USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1914 > Part 15
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Band Concerts
During last summer eight concerts were given on the park. Three were given under the auspices of the Metropoli- tan Park Commissioners, and five by the town.
282
The popularity of these concerts on the park seems to be as- sured, judging from the large audiences present at each con- cert. Two concerts were given by the Salem Cadet Band, two by the Lynn Cadet Band, and one each by the Eighth Regi- ment Band, Waltham Watch Co. Band, Naval Brigade Band and Commonwealth Band.
The Commissioners believe that it would be impossible to find a more pleasure-giving outdoor entertainment for so many people. Thousands were present at each concert.
We have recommended that the town furnish three concerts during the coming summer.
The appropriation for the Park Department
in 1914 was
$1,740.00
Interest on trust fund
120.00
$1,860.00
All of which was expended. In addition to this a separate appropriation of $440.00 was made for band concerts, under the direction of the board. Our recommendation for the ensu- ing municipal year is for $2,500.00.
To some this may seem quite an addition to what was ap- propriated last year, but the difference is more apparent than real. Under the new system of town accounting all expendi- tures named for the different departments are charged sep- arately to each department. This system will render necessary to charge $225.00 per year to the Park Department for three drinking fountains, which heretofore has not been charged. The band concerts must be charged direct, as appears in the following recommendation for 1915 expenses :
Park Department
Estimate Submitted to Town Auditor, Dec. 21, 1914.
Requirements :
Care and maintenance of Common and Park,
Church Street lot, Hart's Hill Reservation. $800.00 Junction lot 225.00
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Water for three fountains
75.00
Electric lights 25.00
Bath House 300.00
Three band concerts 275.00
Miscellaneous
375.00
Permanent improvements :
$2,000.00
Completion of work on park, of resurfacing .. $150.00
Church Street lot 350.00 ·
500.00
$2,500.00
Respectfully submitted, · EUGENE S. HINCKLEY, Chairman. A. P. KNIGHT. GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Secretary.
284
REPORT OF SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR
Park Commissioners, Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen :
As supervisor of the bath house, I submit the following re- port of the work of the season :
On the 9th of June I started the work of repairs, which in- volved the painting of the entire exterior, the building of a. new and larger piazza, and a wharf, extending out to a depth. of 312 feet of water, making diving from the end of it possible.
After divers inside repairs, I also improved the general con- dition of the beach and of the surroundings, so that, when of- ficially opened on June 17th, it presented an added improve- ment to the town.
The boys took advantage of their opportunity from the very first, and I will say to their credit that not once during the- whole season did they cause any serious trouble, but assisted me in every way to make their conduct an example of cleanness and good will.
Shortly after the opening I started classes, which were taught during the morning hours, the result of which is that boys numbering 110 learned to swim, and over 100 passed in. the tests that were conducted toward the close of the season.
Fifty girls succeeded in passing the same tests.
The total attendance of boys during the season was 9,800 .. The girls, with ten bathing days totalled 1,392.
Realizing my responsibility as to the safety of the bathers, I decided that prevention is better than cure, and pursued that course, with the results that not a single accident was recorded during the entire season.
Wednesday as "Girls' Day," which last year was an experi- ment, is now a proven success, for which credit is due in a.
285
farge measure to the efforts of the Kosmos Club, and especially to those of the ladies who acted as matrons. .
The matter of instructing the girls how to swim has proved an education to me.
I will not venture on anything approaching advice, but I have, in speaking with different citizens of Wakefield, often heard the statement that the bath house ought to be kept open evenings until about 8 o'clock, so that those who work during the day may have an opportunity to cool off after 8 or 10 hours' work. A larger appropriation by the town would make that possible.
I wish to acknowledge the kind interest in the welfare of the bath house of Mrs. Montague and Mr. William Murray.
To the Park Commissioners, who with able advice and liberal attention rendered this season a success, the thanks of all are due.
Respectfully submitted,
SVERKER C. WIBERG.
286
REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR GIRLS' DAY AT BATH HOUSE
Park Commissioners.
Dear Sirs :- A committee from the Kosmos Club had charge of the bathing for girls at the bath house last summer. Two matrons had charge each week.
The bath house was open for girls on Wednesdays, from July 1 to September 2. There was an average attendance of 139, and the number who took advantage of the bathing through the summer was 1,392. Mr. Wiberg gave instruction in swim- ming, and fifty girls qualified in the various classes.
The girls seemed to appreciate the privilege of the use of the bath house, and a large number of young ladies also.
There is need of more lockers, and some way of ventilating the bath house, and an awning would be much appreciated.
We thank all those who helped through personal gifts or otherwise.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. C. E. MONTAGUE, Chairman. MRS. F. E. COX. MRS. C. L. SOPHER. MRS. C. G. MORRILL. MRS. W. B. WILEY.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
WAKEFIELD
Municipal Light Board
AND MANAGER
OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
288
. REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
The Wakefield Municipal Light Commission presents here- with its 21st annual report for the year ending December 31, 1914. For the details in connection with the operation of the plant, we refer to the report of the manager.
The output of both gas and electricity has increased. There has also been an increase in the number of hours of street lighting.
The fact that the amount of unpaid bills has increased over that of last year is caused by a much larger amount of gas coal being on hand at the end of the year as compared with last.
The year has been one of progress and development for the plant, and the commissioners have held their regular meetings on Tuesday evenings at the Town Hall.
In accordance with the vote of the town, the Commissioners have made a contract with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company to furnish the town all the electricity needed deliv. ered at the switchboard. At present the town is using single phase current, but without a large additional expense arrange- ments can be made, if necessary, for the use of three-phase current.
A special pole line was built for the town from the Stoneham town line down Prospect Street and North Avenue to the plant, of sufficient capacity to serve the town for a great many years, as a source of supply from the Edison Co. Under a special arrangement, the copper wire has been rented to the town, and there are two ways by which the Edison Company can fur. nish the supply, so as to prevent any break in delivery at any time.
This contract will doubtless reduce the cost of current at the switchboard, and especially through the extreme low cost of non-peak current permit the town to build up a larger power load.
289
It has also removed indefinitely the time when the town would be obliged to make a large expenditure of capital in building a new plant for generating electricity, so as to take care of the constant increasing demand.
Electrical Department
The boilers in this department will now be used entirely for supplying the steam to the gas department in manufacturing water gas and heating the gas holders, running the high pres- sure pumps, etc., and also giving the necessary heat for warm- ing the office, switchroom, stable, etc.
Should the town vote to dispose of the engines, dynamos, etc., the room now occupied by these will be put in proper con- dition for a current regulating and switchboard room.
Every consideration is being given to manufacturers to en. courage the use of electricity for power. The figures concern- ing the output of electricity for the year can be obtained from the manager's report.
The Edison Company began to supply the current on October 19, 1914.
Street Lighting
The work of putting the department's electrical wires under- ground on Main Street, between Crescent and Water, has been completed. It was planned to erect 12 new and ornamental poles for Main Street.
Through the generosity of a citizen of our town, the pole in front of the Town Hall was replaced by two ornamental poles of three lights each, and the removed pole was set at the Rock- ery, it having two lights attached.
Unfortunately the conduits did not extend far enough to connect this with the system of lighting in the square, and it is planned by the board, if possible, to extend the underground wires this year so as to make these two lights at the Rockery a part of the system now lighting the square. The ornamental lights in front of the Town Hall and the eleven poles in the square are on a separate circuit from the other street lights
290
in the town, and can be lighted and used irrespective of putting on any of the other street lights.
By reference to the report of the manager, it will be seen that the current for street lighting increased in 1913 over 1912 59 per cent. This was due to the fact that the lights were lighted all night when such nights were dark.
The Bay State Street Railway also put all of its feed wires in conduits, and so in Wakefield Square an improvement has been made that is permanent in its value.
The number of hours of street lighting outside of lighting the square has increased from 2808 to 2873, and in addition the square has been lighted since July 7, 1914, for 1033 hours.
The Commissioners have had some trouble in certain locali- ties in the wanton destruction of the street lamps. It seeems useless to keep replacing these lamps, and our policy has been to call this annoyance to the attention of the citizens of such sections, asking them to assist us in preventing this trouble by controlling the children and discovering the offenders. The town should not continue such lights unless something can be done to prevent the lamps from being wantonly destroyed.
New street lights have been installed on Oak 'St., near Na- hant; Main St., near Barry's Greenhouse; Oak and Green Sts .; Montrose Ave. (2 lights) ; Main St., between Rockery and Water St., removed nine and installed eighteen; Everett and Hillis Aves .; Brett Court; Pine Walk; Albion St., near rail- road tracks; Lafayette St .; Junction Station; North Ave., near Broadway; Farm St., near Water. Total net increase, twenty-three lights.
Pole Lines
The keeping of the electric pole lines in proper repair is one of the difficult problems with which the town must deal. Streets where the trees were small when the wires were first installed become a source of trouble now that these trees have grown up into the wires. The street railway feed wires and signal wires, telephone wires, fire alarm wires, commercial electric light wires and street lighting wires are all on the
291
same poles in many cases. Great care must be taken to have the lines in the best of condition. During storms there is great danger of cross circuits, which cause expense in the way of lamp renewals, etc.
The agreement which the New England Telephone & Tele- graph Company signed in 1894 has been extended for twenty years.
An agreement has been signed between the Bay State Street Railway Company and the town governing the joint ownership of poles, and such agreement applies to the poles on Prospect St., from West Chestnut to Hopkins St .; on North Ave., from Prospect St. to the plant, and on Albion St., from Main St. to North Ave. In the past the town has made use of many of the railroad poles, through the courtesy of the Bay State Street Railway Co. An agreement is being prepared to apply to joint occupancy of these poles as between the Bay State Street Railway and the town.
.. .
Gas Department
The necessary repairs in this department have been done. By vote of the town, a high pressure pipe was run from Rail- road St. through West Water St. to Farm St., and the in- crease in the number of consumers in this section has justified the expenditure. Other extensions have been made in the gas service, which can be obtained in detail from the report of the manager, under the heading of Gas Main Extensions. In 1913 the extension amounted to 10,398 feet, and in 1914 to 19,428 feet. The amount of water gas and coal gas made for the year can be obtained from the report of the manager. The increase in consumption was 5.6 per cent.
Fire Alarm
There has been only such work done on the five fire alarm circuits as was necessary to keep them in operating condition during the current year. A new box was installed on Salem Street, near the railroad crossing, according to vote of the
292
town. Also the numbers of several box locations were changed to give better uniformity, and it is hoped that soon all boxes beginning with 2, such as 21, 24, 27, will be in one section, and those beginning with 3, 4 or 5, etc., will be in different sections.
Under vote of the town, the batteries, switchboard, repeater, etc., were moved from the stable of the light plant, and are now installed in the Central Fire Station. We believe this change is a marked benefit to the system, and we feel justly proud of it. In its present place there is plenty of room for extension, and all work has been done in view of having a reliable and flexible service, plenty of light, cleanliness and good air, especially in the battery room. A great deal of time and thought have been given to the installation, and several ingenious devices for its protection from fire have been in- stalled. The apparatus has never been in as safe a position as it is at present, and it is more flexible and in less danger of giving trouble than ever before.
There was not sufficient money voted by the town to prop- erly finish this work, and, therefore, the balance was drawn from the regular fire alarm appropriation to the extent of ap- proximately $200.00.
No great amount of new work is planned for the ensuing year. We hope to run an underground cable on Main Street, from Water Street to Hanson Street, and remove the fire alarm wires that are along there at present. No conduit will have to be laid, as there is provision in the Telephone Company's system for this work. It is believed that a great deal more of underground work should be done, as there is far less likeli- hood of interrupted service in this method.
New Rates
As indicated in the report of the Commissioners for 1913, the new rates for gas and electricity were put into effect on March 1, 1914; the rates for gas being $1.40 per thousand, and the rates for electricity $ .15 per k. w., with a discount for prompt payment of $ .20 per thousand for gas and $ .03 per k. w. for electricity.
293
As would be expected, this had the effect of decreasing the receipts to some extent for the first year, but the Commission- ers feel that the results of the operation of the plant, as shown in the report of the manager, indicate that their judgment was correct in making this reduction, and they expect to make further reductions as soon as it appears to them that the busi- ness of the plant will justify such reduction. Naturally the receipts of the plant would be affected by the condition of business during the past year, and when business gets into a normal state, and the people are well employed and prosperous, there is no doubt that the receipts will increase to such an extent as to make a further reduction in rates justified.
Conclusion
The Commissioners wish to extend their appreciation of the faithful work, under very trying conditions, from the fact that there was so much new work to be done during the year, to the manager, the office force and all the employees of the plant, as they have worked harmoniously and faithfully to make the operation of the plant successful.
EDWIN C. MILLER, Chairman. FRANK J. HENKEL. L. WALLACE SWEETSER, Secretary.
REPORT OF MANAGER
Messrs. Edwin C. Miller, L. Wallace Sweetser and Frank J. Henkel, Municipal Light Board.
Gentlemen :
The twenty-first annual report of the manager, showing the operation of the plant for the year ending December 31, 1914, is herewith respectfully submitted.
294
Comparative Report of the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1914
Ending
Ending Dec. 31, 1914 Dec. 31, 1913.
Hours regular street lights were op. erated
2,873
2,808
Hours square street lights were op-
erated since July 7, 1914.
1,633
Total number of gas consumers
1,977
1,856
Gain over previous year.
121
180
Total number of electric consumers.
687
572
Gain over previous year
115
92
Gas services laid
116
109
Gas ranges sold
75
108
Hot plates
13
18
Water heaters
12
20
Gas room heaters
20
12
Electric service made
107
58
Gas manufactured and sold :
Cubic ft.
Coal gas
37,946,000
Water gas
6,838,000
Total
44,784,000
43,155,000
Gas accounted for
. 33,487,700
31,230,400
Gas unaccounted for Or
25.2%
27.6%
. Gain in gas sold
5.6%
7%
Current bought, manufactured and sold :
Current bought of Reading to Oct. 19, 1914
104,627
127,580
Current bought of Edison Co. since Oct. 19, 1914
111,580
Current generated to Oct. 19, 1914. . . 210,155
265,373
Total current delivered to switch -.
board
426,362
392,953
11,296,300
11,924,600
295
Commercial current distributed. A gain of
279,895
254,259
10.1%
16.3%
Total regular
current
distributed
137,687
Total square street light current dis- tributed
10,780
Total street light current for town ..
146,467
138,694
A gain of
5.6%
*59.9%
Miscellaneous :
Ending
Ending
Dec. 31', 1914 Dec. 31, 1913.
Coal used in electric department.
613 tons
994 tons
Coke used in electric department.
658
447 tons
Gas coal carbonized
3,807 tons
3,400 tons
Gas oil used
36,661 gals
47,287 gals
On hand :
Gas coal
483 tons
68 tons
Steam coal
0 tons
20 tons .
Coke
5 tons
30 tons
Tar
9,250 gals
4,400 gals
Gas oil
4,385 gals
4,500 gals
Street lights :
Number of lights in operation
559
536
Street light extensions made :
Ft.
On Oak St.
310
On Oak St., cor. Green St.
60
On Montrose Ave.
850
On Hillis Ave.
225
On Brett Court
210
On Pine Walk
210
At Junction Station
200
Total
2,065
*This large increase due mostly to all-night street lighting, by vote of town.
296
Commercial extensions :
On Warren St. 420
On Norwell Road 135
On Water St.
1,579
On Richardson Ave.
305
On Prospect St.
366
On West St.
120
On Parker Road 750
On Orchard St., Greenwood 250
On Park St., Greenwood 400
On Vernon St. 400
On Harrison Ave. and Essex St. . .
1,218
On Nahant St. 425
On Wharton Park Place 320
On Oak St. 855
On Pleasant St. 385
On Jordan Ave. 345
On Walton Road 325
On Orchard St. 300
On Greenwood and Pine Sts. 510
On Armory St. 600
On Main St. 150
On Frank St. 290
On Lawrence St. 105
On Emerson St. 115 .
On Main St. 200
On Water St.
3,175
Total
14,043
Gas extensions :
Ft.
On Cedar St., from present end toward Prospect St., 2-in. W. I. 42
On Parker Road, from Eustis Ave., 2-in. W. I. 732
On Water St., from North Ave. to Farm St., 4-in. W. I .. 3,200 2-in. W. I .. 3,725
297
On Richmond St .. from Water to northerly end, 2-in. W.I. 1,447 On Curtis St., from Richmond St. to end, 1144-in. W. I ... 978 On Catalpa St .. from Richmond St., 11/4 W. I. 700 On Brook Ave., southerly from Water St., 11/4-in. W. I ... 332 On Sumner St .. southerly from Water St .. 114-in. W. I .. 338
On Perham St., northerly from Water St .. 114-in. W. I .. 565
On Blossom St .. from Perham St., 114-in. W. I. 135
On Spring St., southerly from Water St .. 114-in. W. I. .. 365
On Valley St .. from Water and Melvin Sts .. 11/4-in W. I. 2.086 On Cedar St .. near Auburn St .. +-in. C. I. 158
On Park St .. Greenwood, 34-in. W. I. 81
On High St .. Greenwood, 34-in. W. I. 96
On Wakefield Ave .. from Water St .. 2-in. W. I. 255
On Water St .. from end toward Saugus line. 1-in. W. I .. . 262
On Central St .. from Main St .. 2-in. W. I. 250
On Columbia Road. from Water St .. 2-in. W. I. 432
On Bartley St .. from Lake St. to Albion St .. 2-in. W. I .. 1.700
On Vernon St .. to supply No. 211. 2-in. W. I. 185
On Prospect St .. toward Hopkins St .. 2-in. W. I. 16
On Orchard St .. Wakefield. 2-in. W. I. 69
On Prospect St .. to supply bridges. 2-in. W. I. 300
On Pine St .. Greenwood, near Francis Ave .. 34-in. W. I. 50
On Meriam St .. 1-in. W. I. 235
On Nahant St .. from Farm St .. 1-in. W. I. 664
19.428
Number of feet of each size laid :
4-inch C. I. 158
4-inch W. I. 3.200
2-inch W. I. 9,183
114-inch W. I. 5.499
1-inch W. I. 1.161
34-inch W. I. 227
19.428
298
Manufacturing Accounts
Actual earnings and expenses, the inventories as of Decem- ber, 1913-1914, respectively, considered.
Statements of earnings and expenses of Electric manufactur- ing account.
Earnings :
Sales of electricity $29,326.67
Less discounts 5,731,66
$23,595.01
Sale of steam to gas department
2,400.00
Sale of incandescent lamps
469.90
Sale of jobbing electric
1,105.59
Sale and rental of fans
251.50
Stock inventory :
Carbons
25.73
Globes 6.33
Incandescent lamps
130.14
Incandescent street lamps
238.12
Poles, wire and equipment
264.35
Electric appliances and repairs
119.95
$784.62
$28,606.62
Expenses :
Steam coal
$2,900.58
Coke used ($2,634.14 charged to electric manufacturing account).
Oil and waste
174.53
Repair steam plant
469.82
Repair lines 4,657.90
Repair meters and transformers
141.28
Repair electric plant
154.93
Repair real estate electric
66.82
299
General salaries 1,920.37
Station wages 3,416.10
Distribution wages
615.81
Care of street lights
38,43
Care of grounds (one-half)
53.98
Stable expense
401.59
Interest on guarantee deposit (one-fifth) .. 4.84
General expense (one-half)
4.57
Office, printing and stationery (one-half) ..
261.32
Incandescent lamps, commercial 460.30
Jobbing electrics 1,037.19
Telephone (one-half)
45.15
Current bought
4,739.98
Insurance (one-half)
452.82
Wages meter takers (one-fourth)
200.68
Incidentals
9.07
Incandescent street lamps
927.58
Fans and rental
232.17
Station tools
32.81
Distribution tools
33.72
Water
59.33
Lighting station (693.58).
Deducting sales
$23,513.67
A gross profit
5,092.95
The following to be deducted :
Commissioners' salaries, one-half $300.00. . $150.00
*Interest on bonds 1,862.50
*Depreciation
3,146.09
$5,158.59
A net loss
$65.64
*Interest and depreciation here stated are the same per cent of total interest and depreciation as electric plant is of the total combined plant, as shown by the books.
300
Statement of Earnings and Expenses of Gas Manufactur- ing Account
Earnings :
Sales of gas
$45,744.39
Less discounts
3,952.94
$41,791.45
Sales of coke ($2,634.14 charged to electric
department)
7,609.56
Inventory of coke, Dec. 31, 1914
20.00
Sales of tar
1,489.24
Inventory of tar, Dec. 31, 1914
291.00
Oil tar
55.75
Sale of gas stoves
1,988.72
Sale and rental of gas arcs
93.50
Inventory of gas arcs, Dec. 31, 1914
31.70
Meter rentals
67.04
Sales of jobbing gas
946.02.
Sales of gas services
692.14
Stock inventory :
$265.53
Pipe, fittings and burners
919.93
1,185.46
14,470.13
1
$56,261,58
Expenses :
Coal Gas $18,590.56
Steam from electric department, $2,400.00, charged to gas manufacturing account.
Repair gas mains
604.40
Repair gas meters
188.97
Repair at works 1,893.33
Repair real estate gas 41.04
Repair benches
3,111.23
Purifying, including labor
855.42
General salaries
1,920.79
Stoves
301
Station tools 228.36
Advertising 121.10
Distribution tools
67.24
Station wages
7,156.96
Distribution wages 2,934.81
Care of grounds (one-half) 53.97
Stable expense (67%)
815.35
Office, printing and stationery (one-half) .
261.32
General expense (one-half)
4.58
Collections (E. E. Lee, $57.99; J. R. Reid & Son, $5.47) 63.46
Jobbing Gas
1,052.24
Gas services
1,059.30
Coke
703.05
Inventory of coke, December, 1913
120.00
Tar
239.34
Inventory of tar, December, 1913
145.50
Gas stoves
1,574.24
Gas arcs
64.57
Inventory of gas arcs, December, 1913
29.30
Incidentals, gas
18.47
Wages meter takers (three-fourths)
602.07
Distribution gas material
91.12
Telephone (one-half)
45.14
Interest on guarantee deposits (four-fifths)
19.39
Insurance 452.83
Connecting stoves and appliances 256.53
Gas oil
1,904.86
Office furniture and fixtures
136.26
Repair Town Hall office
1.00
Lighting works ($481.96).
A gross profit $47,428.10
$8,833.48
302
The following to be deducted :
Commissioners' salaries, one-half $300.00. . $150.00
*Interest on bonds 2,793.75
*Depreciation 4,719.13
$7,662.88
A net profit
$1,170.60
Assets
Machinery and manufacturing appli-
ances
$42,075.03
Real estate gas
11,592.78
Gas mains
48,095.16
Gas meters
13,047.86
Real estate electric
7,325.01
Steam plant
11,025.17
Electric plant
11,127.35
Pole lines
33,412.22
Arc lamps
2,103.87
Transformers
6,893.67
Electric meters
7,415.77
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