USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1905 > Part 7
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WILLIAM H. BATES, SAMUEL M. KEHOE.
Water Commissioners.
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Minority Report.
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott :
In the foregoing report, signed by the majority of the Water Commissioners, I strongly take exception to that portion which relates to the reduction of water rates, " One dollar ($1.00) each on first water-closet and first bath," deeming this an unwise measure and wholly unbusinesslike, as I shall hereafter explain.
In their report they say "We feel that the time has arrived for some reduction. The first faucet, for which you now pay $5.50 per year, we favor leaving as at present, but we do believe that we can safely reduce the first bath tub and the first water-closet to $4.50 each upon the fall bill, and to $4.00 on the following spring bill.
In order that I may make myself clear in as concise a man- ner as possible, I will take up the finances of the department from its inception, and try and discuss them from a business standpoint. In 1898 the town of Swampscott purchased the Marblehead Water Co., all its rights and privileges, for the sum of $94,000, and with legal fees and necessary expenses made the total cost $96, 144.40. For this the town issued $100,000 in 3} per cent. 30-year bonds, which were sold at a premium of $5,270, making a total amount received from the sale of bonds $105,270, leaving the department a working balance of $9,125.60. Thus, this amount was not the earnings of the depart- ment from water revenues, but practically a gift. Added to this is the amount received from the sale of a meter, etc., $101.25 ; sale of land, $800; sale of old standpipe, $525; unexpended balance of $20,000; bonds issued to build the new standpipe, $2,237.44 ; sale of boilers, pumps, etc., in old pumping station, $1,237.50; received from the town, account of Walker road, $679.95 ; received from town, account of Thomas road, $561.86 ; making a total of $15,268.60, all unearned revenue.
1
125
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1905]
The unexpended balance in the hands of the town Treasurer at the end of the present fiscal year is $3,058.31, showing that the department has used all the revenue derived from water rates and all of the $15,268.60 unearned revenue, less the bal- ance of this year, $3,058.31, making it clear that the water plant since the town has owned it has not been self-sustaining, and but for this unearned revenue would have been obliged to issue more bonds or call for an appropriation from the town, to be raised by direct taxation. This is why I oppose the lowering of water rates. I believe in running town affairs on the same business principles as an individual would run his own private affairs. This department should be on a paying basis; the present tax rate is sufficiently large now, and it is suicidal to tax further real and personal estate, as will have to be done if the town votes favorably on the suggestion of my colleagues.
The Meter Question.
At the adjourned town meeting in March, 1904, the town appointed the following committee to look into the feasibility of adopting meters for the sale of water: Benjamin G. Ingalls, Joseph M. Bassett, Percy F. Munsey, Henry I. Nesmith, Martin L. Quinn, Edmund Russell, Samuel M. Kehoe, William H. Bates and Charles S. Haskell. This committee, after a very thorough and careful investigation of the subject, voted in favor of meters, excepting Messrs. Bates, Kehoe and Haskell, the rate per 1,000 gallons to be fixed by the Water Commissioners, so as to make the department self-sustaining. As this vote conflicted with the fixed rate as stated in the article in the town warrant, this could not be legally acted upon, and so failed of passage. Soon after this I myself introduced the order in the Water Board to install a few meters to determine what amount of water private houses, blocks, markets, elevators and hotels were using. Pre- viously I had taken a determined stand against any change in the existing way of selling water until such time as the Commission could ascertain from the Metropolitan Water Board what the probable cost would be under the next contract, not knowing
I26
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
what terms for the future could be made. After the installing of the few meters spoken of, and learning the amount of water used by one of our largest takers, which is shown in our report, as having used 4,955,957 gallons of water, for which was paid $479 under the now existing rates, and even at the rate of 20 cents per 1,000 gallons would have paid us $991.19, I have been convinced beyond all doubt that we cannot too quickly install the meter system. The town should allow the Water Commissioners to fix the rate equitable to all, not adopting the minimum rate of this town or that city, but establishing a price commensurate with our expenditures. Let those who use the water pay for it! It must be borne in mind that when the town made its ten-year contract for water it got a most favorable rate, the maximum price being $4,800 for the last three years. Swampscott is outside the Metropolitan District and therefor will be obliged to pay the price asked by the Metropolitan Water Board, which will cer- tainly not be any more favorable than to the cities and towns within the district. If we were paying to-day the price asked those within the district, we should be paying, instead of $4,800, the sum of $8,900 for the current year.
The Metropolitan Water Board have installed meters on the mains supplying every city and town, and now know exactly the number of gallons used by each. All future contracts made by them will be on the basis of the exact amount of water used, as ascertained by meter. Now if we must buy our water by meter measure, is it not good business judgment to sell it the same way. The new contract is but two years off. Now with this big increase of rates to be paid the State, and with the department not now any too strong financially, my associates recommend a reduction in revenue of at least $1,700 per year. If this were a private enterprise, to protect themselves, they would be com- pelled to raise rather than lower rates, or to borrow money.
The following letter has been received by me and is self- explanatory :
127
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1905]
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. METROPOLITAN WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD. Engineering Department-Water Works. I Ashburton Place.
BOSTON, Mass., March 2, 1905.
Mr. C. S. Haskell, Swampscott, Mass .:
DEAR SIR,-In reply to your inquiry regarding the water rates paid by the town of Swampscott, I send the following state- ment showing the amounts paid by the town for each year since 1899, when the present contract was made, also the amounts which would have been paid if the town had been assessed in accordance with the law fixing the assessments of the several cities and towns comprising the Metropolitan District.
Year
Amounts paid by Agreement.
Assessment based on law in force throughout Metropolitan District.
1899
·
. $1,500
$1,600
1900
.
·
2,000
2,200
1901
. 2,500
4,800
1902
. 3,000
5,400
1903
·
3,500
8,600
1904
·
4,100
8,800
1905
·
4,600
8,900
Owing to a change in the law the assessments would have been much larger than the amounts paid under the contract in all the years since 1900. The aggregate amount of these differences since 1900, when the change was made in the method of assess- ment, down to and including the present year, with interest at 4 per cent., is about $20, 100, and I estimate that the deficiency in 1908, when the contract will expire, will amount to about $35,000.
As to what action will be taken by the Board when the present contract expires, I cannot say, but it can certainly be stated that the assessment of the town of Swampscott will not be less than if the town were included in the district.
I28
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Beginning with the year 1906 the quantity of water used will become a factor in determining the assessments to be paid for water throughout the Metropolitan District, and if this law were applied to the town of Swampscott its assessment would be still further increased as the amount of water used in the town is much larger than it should be.
Yours very truly,
DEXTER BRACKETT. Engineer Sudbury and Distribution Depts.
From the above letter it can readily be seen that but for the favorable ten-year contract made between the town and the Metropolitan Water Board, the town would have had to have paid the sum of $35,000 more than the present assessment.
Below I quote the following from the last report of the Metro- politan Water Board, page 337, in which it says :
Effect of Using Meters.
"The most certain means of detecting waste, and the most effectual means of preventing the extravagant use and waste of water, is that of measuring the water supplied to each muni- cipality, district or individual water taker, and obliging each municipality and individual to pay for water in proportion to the quantity used."
I further quote from the same authority from page 339 :
Effect of Meters Upon the Poor.
"The fear has been sometimes expressed, by those who have not given the subject careful study, that the use of water meters will have the effect of reducing the use of water by the poorer class of takers below an amount necessary for health. The expe- rience in the cities and towns using meters does not indicate that there need be any fear of such a result. It is the usual custom, · where meters are used, to make a uniform minimum charge of from
129
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1905]
$10 to $12 to each water taker, for which sum the taker is entitled to use the quantity, for which an equal charge would be made at meter rates. The yearly schedule rate paid by water takers in the different municipalities of the Metropolitan District for the use of one faucet and a water closet is generally from $9 to $11, and the rate for a single faucet is $5. For $10 per annum per taker, every person in a family of average size, if supplied by meter at the rate of 14 cents per 100 cubic feet, which is the rate generally in force throughout the district, will have the privilege of using 30 gallons, or twelve pailfuls of water per day, which experience shows to be ample for domestic use. In many municipalities where water used for domestic purposes is metered, exception is made in cases where premises are supplied through a single faucet, and the schedule rate remains in force. There appears to be no reason, however, why a minimum rate of $5 per year should not be made for premises of this kind supplied by meter. Experience shows that the majority of the water takers using water for domestic purposes use less than the quantity to which they are entitled by the minimum charge."
How Shall These Meters be Paid For?
I am in favor of the Town buying and owning the meters, to be paid for by issuing the remaining authorized water bonds, rather than using these bonds for the purpose of relaying old mains, which I consider should be paid for out of water revenue. I am convinced that if the average householder desires a reduc- tion in water rates that the adoption of meters is the proper course to pursue.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. HASKELL, Water Commissioner.
SWAMPSCOTT, March 2, 1905.
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Cost of Construction, Including Hydrants and Gates.
Forest avenue
$372 70
Devens road . .
80 47
North Stone road
478 97
Mapledale avenue .
304 46
$1,236 60
Value of Swampscott Water Plant,
January 1, 1905 .
$176,201 93
Hydrants were located as follows :
Humphrey street .
I
Forest avenue .
I
Puritan place
I
North Stone road
I
Total length of main and distributing pipes, 109,412.50 feet or 20.72 miles.
Total number hydrants 125
Total number gates 268
Number of services added during 1904, 57
Total number of water takers
1,171
Extension of Pipes.
Forest avenue 334 feet of 6-inch pipe.
Devens road . .
67 feet of 6-inch pipe. ·
North Stone road · 565 feet of 6-inch pipe.
Mapledale avenue
300 feet of 2-inch pipe.
Gates were located as follows :
Corner of Atlantic avenue and North Stone road, I 6-inch gate Corner of Forest avenue and Redington street . 1 6-inch gate
131
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1905]
Financial Statement for the Year Ending February 20, 1905.
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand March 1, 1904
$2,056 20
Received for water . . ·
21,150 66 .
Received for services ·
588 04
Sale of cast-iron pipe, Philbrick &
Pope .
76 59
Rent of land for signs
26 00
Land rent, J. F. Brown .
12 00
Land rent, Highway Department
25 00
Sale of old iron, Grob & Gold
·
36 80
Interest on bank deposits
32 22
$24,003 51
EXPENSES.
Construction account
$4,696 47
Maintenance account
7,322 54
Repairs .
925 61
General expense
436 96
Service expense
275 27
Sewer assessment
(Pine St. land)
279 85
Interest on bonds
4,208 50
Sinking Fund
2,800 00
Balance in hands of Town Treasurer · 3,058 31
Inventory of stock, January 1, 1905,
$24,003 51 $2,293 03
·
1
I32
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Feb. 28
Report of Trustees of the Sinking Fund.
As trustees of the Sinking Fund and in compliance with Chapter 293 of the acts of 1898, we submit the following report :
Amount of fund as per report of
$18,909 40 1904 .
RECEIPTS.
Peoples' Savings, Worcester $40 16
Salem Five Cents Savings
36 12
Widley Savings, Boston .
20 00
Commonwealth Savings, Lynn
35 91
Institution for Savings, Lynn .
20 97
Brookline Savings .
20 00
Mechanics Savings, Worcester
41 74
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings, Har- wich .
37 57
Natick Five Cents Savings
·
23 56
Institution for Savings, Newbury-
port ·
42 08
Marblehead Savings, account with- drawn May Ist ·
9 81
Salem Savings
37 66
-
$365 58
Interest on $10,000 Swampscott
Water Bonds, August 1, 1904
$175 00
February 1, 1905
175 00
Reserved for Sinking as required by law, 2 per cent. on $140,000 bonds, 1904-1905
350 00
2,800 00
Total
$22,424 98
1
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1905]
INVESTMENTS.
Ten $1,000 3.50 per cent. Swamp-
scott Water Bonds
$10,000 00
On deposit in the following banks :
Westborough Savings Bank
175 00
Lynn Institutions for Savings . 525 34
East Boston Savings Bank
989 68
Natick Five Cents .
1,023 56
Brookline Savings .
1,020 00
Wildey Savings, Boston .
1,020 00
Commonwealth Savings, Lynn
1,053 41
Institution for Savings (Newbury-
port) .
1,154 28
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings (Har- wich)
1,102 42
Mechanics Savings (Worcester)
1,085 21
Salem Savings
1,104 76
Salem Five Cents Savings
1,059 86
Peoples' Savings (Worcester)
I,III 46
Total
$22,424 98
WILLIAM H. BATES,
CHARLES S. HASKELL,
SAMUEL M. KEHOE, -
Water Commissioners.
( )
133
.
I34
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of Sewer Commissioners.
-
To the citizens of Swampscott : -
The Board of Sewer Commissioners respectfully present the following report of the work of their department for the year ending February 28, 1905.
The Board organized for the year by re-election of Aaron R. Bunting as chairman. George T. Till was appointed clerk and collector. The work of the year has been the construction of particular sewers and house connections, the construction of sewers voted by the Town, the perfecting of the general system and, by request of the Board of Selectmen, the supervision of the building of the Humphrey street drain.
There have been altogether 256 particular sewer and 46 drain connections.
The property owners manifest a general desire to connect with the sewers, and we trust this feeling will not abate, as the gen- eral use of the sewers not only is beneficial to the general health of the Town but a benefit to the entire system.
We have made settlement with all parties in questions of land damages.
Under the authority given by the Sewer Acts we have com- mitted to the Collector the assessments on the abutters for their proportion of the costs for sewer construction and connection. The frontage and area assessment amounts to $25,724.84. Of this amount $4,145.29 was apportioned. The particular sewer assessment amounts to $7,395.54. Of this amount $506.62 was apportioned. Reference is made to the financial statement for information regarding collections.
135
The working of the system so for as constructed has been very atisfactory, with the exception of the underdrain in Berkshire nd Hampden streets, where frequent cleanings have had to be hade on account of the clogging of the underdrain, due to the eculiar quicksand formation in that locality. After consulting with our Engineer the Board decided after examination to make uch improvements in the construction at this locality as will emedy, to a great degree, the conditions found existing. The york was done by Mr. F. D. Mayo, under the supervision of the Engineer, on a basis of 15 per cent. of the actual expense of bor, at a total cost with material furnished by the Town of 1,827.94. The Board recommend the relaying of the Town rains on Berkshire and Hampden streets, which have become seless through breakage and clogging for the purpose originally tended.
The following bids were received for building sewers in ngalls terrace and Thomas road and Humphrey street drain :
Thomas Road Sewer.
M. McDonough
$342 00
James T. Lyons . .
· 419 00
F. D. Mayo
442 00
Contract was awarded to M. McDonough, lowest bidder.
Ingalls Terrace Sewer.
M. McDonough
$1,050 47
F. D. Mayo .
.
1,125 92
J. A. Rooney
. ·
1,331 98
James T. Lyons
1,291 19
E. B. Roberts
1,374 27
Booth & Co. .
1,406 56
Contract was awarded to M. McDonough, lowest bidder.
Humphrey Street Drain.
James T. Lyons $1,005 80
J. A. Rooney
1,265 68
M. McDonough
·
1,313 42
Booth & Co. .
1,427 14
F. D. Mayo .
1,490 80
E. B. Roberts
1,544 82
Contract awarded to James T. Lyons, lowest bidder.
905]
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
I36
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
The Board will continue the policy of making no recommend- ations for further extensions of the system in the belief that such portions of the Town where sewerage was imperatively needed have been provided for. This decision was made some time ago and published in our last annual report.
Respectfully submitted, 'AARON R. BUNTING, OSCAR G. POOR, HENRY B. SPRAGUE, Sewer Commissioners.
I37
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
1905]
Sewer Department Resources,
Balance March 1, 1904 .
$1,198 00 Norfolk avenue drain reimburse-
ment . · .
377 44 .
Maintenance, 1903 reimbursement .
2,002 57
Maintenance, 1904 appropriation
3,500 00
Sale of bonds
25,000 00
Premium on bonds
1,315 75
Interest .
200 00
M. McDonough, reimbursement
5 00
Eglee Bunting Co., reimbursement,
65 25
City of Lynn, reimbursement .
11 00
Humphrey street drain, sale of pipe, 170 88
Interest on deposits
114 69
Collections.
Frontage and area assessments .
$12,074 24
Particular sewer and drain ·
4,332 49'
Interest on frontage and area assess- ments
57 67
Interest on particular sewer assess-
7 32
16,471 72
$50,432 30
Paid temporary loan
$25,000 00 .
Paid sundry orders .
12,514 59
37,514 59
Balance .
.
$12,917 71
ments
.
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 23
Sewer Department Disbursements.
Administration
$2,470.98
Commissioners salaries, 1901-2-3, $1,425 00
Printing bonds · ·
43 50
Land and easements .
·
1,002 48
$2,470 98
Engineering
1,278 08
Construction .
143 35
Advertising bonds
$27 00
Labor
.
116 35
$143 35
Labor contracts
4,272 78
· Pumping station
$733 09
Pumping plant
5 95
Particular sewers
338 84
Miscellaneous labor
217 62
Thomas road
431 56
Ingalls terrace
717 78
Berkshire and Hampden repairs,
1,827 94
$4,272 78
Maintenance
$4,349 40
Fuel
$346 86
Supplies .
838 27
Labor
2,338 20
Superintendent
90 00
Miscellaneous .
736 07
$4,349 40
.
.
$12,514 59
.
I39
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
1905]
Report of the Board of Health.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Board of Health hereby presents for your consideration their report for the year end ing February 17, 1905.
The Board organized March 25, as follows: Dr. Frank B. Stratton, Chairman; Michael Haley, Jasper H. Stone, and William R. Patten, clerk.
The rules and regulations were distributed in pamphlet form, and, besides providing for the care of contagious diseases and the abatement of common health nuisances, it also contained complete plumbing regulations.
In formulating this plumbing ordinance it was the desire of the Board to make the expense as small on the owners of prop- erty, " especially those who have bought houses on mortgage," as would be consistent with health and safety.
The Board voted to reappoint Martin E. Nies, Health Officer, and the duties of this office have been performed in a very satis- factory manner, report of which is hereunto appended.
The Board voted to appoint Benjamin C. Pedrick as caretaker of Fisherman's Beach during the summer months, for the sum of ten dollars per week.
The results of bids for collection of ashes, house offal and night soil was as follows :
1
Name of Bidder. Ashes. $3,250
House Offal. $3,875
Night Soil.
Lawrence Rainford
B. T. Getchell
4,450
4,450
Charles Cole
4,500
John Ward
4,500
Thomas Robinson 5,000 4,500
· * Louis Delano
$9,450
Allen Rowe
$75
George Curtis
100
* Mr. Delano's bid was for both ashes and offal.
1
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
The contract for ashes and house offal was therefore awarded to Lawrence Rainford.
Owing to the number of complaints received in previous years the Board thought it advisable to award the contract for caring of night soil to George Curtis, and voted accordingly.
There has been a marked dimunition in complaints of improper drainage or overflowing cesspools, total number of complaints received being but 48. This, no doubt, is due to the fact that a great many places which have been a source of nuisance in pre- vious years have entered the sewer.
The past summer witnessed a condition on King's Beach very unhealthy and annoying to our citizens. This was occasioned by the decaying sea moss, masses of this matter lying at high water in a badly decomposed state for several days. Numerous complaints were made to us. The Board, however, had already taken the matter up, and, after several conferences with the Metropolitan Park Commission, the offensive nuisance was abated at the State's expense. The Commission was disposed to be fair in the matter, and your Board felt that as this condi- tion may arise in the future some agreement ought to be made with the Metropolitan Park Commission by which your Board would be empowered to promptly ward off a recurrence of such nuisance without delay. But the Commission felt that it could not delegate such powers. We feel that the building of the new sea wall may effectually prevent a recurrence.
The Board have had reported during the year 28 cases of con- tagious diseases. Of this number 10 cases were diphtheria, 6 cases scarlet fever, 3 cases typhoid fever and 9 cases measles.
During the past year there has been a smaller number of con- tagious diseases than in previous years, which, no doubt, is due in a great measure to the effective system of disinfecting of vaults and privies of different school buildings, and also other disease breeding sources.
In harmony with last year's repors the Board still feel that the town should take some action in securing public bathing facili- ties.
141
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
1905]
The following note explains the Board's delay in getting their report to the printer :-
Dr. F. B. Stratton : 1
DEAR SIR,-Do not delay your report any longer, as I do not intend to sign it. I shall make a minority report on the Inspec- tor of Plumbing, and therefore I cannot sign both reports.
Yours respectfully,
JASPER H. STONE.
FRANK B. STRATTON, MICHAEL HALEY.
WILLIAM R. PATTEN, Secretary.
SWAMPSCOTT, March 4, 1905.
.
142
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Minority Report.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
I hereby present for your consideration my minority report of the Board of Health. In presenting this report I deem it my duty as a public servant of the Town, to inform the citizens of the position I have taken in regard to the vote of the Town, at an adjourned Town Meeting, whereby the Town voted to accept "The Revised Laws," Chapter 103 of the Public Statutes, relative to the appointment of a plumbing inspector.
At the beginning of the year the Board received several appli- cations for the position of inspector, but found that they could not appoint an inspector of plumbing until he had passed a civil service examination. Whereupon Mr. Martin E. Nies was appointed health officer, until such time as a man could be found who would be eligible for the position. I have at different times called the attention of the Board to this matter, but they have constantly refused to send in the list of applicants at hand, two of whom were veterans of the Civil War.
At a meeting of the Board held July 8th, the majority of the Board voted to send the name of Mr. Martin E. Nies to the civil service examiner. The following letter will show the result of that examination.
STATE HOUSE, July 26, 1904.
To the Board of Health, Town of Swampscott :
DEAR SIRS,-I have to inform you in compliance with your request of the 8th inst.,. Mr. Martin E. Nies has been subjected to an examination for the position of inspector of plumbing in the Town of Swampscott, but inasmuch as he failed to pass that examination I am unable to certify him to you for appointment.
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