USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866 > Part 60
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Upon the Old Common very little has been attempted. The fences around it need thorough repair. The wood market along the Main street front of this pleasant breathing-place of the city does not impress strangers fa- vorably in regard to the taste of our citizens in the keep- ing of their public grounds. Having no power to re- move this nuisance, as the Commissioners consider it, they join their unanimous voices with those who remon- strate loudest against the crowded and filthy condition of the most important thoroughfare of the city, where it frames in one entire side of the central park.
The New Common, or " Elm Park," as public spirited citizens more ambitiously style it, has hitherto gained or suffered but little from the hand of man. The few- beside your Commissioners-who may occasionally wan- der into it for lonely contemplation or to commune with undisturbed nature, find, in this sequestered spot, much
159
that might have been enjoyed and nothing that would have been feared there two hundred years ago. The care annually bestowed on this parcel of land has be- come a systematic routine of mowing grass, repairing fences, and " dumping in" filling, for the reception of which the capabilities of the ground are believed to equal those of any first class park in the commonwealth. During the year, the Commissioners have neglected no part of their duty in this field of their labors. The grass has been sold off; the usual quantity of street scrapings carted in; the portion ploughed in 1865 by the Agricul- tural Society seeded down; the fences righted up. Ev- erything has been done. If no throngs of gay visitors have transformed the solitary place into a fashionable resort, it would seem unreasonable to censure the Com- missioners, however great may be the provocation to blame the popular taste. But though the inhabitants of our crowded city may shirk the enjoyment of this unoc- cupied territory, its original cost in 1854, together with the considerable sums already expended on it, and the accrued interest, represent not less than $25,000 00, among the items of a public debt from which there is no escape.
The Commissioners gladly turn to seek the bright side of the picture, and mindful that "Tall oaks from little acorns grow "-sometimes to great size, they look for- ward to a possible future when, fifty or more years hence, the purchase of this now unneeded pleasure ground may be as much a subject of congratulation as it is to-day of regret. Who lives will see.
The plan of operations partially formed at their first meeting by the Commissioners, was greatly discouraged subsequently by the scarcity and high price of labor. When, therefore, it was found that the work necessary
160
to be done on the Mechanic street burying ground, and the cost of pruning and protecting the trees already growing in the streets, would absorb nearly a thousand dollars of the funds at the disposal of the Commission, it was decided not to set out any trees during the year embraced within this report.
A few trees ought doubtless to be planted the coming season, in localities where the need of shade or ornament may seem most imperative ; but the Commissioners find in the financial condition of the city little encourage- ment to recede from their opinion, expressed in the re- port for last year, that it is best to rely for decorations of this kind mainly on private enterprise. And this opin- ion will be entitled to weight, so long as beautiful trees in a sidewalk enhance the marketable value of an adja- cent estate. From the days (1713-1715) when Jonas Rice and his family were the solitary inhabitants of Wor- cester, during no five consecutive years has the indebted- ness of the town or city been increasing at such a rapid rate as has distinguished the period since the passage of the Act of 1862, creating this Commission. Circum- stances have been exceedingly unfavorable for the dis- charge of the duties defined in that enactment. The petition for improvements and the complaint of burden- some taxation have often come from the same lips to the ears of your Commissioners. To refuse the petition would not perhaps appreciably diminish the cause of complaint. Still, to a majority of the tax-payers, the shade of ornamental trees must certainly appear less in- dispensable, now that a debt of nearly half a million dollars is casting a more sombre shade over the prosperi ty of the city.
A considerable amount of heavy pruning has been done the past season on Main street, and other streets in
161
the vicinity. Some of the oldest trees in the heart of the city, upon examination, were found to require, and have received, special treatment, so that the danger of their limbs' being thrown down by the wind no longer threatens persons who may be standing or passing be- neath them ; and such danger will hereafter deserve the careful attention of the Commissioners.
The operations of this board during the year, have thus been restricted to a narrow circle requiring but moderate outlays of money. It is neither possible nor desirable to conceal that the results accomplished are in- significant and unimportant, as compared with what has been done in larger and wealthier cities. Nevertheless, referring to their report for 1865 for the motives influ- encing them, the Commissioners prefer to incur censure for inactivity rather than to expose themselves to an ac- cusation of extravagance which many of their fellow citizens might consider well-deserved.
Should more propitious times arrive, when the heavy pecuniary liabilities of the city shall begin to diminish, it will then be less unjustifiable than it would be now for this Commission to solicit more liberal appropriations and apply itself to more ambitious schemes of improve- ment.
Respectfully submitted,
For and in behalf of the Commissioners, GEORGE JAQUES, Secretary.
City of Worcester, Jan. 24, 1867.
REPORT
-OF THE-
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.
To the City Council of the City of Worcester.
GENTLEMEN : In assuming the duties of the office of Chief Engineer at the commencement of the municipal year just closed, after the long and successful career of my predecessor, it was apparent that strong efforts, and perhaps new energies would be required to maintain the high standard and efficiency which has characterized the Worcester Fire Department in years gone by. The la- bors and efforts of this department are well known to the City Government, and the measure of your appreci- ation expressed by electing the entire Board of Engin- eers for another year. In this my first Annual Report, duty and experience compel me to present a few sug- gestions to your honorable body, which appear practical and very desirable, earnestly hoping they may receive your earliest consideration. In my judgment the time. has fully come when the public interests of the city re- quire one more Steam Fire Engine, and that each should be equipped with horses and a driver always at hand, when an alarm calls for the services of the department. My plan would be, either to sell the steamer " Gov. Lin- coln " and purchase two new ones as recommended some months since, or purchase a new one and organize two new Hose companies, and dispense with the three Hand
164
Engines in the center district. This would reduce the number of men from two hundred and seventy-four to about one hundred and ninety, perhaps less. We could offer the machines thus thrown out of service, one to Quinsigamond, one to Northville, and one to Tatnuck, or South Worcester, which if manned by volunteers in those places, would hold in cheek a fire until the arrival of the department. This would not increase the expenses much beyond the purchase of the new apparatus; and should the suburban villages decline to accept this offer, they could be sold for nearly enough to cover that ex- pense. While I make this recommendation to the City Council, thoroughly convinced that our enterprising and growing city would be better protected, and the power of the department to contend with a fire considerably increased, a passing tribute is due to the Hand Engines. They have done great, good-performed an honorable service, but like all things else must retire before the new inventions of science, the application of the more powerful force of steam succeeding manual force, in all departments of manual lab r.
The apparatus is in good working condition, nothing new having been added the past year except 1500 feet of leading hose; and about the same quantity onght to be purchased the present year to properly supply the different companies, all of whom are well located in comfortable, convenient, and permanent houses, except perhaps Ocean Hose, No. 2, at Washington Square. Their house was built, and is owned by the Western Rail Road Corporation ; and their agent within a few days has in- formed me that they would like to make some change these, so as to enable the corporation to occupy a part of the premises now used by the company. This will make it necessary to procure a room in which the company can
165
hold their meetings. It is important that a good com- pany should be maintained in that locality. It may be thought best to provide a new house for this company before the close of the present year.
The Board have reduced the number of men on Hook and Ladder Truck, No. 2, from 25 to 20, and allow them the use of two horses instead of one as heretofore, which will render the company more efficient and the expense less.
The number of " alarms" during the year has been thirty, five of which proved to be without cause. The amount of property destroyed by fire has been very small, only about $17,000, most of which was fully cov- ered by insurance. .
It is the custom of the Chief Engineers of most all other cities to make up a document containing the Chief's report, ordinances, rules and regulations governing the department, and such other matter as seems to them ap- propriate, for the purpose of exchanging with the same officers of other cities. Many of these documents con- tain much that is valuable to the officers and members of the Fire Department. I would ask the City Council to allow this Board to publish such a document, and have the expense charged to the appropriation for public printing, that we may be enabled to return the favors so frequently bestowed. The number would be quite lim- ited, and the expense, of course small.
The department the present year, consists of seven Engineers and eleven companies as follows :
21
166
A. B. LOVELL, Chief Engineer.
S. E. COMBS, Assistant
R. M. GOULD,
66 and Clerk.
JOSEPH RIDEOUT,
JAMES L. MORSE, 66
ELI B. FAIRBANKS,
66
SILAS J. BRIMHALL,
66
Washington Engine Co. No. 1,
Austin L. Culver, Foreman,
40
Rapid
66
2, Daniel J. Baker,
40
Niagara,
3, Not organized,
40
Yankee,
66
5, Rich'd S. Maynard,
40
Hook & Ladder,
66 1,
John W. Loring,
66 20
Hook & Ladder,
.2,
Edwin Bradbury,
66
20
City Hose, 66 66 1, Enoch Earl,
10
Ocean Hose,
66 2, James Keegan,
66
10
Eagle Hose, 66 66
3, Wm. Flynn,
10
Str. Gov. Lincoln,
66
1, Timothy Kelcher,
16
Str. Col. Davis, 66
2, Patrick Carrol,
16
Engineers,
7
Total number of men,
269
In closing, permit me to thank the City Council for the cordial manner in which they have sustained the efforts of the Board, by making all necessary provision for their support and effectiveness. Also, am I under obligations to my associates on the Board, for their hearty co-operation, and judgment in managing the affairs of the department, making the duties of my office pleasant and agreeable.
I am gentlemen, respectfully your obedient servant,
A. B. LOVELL, Chief Engineer.
REPORT
-OF THE-
Water Commissioner for the Year 1866.
To the City Council :
GENTLEMEN : The Water Commissioner has the pleas- ure of making the following Annual Report, to wit :
The works are now performing efficiently, the require- ments of supply and distribution. They are in good re- pair. Upon the lines of cement pipes completed previous to the present year, two leaks have appeared, and these two, are only such as are incident to pipes under any circumstances. Two leaks have also been mended upon the iron pipes. The leak upon the 16 inch pipe on Main street at Hermon street which has been so annoying has been mended.
The Commissioner allowed this leak to run through the season, in order to let the other pipe in the line between Jackson and Myrtle streets harden under pres- sure undisturbed. It now seems perfected, and no fears. are entertained of trouble in this location hereafter.
There is now only one small leak upon the main pipe. That is beyond New Worcester. This has been allowed to run through the season, and to continue for a similar reason, as that given for allowing the continuance of the Hermon street leak.
The use of water has been very nearly doubled during the year. At the commencement of the year there were 336 service taps, during the year there have been added 284, or only 52 less than the previous number, making the total number now 620.
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The number of takers is now 912, an increase of 425.
The whole number of applications received, including those on Trumbull street, 358. These have all been answered excepting 17.
The larger amount of premises supplied during the year have been dwelling houses. The estates now sup- plied, and fixtures added, are as follows, to wit :
Dwellings,
376.
Families,
729.
No. of individuals using,
7233.
Taps,
- 2786.
Sinks,
1366.
Baths,
139.
Water Closets,
357.
Urinals,
· · 105.
Basins,
445.
Cisterns,
- 104.
Boilers,
52.
Set Wash Tubs,
84.
Horse power, steam,
640.
Hose Bibs,
74.
Stables,
93
Hotels,
5.
Stores and Saloons,
136.
Offices,
74.
Shops, -
126.
Halls,
4.
Foundries,
6.
Engine and Hose Houses,
7.
School Houses,
5.
The entire amount of pipe laid to Jan. 1, 1867, was 105,895 feet.
Distributing pipe of all sizes laid in 1866, 26,871
Hydrant branches (4 in. pipe laid) 1866,
275
Service pipe,
8,082
Drain pipe at Hunt Reservoir,
632
Total amount now laid,
141,654
or 26 miles and 4474 feet.
The Department has laid for private parties 6,669 feet of service pipe at a cost of $3818 03, most of which has been paid into the City Tresury.
169
Total number of gates,
169.
Number set this year, - 46.
Number of public hydrants set 34, of private 2, making a total of 251 now set.
The income for the year has been as follows :
Received of takers, and water sold, - 13,742 90 For hydrants, schools, watering troughs, &c., 5,064 00
Unsettled accounts, -
1,903 00
Assessment of takers commenced during the year, and not included in the above, 1,000 00
Total, .
$21,709 90 -
An increase of $9,804 51 over the amount stated in the Annual Report for 1865.
Received for putting in service pipe, $5,184 00
Balance due, 1,403 12
Amount, $6,587 12
The income for the present year is estimated at $25, 000. And should the continuance of business prosperity, increase as largely the distribution the current, as the last year, the income will probably much exceed rather than fall short of the estimate.
The expenditures have been as follows :
For Distributing Reservoir and pipes con- nected therewith, $16,197 34
For Pen stock at Storing Reservoir,
1,961 46
For Service pipes,
9,590 30
Gates and Hydrants,
7,641 00
Distributing and Main pipes,
56,403 56
Maintenance, -
- 3,588 00
" Payment on pipes laid in 1865, - 12,000 00
Total,
$107,381 66
.
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Received and now due for putting in service pipe and materials sold, - 6,587 12
Making amount paid out, $100,794 54
Deducting payments of 1865, 12,000 00
Amount expended in 1866, $88,794 54 All the orders of the City Council for laying pipes have been completed excepting the order of July 16, and the order for laying pipes in Trumbull street. The pipe has been laid in Trumbull street, but was not hard enough at the time the street was macadamised to admit letting the water on. By consent of all parties this has been left unfinished, to leave the road undisturbed for the season.
Of the order of July 16, there remains the following portions of work to be accomplished, to wit :
1000 feet of the 16 inch pipe from a point in Laurel street about 200 feet north of Summer street to Union street : thus completing the main connection, between Bell Pond and the main in Union street.
Next the 12 inch pipe in Front street, from Church street to Washington square, a distance of 1285 feet.
Of the 8 inch mains there remains the portion ordered in Green street, 875 feet.
In Grove street, 1700
In Highland and N. Ashland sts., 3420 66
In Belmont, -
- 1480 "
Amount of 8 inch, 7475
Also 350 feet of 16 inch connection with all the dis- tributing pipes across Lincoln Square.
Total amount of pipe to complete this order, 10,130 feet.
Contracts have been made for this pipe, most of it is
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now here and the cast iron pipes, gates and branches paid for. The cost of completing this order will be about $22,000.
Most of the earth and stone work to the distributing Reservoir has been completed. The 12 and 20 inch mains have been laid from the Reservoir to the street, but the connections have not been made with the mains laid in 1864. It is intended to make these at the earliest practicable time in the spring. This Reservoir when filled will be 20 1-2 feet above the present distributing Reservoir on Chandler Hill, and 6 feet below high water in Bell Pond. To complete it, it will require the neces- sary puddling and paving for the east slope and floor ; fencing the lot, and cleaning up and grading the first lot bargained for, of Mr. Hunt for its site.
The cost of finishing this work is estimated at about $3000.
A Pen Stock has been constructed upon the end of the main, from which water is taken to the city at the Storing Reservoir in Leicester, and so arranged that wa- ter may be drawn at any point desired below the surface. It is confidently believed that this arrangement will ob- viate most, if not all of the annoyances heretofore experi- enced during the hot summer months, as experience has shown, that the water upon the surface of the Reservoir by atmospheric action is freed to a large extent, if not entirely, from those impurities which are strongly sensi- ble far below the surface. The structure has been built in a most thorough and permanent manner, and so ar- ranged with gates that it may be emptied at pleasure, and examined or repaired internally, as occasion may require.
The Reservoir was emptied within two feet during the commencement of the work of building the Pen Stock.
172
The foundations for it were so far laid, as to close the waste gate and be ready to save water on the 15th of October. At this time the brook was running an amount slightly in excess of the consumption. The Fall and early Winter rains, believed not to be above the average this season, over other seasons. have been ample to fill the Reservoir by the first day of January 1867, or in two and one half months, in addition to furnishing the amount consumed and the wastage attending the pres- ent method of supply-which is estimated to be equal to one half the consumption. The stream is now fur- nishing an amount much in excess of consumption, and will probably continue so to do, through the winter months. Hence the entire amount of water brought to the Reservoir by the spring freshets will all be wasted, an amount of water usually far in excess of any like number of months at any other season of the year.
The Commissioner recommends that the Leicester es- tate be walled upon the south and westerly sides, and that the entire estate be cleared of brush and be brought into good pasturage. This cleaning up will tend in a measure to purify the water of the Reservoir by pre- venting a large mass of leaves from the adjacent wood falling and being annually blown into it.
The amount of wall required, will be 187 rods, 83 rods of which lie against the land of Mrs. Brown, occupied as a pasture ; she desires that the City Council should join her in laying this portion early in the spring.
It is recommended that the City Council take early action in relation to the petitions for laying distributing pipes now before them from last year, that the depart- ment may be able to make contracts early in case the petitions are granted, that the lines may be completed early in the season.
173
An inventory of the Personal Property of the Depart- ment is herewith presented marked " A ".
Statements have been added of the cost of the entire works and income therefrom, in tables No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, to Jan. 1, 1867.
The present value of the property is estimated at $300,000. For a particular account of the indebted- ness of the Department, reference is made to the Annual Report of the City Treasurer.
PHINEHAS BALL, Water Commissioner.
Worcester, Jan. 14, 1867.
22
174
SCHEDULE " A."
INVENTORY OF STOCK AND TOOLS, ON HAND JAN. 1, 1867.
600 lbs. old lead pipe; 134 lbs. bolts, hooks, and nuts ; 152 lbs. wrought iron back bands ; 95 lbs. post hydrant hooks ; 1 bbl. Port- land cement; 19 bbls. cement ; 3 bbls. charcoal ; 5 hydrant boxes ; 1 gate box ; 1 pipe cutter ; 1 taper 8×4 in. ; 17 flush hydrant bands and bolts ; 1 chain pump and curb ; 1 force pump, brass ; 1 press for lining pipe ; 1 hand forge and funnel ; 1 solder furnace and 2 solder irons ; 1 set pulley blocks and ropes ; 1 platform scales ; 1 30 gall. set kettle and stove; 1 90 gall. tank ; 1 cast iron sink ; 1 drill stock and drills and 5 sets of clamps ; 1 grindstone and frame ; 2 iron vises ; 1 wooden vise ; 1 pair of pipe tongs ; 4 water metres ; 1 anvil ; 1 copper pump ; 1 hydrant bowl with gate in pipe; 1 stove and funnel and coal hod ; 1 wheel-barrow ; 3 sets of cones for lining pipe; 4 oil cans ; 1 die plate and 2 dies and 2 bushings; 2 drill stocks and 10 drills ;
4 pieces, 16 in. pipe, 1 foot 6 inches in length.
1
6. 14
1 foot 9
2 10 6 9 feet long.
12 66 66
6 9 8 8 9 66 66 66 45 4 12 66 25 6
6 120 feet of 2 inch boiler flue pipe [old pipe.]
458
511
100 lbs.
16 66 tapping bands, 66
164 "
10
184 " 8
66
502 " 6
66
.. 361 " 4 66
26 “ 2
70 “ 14 brass elbows,
10 “ 1
11 «
1×&" reducing elbows,
23 " brass tees 14×1 in.
10 « 26 “
1× 66 21 " 66 1׳ 28 “ 62 in. bolts and nuts,
27 " 66 66
9 «
12123
1×1
77 4
66 24 " 6 "
33 " 3₺ " 66 66
4 1
66 cement lined pipe, 66 46 “ 12
175
28 drain cocks for hydrants ; 40 waste stop cocks; 39 stop cocks and bands ; 8, 2 in. brass nipples ; 3, 2 in. brass Ludlow gates ; 7, 1 in. · brass Ludlow gates ; 14 & in. brass Ludlow gates ; 7, 1 in. brass coup- lings ; 14, § in. brass couplings ; 88, ¿ in. brass couplings ; 6, 1 in. solder nipples ; 25, & in. solder nipples ; 35 lbs. lead pipe ; 13 waste stop cocks ; 13 solder nipples made together ; 23 lbs. waste stop cock Boston pattern ; 60 lbs. hydrant hoops and wrench heads; 100 lbs. 5 in. nails ; 81 lbs. lead pipe new ; 40 lbs. lead pipe in connection with solden nipples, and 6 couplings ; 11 branches 16×4 in .; 5 branch- es 16×8 in .; 1 branch 12×12 in .; 1 branch 12×8 in .; 6 branches 12×6 in .; 5 branches 12×4 in .; 2 branches 10×4 in .; 8 branches 8×8 in .; 7 branches 8×6 in .; 12 branches 8×4 in .; 2 branches 6× 6 in .; 9 branches 6×4 in .; 7 branches 4×4 in .; 1 cross 16×12 in. ; 1 cross 8×8 in .; 1 taper 12×8 in .; 5 tapers 8×6 in .; 11 tapers 6× 4 in. ; 3 sleeves 8 in. pipe ; 9 sleeves 6 in. pipe ; 7 sleeves 4 in. pipe ; 1 bonnet 8 in. pipe; 4 bonnets 6 in. pipe ; 11 bonnets 4 in. pipe ; 1 branch 5×4 in .; 1, 8 in. quarter turn ; 2, 6 in. quarter turn ; 4, 4 in. quarter turn ; 10, 4 in. hydrant bowls; 1 16 in. gate ; 5, 8 in. gates ; 7, 6 in. gates ; 1, 6 in. gate, old pattern ; 1, 3 in. Ludlow gate ; 2 gate box frames ; 8 gate box covers, light ; 2 gate box covers heavy ; 7 hy- drant box frames ; 7 hydrant box covers ; 4 flush hydrants ; 4 post hydrants ; 2, 16 in. quarter turns ; 2 pieces 12 in. pipe, 12 feet long ; 1 piece 12 in. pipe 7 feet 6 in. long ; 7 gate wrenches ; 5 stop cock wrenches, 5 flush hydrant wrenches ; 4 post hydrant wrenches ; 1 goose neck ; 6 iron bars ; 22 picks; 11 shovels; 1 axe ; 3 bench axes ; A lot of leading tools, 6 sets ; 8 cold chisels ; 2 hand hammers ; 4 hy- drant packing box wrenches ; 3 monkey wrenches ; 1 carpenter's work bench : 1 soldering work bench ; 170 lbs. steel, inch drills ; 5 striking hammers ; 2 stone hammers ; 3 spoons ; 14 lbs. packing ; 6 lbs. wind- ing twine ; 100 lbs. salt; 43 lanterns ; 8 water pails ; 3 hand saws; 1 fine tooth saw ; 1 } in. auger ; 1 bit stock and 12 bits ; 4 taps ; 1 glue pot and lamp; 1 varnish dish and cover; 1 fore plane; 1 shave ; 3 chisels ; 3 gauges; 2, 12 in. half round files; 2 screw drivers ; 1 pair tinman shears ; 18 dirt tampers ; 40 feet pine lumber ; 2 pair long legs rubber boots ; 3 tool boxes ; 13 pair short legs rubber boots ; 25 ce- dar poles; 2500 feet chestnut plank ; 2 hand sleds ; 1 horse, harness, sleigh, blanket, and wagon ; 55 feet, ¿ in. copper tube pipe; 3 carpen- ter's squares ; 2 flat wrenches ; 1 spirit level ; 5 carpenter horses ; 1 writing desk; 128 feet unlined 1 inch pipe; A lot of steam pump gearing and pipe ; 1 pair old blocks and ropes; 1, 1} inch mill ; 1 die plate and tap for hydrant outlets ; 1, 1} in, drill ; 1 2 in. drill ; 1 2 in; counter bore; 1, 1 in. tap; 3, 2 in, taps; 1 & in. tap ; 1, 1} in. tap ; 1 counter bore or mill for smoothing valve seats ; 1 tap wrench; 3 new post hydrant boxes.
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