USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1894-1896 > Part 16
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Voted. To proceed to ballot for three persons to serve as a Municipal Light Board, as called for in this article.
Chair appointed Richard Britton and Geo. E. Hart to superintend the check list and W. L. Coon, A. W. Brownell and Thomas Hickey to count ballots.
51
RESULT OF THE BALLOT.
FOR THREE YEARS.
Silas W. Flint,
( Elected ) 108
R. Britton,
.
·
9
J. Beebe, ..
6
Wm. S. Greenough,
4
C. H. Spencer, .
2
FOR TWO YEARS.
Charles H. Spencer,
(Elected ) 79
Richard Britton,
6
J. Beebe,
6
Wm. S. Greenough,
2
T. J. Skinner,
2
C. A. Dean,
2:
FOR ONE YEAR.
Elroy N. Heath, ·
(Elected )
125
R. S. Stout, . ·
2
Wm. Sloan,
.
Silas W. Flint was declared elected for a term of 3 years.
Chas. H. Spencer
2 years.
Elroy N. Heath
6:
66
1 year.
Voted. That a committee of three be appointed who shall take the matter of compensation into consideration and report to the town what sum is necessary to pay the Board for their services. Motion to reconsider was re- jected.
Chair appointed W. S. Greenough, J. F. Emerson,. Thos. J. Skinner.
Committee reported recommending that the matter of compensation of the Board for their services be post- poned until the next annual town meeting.
Voted. To accept and adopt the report.
·
.
.
·
·
.
·
.
· 2
·
.
.
52
Art. 6. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of money received for licensed locations on the Park May 28, A. D. 1894, to be used for Park Improvement, or what it will do about it.
Voted. That the sum of $117 be appropriated for Park im- provements, that being the sum received by the Park Commissioners for licensed locations on the Park May 28, 1894.
Voted. To adjourn without date.
TOWN MEETING SEPTEMBER 10, 1894.
Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meet- meeting.
E. A. Upton was elected moderator.
Art. 2. To hear and act upon the report of the Municipal Light Board in regard to making extensions, enlarge- ments and improvements upon the Municipal Light Plant of the town and in regard to rules and regulations for managing the plant and for supplying gas and elec- tricity to users.
REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD.
TO THE CITIZENS OF WAKEFIELD) :-
The undersigned, constituting the members of the Municipal Light Board, beg leave to submit for your con- sideration and action, the following report :
On the last day of July, 1894, the Court decreed that the town of Wakefield was to take the property of the Citizens Gas Light company of Wakefield, Stoneham and Reading, or so much of it as was within the town of Wakefield, and the transfer was to be made as of August 1, 1894. and acting on this decree your Board arranged with representatives of the . gas company for comparisons of inventory at the works, for
53
the taking of the meters, and such other matters as seemed necessary ; and engaged a manager of gas and electric light plant, who was believed to be competent to care for the works for the best interests of the town.
The actual transfer of the property, so far as surrendering possession to the town and giving receipt therefor, was made at 8 o'clock on the evening of August 7, and steps were immediately taken to turn on the few lights that were in working order, that the town might see and perhaps re- joice that it was nearly the end of the period of darkness that had encompassed it for so long a time, and see the pros- pect of getting out into the light for which it suffered so much.
When the property was actually in the possession of the town some matters seemed to require the immediate atten- tion of the board. Insurance was placed upon the property for the benefit of the town, some needed repairs were ar- ranged for, a supply of coal bought, and the manager was requested to get in order and put to work such lamps as were on hand, and to look over the town carefully to make plans showing where, in his opinion, lights should be placed in order to light the town decently, but not extravagantly ; to prepare estimates of the cost of apparatus and appliances for such lighting ; to estimate, as nearly as possible, the cost of maintaining the plant as prepared ; to do this in detail, with a view of presenting it to the town in such a way as to show the citizens what needs to be done, and to try to secure the hearty support and sanction of the town.
This report of the manager has been carefully considered by your board, its estimates have been verified as far as pos- sible, and it has also been brought to the attention and con- sideration of the committee of fifteen chosen by the town to act in the matter of controversies between the town and the Citizens company, with a sincere purpose and hope of arriv- ing at the best plan to be offered and considered by the
54
town, and your careful attention is asked for this report of the manager now following :
Silas W. Flint, Chairman; C. H. Spencer. Elroy N. Heath,
Municipal Light Board, town of Wakefield, Mass. :
GENTLEMEN : - I have the honor to present report for lighting the town with 135 arc electric lights, with appara- tus needed, location of lamps, extension of poles and lines, with cost of all installed, and erected and in position to light the town; also for the estimated cost of running and maintaining same for the period of one year.
2 dynamos, including all station apparatus electrical, 1 six-circuit switch board, 4 lightning arresters, 110 double arc lamps, complete. of the latest pattern, $5,260.
Cost of apparatus. 30 15-feet mast arms, complete, 10 10-feet mast arms, complete, $700; 85 pole hoods, com- plete, 25 mast hoods, complete, $630; 10 40-foot chestnut poles, 61 35-foot chestnut poles, 50 30-foot chestnut poles, 65 25-foot chestnut poles, $850.
Cost of supplies. 11 1-2 miles No. 6 wire, 3 1-2 miles No. 4 wire, $1,200; 100 6-pin cross arms, 100 4-pin cross arms, 100 2-pin cross arms, 500 cross arm braces, complete, 500 pole brackets, 1000 glass insulators, D. G. D. P., 1000 pole steps, 500 lag screws, 1-2 x 7, 500 lag screws, 5-16 x 2, 100 rubber hooks, 100 split circuit breakers, $300.
Cost of erecting. Estimated cost erecting poles, string- ing wire, erecting mast arms, pole and mast arm hoods, etc., cost painting poles and arms, $710; tools, $100.
Cost of management and labor operating station. 1 engi- neer, 1 fireman.
Cost of labor. 3 trimmers, 2 linemen, management, 2-3, clerk, 2-3, stable, 2-3, $7,563; 2-3 stable expense, $400 ; 500 tons coal, $2,000; oil and waste, estimated, $150; wa- ter, $35 ; 45,000 carbons, $405 ; 150 globes, $75; incident- als and repairs, estimated, $200; repairs on the old boilers, $200; repairs on the old engines, $50; repairs on the old
55
lines, estimated, $50; 1 horse, harness and wagon, $250; 2 8-inch leather belts, 1 12-inch leather belt, $205.
Location of lamps. " Subject to change." 5 on Albion street : between Main and Railroad street, (2), opposite Gould street, junction Byron street, junction Broadway.
2 on Avon street, between Main and Railroad street.
1 on Bennett street, cor. Traverse street.
1 on Broadway, cor. Lake street.
1 cor. Birch Hill street, opp. Summer street.
6 on Chestnut street : between Main and Railroad street (2), near crossing, west side of track, cor. Cedar street, cor. Park avenue, cor. Prospect street.
2 on Church street : junction Lafayette street, opp. Com- mon street.
1 on Converse street, cor. Dell street.
1 on Cordis street, cor. School street.
3 on Crescent street : opp. Lincoln street, cor. Otis, opp. Centre street, cor. Eaton street.
1 on Fairmount avenue, cor. Hillside avenue.
· 4 on Gould street : opp. Emerson street, opp. Walnut street, junction Converse street, cor. Bryant street.
3 on Green street, between Main and Oak street.
2 on Greenwood avenue, cor. Warren avenue, cor. Fran- cis street.
5 on Greenwood street : opp. Myrtle street, between Myr- tle and Spring street (3), cor. Spring street.
1 on Lake street, near Maple street.
2 on Lowell street : 800 feet east from Vernon street, 1500 feet west from Salem street.
29 on Main street : near Melrose line, opp. Hanson street, opp. Greenwood avenue, between Oak and Greenwood ave- nue, cor. Oak street, cor. Forest street, between Green and Forest street (3), junction Green street, between Charles and Green street, cor. Charles street, at Junction depot, cor. Nahant street, at railroad crossing, opp. Wakefield es- tate, cor. Water street, cor. Albion street, at Rockery, cor.
56
Bryant street, opp. Salem street, cor. Lawrence street, cor. White street, cor. Sweetser street, cor. Cordis street, at bend near Beebe estate, between Beebe estate and Lowell street (2), junction Lowell street.
2 on 'Melvin street : cor. Bennett street, cor. Richardson street.
2 on Myrtle street : at bend near railroad track, cor. Spring street.
7 on Nahant street : cor. Franklin street, opp. Traverse street, opp. Melvin street, between Melvin and Farm street (2), cor. Farm street, cor. Oak street.
1 on New Salem street, 100 feet east of railroad crossing.
4 on Oak street: cor. Greenwood avenue, cor. Short street, between Short street and Mr. Fell's house.
3 on Park avenue : at Circle, cor. Summit avenue, at top of hill.
1 on Park street, between Main and Pleasant street.
1 on Pearl street.
1 on Pine street, between Francis street and Warren avenue.
7 on Pleasant street : cor. Otis street, cor. Eaton street, . cor. Highland avenue opp. Park street, cor. Emerald street opp. Bryant street, cor. Salem street, cor. Lawrence street, cor. Wave avenue.
1 on Prospect street, cor. Elm street.
6 on Railroad street : cor. Beacon street, at Electric sta- tion, cor. Church street, opp. Yale avenue, cor. Albion street, between Water and Main street.
1 on Richardson street, between Main and Melvin street.
1 on Richardson avenue, cor. Foster street.
1 on Spring street, cor. Vine street.
9 on Salem street : between Vernon and railroad track, 400 feet east from railroad track, between railroad and New Salem street, junction New Salem street, between New Sa- lem street and Lowell street, junction Lowell street, be-
57
tween Lowell and Wiley streets, cor. Wiley street, at Mont- trose station.
1 on Summit avenue, cor. Adams street.
5 on Vernon street : opp. Highland street, cor. Salem street, opp. Aborn strect, cor. Cordis street, cor. Lowell street.
8 on Water street : opp. Vernon street, between Vernon and Melvin street, cor. Melvin street, cor. Newhall street, between Newhall and Farm street (3), opposite Farm street.
1 on West Water street, between Main and Railroad street.
2 on Yale avenue, between Main and Railroad street.
Total 135 arc lights.
The cost of maintenance of the above is based on 135 lights or less. Moonlight 12 o'clock schedule.
Extra cost for 1 o'clock service, and all night. If the town wish for 1 o'clock service, it will only cost for coal and carbons extra with slight charges extra for wear and tear, or about $700.
If the town wish for all night service it will cost about $2,000 more than the 12 o'clock service, and about $1,300 more than the 1 o'clock service.
Addition of 1 dynamo, 45 lamps. For an addition of one arc dynamo and 45 lamps, and the extension of poles and and wire, it will cost about $5,500.
Alternating or incandescent apparatus. There is at the station at the present time one alternating dynamo of 650 lights capacity ; this machine is at the present time loaded, or very nearly so, and as there has been a number of appli- cations for house lighting, and I understand there are to be a large number more, it will necessitate a machine of larger capacity, and I would recommend one of 1,000 lights be added, at an expense of $1,650 for one alternating dynamo complete, with all station apparatus electrical.
Also estimated cóst for extensions of incandescent lines to
58
supply new consumers off the line of our present mains, $4,220.
At the present time the price to the consumer varies, and that all may be served alike, I would recommend the follow- ing prices adopted as soon as possible, and notice sent to each consumer of the following :
The town plant will furnish incandescent light to consum- . ers by meter, at one cent per lamp of 16 candle power per hour, and bills rendered monthly in accordance with the record shown by it. Lamps vary in candle power from 16 to 100. We will furnish lamps to consumers at cost. The following table is based on the above price and will give a basis for making a quick estimate of bills.
Each 16 candle power lamp burning for 1 hour costs 1 cent.
66
1 1-4 "
24 66
66
66
11-2 "
32
66
66
2
50
66
66
66 3 1-8 "
Prices of incandescent light. Frosted, colored or other special lamps furnished at small extra cost. For further par- ticulars enquire of the manager.
Contract prices, or where there is no meter.
For each 16 candle power lamp $1 00 per month.
60 20
1 25
24
66 1 50 66
60
32
2 00
and if the town contemplates running an all night circuit the contract lamps must be turned out before 12 o'clock or extra charge will be made.
TRANSFORMERS AND METERS. Transformers and meters for stock, $1,500.
POWER GENERATOR. There is at the station one pow- er generator of 80 horse power capacity which is not in use at the present time and if we were to undertake to sell it, could only realize about one-fourth of its cost, therefore
20
59
I would recommend the keeping of it until such time as you are satisfied that we could not sell power enough to warrant us running a day power circuit, and it is my opinion that if we can contract for 50 horse power or more, for the follow- ing prices, we can get back our running expenses, and give the citizens the benefit of electric power.
PRICES.
1-8 horse power per month,
$2 50;
per year,
$25 00
1
12 00 :
120 00
3
25 00 ;
6
250 00
5
66
66
30 00 ;
350 00
7
40 00;
450 00
10
66
50 00;
66
550 00
15
..
66
70 00;
800 00
20
66
.6
80 00;
900 00
25
95 00;
66
1,100 00
We also have at the station one arc dynamo, capacity 45 lights. We also have 30 double arc lamps, some of which are out of repair and will have to be fixed up before they can be put in service.
The additions asked for are 2 arc dynamos, capacity 45 lights each, and 110 double lamps.
From reports of the Citizens Gas Light company I find that they report 42 miles of wire and 600 poles, more or less. I have not had time to verify this but will do so at the earliest opportunity. With the proposed extension of the plant, we will have in addition to the above about 15 miles wire and 180 poles.
EXPENSE OPERATING STATION.
Labor operating station, . . $7,563 00 Stable expense,
400 00
Steam coal, year supply, . 3,120 00
Carbons and globes, 455 00
Oil and waste and repairs estimated, . 350 00
$11,888 00
60
Receipts from incandescent lighting from May 1, 1893 to May 1, 1894, $3,903.91.
Cost for arc street lights, $7,984.09. .
Interest and depreciation not taken into account.
For moonlight schedule to 12 o'clock, $59.14 per year, per light, .04 88-100 cents per lamp, hour.
For moonlight schedule to 1 o'clock, $64.32 per year, per light, .04 28-100 cents per lamp, hour.
For moonlight schedule, all night, $73.95 per year, per light, .03 36-100 cents per lamp, hour.
This does not take into consideration any increase in re- ceipts for electric lighting, neither is the profit from the sale of gas considered.
If the town supply Wakefield only and the yearly con- sumption is the same as last year it will reduce the net cost of lighting by $846, and make each arc lamp on 12 o'clock moonlight schedule cost $52.87.
Wanted for gas works. 3 retorts and settings
for 1 bench, 1 8-inch exhauster and engine complete, tar pump, set scales, tools, . $1,300 00
Meters and purifying trays, 500 00
Incidentals, 200 00
$2,000 00
The retort house, purifying and condensing and meter appliances are in very bad condition, and at the March meet- ing I will hand in a detailed report of what is needed in the gas department, but for this winter we can get along with the above appropriation.
Cost of labor, gas works. Management, 1-3,
office, 1-3, stable, 1-3, · . $1,010 00
1 Foreman, retort house, 1 laborer, . 3,194 00
1000 tons coal at $4.20, . 4,200 00
$8,404 00
Interest and depreciation not taken into account.
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The receipts of the Citizens Gas Light company for the past year, or from May, 1893, to May 1, 1894, were as fol- lows: Gas, Wakefield, $6,190.90; Stoneham, $3,596.80 ; Reading, $2,916.31. Total, $12,704.01. Electric, $3,903.91. Total gas and electric, $16,607.91. Total sales of gas last year, $12,704.00 ; coke for sale from 1,000 tons coal, $1,200.00 ; tar for sale from 1,000 tons coal, $720.00. Total, $14,624.00.
Supplementary report for Wakefield. Sale of gas, if we are to supply Wakefield alone, $6,190.00; coke and tar sales, $960.00. Total, $7,150.00. And for the supply of. Wakefield alone it would only require. 500 tons of coal at a cost of $2,100.
RECAPITULATION.
Our steam plant, boilers, and engines, are in good condi- tion, or will be as soon as the repairs now in progress are completed, and will give us about 300 horse power, all that will be required for the increase asked for in this report. Cost repairs boiler and engines and old lines, $300; two arc dynamos, switch board, lightning arresters, lamps, masts, arms, hoods, poles, and all supplies, wire, crection of poles and mast arms, stringing wires, putting up hoods, and paint- ing poles and arms, $9,700 ; leather belting, globes, tools, horse, harness `and wagon, $630; alternating dynamo com- plete, $1,650 ; transformers and meters, $1,500; for future extension incandescent lines, for wire and poles, $4,220. Extensions-total for electric, $18,000 ; total for gas, $2,000. Grand total, $20,000.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. SPAULDING, Manager.
In the matter of fixing and assessing costs for running wires from the main lines to the buildings desiring light, on streets having wires, there are two methods: One is to
62
charge the customer for such wiring and appliances, either in whole or in part, and the other is to make it a condition of the application for light that the customer shall agree to take or pay for a certain amount of light per month. The Board is of the opinion that it would be well for the town to sup- ply wires and necessary appliances to users free of charge from street wires to the house, and make it a condition that if for any month the bill as shown by meter shall be less than $2, the charge for the month shall be $2, and recommend the following form of application to be signed :
TO THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD, TOWN OF WAKEFIELD :-
The undersigned hereby applies to you to furnish and op- erate incandescent arc lamps, and current for motor in prem- ises No. occupied by . and does hereby agree to pay for same according to condi- tions stated below :-
Light or current is to be charged for by the town's meter at its regular commercial rates. But a charge of two dollars .. for light or power will be made whenever the monthly bill as shown by meter is less than that amount. The bills to be rendered monthly, and payment of same to be made within ten days of their presentation. The customer is to be re- sponsible for light or current used until written notice to discontinue service is sent to the office of the manager. Lamps, plugs, meters, and such other appliances as are not paid for by the customer shall remain the property of the town. Permission to enter the premises at all reasonable times is given the town for the purpose of inspecting and keeping in repair, or removing any and all of its apparatus used in connection with the supply of light or current. The town reserves the right to discontinue service without notice, and to remove its property from the premises of the custom- er in case of non-payment of bills, or breach of any of the
63
conditions herein mentioned. It is understood and agreed that there shall be no interference with the meter or any of the appliances used in supplying light or current under pen- alty of immediate discontinuance of service. The town shall not be responsible for any failure to supply light or current if such failure is without wilful default or neglect on its part.
WAKEFIELD, 189
In the matter of running wires for incandescent lighting on streets not having wires, the Board recommends that wires be run on streets where the abuttors, or some of them who shall be satisfactory to the Board, shall guarantee an annual income from the use of lights that shall equal at least five per cent. of the cost of wiring such streets, for a period of ten years and no longer, but such guarantee shall cease to be of effect as soon as the total receipts from the sale of light or power along such extensions shall equal fifty per cent. of the cost of extension.
If the Board deems it necessary in order to protect the town from loss, a deposit may be required from anyone ap- plying for gas or electricity ; and said deposit shall be re- funded with interest added at the rate of five per cent. per annum, when the user shall cease to be a customer, if all bills due from such customer for gas or electricity are paid in full. But it shall be provided in such cases where deposits are re- quired, that in case the applicant shall remove or cease to be a customer, before having paid at least $25 for electric light, the town may retain from the deposit a sufficient sum to pay the actual cost for stock and labor used in run- ning wires to the building, unless the circumstances are such that in the opinion of the Board such rule should not be en- forced, as in the case of a succeeding tenant continuing the . use of the lights, or some other reason that shall appear to the Board a good and sufficient one.
64
In the matter of extending gas pipes to buildings on streets where gas mains are located, the Board recommends a charge for cost of stock and labor for such extension ; and for extending gas mains in streets where there are none, the Board recommends extending them to such streets as the abuttors thereon, or some of them satisfactory to the Board, shall guarantee an annual income from the sale of gas that shall equal at least five per cent. of the costs of such exten- sion, for a period of ten years and no longer, but such guar- antee shall cease to be of effect as soon as the total receipts from the sale of gas along such extensions shall equal fifty per cent. of the cost of the extensions.
In fixing the price for electricity, as outlined in the mana- ger's report, it has been the aim to make the prices to com- pare with the general charges in other places ; and in the matter of price for gas, the Board recommends there be 110 change for the present, until at least time is given to know. by actual tests the results obtained from the present prices, and existing conditions. And with the sanction of the town, there is reason to expect the State Board of Gas and Elec- tric Light Commissioners will approve such prices.
The recommendations of the manager, as will be seen, call for arc lamps for street lighting, in preference to incan- descent ; and this is believed to be the cheaper and better way ; one arc lamp of twelve hundred candle power requir- ing only the same power from the engine as would run be- tween two and three 32 candle power incandescent lamps ; and the efficiency of one arc lamp for outdoor lighting is many times the efficiency of the incandescent.
While the report shows but slight additional cost for main- taining the one o'clock schedule, the Board would recom- mend that for the present the town be satisfied with the twelve o'clock moonlight schedule.
In regard to bills incurred for supplies, labor, etc., the Board recommends that the manager make purchases and contracts as provided by the Statutes ; that all bills be ap-
65
proved by the manager and by at least two members of the Board ; and that bills so approved be paid in regular form through the Board of Selectmen ; that all receipts for gas, electricity, residuals, or from any source whatever, be passed from the manager to the town treasurer at such times as the town treasurer shall direct, and a receipt given and taken therefor.
That all books of account be kept in the manner prescribed by law, weich plainly indicates the form and manner ; and that the books be audited by the chosen auditors of the town.
In concluding, it does not seem necessary to the Board to discuss or enlarge upon the need of suitably and decently lighting the streets of the town. Its voters evidently real- ized a need of this when they voted to go into the lighting business. This business they have now commenced upon, and having acquired the works, it would seem that the only thing to do is to add to their efficiency until they shall give the citizens good light, and so aided by the patronage and good will as to bring the cost to the town within a reasona- ble price.
And the Board feels encouraged to say that notwithstand- ing the fact the town is burdened with a plant representing and costing a large sum of money, giving at the outset a heavy interest account, that from the applications received, and the general interest shown to have more and better lights, not only for the streets, but in the homes and busi- ness places, that it is possible for the town to make this plant much nearer self-supporting than had at first seemed possible. To this end it has been the endeavor in formulat- ing rules for the introduction of light, to recommend on such a basis as shall appeal successfully for patronage, and at the same time secure proper protection for the interests of the town, and a fair return for all outlays and expenditures.
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