USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1922-1926 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
3 00
$593 31
Band Concerts :
Music
$350 00
Pensions
$560 00
1924 Outstanding Bills
$24 75
J. J. Angell Fund $94 35
Cemetery :
Superintendent
$250 00
Labor
3340 85
Shrubs, etc.
280 83
Tools
92 93
Water
8 00
Teams
150 00
All others
55 77
$4178 31
45
Interest :
Temporary Loans :
Anticipation of revenue $7980 39
General Loans :
Sewer
3580 00
Highway
1883 95
School
8638 47
Total Interest $22082 81
Debt:
Temporary Loans :
Anticipation of revenue$370000 00
General Loans :
Sewer
$1500 00
Highway
7360 00
School
30550 00
Total Indebtedness $409410 00
Agency :
State tax
$31440 00
County tax
20859 00
Auditing municipal ac-
counts
425 91
State Highway Tax
776 97
All others
1382 61
$54884 49
46
Trust Funds :
·
Cemetery
Perpetual
fund
$2589 63
Sinking fund
670 00
Surplus
War
Bonus
Fund
7778 99
Refund, overpayment,
Cemetery fund
50 00
$11088 62
Total Agency $65973 11
Outlays :
New Fire Pump :
Pump
$6500 00
Equipment
397 25
$6897 25
Eastford Road Grading :
$450 00
Eastford Road Pavement:
Labor
$1114 28
Truck
164 13
Material
1649.59
All others
72 00
$3000 00
Mill Street Pavement:
Labor
$1170 25
Truck 241 50
Material and rental
47
of machineries 1588 25
$3000 00
Charlton Street Pavement :
Labor
$2038 80
Teams
104 50
Trucks
772 75
Tools
23 72
Material
2534 09
Steam Shovel
525 00
$5998 86
Cohasse Street Sewer:
Contract (labor)
$186 03
Manhole
36 19
All others
2 00
$224 22
Hartwell Street Sewer:
1
Contract (labor)
$247 20
Material
84 77
Labor, extra
40 50
All others
7 00
$379 47
Eastford Road Sewer:
Contract (labor)
$2009 58
Labor
6097 26
Labor
6097 26
Material
803 90
48
Pipes
501 29
$9412 03
Chestnut Street Sewer:
Contract (labor)
$132 00
Labor
304 00
Trucks
2 00
All others
11 14
$449 14
Cohasse Street Extension :
Labor
$256 63
Pipes and material
805 49
Trucks
79 50
$1141 62
Dresser Street Playground :
Labor $607 44
Teams and trucks
1315 02
Steam Shovel
1262 54
Material
515 00
$3700 00
Marcy Street Sidewalk :
Contract
$3639 97
All others
133 59
$3773 56
49
Hartwell Street Sidewalk:
Contract
$1973 20
All others
18 00
$1991 20
Glover Street Sidewalk:
Contract
$2453 22
All others 117 00
$2570 22
Pleasant Street Sidewalk:
Contract
$1428 43
61 80
$1490 23
Goddard Street Sidewalk:
Contract $997 75
Sayles Street Sidewalk:
Contract
$1647 15
All others
2 00
$1649 15
Oakes Ave. Sidewalk :
Contract
$1293 80
All others
30 00
$1323 80
50
Everett Street Pavement :
$53 38 Labor
Henry Street Catch Basin :
Labor
$47 00
Material
148 84
$195 84
Filters Beds :
Labor
$15646 60
Teams
1441 38+
Trucks
20853 00
Steam Shovels
9442 04
Pipes
1311 63
Material
3931 99
Tools
1249 14
All others
612 63
Rental of Gasoline
Pump
198 00
$54683 41
Total payments
$983710 32
Cash on hand, December,
31, 1925 80119 17
$1063829 49
VALMORE P. TETREAULT,
Accountant.
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
BALANCE SHEET December 31, 1925
REVENUE ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Cash
54805 37
Accounts Receivable
Taxes :
Levy of 1923
117 98
Levy of 1924
14520 27
Levy of 1925
56163 69
$70801 94
Tax Title
725 94
Special Assessments:
Sidewalk
473 16
Sidewalk Committed Interest
30 36
Unapportioned Sewer
4299 61
Apportioned Sewer
75 57
Sewer Committed Interest
9 94
Apportioned Sewer 1926 to 1928
852 75
$5741 39
LIABILITIES
Reserve Fund
1332 10
Loans, Anticipation of Taxes
$100000 00
Tax Title Revenue 725 94
J. J. Angell Fund $5 41
Sidewalk Assessment Revenue
503 52
Sewer Assessment Revenue
4385 12
Departmental Revenue
6359 27
Tailing's
279 20
World War Memorial 7874 25
Boyer Trust Fund
29 23
Mary Mynott Fund
2 17
Fire Headquarters Sidewalk and Driveway
1200 00
Ix banon Hill Repairs 1500 00
$124276 21
Overlays Reserved for Abatements:
Departmental:
State Aid (From State)
658 00
Levy of 1923 117 98
Levy of 1924 2833 48
Military Aid (From State) 255 00
Town Hall
100 00
Ambulance
482 00
Highway
69 50
Apportioned Sewer:
Poor Department
2754 27
Due 1926
688 62
.
Due 1927
145 99
Cemetery
880 00
Due 1928
18 14
Police Department
300 00
6359 27
Excess and Deficiency
$852 75 $20867 46
Surplus War Bonus Fund and Accumulations 7874 25
Departmental Accounts
Tree Warden
15 03
Outside Poor
1298 22
Soldiers' Relief
7 34
Military Aid
255 01
Pensions
48 00
Cemetery
5 31
Eastford Road Sewer
3399 95
5028 86
$151337 02
151337 02
NON REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Cash
25313 80
80000 00
River Street School 21
Fillers Beds 25313 59
Surface Drainage 80000 00
Loans Authorized
Levy of 1925 2389 14
$5340 60
School
860 50
INDEBTEDNESS
Sinking Fund Net Bonded Debt
44360 40
Funded Debt
50000 00
Serial Debt
300910 00
350910 00
$350910 00
TRUST FUNDS
Cash and Securities
63448 93
Mary Mynott Fund
1000 00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
61248 93
Boyer Trust Fund 200 00
Jesse J. Angell Fund
1000 00
$63448 93
$63448 93
306549 60
VALMORE P. TETREAULT, Accountant.
?
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1926
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS for 1926
Moderator
$50.00
Selectmer
3,500.00
Election and Registration 3.500.00
Accountant
1,850.00
Town Hall
5,000.00
Treasurer
1,850.00
Tax Collector
2,500.00
Assessors
5,500.00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department
28,700.00
Sealer of Weights and Measureis' 1.100.00
Fire Department
28,554.00
Engineering Department
5.500.00
Forest Fires 800.00
Fire Warden
2,000.00
Damage to Persons and
Moth Department
500.00
Property 500.00
Game Warden
100.00
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Board of Health
10,750.00
General Cleaning
6,800.00
Sewer Maintenance
5,000.00
HIGHWAY
Bridges
1,200.00 Maintenance of Permanent
Highway
20,000.00
Roads
8,000.00
Snow and Ice
3,500.00
Street Oiling
2,500.00
Railings
500.00
Street Lights
14,500.00
Sidewalk Repairs
4,000.00
CHARITIES AND SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
Outside Poor
35.000.00 Almshouse
6.000.00
Mothers' Aid
8,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
4,000.00
Military Aid
600.00
EDUCATION
School
145.000.00 Library
10.000.00
RECREATION AND CELEBRATION
Band Concerts
350.00 Playground and Bath- houses 2,700.00
UNCLASSIFIED
Insurance
2,500.00
Water and Ice Supplies
1,000.00
Memorial Day
450.00
Interest
22,000.00
Care of Town Clock
50.00
Maturing Debt
44.110.00
Ambulance
500.00
Armistice Day
150.00
Cemetery
1,850.00
Annual Reports
Pensions
832.00
VALMORE P. TETREAULT,
Accountant.
Law 1,200.00
Town Clerk 3.20000
APPROPRIATIONS
Balance Jan. 1.
Transferred to
Appropriations
Total Credit
Unexpended Bal.
Transferred to Revenue
Expenditures
Transferred
From
Total Debit
Bal. on hand
Dec. 1, 1925.
Moderator
$50 00
$50 00
$20 00
$30 00
$50 00
Selectmen
4.150 00
4,150 00
454 03
3.695 97
4,150 00
Accountant
1,750 00
1,750 00
28 45
1,721 55
1,750 00
Treasurer
$35 00
1,850 00
1,885 00
48
1,884 52
1,885 00
Tax Collector
2,550 00
2,550 00
138 55
2,411 45
2,550 00
Assessors
5.285 00
5.285 00
27 69
5.257 31
5,285 00
Town Clerk
1,600 00
1,600 00
1 55
1,598 45
1.600 00
Law
600 00
600 00
600 00
600 00
Election and Registration
2,500 00
2.500 00
203 20
2,296 80
2.500 00
Town Hall
5,000 00
5,000 00
1 85
4,998 15
5,000 00
Police Department
28,700 00
28,700 00
94
28.699 06
28,700 00
Fire Department
28,634 00
28,634 00
20 28
28,613 72
28,634 00
Engineering Department
5,500 00
5,500 6%
4 82
5,495 18
5,500 00
Sealer of Weights & Measures
1,100 00
1,100 00
1,100 00
1,100 00
Forest Fires
800 00
800 00
229 98
570 02
800 00
Moth Department
500 00
500 00
2 94
497 06
500 00
Tree WarJen
1,000 00
1,000 00
1,015 03
1.015 03
Damage to Persons & Property
500 00
500 00
488 50
11 50
500 00
Board of Health
350 00
10,850 00
11,200 00
5 50
11,194 50
11,200 00
Sewer Maintenance
$50 00
6.500 00
7,350 00
346 53
7,003 47
7,350 00
General Cleaning
6.800 00
6,800 00
50 85
6,749 15
6,800 00
Bridges
1,300 00
1,300 00
3 42
1,296 58
1,300 00
Highways
500 00
15,500 00
16,000 00
398 56
14,101 44
1,500 00
16.000 00
Sidewalk Repairs
4,000 00
4.000 00
44 56
3,955 44
4,000 00
Maintenance of
Permanent
8,000 00
8,000 00
5 24
7,994 76
8,000 00
Railings
500 00
500 00
228 18
271 82
500 00
Oiling Street
2.500 00
2,500 00
24 20
2.475 80
2,500 00
Street Lights
14,400 00
14,400 00
35 90
14,364 10
14,400 00
Outside Poor
10,500 00
30,000 00
40,500 00
41,798 22
41,798 22
Mothers' Aid
8,000 00
8,000 00
15
7,499 85
500 00
8,000 00
Almshouse
6.000 00
6,000 00
56
5,999 44
6,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
400 00
3.000 00
3.400 00
3,407 34
3,407 34
Military Aid
255 00
255 00
510 01
510 01
State Aid
658 00
658 00
658 00
658 00
Library
8,500 00 138,000 00
8,500 00
35
8,499 65
8,500 00
School
60 00
138,060 00
17
138,059 83
138,060 00
Smith-Hughes Fund
1.548 95
1,548 95
1,548 95
1,548 95
Boyer School Fund
72 93
72 93
43 70
72 93
29 25
Mynott Fund
7 69
45 50
53 19
51 02
53 19
2 17
Water and Ice Supply
1.000 00
1,000 00
112 58
887 42
1,000 00
Insurance
37 50
3.100 00
3.137 50
174 26
2,963 24
3,137 50
Ambulance
600 00
600 00
6 69
593 31
600 00
Town Reports
605 28
605 28
605 28
605 28
1924 Outstanding Bills
24 75
24 75
24 75
24 75
Memorial Day
450 00
450 00
450 00
450 00
Playgrounds
231 71
2,300 00
2.531 71
2.531 71
2,531 71
Band Concerts
350 00
350 00
350 00
350 00
Town Clock
100 00
100 00
36 07
63 93
100 00
Game Warden
100 00
100 00
100 00
100 00
Cemetery
2.323 00
1.850 00
4 173 00
4.178 31
4,178 31
Interest
700 00
21,500 00
22,200 00
117 19
22,082 81
22,200 00
Maturing Debts
39,410 00
39.410 00
39,410 00 3,700 00
39,410 00
Dresser St. Playground
3,700 00
3,700 00
Eastford Road Grading
450 00
450 00
450 00
450 00
Eastford Road Paving
· 3,000 00
3,000 00
3,000 00
3,000 00
Mill Street Paving
3,000 00
3,000 00
73 65
2,926 35
3,000 00
Charlton Street Improvement
6,000 00
6,000 00
1 14
5,998 86
6,000 00
Cohasse Street Extension
1,200 00
1.200 00
58 38
1,141 62
1,200 00
Worcester & Henry Sts. Catch
200 00
200 00
4 16
195 84
200 00
Filters Beds
80,000 00
80,000 00
54,686 41
25,313 59
Eastford Road Sewer
1.512 08
1,500 00
6.012 08
9,412 03
9,412 03
Chestnut Street Sewer
449 14
449 14
449 14
449 14
Colasse Street Sewer
224 22
224 22
224 22
224 22
Hartwell Street Sewer
379 47
379 47
379 47
379 47
Hartwell Street Sidewalk
2.000 00
2,000 00
8 80
1.991 20
2,000 00
Marcy Street Sidewalk
4.000 00
4,000 00
226 44
3.773 56
4,000 00
Goddard Street Sidewalk
97 75
900 00
997 75
997 75
997 75
Sayles Street Sidewalk
1,049 15
600 00
1,649 15
1,649 15
1,649 15
Oakes Ave. Sidewalk
223 80
1,100 00
1.323 80
1.323 80
1,323 80
Glover Street Sidewalk
4,000 00
4.000 00
59 08
2,570 22
1,370 70
4,000 00
Pleasant Street Sidewalk
1.500 00
1,500 00
9 77
1,490 23
1,500 00
now and Ice
3,000 00
3.000 00
498 37
2,501 63
3.000 00
Pensions
512 00
512 00
560 00
560 00
Parks
300 00
300 00
80 29
219 71
300 00
New Fire Pump
7.000 00
7,000 00
102 75
6.897 25
7.000 00
Steam Roller Repairs
500 00
500 00
500 00
500 00
Everett Street Paving
53 38
53 38
53 38
53 38
Fire Dept. Sidewalk and Drive-
1,200 00
1.200 00
Lebanon Hill Repairs
1,500 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1.500 00
River Street School
21
21
21
21
Accountant.
VALMORE P. TETREAULT,
1,200 00
way
1,200 00
Basin
Rods
1925
55
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
To The Voters of Southbridge :
We respectfully submit to you the report of our activities for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1925. We hope it will meet with your approval.
1925 has certainly been a year of exceptional import- ance, by the number and the complexity of the problems which we have had to solve. We have tried to solve them to the best of our knowledge and ability, having always in mind the best interests of the community as a whole.
The most perplexing of those problems was the question oi transportation by busses, a question which kept the public mind in a turmoil. We think our decision in that matter has satisfied a great majority of the citizens.
Without ever thinking of commercializing the Lord's day, by granting permits for Sunday movies, we did try to help different charitable organizations to keep up their mem- bership, menaced by the hard times, which have prevailed during the year. We were misunderstood, and the numerous protests from the clergy of different denominations made us abandon what, in our mind, was not detrimental to the ob- servance of Sunday.
The regulation of traffic was next a question, the import- ance of which is obvious. We made rules and regulations
56
which have, in our opinion, made travel through the main streets of the town, less dangerous and helped the merchants to transact their business. For the same reasons of safety, we made Chapin street Street a one-way street and we are satis- fied this has worked very well.
A condition of danger existed at the corner of Charlton and Worcester Streets, accidents of a very grave nature had occurred at that point. We had a beacon light installed at the intersection of those two streets. This has at least lessen- ed the dangers of one of the worst corners in town.
In accordance with a vote which appropriated money for the same, we had extensive repairs made in Town Hall Build- ing. These repairs were badly needed, and you can judge by yourselves of the good they have done. The curtain of the stage gives a new air to the entire hall.
With the help of the Engineering Department we have started a new course in the repairing on streets, by grading them so there will never be any need of regrading them in the future. Goddard and Sayles Streets were fixed so as to meet these requirements.
The Public Utilities Commission having granted the Tele- phone Company its request for advanced rates, we had to meet that advance some way. The Company offered us two op- tions. One was for us to get a certain number of free in- struments for the use of town officials, and to have to pay full price for all the other departments; the other was not to get any free instruments, but get 33-1-3% off on all charges to the Town. After due consideration we chose the second op- tion and saved quite an amount to the Town.
Recognizing the absolute impossibility for us or for any
57
board to have laws observed without an up-to-date set of by- laws, we tried our best to get a report from a committee, ap- pointed some ten years ago, and had an article in the warrant of a special Town Meeting, asking for such a report. It was not given, but we got the promise of one for this spring meet- ing. We cannot emphasize too much the importance of get- ting those by-laws adopted and recorded at the earliest pos- sible moment.
We recommend, in order to abolish one of the worst and most dangerous curves in town, that a piece of land at the corner of Charlton and Worcester Street be purchased, as stak- ed out by the Engineering Department. An article has been in- serted in the Town Warrant to that effect.
We recommend that a more powerful light be installed at the corner of Main and Mechanic Streets, near the railroad bridge. This is a very dangerous corner and not sufficiently lighted.
We recommend, to continue repairs in Town Hall, that a new floor be laid and an appropriate ventilation system be installed.
We recommend the building of two short pieces of road on Pleasant and River Streets.
We recommend the appropriation of money to build the North Woodstock Road to the Connecticut line.
We are proud of our Fire Department, we have the ut- most confidence in its Chief Engineer. and the whole board, and we are glad to recommend the project of an addition to the Fire Station, as requested by the Board of Engineers.
58
Our Police Force, unhampered by official red tape, cer- tainly deserves commendation for the excellent work it has done, under the direction of its Chief.
Economy is a virtue, and we believe in it. We would like to see the tax rate lowered, but we believe the things we hereby recommend are necessary for the well functioning of the different departments and the well-being of the citizens of the Town.
There are of course a great many other things of less importance which we could recommend, but we will leave those for the next board to study and recommend in the future.
We might, and we must have made mistakes, but be as- sured we were prompted in all our decisions for the general welfare of the community.
(Signed)
JOSEPH LAFLECHE, 2nd, F. A. SANSOUCY, JOS. G. E. PAGE,
Selectmen.
59
REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Engineering Department making its second annual report, respectfully calls to your attention an inventory of equipment, outline of work accomplished during the past year and a list of recommendations looking to improvements and the general welfare.
Our first attention was given the articles of the Town Warrant, which had to do with outside construction or the acceptance of streets. Of the forty one articles voted on at the 1925 Town Meeting, this office made estimates or plans for twenty three. We are calling this to your attention, not because of the work involved, but to emphasize the short length of time allowed for preparation of estimates covering so many different needs.
Preliminary plans were prepared for the construction of a bituminous macadam road on Charlton Street and for cement concrete roadways on Mill Street and Eastford Road. Your decision to do this work by day labor was well advised. On Charlton Street, in addition to building the specified length of roadway, further improvements were added by the construction of three catch basins and about eight hundred lineal feet of twelve inch surface water sewer. On Mill Street and Eastford Road the day labor system of construc- tion resulted in building one third more surface area than would have been possible, had the work been let out to con- tract. The construction of Cohasse Street extension was also
60
turned over to this office. We appreciate the expression of satisfaction we have received from the abutters.
Plans and specifications were prepared for sidewalk con- struction. The program was extensive and surpassed the ef- forts of communities twice our size. Your decision to let this work out to contract was based as you were advised, on the keen competition which would result. This competition would have been lacking in the matter of road work.
At the appointed time the bids were received, publicly opened and read. Frank E. Nichols was the low bidder and having furnished a satisfactory bond, was awarded the con- tract. Work was started immediately and was carried through to a successful completion and the last payment on November sixteenth nineteen hundred twenty five.
During the course of this sidewalk contract it would have been much easier for us to have followed the grades as we found them. On Goddard Court it was deemed advisable to lower the grade. Now that the work is. done the benefit is most apparent. The same was true of Sayles Street, and we are sure the residents along this portion of the street appre- ciate the change.
A report on the sidewalk construction of last year would r(t be complete without calling, to your attention the gene- rosity of Mr. Felix Gatineau and of Mrs. and Mr. Jack Cap- Jovich, who freely gave of their respective plots of land, so that the awkward angle on Goddard Court was smoothed out and traffic conditions greatly improved. In our opinion it would seem commendable if a portion of each sidewalk as- sessment were abated.
The Assessment lists together with the necessary form have been prepared by this office and are ready for mailing.
61
Grades and lines were given for the construction of new sewer mains in Chestnut and Hartwell Streets and Eastford Road, also on the low level line within the boundaries of the American Optical Company along East Main Street. Follow- ing the advice of this office the Town voted to substitute cast iron pipe for the akron pipe in use. An inspection of this main as relaid, shows results which wholly justify the changes. In our opinion it would be well to investigate the condition of the low level sewer along Mechanics Street with a view to hanging from akron pipe to cast iron pipe.
Grades and lines were given on the Dresser Street Play- grounds. The Park Commissioners also directed that this office proceed with the work on a day labor basis. For the 1, oney spent more was accomplished than in previous years. A large appropriation for the completion of this work should commend itself to the voters. The boys and girls of the Town need a public recreation and athletic field, a place where they can develop that prowess necessary to compete favorably with boys and girls of other communities.
We prepared plans and estimates for the construction of a surface water sewer on Worcester Street, Olney Avenue. Thomas Street and Charlton Street. It was our intention to divert the brook now running through private property in to this sewer. Abutters in the area to be benefited objected to the method of assessment and therefore nothing further has been done.
This office realizing the necessity of suitable street signs made an effort to start a system covering this need. The signs which we have placed in the business district seem to be ac- ceptable. It would seem advisable to continue placing similar signs at the intersection of all the streets leading from Main. Hamilton, Worcester and Mechanics Streets. A different
62
style of sign might be more appropriate in other sections of the Town. The signs which have been placed on Main Street were paid for out of this department's appropriattion and were placed in position by men from Fire Headquarters.
· A detailed sectional map of the area bounded easterly Elm Street, southerly by Durfee Street, westerly by Prospect Street and northerly by Hartwell Street, has been compiled For the use of the Assessors.
We are pleased to report that a large number of people . have called for the aluminum house numbers which this office furnishes free of charge. We feel that this cooperatiton will continue and we are ready to continue the custom of free num- bers and the assignment of them.
The traffic paint used in directing and controlling traffic was bought and paid for by this office. It was applied by the men from Fire Headquarters.
As a means of furthering public safety we have painted some of the poles along heavily travelled streets and at dark and dangerous corners. The labor of painting as well as the purchase of the paint was borne by this office.
The major portion of our time has been spent on the construction of new filter beds for the disposal of sewage. In town meeting the sum of $80,000.00 was appropriated for this work. The work included the completion of a project sub- mitted in the latter part of 1907, with the addition of two new beds near the Quinebaug River, the renovation of six of the old beds, and the possible improvement of the settling tanks.
Actual work was started during the week of June 20th 1925. Excellent progress was made in spite of the fact that
63
very hard digging and water was encountered in three of the beds. In one of the beds the character of the excavation was such, that, it became necessary to use about two tons of dyna- mite. By October 30th we had completed the excavation and the building of the banks, and the greater part of the bank along the River had been riprapped. The most difficult half of the work had been completed and the beds were ready for sand. Up to this time about $28,000.00 had been spent.
In 1924, during the preliminary investigation of the pro- nosed work, the writer, in company with Mr. Clarke, chief chemist, and Mr. Wright, first assistant engineer of the State I epartment of Public Health, took samples of sand from the bank of the Southbridge Printing Company, and from the bank of the American Optical Company, adjoining St. Mary's Cem- etery. The latter bank being under lease to J. A. Genereux. Tests of these samples revealed satisfactory sand.
The principal item necessary to the completion of our work, now, was the placing of about 20,000 cubic yards of sand in the beds. This should have been done for the sum of $30,000.00. This office was somewhat enthusiastic, since We expected to finish all the required program for about $65,- 000.00. The balance of the appropriation would allow us to improve the settling tanks and to remove a sand bar, which had formed in the Quinebaug River, between the main outlet fo the beds and the bridge.
Since in our opinion the sand of the Southbridge Printing Company. was the best sand in the locality, we, naturally, turn- ed to the owners expecting hearty co-operation in carrying on the project so vital to the Town. The Treasurer of the South- bridge Printing Company refused to sell the sand to the Town. The price submitted for sand from the other bank from which the above mentioned samples were taken, was too high. in
64
our opinion. We therefore turned our attention to other sites. Tests disclosed an acceptable sand on the farm of Thomas W. Blackmer, mn West Dudley. This bank was about one and one-half miles from the beds.
After removing 4800 cubic yards from this bank, we en- countered boulders and a very high per cent. of stone con- tent. It became necessary to move. The price of ten cents per cubic yard was paid for this sand, with the understanding that the fences be replaced and the pits left in good condition. „About this time the sewer commissioners deemed it advisable to enter into contract with Mederic Duhamel for the purchase of his sand. This bank was highly stratified, and, while one of the stratum presented excellent material, the greater volume of the sand was of extremely fine texture. It finally became necessary to stop using this sand after 10,156 cubic yards had neen taken. This bank was four and one-half miles from the beds and the price of ten cents per cubic yard was paid. Further consideration was now given to the bank under lease to J. A. Genereux, but this bank now having been opened to a greater extent than in 1924, showed a very high stone con- tent, and therefore unavailable.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.