Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1931, Part 8

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1931
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 288


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1931 > Part 8


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99


REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD


Lake Quannapowitt has received its usual care and attention, copper sulphate having been applied on the following dates: August 14, 1931, October 20, 1931. The outlet of the pond has been cleaned to the new bridge at Vernon Street. We recommend that this treatment be continued.


We believe that no further sewer extensions should be made until a proper survey has been made of the unsewered sections of the Town.


The Superintendent's report which follows gives in more detail in- formation as to construction, improvements and so forth, which will be of interest to the Town.


WILLIAM B. STANTIAL, GEORGE H. STIMPSON, SIDNEY F. ADAMS,


Commissioners.


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


To the Water and Sewerage Board: Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1931


WATER EXTENSIONS


Whittemore Terrace, 114 feet of 114" Galvanized pipe from dead end northerly.


Brook Street, 216 feet of 8" cast iron pipe from Hopkins Street northerly.


Strathmore Road, 650 feet of 6" cast iron pipe from dead end northerly. Elm Street, 492 feet of 6" cast iron pipe from Parker Road northerly. Spring Street (off Water Street), 50 feet of 2" Galvanized pipe from dead end southerly.


Private Way (east of Spring Street), 80 feet of 2" Galvanized pipe from Spring Street easterly.


Wharton Park, 108 feet of 6" cast iron pipe from dead end southerly.


Lassell Street, 425 feet of 6" cast iron pipe from Humphrey Street to Hanson Street.


Bowdlear Road, 188 feet of 2" Galvanized pipe from dead end northerly.


Aborn Avenue, 385 feet of 8" cast iron pipe from Vernon Street west- ersy.


Ashcroft Street, 97 feet of 11/2" Galvanized pipe from dead end south- erty.


RECONSTRUCTION


Coolidge Park, 280 feet of 6" cast iron pipe to replace 2" Galvanized pipe.


Wiley Place, 104 feet of 6" cast iron pipe from Spring Street westerly.


Wiley Place, 220 feet of 2" Galvanized pipe from end of 6" pipe west- erly; also 110 feet of 11/2" Galvanized pipe from end of 6" cast iron pipe northerly. This pipe was relaid to make room for sewer construction.


100


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Winn Street, 200 feet of 2" Galvanized pipe from Elm Street easterly. Clifton Avenue, 181 feet of 11/4" Galvanized pipe from dead end south- erly.


Melvin Street, 1143 feet of 8" cast iron pipe from Nahant to Bennett Streets.


HYDRANTS INSTALLED


Strathmore Road, near house of Skinner.


Strathmore Road, 50 feet north of house of Bliss.


Strathmore Road, corner Sheffield Road.


Coolidge Park, opposite house of Field.


Hanson Street, opposite Lassell Street.


Oak Street, 42 feet east of house of Ricker.


Main Street, opposite No. 796.


Wiley Place, 78 feet west of Spring Street.


HYDRANTS RELOCATED


Hydrant No. 113, opposite No. 46 Melvin Street, moved 39 feet north to avoid trees.


SERVICES


New Services laid this year


64


Services relaid during the year


47


Number of feet of pipe laid on private land


2221' 5"


Number of feet of pipe laid on public land


1498' 1"


Number of feet of pipe relaid on private land 1480' 3"


Number of feet of pipe relaid on public land 1099' 2"


MAIN BREAKS DURING YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1931


TIME


Date 1931


Size


Location


Cause


Occurred


Water On


January


7


9.00 a.m.


11.45 a.m.


11/4" Gal. I.


Gladstone St. cor. Crystal St.


Pipe pulled out of Valve


February


16


8.45 a.m.


5.30 p.m.


8" Cem.


Broadway near cor. Albion St.


May


27


5.30 p.m.


8.55 p.m.


16" C. I.


Broadway under B. & M. R. R. Cross.


June


16


2.30 p.m.


7.10 p.m.


6" Cem.


North Ave. 150 ft. north of Church St. Split Pipe


July


1


Water not


16" C. I.


Broadway under B. & M. R. R. Cross. Joint Leak


shut off


July


16


Water not


4" Cem.


Oak St. opp. Greenwood Ave.


shut off


August


7


9.45 a.m.


4.00 p.m.


6" Cem.


Main St. opp. No. 842


August


15


10.00 a.m.


4.15 p.m.


8" Cem.


Broadway opp. No. 61


August


15


12.05 p.m.


5.00 p.m.


6" Cem.


W. Chestnut St. opp. Donovan, No. 57 Old Age North Ave. at Yale Ave.


Joint Leak


November


4


4.50 p.m.


10.25 p.m.


6" Cem.


Melvin St. opp. No. 46


November


5


9.05 a.m.


6.10 p.m.


6" Cem.


Traverse St. opp. No. 16


November


27


Water not shut off


6" C. I.


Oak St. 200 ft. east of Fell St.


December


4


8.55 a.m.


4.00 p.m.


Broadway opp. No. 59


December


4


4.20 p.m.


10.45 p.m.


8" Cem. 8" Cem.


December


16


2.25 p.m.


4.00 p.m.


2" Gal. I


Broadway near Albion St. Ashcroft Pl. opp. No. 5


Old Age Old Age Thread at Union Leaking


AND SEWERAGE BOARD


101


REPORT OF


WATER


Bar Holes by Light Dept. Old Age Joint Leak


November


3


Water not shut off


12" Cem.


Old Age Joint Leak


Old Age Old Age Joint Leak


102


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


PUMPING RECORDS


1930


1931


January


21,640,000 gallons


18,040,000 gallons


February


20,455,000


18,380,000


March


22,270,000


66


20,355,000


April


21,350,000


66


20,550,000


May


23,630,000


23,175,000


66


June


23,505,000


24,070,000


66


July


20,935,000


66


23,690,000


66


August


18,485,500


23,745,000


September


15,679,350


66


21,986,000


October


17,535,450


66


22,299,000


November


17,728,850


21,285,000


66


December


19,491,125


66


24,085,000


66


242,705,275 gallons


261,660,000 gallons


Average daily consumption, 1930


664,946 gallons


Average daily consumption, 1931


716,877


Average daily per capita of estimated population, 1930


39.1


66


Average daily per capita of estimated population, 1931


42.2


Total pumped, 1930


242,705,275


Total pumped, 1931


261,660,000


66


PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS


An International Truck of 11/2 tons capacity with dual wheels, was purchased to replace a truck of the same make which has been in service since 1927.


The pumping station and coal shed have received two coats of paint during the year.


The blacksmith's shop has been moved to the rear, greatly improving the appearance of the yard.


WATER SUPPLY


Crystal Lake, Wakefield's water supply, is at present 30" below high water which elevation is 27" higher than last year.


No water has been pumped from the driven wells off Nahant Street since January 6, at which time the test was completed.


LOW LEVEL SEWER SYSTEM


The low level system has been in operation since 1926 and has given complete satisfaction.


SEWER MAINTENANCE


The entire system has been brushed and all manholes have been cleaned and inspected.


REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD


103


SEWER CONNECTIONS


Applications for house connections to date


1661


Number of connections made 1553


Number of connections made during year


82


Number of connections waiting


0


LOW LEVEL SEWER CONSTRUCTION


Pleasant Street, from Sweetser Street southerly, 869 feet of 8" tile pipe. Aborn Avenue, from Pleasant Street, westerly, 187.5 feet of 8" tile pipe. White Avenue, from Pleasant Street, westerly, 143.7 feet of 8" tile pipe. Sweetser Street, from Sta. 0+00, easterly to Court Street, 304 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Court Street, from Sweetser Street to Central Street 279 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Central Street, from Court Street westerly, 74 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Vinton Street, manhole opposite Sewer Pumping Station, easterly to Wiley Place, 552.8 feet of 10" cast iron pipe.


Wiley Place, from Vinton Street easterly to Spring Street, 420.85 feet of 10" tile pipe; also, Wiley Place northerly, 127.4 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Spring Street, from Water Street southerly, 388.25 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Water Street, from Spring Street easterly to Summer Street, 341.58 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Water Street, from Spring Street westerly to opposite No. 108, 397 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Perham Street, from Water Street northerly to opposite No. 18, 550.1 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Blossom Street, from Perham Street to Newhall Court, 275 feet of 8" tile pipe.


Salem Street, from Vernon Street westerly to Pleasant Street, 674.97 feet of 8" tile pipe.


SEWER CONSTRUCTION


Evergreen Street, from Laurel Street northerly, 250 feet of 8" tile pipe. Broadway, from Sta. 5+30.18 westerly to Sta. 6+59, 129 feet of 8" tile pipe.


In conclusion I wish to extend my sincere thanks to each and every member of the Department for his hearty co-operation in all emergencies during the year.


I also extend my thanks to the heads and members of the various Town Departments for their support and co-operation during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


MORRISON MERRILL, Superintendent.


104


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Dog Officer


Wakefield, Mass., December 29, 1931.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer for the year 1931.


Have answered 688 calls.


Have gassed 64 dogs.


Have found homes for 24 dogs.


Have returned 46 dogs to rightful owners.


All stray dogs have been kept from 7 to 21 days.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE A. BENNETT, Dog Officer.


105


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


Report of Town Treasurer


To the Citizens of Wakefield:


I herewith present my report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1931.


TRUST FUNDS


The Trust Funds and available income balances now in my hands are as follows:


Cornelius Sweetser Lecture Fund


$ 10,000.00


Cornelius Sweetser Lecture Guarantee Fund


2,124.19


John Gould Aborn Library Fund


1,689.26


Cyrus G. Beebe Library Fund


2,000.00


Frederick Beebe Library Fund


1,000.00


Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson Library Fund


500.00


Flint Memorial Library Fund


1,000.00


Merrill W. Gove Library Fund


500.00


Dr. Francis P. Hurd Library Fund


2,500.00


Franklin Poole Library Fund


500.00


Mary H. Pratt Library Fund


200.00


Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund


500.00


Mary E. Aborn Park Fund


2,000.00


Nancy White Park Fund


1,000.00


Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson High School Fund


1,000.00


Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson High School Fund interest balance available


225.73


Nancy White Hurd School Fund


500.00


Nancy White Hurd School Fund, interest balance available


105.54


Jonathan Nichols Temperance Fund


1,000.00


Jonathan Nichols Temperance Fund, interest balance available


128.21


Sarah Burbank Burial Lot Fund


100.00


Sarah Burbank Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


81.56


Ezra Eaton Burial Lot Fund


100.00


Ezra Eaton Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


13.95


Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson Old Cemetery Fund


1,000.00


Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson Old Cemetery Fund, interest balance available 199.95


Flint Old Burial Ground Fund


2,000.00


Flint Old Burial Ground Fund, interest balance available


202.54


Stimpson Family Burial Lot Fund


200.00


Stimpson Family Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


39.42


Clarissa E. Swain Burial Lot Fund 500.00


Clarissa E. Swain Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


73.67


-Carried forward


$ 32,984.02


106


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Brought forward $ 32,984.02


Cornelius Sweetser Burial Lot Fund


1,000.00


Cornelius Sweetser Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available 85.53


Jane K. Vinton Burial Lot Fund 50.00


Jane K. Vinton Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available 12.15


George M. Kelley Burial Lot Fund


25.00


George M. Kelley Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


1.51


Levi Flanders Burial Lot Fund 100.00


Levi Flanders Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


6.82


Gad and Clarissa Chandler Carter Burial Lot Fund


200.00


Gad and Clarissa Chandler Carter Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available 56.77


P. M. Wilkinson Burial Lot Fund


50.00


P. M. Wilkinson Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


3.26


Francis C. Robie Burial Lot Fund


25.00


Francis C. Robie Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


1.46


James and Elizabeth Walton Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery James and Elizabeth Walton Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery, interest balance available


4.93


Adams Coburn Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery


100.00


Adams Coburn Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery, interest bal- ance available


3.31


Martha D. Wilson Burial Lot Fund


200.00


Martha D. Wilson Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


10.87


J. Walter Curley Burial Lot Fund 50.00


3.47


J. Walter Curley Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available Rev. John M. Currie Burial Lot Fund


50.00


Rev. John M. Currie Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


5.47


Sylvester Burditt Burial Lot Fund


50.00


Sylvester Burditt Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


1.05


Dr. John Hart Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery


200.00


Dr. John Hart Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery, interest balance available 22.01


Harry E. Haskell Burial Lot Fund


100.00


Harry E. Haskell Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


.80


Oliver Burial Lot Fund


50.00


Oliver Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


1.03


Elizabeth Stout Burial Lot Fund


300.00


Elizabeth Stout Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


14.33


John Sweetser Burial Lot Fund


200.00


John Sweetser Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available


4.96


Mary Lizzie Smith Fund for care of old cannon on common


100.00


Mary Lizzie Smith Fund, interest balance available


7.41


Carried forward


$ 36,181.16


100.00


107


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


Brought forward


$ 36,181.16


Annie L. Cox Prize for advancement in Design Fund


100.00


Annie L. Cox Scholarship Fund for Italian Students


5,000.00


$ 41,281.16


The above trust funds are invested as follows


United States Liberty Loan 414 % Bonds


$ 10,000.00


Wakefield Savings Bank


13,615.33


Blackstone Savings Bank


613.95


Cambridge Savings Bank


5,649.39


Malden Savings Bank


5,500.00


Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank


5,902.49


$ 41,281.16


Full details as to the nature of these funds, their income and detailed expenditures will be found in the Town Accountant's Report.


108


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


LOAN ACCOUNT


The following sums have been borrowed on Temporary Notes in anticipation of revenue during the year:


$200,000.00 at 2.155 per cent discount 100,000.00 at 2.075 per cent discount


100,000.00 at 1.90 per cent discount plus $1.00 premium


50,000.00 at 1.53 per cent discount


50,000.00 at 1.72 per cent discount


100,000.00 at 1.84 per cent discount


50,000.00 at 4.17 per cent discount


100,000.00 at 5.40 per cent discount


$750,000.00


Of this amount $450,000.00 has been paid leaving a balance due in 1932 of $300,000.00 in anticipation of revenue.


PERMANENT DEBT


Permanent debt Jan. 1, 1931 $1,348,000.00 Paid during 1931 137,000.00


$1,211,000.00 The permanent debt has decreased $137,000.00 during the year 1931.


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


109


MATURITIES OF TOWN DEBT


Maturing in 1932


$ 136,000.00


1933


128,000.00


1934


117,500.00


1935


113,500.00


1936


109,500.00


1937


107,500.00


1938


104,500.00


1939


103,500.00


1940


82,000.00


1941


67,000.00


1942


51,500.00


1943


34,500.00


1944


19,000.00


1945


12,000.00


1946


10,000.00


1947


10,000.00


1948


2,000.00


1949


2,000.00


1950


1,000.00


$1,211,000.00


The debt is chargeable to the following:


Water Department


$ 225,000.00


Light Department


124,000.00


Metropolitan Sewer


94,000.00


Local Sewers


202,000.00


School Buildings


565,000.00


Highway


1,000.00


$1,211,000.00


CASH ACCOUNT On the following pages will be found the Treasurer's Cash Account.


110


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Dr.


Arthur H. Boardman, Treasurer


To balance from last report, cash


$129,042.16


Borrowed on Temporary Notes


750,000.00


Premium on above notes


1.00


Board of Appeal receipts


50.00


Building inspector's receipts


307.50


Cemetery, receipts


435.50


Collector of Taxes, receipts-Moth Assessments


2,821.13


Sidewalks


5,476.03


Tax Certifications


41.00


Taxes and interest


803,451.97


Excise Taxes


29,705.07


Old Age Assistance


3,005.00


Commonwealth of Massachusetts:


Burial Indigent Soldiers and Sailors


100.00


Corporation Tax, Business


17,164.37


Public Service


3,035.29


Department of Education, English Speaking Classes


355.00


Department of Public Works, Division of Highways


439.53


Director of Standards, licenses


22.00


Income Tax


81,309.85


Military Aid


336.50


National Bank Tax


894.21


North Reading State Sanitarium


47.29


Section 7, Chapter 122, Acts 1931


8,445.68


State Aid


396.00


Street Railway Tax


520.79


Temporary Aid


950.15


Trust Company Tax, Sec. 1, Chap. 343, Acts 1925


1,051.73


Veterans' Exemption


180.66


Vocational Education aid to Industrial Schools


1,211.87


Vocational Education Training-Smith Hughes Act


166.01


Vocational Education Training-George Reed Fund


8.41


Court Fines


2,945.00


Fire Department, receipts


63.25


Health Department, receipts


1,018.75


Highway Department, receipts


4.00


Library, receipts


941.43


Middlesex County, Division of Highways


370.79


Dog Tax, 1930


1,769.79


House of Correction fines, etc.


81.00


Municipal Light Plant, receipts


337,657.02


Public Welfare Department, receipts


9,599.04


Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aiding mothers


637.33


Redemption Tax Title Deeds


2,788.73


Carried forward


$2,198,847.83


111


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


In Account with Town of Wakefield


Cr.


By cash paid, Discount on Temporary Notes


$ 9,327.04


By cash paid, Selectmen's Warrants


2,153,102.65


By cash credit, Account Court Expenses


121.33


By cash credit, Offset State Credits 59,475.93


By cash credit, Tax Collector for Tax Title Deeds


2,661.36


Total payments Cash in Treasury


$2,224,688.31


129,895.81


$2,354,584.12


Carried forward


$2,354,584.12


112


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Dr.


To Arthur H. Boardman, Treasurer


Brought forward


$2,198,847.83


Redemption Tax Title Deeds, interest and releases on same


436.27


Refunds-Highway Department from Commonwealth of


Massachusetts, Gasoline Tax 243.59


Highway Department from Waldo Bros. Co.


35.31


Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, cash advanced


50.00


Cambridge Traffic Artery from Commonwealth of Massachusetts 146.28


Board of Health, City of Malden


89.00


M. E. S. Clemons, costs in suit against Building Inspector 22.75


Investigate Sewerage in Boston Harbor from Com- monwealth of Massachusetts 65.98


Public Welfare Department from Standard Oil Co. of N. Y. 23.04


Public Welfare Department


173.00


Public Welfare Department from Paine's Inc.


10.31


School Department, cash advanced


50.00


Selectmen from Allen-Wales Adding Machine Co.


1.00


Soldiers' Relief


10.00


Water Department, cash advanced


25.00


Water Department, Water Maintenance


103.55


School Department, receipts


15,171.69


Sealer of Weights and Measures, receipts


202.24


Selectmen's receipts-Various licenses


1,168.50


Sewer Receipts


13,526.45


Sewer receipts, connections deposits


7,106.83


Sewer receipts, sewer maintenance


436.22


Taxes and interest, Caroline E. Smith, years 1923-1930


59.82


Taxes and interest James J. Carrigan, Jr., year 1929


1,129.04


Teachers' Retirement Fund, Assessments


9,257.50


Town Hall, receipts


220.00


Trust Funds, receipts


1,466.23


Wakefield Trust Co.


106.24


Interest on Treasurer's balance


2,318.56


Three-fourths of the income from the Junius Beebe Trust for the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library


1,073.90


Ninety per cent of the income from Marcus Beebe Trust


592.37


Ninety per cent of the income from Decius Beebe Trust


749.18


Ninety per cent of the income from Frederick Beebe Trust


336.39


Carried forward


$2,255,285.41


Interest on Collector's balance


31.34


Surplus War Bonus Funds, interest on deposit


113


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


In Account with Town of Wakefield Brought forward


Cr.


$2,354,584.12


Carried forward


$2,354,584.12


114


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Dr.


To Arthur H. Boardman, Treasurer


Brought forward


$2,255,285.41


Ninety per cent of the income from Alice Beebe Carpenter Trust


250.95


54.24


Ninety per cent of the income from Charles S. Beebe Trust Ninety per cent of the income from George O. Carpenter Trust


54.21


Ninety per cent of the income from. Eleanor H. Beebe Trust


251.37


Ninety per cent of the income from Sylenda B. Stearns Trust 89.40


Ninety per cent of the income from Katherine E. Beebe Trust 254.01


159.42


Water Department, receipts


96,893.71


Water Department, house rents


90.00


Water Department, Water Construction Account


801.20


Water Department, Water Construction Deposit


230.00


Water Department, Water Maintenance Account


170.20


$2,354,584.12


-


$2,354,584.12


Ninety per cent of the income from John H. Beebe Trust


115


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


In Account with Town of Wakefield


Cr.


Brought forward


$2,354,584.12


$2,354,584.12


116


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


FINAL STATEMENT


During the year 1932, the following time loans will fall due and are to be included in the tax levy of 1932.


High School


$ 22,500.00


Montrose School


15,000.00


Woodville School


3,500.00


Greenwood School


9,500.00


Franklin School


9,000.00


Metropolitan Sewer


11,000.00


Extension of Sewer


22,000.00


Highway


1,000.00


$ 93,500.00


Water Loan


12,000.00


Extension Water Mains Loan


1,000.00


Water Loan, Acts of 1922


4,000.00


Water Departmental Equipment Loan


2,000.00


Water Loan


8,000.00


Water Loan


3,000.00


All included in Water Department appropriation Light Plant (Paid from receipts of plant)


$ 30,000.00


12,500.00


$136,000.00


117


REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER


There will also be required the following amounts to meet our interest


payments:


High School


$ 9,862.50


Montrose School


4,945.00


Woodville School


956.25


Franklin School


2,680.00


Greenwood School


4,643.13


Metropolitan Sewer


3,290.00


Extension of Sewer


8,141.25


Highway


21.25


Temporary Loan (estimated)


13,460.62


$ 48,000.00


Water Loans (included in Water Department ap- propriation)


$ 6,860.00


Extension of Water Mains (included in Water De- · partment appropriation)


240.00


Water Loan Acts of 1922 (included in Water De- partment appropriation)


1,448.75


Water Departmental Equipment


(included in


Water Department appropriation)


80.00


$ 8,628.75


Light Plant (paid from receipts of plant)


$ 4,972.50


$ 61,601.25


The borrowing capacity of the town, on temporary notes in anticipa- tion of 1931 revenue, was $949,698.46, as determined by the State Director of Accounts. Of this amount the town borrowed the sum of $750,000.00 and of this latter amount $450,000.00 has been paid, leaving $300,000.00 to to be paid in 1932.


Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR H. BOARDMAN,


Treasurer.


118


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of the Municipal Light Board


To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:


We herewith submit the thirty-eighth annual report of the Municipal Light Board which covers the year ending December, 1931.


Annexed to this report you will find a balance sheet, statement of in- come and expenses of the Gas and Electric departments, a profit and loss statement in the report of the Manager of the plant.


During the year the Electric Department was operated at a profit of $48,001.30 and the Gas Department was operated at a profit of $20,553.17.


The depreciation fund at the end of the year was $8,992.59 after using substantial amounts for the installation of underground conduits in Main Street, Albion Street, Foster Street and North Avenue and new street lights in Albion Street and other new construction and replacements.


We propose asking the town for $18,000.00 for street lighting service for 1932, the same amount that has been asked for six years past, in spite of the fact that the system has been constantly increased.


The bonded indebtedness has been reduced from $136,500.00 to $124,- 000.00 and the net book value of the plant has been increased from $632,- 213.29 to $697,369.45.


We propose to ask the town at its annual meeting to authorize a trans- fer from the Operation Fund to Construction Fund the sum of $57,543.89 which represents the cash balance in the Operation Fund at the end of 1931. Thus for the seventh consecutive year it will be unnecessary to increase the bonded indebtedness to provide for extensions of the Plant's system.


The books of the department are being audited by Christie, Huntington & Co., Certified Public Accountants.


Respectfully submitted, MARCUS BEEBE, 2nd, Chairman, A. FRANCIS HARRINGTON, Secretary, CURTIS L. SOPHER,


Board of Commissioners, Municipal Light Department.


119


REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD


January 1, 1932.


The Board of Light Commissioners,


Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen:


I take pleasure in submitting this thirty-eighth annual report of this department for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1931. £ The report covers items of income and expense and other data. I would call your attention to the fact that, although there has been a decline in business throughout the town, and many of the business concerns have been seri- ously affected, one of the largest moving to another location outside the town, another combined with one of its own type and closing its factory here; there has been a decrease in our net profit of only 10% as compared with 1930.


ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT


This department produced a gross revenue from Sales of $193,526.27 with total operating expenses $140,981.78 and a net profit of $48,001.30.


GAS DEPARTMENT


This department produced a gross revenue from sales of $136,792.41 with an operating expense of $114,347.18 and a net profit of $20,553.17.


BONDED DEBT


The bonded debt on account of the department is now $124,000.00, a decrease of $12,500.00 during the present year.


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT


The net increase in property and plant amounted to $50,857.11, the major items of increase being due to the installation of underground conduits.


Several small extensions of gas main have been made and a few small mains replaced by larger sizes during the year. Leakage was located and an old cast iron main in Water St. cut out of service and new house connec- tions made, with a four inch pipe of the abandoned high pressure line. An over night test on the latter showed very little change in pressure, in- dicating that the line was in good condition. No further complaints have been received along this line and it is believed that the leakage has been stopped.


The main construction effort of the year was the laying of under- ground ducts from the Melrose line to connect with the present under- ground conduit at the Main Street Railroad crossing. This work was undertaken in anticipation of the resurfacing of Main Street over the same limits and the abandonment of the Street Railway, of its poles, tracks, etc. Another piece of underground conduit was laid in Albion Street, Main Street to North Avenue; Foster Street between West Water Street and Albion Street, and North Avenue between Albion Street and Chestnut Street. This work enabled the Department to set and put in service a number of street lights on ornamental poles. A number of the abandoned




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