which is greatly appreciated.


The Department also wishes to thank Stevens, the Florist, and Mrs. Barke for their contribution of potted plants.


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The Committee on Memorial Trees met several times and it was their opinion that nothing should be done until the layout of the field at Standish Ave. had been entirely planned and a suitable appropriation made, as the appropriation asked for and granted was inadequate.


Respectively Submitted, BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS


Edward J. E. Hand, Chairman John Siever Arthur Sirrico Clifton C. Wood, Superintendent


EIGHTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


Water Commissioners


AND


Superintendent


OF THE


Town of Plymouth


1946


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REPORT Of The WATER COMMISSIONERS NINETY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT


The Board of Water Commissioners submits its ninety- second report, covering the year 1946.


The water supply conditions were favorable during the year and the level of Great South Pond varied less than one foot. On December 31, 1946 it stood at 104.6 which is about where it was at the beginning of the year. The total rainfall was 42.12 inches which is about 3.18 inches less than the average. The heavy rainfall in August prevented the usual lowering of the ponds in the late summer.


SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION


The change in the suction piping at the Lout Pond pumping station, which was the first recommendation of Metcalf and Eddy, referred to in our report for 1945, has been completed and the surge tank removed. This work was arranged for in 1945, and the cost was reserved from our 1945 Maintenance appropriation, although it was not completed until 1946.


Considerable progress has been made in the develop- ment of a larger supply of ground water for the Manomet area. A new 12" stabilized gravel packed well has been constructed by the R. E. Chapman Co. of Oakdale. The bottom of this well is about 100 ft. below the surface: Careful tests were made of its capacity and the engineers and the Department of Public Health advise us that it may be counted upon to yield at least 700 gallons per minute, which is 200 gallons in excess of the amout guar- anteed by the Chapman Co. The quality of the water is excellent. Plans and specifications have been prepared and contracts are being awarded for the pumping equip- ment, controls, new 10 inch main to the Harlow tank and the construction of a small station building. Deliveries of construction material are so slow and uncertain that we cannot be assured that the new plant will be in oper- ation this summer. Because of this uncertainty the Board -


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is arranging to hire a pump diesel engine to pump from the 8" test well, as was done last summer. With this temp- orary installation, a supply of about 300 gallons per min- ute was secured from this smaller well and by operating from eight to fifteen hours per day throughout the season the demands for water from that area were taken care of.


No progress has been made with the pipe laying work authorized under the 1946 Special Construction appro- priation because we have been unable to secure delivery of the necessary pipe and fittings. Orders were placed for this material in April 1946 but up to this time, deliveries have not been in sufficient quantity to start the work. It will go forward as soon as possible.


EXTENSIONS


Many request have been received for the extension of our mains to supply new houses. The Commissioners be- lieve that the Town should try to make such extensions, when located on a layed-out way, as an encouragement to home builders and to assist in the development of the Town even if the immediate revenue would not appear to justify the cost. However, it should be emphasized that anyone planning to build where the water mains are not already available, should find out if and when any nec- essary extension can be made. Prices have advanced very sharply and we have already referred to the difficulty of securing delivery of construction materials. In order that we may be able to make the extensions which appear most urgent if material can be secured, we are asking for an appropriation for construction of $20,000.00. The spec- ial construction appropriation in 1945 was for specific purposes and cannot be used for extensions.


During the year the Water Department was notified that the White Horse Beach Water Company had gone out of business. It had supplied about 40 takers in that area for many years. In order that these people might not be without water we purchased the pipes of the Company for $200.00 and connected them to our mains. These pipes are small and not in good condition. They are layed near


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the surface of the ground and cannot be used during cold weather. They should be replaced by new mains, but the streets are narrow and have never been layed out by the Board of Survey or accepted by the Town and some special arrangement may be required before this can be done.


RESERVOIR


A much needed improvement has been made at the Lout Pond reservoir. For some time it has been necessary to carry the water level in this reservoir two or three feet above the stone rip-rap which was built many years ago. This rip-rap has now been built to the top of the bank, about 201 tons of stone being used, and it is now much better protection against erosion. The fence around this reservoir is in very poor condition and we are asking for an appropriation to build a new chain link fence in order to afford better protection to this important part of our water system.


SERVICE TO TOWN DEPARTMENTS


The Town has been supplied with water by its munici- pal system since 1855. During the years since that time the Water Commissioners have frequently reminded the citizens that the value of the water system to the Town must be measured not only by its cash receipts and the service and protection to its homes, factories and places of business, but also by the unrecorded value of the water supplied for many community purposes for which no charge is made. These free services include the fol- lowing:


335 Public Fire Hydrants and 73 private hydrants


Town offices, and other Town buildings, School houses


Oak Grove, Vine Hills, St. Joseph, Chiltonville and Manomet Cemeteries


State Wharf and parks adjacent thereto


Town parks, playgrounds and bath houses


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As these services are not metered, we have no means of estimating the quantity of water consumed, but it is very considerable.


PURCHASES OF LAND TO PROTECT THE WATER SUPPLY


In order to further protect our water supply, we are asking the Town for appropriations to purchase the land on Little South Pond owned by Mrs. Alice E. Card and by John H. Faulkner. These purchases will remove the only dwellings remaining on the shores of Minot K. Holmes etal, which adjoins land already owned by the Town and includes part of the shore of both Little South and Great South Ponds.


1946 COLLECTIONS


Town System


$42,345.58


Manomet System 7,734.72


$50,080.30


APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR 1947.


Maintenance


$31,375.00


Salaries


18,744.00


Construction (Exts. new Serv. etc.) 20,000.00


New fence around the Lout Pond


Reservoir 2,300.00


Purchase of land at Little South Pond:


`John H. Faulkner 1,600.00


Alice E. Card 1,000.00


Minot K. Holmes, etal 2,000.00


For further information regarding the operations of the Water Department, please refer to the report of Theodore Brink, Superintendent, and the statistics which follow.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWARD R. BELCHER, Chairman. RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE, Secretary. C. BROOKS HUDSON DANIEL F. MULCAHY ARTHUR ADDYMAN


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SUMMARY OF STATISTICS


(Published by request of the New England Water Works Association, Plymouth, Mass., Water Works.)


Population, 13,175.


Date of Construction, 1855.


By whom owned, Town.


Source of Supply, Great and Little South Ponds and Wells at Manomet System.


Mode .of Supply, Gravity for low service and Pumping for high service, Wells.


PUMPING


Builders of pumping machinery, Fairbanks-Morse and Wolverine-Gould.


Amount used, 10,3051/2 gallons.


Pumpage for the year:


Fairbanks-Morse, 176,513,000 gals.


Wolverine-Gould, 182,260,000 gals.


NHS (Electric) 16,053,000 gals.


374,826,000 gals.


Average static head, 68 ft.


Average dynamic head, 74.5 ft.


Number gals. per gal. fuel oil:


Fairbanks-Morse


38,041


Wolverine-Gould, 32,170


Duty of Pumps:


Fairbanks-Morse, 174,827,300


Wolverine-Gould, 147,844,000


COST OF PUMPING FIGURED ON PUMPING


STATION EXPENSES, VIZ: $9,800.59.


Per million gallons against dynamic head into direct pipe, $26.148.


Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic), $0.3509.


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COST OF PUMPING FIGURED ON TOTAL MAINTENANCE, VIZ: $37,339.78.


Per million gallons against dynamic head into direct pipe, $99.625.


Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic), $1.337.


STATISTICS ON CONSUMPTION OF WATER


Total population, estimated 13,175.


Estimated population on pipe line, 12,500.


Estimated population supplied, 12,500.


Total consumption for the year, 496,191,000 gallons.


Average daily consumption, 1,360,000 gallons. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 103. Gallons per day to each tap, 365.


STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION


SYSTEM


Kind of pipe, Cement lined sheet iron and Cement lined cast iron.


Sizes, from 2-inch to 30-inch.


Extended, 680 feet.


Discontinued, None.


Total now in use, 79 miles, 1,433 feet.


Cost to repair per mile, $5.89.


Number of leaks per mile, 0.138.


Small distribution pipe less than 4-inches, 8 miles, 3,511 feet.


Hydrants now in use, 335 public; 73 private.


Stop gates added, 1. Discontinued, None. Number now in use, 878.


SERVICES


Kind of pipe, Lead and Cement lined. Sizes, from one-half inch to six inches. Total now in use, 10 miles, 3,188 feet. Service taps added, 141. Discontinued, None. Total now in use, 3,717.


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Average length of service, 11.5 ft. Average cost per service, $27.09. Number of meters added, 64. Number now in use, 2,919. Percentage of services metered, 78.5%.


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


To The Board of Water Commissioners.


Gentlemen:


Another year of difficulity in obtaining material to work with, resulting in our being unable to carry out all of the work that had been planned. In April 1946, 2.7 miles of 6", 8" and 10" pipe, with fittings, as well as hyd- rants and gates, were ordered. To date, only 560 feet of 10" pipe has been received and about one-half of the fit- tings. Gate boxes and sidewalk boxes are not being man- ufactured.


The 1945 report records a 6" main having been laid in Braley Lane during that year which could not be con- nected because it was impossible to obtain the necessary fittings. The past year it was possible to make this con- nection. Also, one new hydrant was set on this line.


In Coles Lane, 680 feet of 2" galvanized main that had been abandoned was put in service again to supply water to a new house that was built in that locality.


A 6"fire springler line was connected for the Art Jewel- ry on Main Street.


Several hydrants broken during the year necessitated repairs and several other hydrants that had been in ser- vice a great many years were replaced with new ones. More such replacements will be taken care of the coming year. The usual hydrant inspections were made and all are in working condition. Painting of hydrants had to be




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