Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866, Part 25

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1862
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 1076

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866 > Part 25

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Report of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery, -

148

Report of the Aqueduct Commissioner, -

155

Report of the City Marshal, -

157

Report of Commissioner of Highways, 164 -

First Annual Report of the Truant Commissioners, 167

172 Report of the Chief Engineer, - - -

Report of the Overseers of the Poor, -

176

Report of the Water Committee,

183

Government and Officers of the City of Worcester, 195

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.

TREASURER'S OFFICE, CITY OF WORCESTER, APRIL, 1865. 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 belonging to different departments, separate bills must be made, including only charges belonging to each department.

IFALL 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 Treasurer'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, or before 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.

PARTICULAR NOTICE.

AUDITOR'S OFFICE, April, 1865.

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 Ju- dicial 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 Certifying Officer of each department authorized on behalf of the City to make the contract or cause the ex- penditure to be made, that the same is correct."

Office, No. 3, Piper's Block.

GILL VALENTINE, Auditor.

ADDRESS OF MAYOR BALL

AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT,

JANUARY 2, 1865.

GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN,

AND OF THE COMMON COUNCIL:

To-day we convene in obedience to the dictates and courtesy of our fellow men, expressed in the usual manner, through the accustomed forms, to assume the administration of the muni- cipal affairs of the City for the ensuing year.

During the year just brought to a close, our citizens as a general rule, have enjoyed a season of unexampled prosperity ; from what cause or what purpose amid such momentous events, these great blessings have come to us it may not be for man at present to divine. But it is hoped that they come that we may perform our duties to our country and our fellow men more faithfully and with a higher aim than we possibly could without them. The municipal affairs have doubtless shared for the last year, in that general prosperity, and to-day we receive them well adjusted, from tried and experienced hands in fit condition for our administration and direction dur- ing the brief term of office, upon which we have just entered.

THE WAR.

There comes to us now a gleam of hope, brighter than ever before, that at no distant day the war which has been raging in this country the past four years, ruining the peace and prosperity of so many homes, leaving there only sorrow where there should be joy, literally devastating so much of our fair country, impressing its very presence upon us now, by fresh calls for more men, and leaving its sad memento of enormous debts, National, State and Municipal, to be cared for by this and coming generations, will be settled in the interest of free- dom, humanity and right. To carry forward this great contest the City has freely and promptly furnished her full share of men and means. In the trying campaign of the last year, our men have borne their share of the trial, hardships and exposure.

They have yielded every comfort of life, and even life itself freely, with others of their fellow-soldiers that the nation may have more life and we live in peace. The names of our la- mented and honored Greene, Parker, O'Neil, Gird, McConville, Bowman, Cheeney, Coe, is only the partial record of our loss for our nation's welfare. All honor to their noble daring and heroic deeds, peace to their ashes, and reverance to their memo- ries. Sacred be the mementos with which we enshrine and hallow the last resting place of these our honored dead.

When we turn from the more conspicuous names, we find that the casualties in the ranks afford ample testimony of the constancy, heroism, and courage of our citizen soldiery. To these, should we also bestow our meed of praise, and contrib- ute to them our gratitude and respect for what they have dared, done and achieved in our behalf. And that those at home, the near and dear whom the patriot soldier has left in our

midst, are not, by us forgotten ; we have but to mention that our City is now dispensing aid to 632 families, and disbursing for that purpose about $6000 per month. In this matter, our duties to our country do not end in praising the heroism of the fallen, or providing for their needy ones with us still; our duty is to resolutely carry forward to final triumph and victory, the work which seems so greatly prospering to day, and so near a final, victorious issue in our behalf. Our honor as a City is not fairly redeemed by saving ourselves from a draft, but by anticipating the wants of the government in advance, by fur- nishing men and means promptly, and in our full proportion, to the end that our, and the nation's honor may be resolutely and promptly sustained.

To this work let our citizens constantly apply themselves, and furnish to the army as many men as is possible, that the General Government may be able to give this odious Rebellion its last finishing touches at the earliest practicable time.

That our soldiers are not forgetful of their obligations to themselves and their many friends still with us, it is only ne- cessary to state that the City Treasurer has received from them and disbursed over $50,000 allotment money during the year.

The City has furnished over 2100 men for the army during the war, and have men now serving in the 21st, 25th, 34th, 36th and 57th Regiments, and also in four unattached compa- nies.

All quotas of men which had been called for previous to the call of December 19, 1864, had been filled, and a surplus of about 170 men that can be applied upon the last call for 300,000 men. The quota of the Eighth District to fill that

call is 271. The proportion for the City has not yet been assigned.

The City still continues to pay the bounty of $125 for each recruit, which is additional to all other bounties. It is recom- mended that this bounty still be continued. The Recruiting Committees of the several wards are earnestly requested to keep themselves constantly in effective working condition ; that as many recruits as possible may be furnished the army, that we may thereby practically show our loyalty to the Government, and aid it in the best possible manner to do its appropriate work.

The appropriation for war purposes the last year was $27,500, being the largest appropriation made for any single purpose, excepting that made for the public schools.

The disbursements for these purposes for the same period are as follows :

Bounties Paid,

$57,000

Paid State aid to 784 families,

51,000

Contingent expenses,

5,000

Amount,

$113,000

Received from State on account of aid, $39,000

recruiting expenses, -

4,786

$43,786

Amount expended by the City, about

$69,214

The war debt has been inereased during the year, $40,500

Total present war debt, about, $161,000

Amount due from the State on account of State aid, 51,000

Leaving actual war debt, about

$110,000

SCHOOLS.

From information derived from the Superintendent, the schools continue to hold that high rank by them heretofore

attained, and to deserve our confidence and support for their healthy and prosperous condition. These will deserve, and doubtless receive, your fostering care, and that attentive con- sideration for their higher development and maintainance, which their intimate relation to that which is purest and best in society entitles them. The expenditures for their maintain- ance has been largely increased during the year. This has resulted from causes mainly beyond the control of the govern- ment, from that general law which has advanced all prices during the season.

It is not now anticipated that any further material increase in the ordinary expenses of the department will, or need oceur during the coming year.

Balance undrawn Jan. 1, 1864, 4,233.83

Received from State, 1,106.30

Appropriation for 1864,

43,500.00

Amount,

48,830.13

Expenditures,

$49,294.52

In amount, the school accommodations, are now ample for all the children in the City; but unfortunately, the demand and supply is not nicely adjusted within specific territorial lim- its; owing to this fact, the School Board will call your atten- tion to certain improvements necessary to balance this ine- quality. One, a matter said to have been decided the past year, but not carried into execution, is the adding of a second story to the Northville school house.

The school house upon Union Avenue upon Union Hill, being situated in such close proximity to the Dale General Hospital, is represented as being now quite untenable for the quiet and effective purposes always sought in a school-room ..

Its removal to a more favorable locality will be recommended. Another, and a much larger scheme of improvement, is said to be the demand for the erection of a house the size and form of construction of the one recently finished at East Worcester, capable of accommodating 360 children, to be located at the junction of Grafton and Providence streets. The erection of a house here would entirely supercede the necessity of longer renting the two rooms now used in the Catholic Institute.

The whole number of buildings occupied by the schools are twenty-eight, seating 4676 pupils, and approximately valued at $180,000.

Two school-rooms are rented in the Catholic Institute, on Temple street, sufficient for 164 scholars, at an annual rent of $300.

There is also one room occupied in the basement of the Public Library building, on Elm street, accommodating fifty- six scholars. The accommodations furnished by all these houses and rooms is sufficient for 4896 children.

Whole number of schools seventy-four, employing ninety- three teachers. Total number of scholars instructed during the whole or a portion of the year 1864, was 6454; average daily attendance 3959.

By the Report of the Assessors, it appears that the whole number of children between the ages of five and fifteen, in the City on the first day of May, 1864, was 4929.

During the year, under the authority conferred by the Gen- eral Statute of the Commonwealth, there has been established at the Almshouse, what is termed a Truant School. To this school are sent such vicious, mischievous and unruly boys, upon due conviction for their offences, and sentence in the

Police Court, as cannot be brought within the ordinary re- straints, of either the school-room, or of the usual corrective influences of society. The wholesome effects produced upon our schools, and the checks which it places upon juvenile crime, are said, by those most conversant with its operation, to be most beneficial and entitles the school to continuance and support. The expense of its out-fit and maintainance for the past year has been $1600, which amount has been nearly balanced by an appropriation of $1500 made for that purpose. The average number maintained during the year has been eleven. This school has one teacher and is under the man- agement of the Board of Truant Commissioners.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The appropriations for this purpose for the past year have been $2500 for its maintainance, expenditures in salaries, and repairs, and $4000 to reduce the building debt.

New books purchased for the Circulating Library, 402; new books purchased for the Green Library, 6. Number of volumes in the Circulating Library between 6 and 7000; number of volumes in the Green Library 11,433. Number of books donated to the Green Library, 476; the number to the Circulating, is 28. The number of borrowers added during the year to the Circulating Library is 1333. Whole number of takers since 1860, 9059. The number of books loaned during the year has been 59,593.

The building and all its fixtures are now in good repair. The debt contracted for its construction has been reduced to $2600, which is to be paid off the coming year.

Early in the year its able Board of Directors by their annual report will inform you of its minute workings and its wants.

HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.

The appropriation for these the past year has been $10,500 Received for Pleasant street paving, teams sold, street scrapings, &c., about - -

- - 2,000

Amount, - - - $12,500 -

The expenditures have been about $13,163, being $663 over the appropriations and income.

It is hardly possible with the great rise in cost of labor and all materials of construction which has taken place during the past year, that this department with even the best manage- ment, can be kept within that appropriation for the year to come, if we would keep up the condition of all the ways, streets and bridges, to the reasonable satisfaction of a majority of the traveling public. The economical management of this department to ensure this degree of public approval, will re- quire much tact and skill, and the rejection of all those schemes of improvement which are more nearly related to private in- terest, than the public welfare, in order that the annual ex- penditures may be kept within reasonable limits.

There are no large schemes of public improvement in this department now in contemplation, or ordered by the official acts of our predecessors, or by the County Commissioners, which will demand execution and completion at your hands the coming year. The only exception to this general state- ment is the petition for a street over the Norwich and other railroads at Locust street, or under, at a point a few rods south of said street. This request is one of long standing, and at present is involved in some legal difficulties, owing to the fact that after many changes in the aspect of the case, the County Commissioners have at last granted the City permission to

locate Locust street at grade. This grant being deemed by the railroad companies adverse to their interest, some progress has been made in the mutual adjustment of the matter between the companies and the City, so that, the street may be con- structed under the railroads just south of Locust street.

The matter is still undetermined; and will doubtless be early and strenuously pressed upon your attention for your con- sideration and decision.

WATER SUPPLY.

The last season has witnessed the commencement, and partial completion of a project for furnishing the city with an adequate supply of water, entered into with an earnest zeal and fidelity by my predecessor which could but insure success.

The enterprise in its present condition will require much thought and care the coming season, to carry the same for- ward to entire completion.

So much has been done as to lay the main pipe from Myr- tle street to the Storing Reservoir, a distance of 23,635 feet, or 125 feet less than 4 1-2 miles. These pipes are now supply- ing the city through Jackson and Southbridge streets, and have been mostly since December 20th last, when the water was first turned into the pipes of the Bell Pond Aqueduct to re- main on any length of time. The Storing Reservoir Dam is mostly complete. This Reservoir will hold about 230 millions of gallons when finished.

The expenditure for the works thus far, has been about $94,000 as near as can be adjudged before making the final estimates, work having been suspended upon them only a few days since.

Excluding the amount paid for water rights, the opinion is

confidently expressed that the work as first contemplated can all be finished at an expense within the appropriation made for that purpose last spring.

Seven of the mill owners upon the stream below the junc- tion of Lynde with Kettle Brook, have been settled with for any damages there may be to their estates by reason of the diversion of these waters. There are six others to be hereafter settled with.

The amount thus far paid in settlement of water rights to those seven mill owners has been $2,350. The damages for land have also all been settled and paid for with the ex- ception of Homer E. Sargent and John A. Hunt. Mr. Hunt would have been settled with but for his unfortunate affliction.

Besides the main pipes, there has been laid the following amount of distributing pipe the past season :

Providence street to Dale Hospital, 2,967 ft.

1170 feet of which will be paid for by the U. S. Government.

Bloomingdale road to Western Engine House, 737 “

Jackson street, 1,240} "

School street, 687 “

Southbridge street,

1,357 "

179 feet is to be paid for by the Providence

& Worcester R. R. Co.

Total number of feet, 6,988₺ “

or 51} feet less than one and one-third miles.

Number of hydrants set nine, three of which are paid for by private parties.

The enterprising proprietors of the Adriatic Mills have laid at their own expense, a 6 inch distributing pipe from the

Main street main, to their mill a distance of 3,012 fcet, and set four hydrants upon their premises, and carried the water in- side their mill for the protection of their property against fire.

The cost of the distributing pipe laid by the city, has been about $7,360 which is in addition to the amount of expendi- tures above given for the main pipe, &c.

The income from the use of water from the Bell Pond Aqueduct the past year, has been, $3,200.00

The ordinary repairs about, 610.00

Leaving a balance in favor of, $2,590.00

Many large takers have commenced using only a few days since, so late in the season that assessments could not be made from data obtained in so short a time. Itis confidently expected that unless some unforeseen contingency, entirely disappoints all present expectations, from present demands and grants for the use of water, that before the end of the present year enough may be realized from the sale of water, aside from its great value as a means of additional protection against the loss by fire to our citizens and the public, to pay the interest on the debt which has been created for its construction.

The past season by its severe drought has demonstrated the necessity of having a very large Storing Reservoir upon Lynde Brook, so that none of the floods may be lost in order to furnish an 'undoubted supply through any like drought which may hereafter occur. The opinion has been freely expressed recently by my predecessor and by leading members of the Committee under whose direction the works have thus far been executed, that it would be best to raise the dam at once about fifteen feet which would more than treble the amount of water which could be stored in the basin. Certain it is that such

are the characteristics of the stream that this should be done very much in advance of the actual necessity, for this increase, or the risk would be very great of being short of water at the very time when most needed. It is thought that this can be best done now and leave the distributing Reservoir over to be built some years hence, much better than to leave it to after years when impelled by necessity.

The pipe from Bell Pond to the Chandler Hill Reservoir will need to be taken up and replaced by a larger pipe, the present pipe not being sufficient to supply the amount regain- ed by the present number of takers. This necessity exists from the contingency which may occur by reason of the break- age of a pipe on the main line west of us, in which event the entire city would have to depend on its supply for the amount which might be stored in Bell Pond.

The Rules and Regulations for the use and control of the water and the rates by which the assessments are made, need entire revision and modification, to which early attention should be paid.

It is recommended to consolidate the two departments, and to make one equitable annual assessment for all hydrants put in at the public expense, and apply the income therefrom each year to the payment of any balance of interest unprovi- ded for by other incomes from the department, to necessary extention of the work, or the payment of some portion of the water debt.

MILL BROOK.

This difficult question still forces itself upon public attention. The suit commenced against the city in 1863, by Wm. A. Wheeler, Esq., charging the city with obstructing the channel

of said stream by reason of insufficient bridges, and of con- ducting large amounts of "filth and rubbish" into the said stream, to the injury of private interest, is still undetermined.

The case has been sent by the Supreme Court to an able Board of Auditors for their examination, and to report the evidence and their conclusions thereon to the Court. These investigations have not yet been made. It is expected that they will soon be entered upon by the Auditors, at which time the whole subject will undergo an impartial and thorough examination.

The damages which are sustained by individuals from the overflowing of this stream occur only once or twice in each year, at the winter or spring freshets. These damages are sustained by the occupants of the estates adjoining the brook between Lincoln square and Temple street. The most serious annoyances are experienced by the inhabitants between and upon School and Exchange streets. In this section of the city, cellars and basements become flooded and in some instances machine shops are hindered in their usual operations, because

the fire grates of the engine boilers are set so low that the. freshets extinguish the fires. It is charged by the plaintiff, that the city by its acts of bridging this stream for the public accommodation, and by conducting the surface water of the high ground' along and west of Main street into the stream by an improved system of sewerage has had, and does now exercise, a direct agency in producing this damage and annoy- ance to private property and rights; and for the damages in- flicted through this imputed agency redress is sought.

To this it is replied that though the damage may be serious to individuals, still the damage comes through the resultant

effect produced by the combined action of great numbers of our citizens, in improving and rendering available for the pur- poses of machine shops and dwellings, what was once known, and in fact, only a worthless and unimproved meadow.

The energy and perseverance of our citizens and railroad companies, has long since burried the original surface of the meadow, in many places, beneath several feet of solid compact earth. This process of filling up, is constantly going on by the enterprise ornecessity of the various land holders of this section. These improvements have contracted the stream to very nar- row limits, not insufficient however, for its ordinary uses, but leaving little or none of its former expansion of low banks, for the free spread of its waters during times of freshets.

And hence, when a large amount of water has to force its way through this portion of the city in a short space of time, it must necessarily rise in the present banks much higher than formerly, before the great improvements had contracted and confined the stream within its present narrow limits.

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Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866, Part 25

Author: Worcester (Mass.) Publication date: 1862 Publisher: The City Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1862
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 1076