USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1925-1929 > Part 19
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18.63
Silva, Arthur, 113 Copeland
2.00
Silva, John A., 113 Copeland
2.00
Silva, Joseph, 23 Prog. Ave.
1.10
Silva, Joseph, 63 Brooks Pl.
2.55
Silva, Lewis, 17 Prog. Ave.
3.38
Silva, Theresa, 113 Copeland
63.89
Silveria, Antoine F., 31 Prog. Ave.
25.46
Silveria, Antone J., 131 Copeland
61.34
Silveria, John, 35 Roosevelt Ave.
68.10
Silveria, John, Jr., 35 Roosevelt Ave.
.69
Simmons, Agnes, 151 So. Elm
31.05
Simmons, Julia W., 107 No. Main
182.85
74
Simmons, Martha A., 25 High
89.70
Simmons, Albert L., 151 So. Elm
2.00
Simmons, Morton A., 107 No. Main
7.80
Simino, Charles, 269 Matfield
60.65
Simino, Frank E., 253 Matfield
84.25
Simino, Frank W., 298 Matfield
62.44
Simpson, H. Ellsworth
.69
Sinclair, Ralph, 46 Belmont
5.86
Sinclair, Ralph, et al., 46 Belmont
64.86
Sinnott, Charles P.
20.70
Sisson, Charles G., 30 Charles
50.30
Slade, S. Agnes, 304 No. Elm
102.81
Slade, William E., 304 No. Elm
20.22
Slate, Anna M., 35 Com. Ave.
50.51
Sloan, Geo. H., 153 E. Centre
2.00
Small, Albert F., Jr.
3.45
Smith, Alice D., 596 Walnut
56.22
Smith, Charles A., 20 Hillside
11.94
Smith, C. Elmer, Jr.
.69
Smith, Etta C.
3.31
Smith, George, 52 Maolis Ave.
6.42
Smith, George W., 194 No. Elm
122.75
Smith, Herbert L., 26 Arch
17.18
Smith, Nellie F., 26 Arch
88.32
Smith, Fred E., Maolis Ave.
309.88
Smith, John I., 496 Walnut
5.04
Smith, Robert W., 194 No. Elm
2.00
Snell, Arthur C., 417 Matfield
2.69
Snell, Elizabeth M., 352 Spring
142.56
Snell, Horace R., 359 No. Elm
81.75
Snell, T. Prescott, 332 No. Elm
224.87
Snell, Warren P., 352 Spring
11.05
Snow, Albert C., 20 Forest
45.34
Snow, Gustava F., 417 Matfield
173.05
Snow, Joseph C.
7.59
Snow, Richard A., et al.
11.04
Soars, Maria de Luz, 375 Ash
51.06
Soars, Evelyn, Roosevelt Ave.
6.21
Soule, Aubrey M., 27 Glenmere
38.64
Soule, Basil M., 14 Merritt
8.35
Soule, Lena L., 14 Merritt
79.35
Sousa, Antone, 208 Forest
2.00
Sousa, Frank M., 50 Grant
2.00
75
Sousa, Joe M., 613 No. Elm
2.00
Sousa, John C., 13 Columbus Ave.
63.69
Sousa, Joseph, 375 Ash
2.00
Sousa, Joseph T., 109 Copeland
19.39
Sousa, Manuel, 141 Forest
2.00
Sousa, Manuel J., 218 Forest
34.43
Sparrow, Gustavus H.
138.00
Spencer, Arthur B., 91 River
117.92
Spencer, Bertha B., 91 River
28.15
Sturgis, Grace W., 9 Vital
69.00
Sanborn, Lucy F., 156 So. Main
69.00
Spillane, Bernard, 272 Matfield
3.10
Sroczynski, Laura, 43 Belmont
106.95
Staff, A. W., 120 Crescent
2.00
Staff, John A., 120 Crescent
106.13
Stankus, Anthony J., 471 Matfield
96.56
Stanley Iron Works
27.60
Staples, Albert F., 387 No. Elm
30.70
Staples, Albert F., et al., 387 No. Elm
102.12
Staples, Clarence W., 470 Matfield
89.01
Staples, Daniel F., 74 Belmont
2.55
Staples, Daniel F., et al., 74 Belmont
56.86
Staples, Edward F., 462 Matfield
58.72
Staples, Lloyd E., 470 Matfield
14.42
Stevenson, William
4.14
Stevens, George H.
11.04
Stewart, Aubrey G., 606 No. Elm
8.28
Stockwell, Horace S., 15 Com. Ave.
40.02
Stock, Harry, 56 Pleasant
2.00
Stone, George H., 90 Matfield
2.00
Stone, Johanna, 90 Matfield
34.50
Stone, Otis M., 90 Matfield
3.10
Straffin & Andre, 490 W. Centre
41.40
Straffin, A. Franklin, 490 W. Centre
48.30
Straffin, A. Franklin, et al., 490 W. Centre
115.92
Sturgis, Harold S., 9 Vital
2.00
Sturgis, Lester B., 250 Matfield
14.42
Sullivan, Charles E., 383 Crescent
87.67
Sullivan, Daniel T., 287 So. Main
18.84
Sullivan, Elmer F., 145 Bryant
2.83
Sullivan, Iva N., et al., 383 Crescent
1.38
Sullivan, John L., 145 Bryant
70.48
Sullivan, Mary, 287 So. Main
1.24
76
Sullivan, Patrick, 287 So. Main
2.00
Sullivan, Phillip, Est., 287 So. Main
86.25
Swanson, Edgar W., 408 Crescent
2.00
39.47
Swanson, Ellen, 50 Matfield Swanson, Oscar, 50 Matfield Sunset Ave. Cong. Church
5.04
79.35
Sweet, Walter J., 399 Manley
8.62
Sylvia, Edward S., 113 Copeland
11.94
Taveres, Joseph B., 109 Copeland
55.82
Taveres, Manuel C., 109 Copeland
7.80
Taveres, Manuel, 15 Prog. Ave.
40.64
Taylor, Henry F., 58 South
78.59
Taylor, Howard B., 92 No. Main
81.90
Taylor, Julia M., 134 So. Main
75.90
Terry, Ralph W., 10 Francis Ave.
64.17
Texiera, John, 28 Sinnott
2.00
Thayer, Alton
2.07
Thayer, Chester, 347 E. Centre
94.46
Thayer, Deborah R. G., 92 Union
9.94
Thayer, Edwin H., 180 East
256.58
Thayer, Ethel, 347 East
27.60
Thayer, Edwin H., Chester and Joe E.
2.07
Thayer, Joseph E., 16 Union
114.47
Thayer, Frank M., 92 Union
2.00
Thayer, Milton C., 92 Union
148.97
Thayer, Virginia H., 61 Plain
115.92
The A. & P. Tea Co.
1.24
Thibadeau, Joseph A., 81 Walnut
4.76
Thibadeau, Joseph A. and Hattie L., 81 Walnut
56.58
Thomas, Francis E., 138 No. Elm
88.25
Thompson, Arthur H., 510 W. Centre
2.55
Thompson, A. Richard, 510 W. Centre
2.00
Thompson, Clarence H.
17.25
Thompson, Edythe W., 52 Com. Ave.
104.88
Thompson,
Geo. W. H., 52 Com. Ave.
8.90
Thompson, Grace G., 510 W. Centre
58.93
Thompson, Mary H.
3.45
Thompson, Mary S., 44 W. Centre
133.17
Tillgren, Emelia, 140 South
29.81
Tillgren, Hugo A., 140 South
2.00
Tilson, William, 310 Manley
14.14
Tinkham, Joseph E.
5.80
77
Tobin, Alexander F., 296 No. Elm
2.00
Tobin, Annie M., 296 No. Elm
111.78
Todd, Arthur D., 128 So. Main
104.12
Todd, Mary T., 108 Union
88.32
Todd, William G., 108 Union
9.66
Tonis, Kenneth
.69
Tower, Alice B., 378 E. Centre
10.35
Tower, Mary S., 378 E. Centre
77.97
Towers, Walter H., 449 No. Elm
119.17
Townsend, Herbert O.
98.81
Tribble, Abram B., 660 No. Main
10.70
Tribble, Winnifred M.
53.82
Tribou, Grace
4.14
True, George L., 18 Central Sq.
3.10
True, Walter H., 18 Central Sq.
107.64
Trustees of the M. E. Society
46.23
Tuck, Josiah C., 192 Spring
93.08
Tuck, Lawrence C., 192 Spring
7.52
Tucker, George G., 105 Union
4.48
Tucker, Geo. G. and Mary Morse, 105 Union
100.74
Turner, C. Frank, 9 No. Main
2.00
Turski, Anthony C., 269 West
21.18
Turski, Nellie, 269 West
125.17
Twoomey, John, 388 Ash
2.00
Vandyke, Donald J., 135 No. Main
36.78
Vandyke, Eileen J., 16 Hillside
66.24
Vandyke, Eva E., 135 No. Main
190.44
Vandyke, Harold D., 16 Hillside
3.66
Vandyke, Victor J., 16 Hillside
133.24
Varnum, Wallace L., trustee
6.90
Ventura, Joseph O., 205 Copeland
74.73
Verity, Edward A., 630 No. Main
2.00
Verity, Gertrude A., 630 No. Main
33.81
Viegas, Bernardino S., 92 Brooks Pl.
77.28
Viegas, Philamena S.
3.45
Visnanskis, John
.69
Vosmus, Charles E., 432 W. Centre
193.68
Vosmus, Charles E., et al., 432 W. Centre
31.74
Vosmus, Everett S., 368 No. Elm
2.77
Vosmus, Fred J., Est., 402 W. Centre
146.28
Vosmus, Hattie E., 368 No. Elm
84.18
Vosmus, Lillian M., W. Centre
22.08
78
Vosmus, Merton J., 402 W. Centre
3.38
Vreeland, Geo. and W. W. Houghton 7.59
Wade, Evelyn B., 160 No. Elm
77.97
Wainberg, August, 80 Howard
2.00
Waite, Willard, 12 Hillside
2.00
Waite, Willard H. and Mae I.
61.41
Wakeling, Charles, 466 W. Centre
2.00
Walden, Arthur L., 188 No. Elm
132.96
Walden, Earl G., 188 No. Elm
6.42
Walker, Howard N., 46 Sunset Ave.
155.87
Walker, Nathan K., 42 Sunset Ave.
77.90
Ward, Newton
.69
Ward, George, Jr., 138 No. Main
2.00
Wardwell, Malcolm, 15 Crescent
35.12
Wardwell, Esther G., 15 Crescent
82.80
Warfield, G. A.
.69
Washburn, Curtis W., 347 East
2.00
Washburn, George S., 465 E. Centre
74.87
Washburn, Nellie O., et al., 482 E. Centre
54.51
Waugh, Emily W.
20.70
Weatherbee, A. R.
.83
Weatherbee, Charles E., 36 Charles
79.28
Weaver, S. Paul, 377 Spring
2.00
Webber, Harry T., 136 Copeland
13.87
Webber, Minnie A., 136 Copeland
115.23
Weeks, George E., 348 Pleasant
2.00
Weeks, Mary K., 348 Pleasant
20.84
Weeks, Stella M., 451 Matfield
81.42
Weeks, Warren E., 451 Matfield
15.99
Welch, Everett E., 154 No. Main
2.00
Wells, Arthur T., 69 Howard
86.87
Weir, Oscar W. R ..
1.80
Winnegren, Viola M.
.69
Weston, Mary F., Est.
2.07
Western Union Tel. Co.
105.10
West, Walter L., 156 Crescent
2.00
West Bridgewater Grain Co., 130 No. Main
373.46
Wetherill, Robt. H., 56 Plain
52.44
Wetterberg, Algot A., 283 Matfield
111.66
Wetterberg, David, 304 Matfield
2.00
Wetterberg, David, et al., 304 Matfield
66.25
Wetterberg, Ernest W., 304 Matfield
2.00
79
Wetterberg, George W., 304 Matfield
8.35
Wetterberg, Margaret, 283 Matfield
63.46
Wheeler, Charles A., 70 No. Main
2.00
Wheeler, Charles A., et al., 70 No. Main
62.79
Wheeler, Ada W., 352 W. Centre
108.33
Whelden, Thomas H., 9 Crescent
74.73
White, Alberta, 51 Belmont
77.28
White, Charles H., 51 Belmont
9.56
White, Charles H., 17 Central Sq.
2.00
White, David S.
10.35
White Eldon W.
.55
White, Gertrude, 17 Central Sq.
157.46
White, Howard C., 35 So. Main
156.70
White, Mary C., 35 So. Main
89.70
White, William H.
16.56
Whiting, Emma J., 202 W. Centre
114.54
Whiting, Walter C., 202 W. Centre
6.83
Whitman, Elizabeth
130.06
Whitman, Geo. F.
.69
Whitmarsh, Willard I.
41.40
Wijoski, Stanley, 123 No. Elm
2.00
Wilbar, Harvey S., 328 East
3.66
Wilbur, Gerald L., 455 W. Centre
2.00
Wilbar, Harvey S., et al., 328 East
104.88
Wilbur, Howard B., 35 E. Centre
134.35
Wilbur, Howard B., et al., 35 E. Centre
1,224.61
Wilbur, Nahum J., 467 W. Centre
68.25
Wilbur, Ruth D.
.69
Wilbur, Sarah E., et al.
3.45
Williams, Charlotte L., et al., 45 River
54.51
Williams, Walter C., 137 Copeland
3.38
Willis, Albert M., 493 Manley
112.95
Willis, Charles E., 493 Manley
2.69
Willis, Martin H.
8.28
Winberg, Albert D., 586 Manley
2.00
Winberg, Albert D., & Co., 586 Manley
54.76
Winberg, Albert D. and Mamie Johnson
278.76
Winberg, Arvid L., Manley
5.52
Winberg, August, 586 Manley
2.00
Winberg, Geo. A., 586 Manley
64.79
Wingren, Carl
.69
Winslow, Edward.F., 65 Plain
2.00
Winslow, Elva H., 65 Plain
97.98
80
Wixon, William, Forest
2.00
Wood, Ada M., 145 Spring
148.35
Wood, Alexander H. M., 351 Manley
251.50
Wood, Alexander, 351 Manley
2.00
Wood, Eben T., 145 Spring
28.16
Wood, Mary C.
6.90
Woodworth, William B., 14 Ellis
2.00
Woodworth, William B., et al., 14 Ellis
91.08
Worthing, Frederic H., 365 Spring
30.15
Worthing, Laura W., 365 Spring
122.82
Young, Cora C., 376 No. Elm
157.32
Young, Everett, 376 No. Elm
2.00
Young, James R., 376 No. Elm
3.66
Young, Joseph, 43 Prospect
62.79
Young, Julia M., 135 Prospect
6.35
Yuill, Hugh S., 225 So. Main
2.69
Yuill, Hugh S., et ux., 225 So. Main
64.86
Youlden, Wm. H. and Lela E., 23 Pleasant
28.98
Zerveckis, Stanislaw and Mary, Belmont
8.97
Zionowicz, Joseph, 625 East
32.57
Report of Selectmen.
During the past four years the town has worked on the Highways under Chapter 81 of the General Laws whereby the State assists the town both financially and furnishes it with an engineer who advises our local Superintendent of Streets. We feel that better results have been accom- plished while working under this Act, especially in our out- lying districts and we advise its continuance.
Permanent construction has been done on Belmont street completing the work from North Main to Plain streets.
A permanent sidewalk has been constructed on North Elm street, south, from the Brockton line and an appropri- ation should be made to continue the work.
The Highway department is in need of equipment and a power grader would be of assistance in taking care of our gravel roads, and we advise its purchase.
The shingling of the Town Hall has been finished this year. The building is now in very good condition with the exception of the floor in the lower hall which should be re- placed by new flooring.
The financial condition of the town is especially good and its continuance will depend upon the amounts appro- priated at the annual business meeting.
HOWARD C. WHITE, WALTER C. WHITING, JAMES M. HEMENWAY,
Selectmen.
Report of the Committee of Investigation of the Water Department of West Bridgewater, Mass.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, West Bridgewater,
Massachusetts.
The committee appointed to investigate the Water De- partment in accordance with the following vote,
"That the Moderator appoint a committee of five citi- zens, the same to be appointed within one week, to investi- gate the Water Department, said Committee to report their findings to the Selectmen, and they publish said re- port before the first of July 1927," submits herewith the report of its findings.
Due to the volume of work involved, the committee was unable to render this report earlier.
Very truly yours,
LOUIS P. HAYDEN, Secretary of the Committee.
83
REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Pursuant to the vote of the town the citizens appointed by the Moderator to serve as an investigating committee of the Water Department submit the following report of their findings:
Believing it to be the wish of the citizens that the ground be thoroughly covered, the committee was obliged to examine a mass of detail and to obtain considerable in- formation outside of the records of the water department. The committee found it necessary to hold sixteen meetings. Because of the volume of work involved, in part necessi- tated by the incompleteness of the water department rec- ords, the committee was unable to submit its report earlier.
The water system has been one of rapid growth. From an inconspicuous start in 1910 has grown a network of approximately 36 miles of piping covering practically the entire town. At the present time mains are within connec- tion distance of all but about 20 families.
With such rapidity of growth the necessity of floating large bond issues was obvious. These bonds in conjunction with the interest thereon have naturally placed upon the people a burden much greater than would be required had the citizens been more conservative in voting extensions.
The financial condition of the water department at the present time is serious. In 1925 and in 1926 the expenses of the department exceeded the receipts. The committee finds that while there were several contributing causes for this condition, such as increased cost of labor, material and water, the chief handicap is due to the fact that the water bonds and interest thereon have now reached their highest point-nevertheless, part of the responsibility for this con-
84
dition rests with the commissioners who should have taken the necessary steps to secure all revenue due the depart- ment.
For the years 1926 to 1930 inclusive the bond pay- ments are $5,535.00 annually, and the interest payments gauge from $2,756.00 in 1926 to $1,968.00 in 1930, or a total of: $8,291.00 in 1926, $8,181.00 in 1927, $7,945.00 in 1928, $7,719.00 in 1929 and $7,503.00 in 1930. After this period the total payments decrease annually, commencing with $6,288.00 in 1931.
This an unusually heavy burden for so small a depart- ment. Since the bonds are so written that nearly all the payments fall due in the first two quarters, discharging this obligation now uses up most of the income available until midsummer and has forced the department to delay some of its work.
This is one of the reasons why the department has de- layed making new connections and has in some cases asked owners to finance the construction with the understanding that repayment will be made through rebate of the water rates. The committee believes that this practice should be discontinued.
The town should take under advisement, voting to authorize the Selectmen to borrow on behalf of the water department, in anticipation of water revenue, sufficient funds to meet temporary needs. This practice is followed in general town business for the benefit of other depart- ments.
The amount of construction done in 17 years would have been impossible except for the borrowing of money on the town's bonds. The committee, however, feels that the town should realize what the cost will be when final payment has been made on these bonds, one of which was written for 30 years, nine for 25 years, two for fifteen years, one for 10 years, and two for five years. The last bond becomes due in 1944.
-
85
To date the total borrowings on water bonds has been $125,000.00. Unless some of the remaining bonds are taken up before they fall due, the interest payments will total $60,811.10.
As these bonds were voted for extensions, the towns- people cannot escape considerable responsibility for the present situation. Each issue was authorized by town meeting. Several extensions thus voted have not given the water department a reasonable return. One of the best illustrations is an extension financed by a $5,000.00 bond calling for about $1,000.00 additional in interest which is now giving a return of only $126.00 annually, and formerly gave less.
The committee is of the opinion that no further ex- tensions should be made unless at least 10 per cent return on the investment is forth coming.
The committee finds that in the year 1926 the depart- ment expended approximately $3,000.00 more than its water rate income, and in 1925 approximately $1,500.00 more than income, but showed no deficit in either year. As there is no reserve account, your committee felt the com- missioners should explain what money was used. The com- missioners stated they had used for general purposes por- tions of the two recent bond issues, which, as your commit- tee learned, were voted by the town for extension of water, one for mains six inches or more in diameter and the other for mains of less than six inches.
This action, technically at least, was probably in viola- tion of Sec. 62 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, which prohibits the expenditure of such funds for purposes other than those designated.
The commissioners stated to your committee that they had been advised that, in their need for current funds, they might use money from these loans. They further stated that when they learned definitely that it was contrary to the law, they discontinued the practice. Your committee
86
has found no evidence that the commissioners' action was knowingly in violation of the law, and is convinced that all money so diverted was used for necessary work of the de- partment. ,
In this series of transactions lies the explanation for the entries in the 1926 report of the water department - showing 100 feet of the six inch pipe laid on North Main street, and of the town accountant, which showed a labor cost of $1,282.85 charged to the six inch main account. Obviously a large part of this labor cost was for other work.
Your committee early became concerned over the in- completeness with which the town was metered and the ap- parent lack of check, through readings, on most of the users who were metered. With this in mind the commit- tee obtained from the City of Brockton a complete record of the number of gallons used from year to year, and pay- ments thereon. At considerable labor it also obtained the net use from year to year by West Bridgewater, after de- duction of water purchased up to 1926 by East Bridge- water. This gave a basis for computing the average use per taker, per year.
No more significant figures than those were found by your committee. In 1916 the average use per connection was 39,707 gallons; in 1926 it was 85,230 gallons-an in- crease per taker of 45,523 gallons, or 114 per cent in 10 years. This has been a progressive increase, but has been most marked since 1920.
Despite this alarming increase in use, accompanied by a corresponding increase in payments to Brockton for water, the gain in net revenue has been less than 30 per cent. It must be evident that there has been a growing carelessness in the use of water which only complete meter- ing and periodic reading can remedy, and that a disturb- ingly large amount of excess has not yielded revenue to the town.
87
If every user in 1926 had taken only the set maximum of 48,000 gallons, the total commercial and domestic use would have been 35,808,000 gallons, instead of 63,581,500 gallons. Even after allowing for hydrant use and leakage, the remaining 27,773,500 gallons should have yielded more than enough income to enable the department to carry on.
The yearly income from hydrants is approximately $1,260.00 which would pay for 12,600,000 gallons figured at the purchasing rates. Deducting this amount of water from the excess of 27,773,500 gallons would leave a balance of excess water of approximately 15,000,000 gallons to be charged at the rate of 20 cents, which is the present excess rate for 1,000 gallons. This would furnish a theoretical in- come for excess water of about $3,000.00 which after a rea- sonable allowance for underground leakage would still give the department considerable additional revenue.
However, the committee found no record of charges for excess in 1926. The 1925 commitment records show five users charged $318.52 for excess: the 1927 records, up to June 15, five users charged $447.43 for excess. This last amount probably included excess of these few takers in 1926.
In the opinion of the committee the department prob- ably has found only a small percentage of the excess users. All will not be found until the town is completely metered and reading of meters is systematic. Until metering is complete the department will not have the check it should upon hidden leakage in mains and service lines.
The committee is convinced also that the department has been losing much revenue through failure to make periodic inspection of householders' plumbing. Investiga- tion by the committee revealed several cases where payers of the $14.00 sillcock rate should have been classified under the $21.00 rate. This investigation covered only about one- third of the list. For this situation responsibility must be shared by water users, who, under the rules of the depart-
88
ment, are required to give notice in writing of the addition of new water outlets.
The committee has noted that in some instances where users of water must be more than average, the services are not metered. It feels that immediate steps should be taken to cover all such points.
Though the department about a year ago announced a reduction in the allowable maximum from 80,000 to 48,000 gallons per year, as a method of increasing revenue, your committee has been unable to find that the department has benefitted. With the town about one-third metered, and only a few meters being read, the change was virtually without meaning.
This is particularly true since the department retained the 80,000 gallon limit for the larger users who would nat- urally fall within the excess group. This discrimination is one that the committee can see no justification for, since in effect it completely nullifies the principle of a charge for excess. If meters were faithfully read, a householder with a large family might be charged as much for 58,000 gallons as a dairyman for 90,000 gallons.
The large volume user should receive consideration, but not through the present method. It is customary in many places to charge a sliding scale, with descending prices as the volume increases. The committee is of the opinion that such a scale for excess payment should be worked out in West Bridgewater, and that the amount of water allowed for the $21.00 rate should be set at 48,000 gallons for everyone alike.
For the $14.00 rate it seems fair to allow 32,000 gal- lons, excess above this amount should be figured pro rata up to 48,000, from this point the sliding scale should hold.
To the committee stated there were 236 meters in use, 41 new meters not installed because of insufficient funds, and 37 waiting to be repaired. This is a total of 314. The number of the last water connection made was 837. There-
89
fore, there remains 523 services still to be metered, unless a number of services have been permanently discontinued.
The committee was unable to find that the meters in use had been read systematically for several years.
These effects, in the light of what was found regarding the excessive use of water, leads the committee to recom- mend that the town take under immediate advisement the problem of complete metering all services and that the de- partment read its meters systematically and frequently.
In view of the financial condition of the water depart- ment immediate completion of the metering would have to be done through an appropriation by the town. It is the opinion of the committee, however, that this would be a wise investment. Any delay in meeting the issue would merely continue the wastage and excess use which has had such seroius consequences.
The committee is of the opinion that careless consump- tion of water, leakage and the failure of meters to function properly cannot be effectively checked unless there is a reading of all each quarter.
After fully canvassing the situation the committee feels that there is no occasion for an increase in rates to general users providing the recommendations of the com- mittee are adopted.
The committee believes, however, that the hydrant rates paid by the town should be increased to $20.00. It has learned that the average hydrant rate in New England towns is nearly $25.00 per year. An increase to $20.00 from the present $10.00 would give to the department $1,260.00 additional revenue.
In the opinion of the committee, the department, with good management, with restraint by the town in voting ex- tensions, and with a complete metering of services, may be able to put into effect a decrease in rates after the present peak in bond and interest payments is past.
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