USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866 > Part 13
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These views are borne out by some investigations which have been made at Lake Cochituate. Thus, in 1853, with a rain fall of twenty inches from the first day of June to Oct. 24, there was collected of · that amount only 15 per cent., or three inches of the rain falling during that time. and for the remainder of the year 0.486 per cent.
These views are corroborated by the results of the gaugings of Lynde Brook the past season.
An estimate is here given of the amount of water annually drained from these basins, from data derived from the experiments just given. The percentage is assumed at 65, in consideration of the steep hilly character of their contour and the impervious nature of their soil, aided by the result of the gauging of Lynde Brook from May 8th to Nov. 1st. The average annual amount of rain fall is taken at 46.92 inches, being the amount given as the average of twenty-one years' observations at the hospital here.
Acres.
Lynde Brook,
1,870
Gallons drained off per annum. 1,547,686,800 488,307,600
Gallons per day. 4,240,238 1,337,911
Henshaw Pond, ..
590
Kettle Brook, above Kent, and from which water may be turned into Lynde Brook, .3,200
2,648,248,000
A weir was constructed on Lynde Brook and finished on the 19th of March last, which was unfortunately washed away by the very severe freshet of the 26th of March, only six days after its completion, it having proved quite too small to carry so large a quantity of water as then came down the stream. The average amount of water passing down the stream in these six days was 4,845,960 gallons per day, not in- cluding but a very small portion of the freshiet. From March 26th the stream continued so high that the weir was not reconstructed until the 8th of May afterwards, at which time the gauging recommenced and has been carried forward systematically ever since. Shortly after the weir was constructed, a self-registering water gange, moved by clock work, was devised and applied to the weir, which has been of great benefit in the observations taken during the season, as showing the rapidity with which the stream rises and falls, and also by what small showers the stream is suddenly effected.
A Profile is here added, re- duced from the one made by the gauge from July 16th to the 23d. The length of the weir is 10 feet. The Profile shows the varying height of the water flowing over the over-fall bar. It will readily be understood by careful inspec- tion, without further explanation.
JULY 19
3AM
NOON
JULY ER
22
GAM
NOONI.
B
D
A B represents surface of over-fall bar. C D represents depth of water flowing over same at times named.
22
The results of the gauging of the Brook, from May 8th to Nov. 1st, have been calculated and arranged in the following table.
DATE.
Time in hours
Number of gallons estima- ted by the gauge.
Rain fall in gallons, estima- ted from the rain gauge kept at the Hospital.
Inches of rain fall.
Per ct. of rain fall drained off each month.
Average number of gallons gauged per day.
May.
546
53,730,140
79,420,800
1.56
67
2.361,768
June.
659
15,006,770
60,074,700
1.18
24
546,528
July.
548
131,165,510
448,523,700
8.81
29
5,744,472
August.
757
123,328,550
293,755,000
5.77
42
3, 10,008
September.
708
56,951,030
130,331,500
2.56
43
1,930,536
October.
720
140,153,000
215,352,500
4.23
65
4,671,766
Total.
3,938
520,335,000, | 1,227,458,200| 24.11
3.111,800
Time, 164 1-12 days. Average amount of flow as estimated by the gauge, 3,111,800 gallons per day ; an amount largely in excess of any present want of the city. Percentage of rain fall drained off from July to November 1st, 48, nearly. Inches of rain fall during this time, 24.11 ; being 0.36 of an inch less than the usual average for those months for the last 21 years, as registered at the hospital. The per- centage of rain fall given as drained off in each month is not strictly correct, as each succeeding month is effected more or less by the month next preceding.
The drought of June so far affected the stream as to reduce the flow so low from June 26th to July 9th, that no water could be registered by the gauges for that time, the amount being only nominal. This gives a good starting point, and the percentage shows a steady and re- markable increase from July onward, as cold weather advances.
A survey has been made around the basin of the Waite Intervale, on the farm of Mr. Edwin Waite, and the adjoining lands, to ascertain the feasibility of constructing a storing reservoir on the brook at this point. Were a dam built so as to raise the water some thirty-eight feet above the bed of the brook at the outlet on the Waite farm, and the road leading from Samuel L. Hodges to Edwin Waite's raised as per profile, the area flowed would be one hundred and thirty-two acres. The amount of water which this reservoir would contain is estimated to be 710,- 000,000 of gallons, or nearly 2,000,000 of gallons per day for one year. Some doubt may be expressed whether this large amount of water could ever be obtained from the water shed in question.
The Paxton Reservoir on Kettle Brook has an area of one hundred and eighteen acres nearly, and from an estimate based upon informa- tion derived from the owners, and the surveys made for raising the same in 1854, the reservoir will hold 450,000,000 gallons, and is filled to overflowing in all ordinary years, from an area of 1450 acres.
The amount of annual wastage at the Paxton Reservoir is unde- termined by any series of actual observations, but from information derived from the proprietors, there is enough wasted each year to fill
23
the reservoir, were it much larger than at present. Hence there can be no doubt but that the contemplated reservoir on Lynde Brook would be filled every year if constructed, as its water shed is nearly one-third larger than that of the Paxton.
Then again, the valley of Lynde Brook is so located as regards Ket- tle Brook, that the wastage of Kettle Brook may be turned into it at Kent's Mill, just above the Waite Reservoir. The pond at Kent's Mill would lie nineteen and one-half feet above the reservoir on Lynde Brook, when raised the thirty-eight feet before stated. The area from which wastage may be collected in this storing reservoir from the Ket- tle Brook valley is 3200 acres, 1750 of which lies below the Paxton Reservoir, and is but very partially improved by the mill owners upon the stream.
The amount of wastage which may be collected from this water shed and added to the amount which can be collected on Lynde Brook is entirely undetermined by any series of actual observations which can lead to any certain results. But estimating the drainage of each por- tion of this shed to be sixty-five per cent. of the rain fall, this gives the amount for each portion of the shed as follows :
1750 acres below Paxton Reservoir, 1,448,370,000 gallons per an- num, and the amount drained from the reservoir for 1450 acres as 1,199,878,000 gallons annually, or enough to fill the reservoir two and two-thirds times. The amount drained off below the reservoir is about an average of 4,000,000 of gallons per day. Considering the fact that most of the amount of the water which reaches . the streams seaches them in the winter and spring freshets, and heavy rains in the summer months, and the smallness of all the reservoirs along the brook, it is adjudged that at least 730,000,000 of gallons are wasted from this area annually, or an amount equal to 2,000,000 of gallons, which might be added to the Lynde Brook collection.
There have been no additional surveys made of the Henshaw pond, as regards the basin for forming reservoir, &c. This was surveyed in 1856, as reported by Mr. Inches. The original pond contains 33.86 acres, and when flowed twenty feet will contain 108.56 acres, and hold 529,750,000 gallons of water. The original pond cannot be drawn from .as a reservoir to any extent ; the amount available for use must be stored above its present surface. On June 29th, when no water was flowing down Lynde Brook, a careful measurement was made of the flow of water from the outlet, and ascertained to be 27,600 gallons in twenty-four hours, which amount was probably much reduced before the commencement of the rains, July 9th. This fact, though showing an advantage in favor of the pond, still not large enough to warrant the conclusion that the pond could be relied upon to any extent as a source of supply, by reason of some inexhaustible spring flowing into it. The relations between Henshaw Pond and Lynde Brook as regards water supply may be thus stated :
First. They are equal in quality of water furnished, and soil for building storage reservoir.
24
Second. The land damages will be about equal on each for reservoirs of equal size.
Third. They can each be connected with Kettle Brook. The ex- pense of the two connections being rather in favor of Henshaw Pond. The waste water obtained from Kettle Brook would be about eight per cent. the largest at Henshaw Pond.
Fourth. The expense of building the necessary dams and their fix- tures, to collect, store and obtain an equal amount of water at each would be not far from equal.
Fifth. On Lynde Brook, from its own basin, about three times as much water can be collected as at Henshaw Pond.
Sixth. The water from Lynde Brook can be brought to the city with 3,850 feet, or about three-fourths of a mile, less pipe than the Hen- shaw Pond.
The question of damage to mill owners upon the stream is one which has to be met in whatever direction the city chooses to go to obtain water. Lynde Brook seems to be as favorable as any in this respect. The number of mills upon the Kettle Brook stream which will be damaged at all, if any, are thirteen in number. These all lie upon the stream between Kettle Brook, at the junction of Lynde Brook therewithi, and the junction of Mill Brook with the Blackstone River, below South Worcester. The outlet at the reservoir being one hundred and forty-three feet above the distributing reservoir by the school house, gives ample means of placing hydrants along the road to protect the six mills in Valley Falls against fire, which would be a par- tial offset for damages. If the large storing reservoir proposed be con- structed, and its connection with Kettle Brook be made, the full supply of the city may be drawn from the surplus waters of these two streams, leaving the minimum summer supply for the mills.
ESTIMATE OF RESERVOIR ON LYNDE BROOK.
Earthwork of dam and raising road,
-
$5800
120 feet 16 inch waste pipe, at $2.50,
-
- 300
One 16 inch gate, - 133
Gate house, -
- 925
Roll way, -
275
Grubbing and clearing ground in basin,
800
Cost of Waite Farm to west side of reservoir, 8000
10 acres above Waite Farm at $40, - - 400
Amount,
- - $16,633
25
PIPE FROM STORING RESERVOIR TO CITY.
7680 feet 12 inch pipe to distributing reservoir, at $2.05 per ft., $15,744
2 gates, at $102, -
-
- 204
6 hydrants, at $40, -
- . - 240
Outlets along line, -
15
Land damages, 1 2-3 acres before reaching Leicester road, say 600
250 feet 6 inch pipe and gate at reservoir, 201
Distributing reservoir, 300 × 100,
- 2770
Land damages, say,
1100
19,036 feet 16 inch main pipe to Thomas street, at $2.70 per ft., 51,397 - 532
4 16 inch gates and stop cocks, at $133, -
10 hydrants along line at $40, - -
-
-
- 400
Outlets along line, say, -
- -
-
- 300
Amount, - - - - - $73,903
SUMMARY.
Cost of storing reservoir,
$16,633
Pipe and fixtures between reservoir and distributing reservoir, and main pipe to Thomas street, and fixtures, 73,903
Total, - -
$90,536
Engineering and contingencies, say,
$8,000
Total, - -
$98,536
The kind of pipe estimated is the protected wrought iron pipe, which experience has proved to be preferable in many respects to cast iron. It produces no discoloration of the water, is affected by no concretions, or rust, and is very much more economical in its cost than cast iron. The foregoing estimates are based upon propositions from responsible parties, at prices for which they will contract for the work as therein stated, which propositions are herewith enclosed.
The estimate for the reservoir has been made for flowing twenty-four feet of the basin surveyed, which would cover about forty-five acres, and hold 230,000,000 of gallons of water. This is adjudged to be sufficient for the present wants of the city, as the dams may be raised at any time when the wants of the city increase so as to create the demand.
Many of our people still regard with favor the idea of pumping water to supply the city from Lake Quinsigamond. To show the increased expense to the city of so doing, the following estimate of the first cost of the pumping apparatus and the necessary pipes to convey the water into Bell Pond, has been taken from the elaborate report of M. B. Inches, Esq., civil engineer, upon the subject in 1854, that the same
4
-
-
-
26
may be compared with the first cost of the project of bringing water by gravitation from Lynde Brook.
Engine and fixtures, $80,000
Raising main 24 inch, 6035 feet, at $8,00, 48,280
Raising dam at lake, -
1,100
Total first cost, -
$129,380
Add contingencies, say 10 per cent, -
- 12,938
Total cost, -
$142,318
To which must be added, to bring the estimate to the present value of all materials and manufactured articles, at least twenty per cent., and thus the cost would amount to $170,781. To this must be added all flowage damages at the lake, and all land damages for laying and rights of maintaining the pipe, which when settled for could not be less than on Lynde Brook.
The annual cost of pumping one million gallons per day from the lake into Bell Pond appears by the same report to be $13,945, to which must be added at least twenty-five per cent. to meet present high prices, which would make the annual cost at the present time $17,430, to which add the interest of $170,781, and the annual cost at the pre- sent time would be $27,676. So that under these circumstances one million of gallons per day, pumped from Lake Quinsigamond would cost the city the same as that which should be brought to the present distributing pipes by gravitation by an aqueduct which should be con- structed with a cost of $450,000, or four and one-half times as much as the expense of bringing it by the aqueduct contemplated from Lynde Brook. This may not be fair to bring the cost of construction and pumping up to the present inflated standard. This has been done be- cause the estimates in this report are at present prices, and is so done for comparison. Taking the annual cost of pumping as given for 1854, and the interest on the cost of construction, and the annual cost at that time of one million gallons per day, would be $22,584, which is over three and one-half times the amount of the present project. And then the aqueduct estimated from Lynde Brook is capable of delivering at least two millions of gallons in twelve hours at the City Hall, which adds to the favor of the present project, and doubles the disparity be- tween the cost of pumping from the lake and bringing the same by gravitation as above estimated.
All which is respectfully submitted,
PHINEHAS BALL,
Civil Engineer.
Worcester, Nov. 24, 1863.
27
Boston, Dec. 3d, 1860.
W. D. CHEEVER, Water Commissioner, Worcester,
DEAR SIR :- I have completed the analysis of the sample of water you sent me, and now report results.
One Imperial English gallon (or five quarts) of the water, weighing 70,000 grains, yields on analysis two grains of a gray brown solid matter, consisting of the following ingredients, in proportions :
Grains.
Organic vegetable matter, mostly crenicæid,
0.50
Silica, with a little Alumina,.
0.33
Chloride of Calcium, (muriate of lime,). 0.40
Sulphate of Soda, ..
0.18
Carbonate (originally Crenate) of Lime,.
0.40
Magnesia, ..
0.06
Per Oxide of Iron, (originally Crenate of Iron),
0.20
and a trace of Oxide of Manganese.
Grs. 2.07
This water is good wholsome drinking water, and is suitable for all domestic uses. It is also excellent for supplying locomotive and other steam boilers, since it does not form an adhesive crust, when evaporated to dryness, and no crust at all, unless it is dried off entirely, and the deposite is easily re-dissolved on adding more water to the boiler.
I have no doubt that the people of Worcester will be as well pleased with this water as we in Boston are with that from Cochituate lake.
By referring to the analysis made by Profs. Horsford, Silliman and myself in the report of the Cochituate Water Board, you will perceive that the Worcester water contains but little more than half as much foreign matter as the Cochitu- ate. Respectfully, your ob't serv't
CHARLES T. JACKSON, M. D.,
State Assayer, &c., &c.
R 352.07443 W9220 1863
City Document No. 18.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
HON. D. WALDO LINCOLN,
flavor of the City of Celorcester,
JANUARY 4, 1864,
WITH THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE SEVERAL
CITY OFFICERS,
FOR THE
MUNICIPAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 4, 1864.
CEST
OWN
UNE 1
FEBX. 29.1848
14.1722
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY TYLER & SEAGRAVE, Spy Job Office, 212 Main Street,
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
The Mayor's Inaugural Address, -
5
Report of the School Committee, -
-
- 29
Roll of Honor, - - -
74
List of School Teachers, with their Salaries, -
81
Standing and Visiting Committees of Schools, -
83
Report of Directors of Free Public Library, -
85
Report of the City Treasurer, -
-
97
Account of Receipts and Expenditures, -
-
103
Schedule of the City Property, -
-
-
144
Amount of City Debt, -
- 150 - -
Report of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery, 151 -
Report of Commissioner of Highways, 158 -
Report of the Chief Engineer, - -
- 161
Report of the Aqueduct Commissioner,
-
- 165
Report of the City Marshal, 168
Report of Commissioners of Shade Trees and Public Grounds, 173
Report of the Overseers of the Poor,
-
-
178
Government and Officers of the City of Worcester, -
182
-
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY OF WORCESTER, APRIL, 1864. TO PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
Bills presented for the action of the Auditor of Accounts, must specify what the article or articles sold were for-when for labor, where it was performed, number of days and price per day, unless otherwise agreed upon. When there are charges be- longing to different departments, separate bills must be made, including only charges belonging to each department.
ALL BILLS MUST SPECIFY THE DATE OF THE SEVERAL CHARGES.
Claimants should carefully note the name of the person who orders the article or ser- vice, and should inquire to what department the charge shall be made, and should also know that the person is duly authorized to make contracts. Unless this is done, the claimant will be put to the trouble of making out his account the second time, and run the risk of losing it.
When bills are certified to, as per Chapter 3, Revised Ordinances (below), they can be left at the Treasurer's or Auditor's Office, before 2 o'clock. P. M., on or before the THIRD DAY of each month, except bills at the close of the year, which must be left on or before December 25th.
Those who attend to the above, will find their bills audited and ready at the Treas- urer's Office, who will pay them promptly at the times designated below.
TIMES OF PAYMENT.
Salaries of the City Officers, and Teachers in the permanent Schools, on the first day of each quarter.
Families of Volunteers, on the twenty-fourth day of each month.
Salaries of Watchmen, on the first day of each month.
Salaries of Firemen, on the 15th day of January.
All other bills on the 10th of each month.
When the above days come on Sundays, payment will be made the next day.
And persons having claims are requested to call promptly for their money ON THE DAY DESIGNATED.
GEORGE W, WHEELER, City Treasurer.
Treasurer's Office in City Hall Building.
PARTICULAR NOTICE.
AUDITOR'S OFFICE, April, 1864.
All persons having claims against the City, are hereby reminded, that agreeably to an established rule, all bills, in order that they may be ready for payment on the 10th, must be left with the Treasurer or Auditor, on or before the THIRD day of each month, except the closing bills of the year, which must be left on or before December 25th, before 2 o'clock, P. M. Those who fail to comply with this rule, will have to wait till the following month before their bills will be ready for payment.
CHAPTER 3, REVISED ORDINANCES. AUDITOR. .
" SECTION 2. No Account or Claim against the City, other than judgments of the Judicial Courts, shall be received or acted upon by him unless such account or claim shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Mayor, Committee, or other proper Certify - ing Officer of each department authorized on behalf of the City to make the contract or cause the expenditure to be made, that the same is correct."
GILL VALENTINE, Auditor.
Office, No. 3 Piper's Block.
Address of Mayor Lincoln
-AT THE-
INAUGURATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,
JANUARY 4th, 1864.
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
AND OF THE COMMON COUNCIL :
Appreciating, as we well may, the honor 'of our re- election to the high positions which we are once more called to occupy, and especially by an unanimity of votes so unexampled in the history of our municipal elections, we cannot mistake or misinterpret its meaning. I take little of it to my own personal account. I understand the people of this city to have said by their votes, that they regard the duty of supporting the General and State Governments, at the present time, in the work of crushing the rebellion, of furnishing our quota of men to replenish our armies, of averting from our citizens the hardships and disgrace of a draft, and of maintaining before the country the high character and standing of our city for loyalty and patriotism, as of far greater moment than the mere making and unmaking of Mayors and Marshals, of Aldermen and Councilmen. The clos- ing weeks of the year brought with them new duties and responsibilities, as arduous and important as any which the late Administration was called to assume. I
2
6
had hoped to have been able to announce to you to-day that its efforts had been entirely successful, and that the prompt and the patriotic action of our young men had left little or nothing further for us to do, in response to this last call of the Government. Of our quota of 347 men, 200 have been recruited in this City; 46 veterans of the gallant 25th Massachusetts regiment have re- enlisted, and a few in the various other regiments now in the service. The deficiency is about 100, which I still hope will be made up within the allotted time .*
Our various Regiments have nobly maintained their own and the City's honor, during the last year. Ward and Haven, Jorgensen and Newbury, have by their glo- rious deaths linked their names in undying fame with . the annals of that old historic 15th Regiment, which were before illumined with those of Grout and Spurr, and their martyr compatriots. The 21st has shared in all the dangers and glories of Grant's splendid campaigns. Those other Regiments which have gone from the City, and in which we are or have been so largely represented -the 25th, 34th, and 36th, which are still in the field, and the 50th and the 51st, whose term of service has expired-have alike rendered good service to the country, and have earned honorable distinction for themselves.
At the commencement of the year, the number of men necessary to complete our quota was 65. These were promptly and easily obtained, by the payment of less than the authorized bounties, amounting in the aggregate to $5,910
The whole sum that has been paid by the City to vol- unteers, in bounties, during the war, is $69,610. Under the act nominally for reimbursing to cities and towns,
*The quota of the City was entirely filled before the sixth of January.
7
by the State, the amount thus expended, but which should more properly have been entitled an act to equal- ize this sum among them, this City has received back from the State the sum of $1,544.87. The amount paid by the City as State aid, during the year, has been $41,- 137. The number of families now receiving the aid is 349, and the monthly payments are about $2,900. The expenditures on this account will be largely increased by the enlistments to fill the new quota of the City. The sum of $30,000 has been received from. the Treas- urer of the Commonwealth, on account of State aid paid out in 1862, the small fraction of $692.39 only of our claim having been disallowed.
The Debt of the City on account of the war, on the Ist of January 1862, was
On account of bounties,
$63,700.00
For aid to families, - -
-
30,854.87
Contingents,
-
8,479.60
Total,
$103,034.47
The amount paid for bounties in 1863, was - $5,910.00
For aid to families,
41,137.00
Total,
$47,047.00
And there has been received from the State as reimbursement for bounties, $1,544.87
On account of State aid, 30,000.00
Reimbursement of bounty from discharged volunteers,
100.00
Total, - -
- $31,644.87
Increase of war debt,
-
$15,402.13
-
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL HOUSES.
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