Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866, Part 9

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 9

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IN POLICE COURT ROOM.

1 Salamander Safe, 1 Desks and Furniture.

STANDARD OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

In Charge of GEORGE GEER, City Sealer. 1 Office under Universalist Church.

7 Police Badges,

1 Feather Duster,

1 Copy of General Statutes of Massachusetts,

140

FOUR CITY SCALES, in charge of the following persons : Charles Marvin, near City Hall, John H. Coes, at New Worcester, Charles H. Whiting, at Washington Square, Giles Williams, at Lincoln Square.

Valued at $1,200.

IN CHARGE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ALMS HOUSE.

House Furniture, Stock on Farm, Farming Tools, Pro- visions, &c., valued by Overseers at $5,851 10

IN CHARGE OF THE SEVERAL ENGINE AND HOSE COMPANIES, AND UNDER A GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE ENGINEERS.

1 Long Ladder at Granite row, Main street,

1 Steam Fire Engine,

5 suction Engines,

25 Buckets,

10 Shovels,

15 Axes,

16 Crotch Poles and Forks,

22 Ladders,

9 Signal Lanterns,

17 Trumpets,

4 Hay Forks,

4 Manure Forks, 9 Hose Carriages, 5000 feet Leading Hose, in good order,

2 Hook and Ladder Carriages, 8 Fire Hooks,

In addition to the above, each Company is furnished with spanners and belts, torches, signal lanterns, bars, shovels &c., necessary to accomplish their duties; they are also provided with furniture for their respective meeting rooms.

· Valued at $16,000 by the Chief Engineer.

IN HANDS OF THE WORCESTER GAS LIGHT COMPANY.

All the Street Lamps,-64 fluid, 166 Gas, valued at $3,200.

141

CITY DEBT, JANUARY 5, 1863.

To whom payable.

Amount.

When due.

Rate of Int.

Interest paid to

4 Bonds, E. P. B. or bearer,

$4,000

1872

Dec. 1,1862

4,000

1876

4,000

1880

1, 18=2

4,000

1882

1, 1862

Samuel De Witt,

1,500

1870

1, 1862

1 Note,

Hannah Fowler,

800

on demand. ..

Sept.

5, 1862

High School Medal Fund,

1,000

1871

June

1, 1862

1 Bona,

Mercht. & Farm. M. F. I. Co,.

2,000

1873

Jan.

4, 1862

Hiram Rice,

2,700

Dec.

1, 1862

1 Bond,

State Mut. Life Assur. Co., 66

8.000

1873

1, 1862

1 Bond,

G. W. W. or bearer,

2,00)

1872

2,000

1873

2,000

1874

2,000

1875

1, 1862

Joseph White,

3,200

on demand.

2,000

1863

1,1862

1 Bond,

1,000

1867

1, 1862

1,000

1870

1, 1862

2 Bonds,

Wor. Mechan. Savings Bank,

2,000

1872

1, 1862

20:0

1875

1, 1862

2,000

1876

1, 1862

2,000

1878

1, 1862

2,000

1880

1,1862

15 Bonds, Wor Co. Institu. for Savings.

15.000

1863

1, 1862

1 Bond,

2,000

1860

1, 1862

4 Bonds,

4,000

1873

1, 1862

2,000

1875

1, 1862

2,000

1879

1, 1862

2.000

1830

1, 1862

5,000

1834

1, 1862

I Note,

1,604 83

1864

5 Bonds, Priscilla Wyer,

5,000

1865

1, 1862

5,000

1866

1,1862

$208.414 55

2,000

1874

1, 1862

3,500 500

1865

1, 1862

3,000

1868

1, 1862

9,000

1870

1, 186}

12.000

187L

1, 1862

4,000

1872

1, 1862

2,000

1881

1,1862

1882

1,1862

10,000

1883

1, 1362

1,604 85

1863

1,604 85

1865

1,000

1871

27, 1862

2,000

1873

1, 1862

2,000

1877

1, 1862

2,000

1879

1, 1862

1881

1, 1862

6,000

1867

1, 1862

6,000

1869

1, 1862

1,000

1869

1, 1862

George F. Newton,

600

on demand ..

Amos Pierce,

1,800

5,000

1872

1, 1863

3 Bonds,

2.000

1876

1, 1862

2 Notes,

2 Bonds, Wor. Five Cts. Savings Bank, 66 65 66

2,000

1864

1, 1862

1,000

1868

4,000

1878

May

1, 1862

2 Bonds, George C. Macy,

2,000

1874

1, 1862

2,000

1874

1,1862

2,000

1864

1, 1862

10,000

1873

1, 1862

2,000

1, 1862

Dec. 27. 1862

1 Note,

1, 1862

1 Bond,

4,000

REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF HOPE CEMETERY

To His Honor the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Common Coun- cil of the City of Worcester:

The Commissioners of Hope Cemetery, in compliance with the injunctions of the Act of the Legislature, under the provisions of which this board is constituted, respect- fully. in the language of the Statute, " make and render a " Report of all their acts, doings, and proceedings, and of " the condition of the Cemetery, and an account of the Re- " ceipts and Expenditures for the same," the last year.

The commissioners have personally, each, given the nec- essary attention and care to the keeping and management of the grounds. The repair of the avenues, worn by travel and broken by the storms of the seasons, and the removal of rubbish occasioned by the occupation and improvement of the lots, and from the decay of vegetable matter, and the falling branches and leaves of the forest, driven by the winds over the surface of the earth, are a constantly recur- ing tax upon labor, and must be renewed with every opening year. The general direction of the work is by the whole board, in meetings, held occasionally, alike at their room and on the field ; but to one of their number has been

143

assigned the special and constant supervision of its per- formance, in such manner as to assure the utmost fidelity and economy in its execution. This responsible and some. what onerous service, for the last year, as in several pre- ceding ones, has been gratuitously rendered by Mr. Curtis, fortunately living in the immediate vicinity, who has, with unstinted devotion of time and attention, superintended all the operations upon the grounds, and whose excellent judgment, good taste, and discreet employment and appli- cation of labor, have secured the most satisfactory results.

In their last report, the Commissioners expressed the intention to commence the construction of permanent fences to enclose the Cemetery upon its unprotected northern and southern borders. This purpose having been sanctioned by the appropriation made by the city govern- ment, they have caused to be erected during the past year, a substantial and durable fence of stone posts firmly set in the ground with chestnut plank rails, of suitable width and thickness, securely fastened by iron bolts to the posts,- and with pine palings thoroughly attached to the rails, along the whole extent of the north line from the street, to the river bank, a distance of eighty-one rods, and as far as such protection was required ;- and a fence of like des- cription, on the south line, to the extent from the street, east, of thirty-three rods. . The residue of this last men- tioned line running principally through swamp land, or land covered with growing wood, and less exposed to in- trusion, the Commissioners propose to fence in a cheaper manner with wooden posts and rails, the present year .- The length of fence so to be constructed and extended from the angle of intersection with the easterly line along the eastern boundary until i+ meets with the stone post fence erected by the Commissioners, a few years since, will be about one hundred and fifty rods, and when completed, will enclose the grounds on every side, except the front on Webster street, which from its position demands a

144

permanent and somewhat ornamental structure, the erec tion of which may be postponed to the opportunity and the resources of another season.

The cost of the fence constructed the last year, inclusive of stone posts, iron bolts, chestnut rails, and the pal- ings, with all labor, was five hundred sixty-seven dollars and thirty cents, or about five dollars per rod. Of this amount the commissioners received from the owners of adjacent improved lands, on the northern boundary, the sum of fifty- seven dollars and twenty-five cents, being one half of the es- timated cost by the rod, of ordinary farm division fencing, thus reducing the outlay to five hundred ten dollars and five cents. The work is believed to have been done in a thorough manner, and the fence to be as substantial and enduring as such mode of construction can be made .- Whenever the perishable materials shall decay, (and it must be many years first,) the stone and iron will remain, upon which, readily and at little cost, the comparative wooden parts may be renewed.

Inaddition to the fences, in the course of the season a con- siderable area of land between Chestnut and Glen Avenues and east of Sycamore, has been reclaimed from the forest, the roots of trees removed, the ground grubbed and grad- ed, and fifty-three additional, and very eligible lots, sur- veyed and laid out. In the early spring, these lots will be appraised and offered for selection and purchase.

A precipitous and rough declivity, south of Maple Ave- nue and not far distant from the principal entrance to the Cemetery has been worked upon, and its appearance much improved; and an unsightly pond hole in which water often stoodand stagnated, filled in with many loads of earth. This location demands yet further attention and labor, and the occasional deposit of gravel which may be obtained from the future improvement of the adjacent grounds, will ultimately remove the deformity.

Through the year, and to its close the Cemetery has

145

been kept in a neat and orderly condition. The snow has been so removed in winter, as to give convenient access from the street to the tomb ; and in the summer, the ave- nues and paths have been preserved open and clean for the use of the proprietors of lots, and the free enjoyment, at all times, of every visitor.

The whole expenditures of the year, under the direction of the Commissioners, have amounted to six hundred fifty- three dollars and ninety-five cents. The resources, in means applicable thereto, consisted in balances of former accounts, at the commencement of the year, of twenty-nine dollars and sixty seven cents, in the hands of the Commissioners, and of three hundred forty-nine dollars and seventy-five cents in the city treasury to the credit of the Cemetery ; thirty- three dollars and seventy-five cents received in a previous year from the College of the Holy Cross, as a proportion of the cost of a division fence ; four hundred dollars, the amount of the additional appropriation of the last year made by the city government ; an aggregate of seventeen dollars and seventy-five cents, received at different times for small quantities of wood and grass sold from the grounds, and fifty-seven dollars and twenty-five cents, as before men- tioned, paid by abutters towards the expense of fenc- ing, the last year ; making in the whole the sum of eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars and seventeen cents, and producing a balance in favor of the Commissioners, over the expenditures, of two hundred and thirty-four dollars and twenty-seven cents, which sum now remains to their credit in the City Treasury. The number of lots sold within the year, is forty-four, for the consideration, in the aggregate, of five hundred and ninety-seven dollars, all of which was paid into the City Treasury.

It will be perceived by the foregoing statement, that the money actually received from the sale of lots exceeds, by one hundred and ninety-seven dollars, the amount of the special appropriation from the Treasury, while the total

146

sum of the expenditures for the year falls short of the resources placed at the disposal of the Commissioners, by two hundred and thirty-four dollars and twenty-seven cents, the precise amount of the unexpended balance now remain_ ing to their credit in the City Treasury, and leaving noth. ing to be accounted for, in their hands. A minute detailed account of all receipts and expenditures, during the year, is herewith submitted, which the Commissioners ask may be received as part of this Report.

To complete the present year, in the manner proposed, the long line (f fence on the southern boundary, and so much as remains to connect it with the fence already built on the east, and to reclaim and prepare a further space for sufficient lots to meet the probable demands, and offer, at all times, that preference in selection which variety of taste or economy in purchase may require, together with the expense of the ordinary care and labor in keeping the grounds in proper condition, through the year, the Com- missioners estimate, that an appropriation, beyond the bal- ance now standing to their credit, of four hundred dollars, will be necessary.

In respect to the manner in which the accounts of the city with the Cemetery shall be kept, the Commissioners are of opinion, that the direction is exclusively with the city government. It may be expedient, as suggested by the mayor in his inaugural address, now that the outlays are so nearly balanced by the receipts, that the present somewhat involved and complicated accounts should be closed, and a new account opened by the city government with the cemetery, or the commissioners, as such, in which the proceeds of the sales of lots shall be placed to the credit of the latter, to be accounted for by expenditures under appropriations to be made by the former. The Act of the Legislature having expressly provided, that "all deeds and conveyances of lots, or rights of burial, shall be made in the name of the city, and executed by the city treasurer,

147

and that the proceeds of such sales shall, in all cases, be paid into the city treasury," necessarily devolves the keeping the financial accounts upon the city treasurer, the com- missioners acting merely as ministerial agents in managing the grounds, and rendering their account of expenditures, as monies shall be entrusted to them, under appropriations for that purpose.

Among the enumerated explicit requirements of the statute, it is declared to be "the duty of the commission- ers, from time to time, as appropriations shall be made by the city council, to cause said cemetery to be planted and embellished with trees, shrubs, flowers and other rural or- naments, as they shall think proper." Hitherto, but little attention could have been given to these objects. To re- claim and subdue the land from a state of nature and pre- pare it for its destined use, was a first necessity. To en- close and protect it by fences, was next in importance. The amelioration and preparation of the soil for orn ment- al culture is not merely the work of labor, but of time also. The growth of a wild vegetation must be destroyed, and the carth pulverized and enriched to receive and nourish the more delicate plants of cultivation. It may now be, that these can be successfully introduced into some parts of the grounds, and the attempt should not be unnecessa- rily postponed. Nature has been lavish of her gifts of beau- ty to this consecrated spot. The eye can rest upon no more enchanting landscape than from many eminences of this spacious enclosure. Without, are richly cultivated fields, the winding river, and the distant outctreching forest ; and within, the gentle undulations of surface, hill and dale, the grass covered meadow, the modest wild flower, the fu. nereal cypress, the gorgeous laural. Lovely and beautiful spot ! where the thoughtful and meditative may resort for contemplation, and the bereaved and desponding may de- rive consolation, even amid the trophies of the grave, from hope and faith in immortality. In scenes like these, "the

148

. very sighing of the winds through the forest leaves is a soothing response to the sobbings of the heart, and the ministrations of nature become a balm of healing to the bruised spirit.

By order and in behalf of the Commissioners, LEVI LINCOLN, Chairman.

City of Worcester, January 10, 1863.

Receipts and Expenditures for Hope Cemetery in the year 1862.

RECEIPTS.

Cash in hands of Commissioners Jan. 1, 1862, - 29 67

Cash in City Treasury, - 349 75

· Appropriation,

- 400 00

Cash Received from Georgetown College for fence. 33 75

" C. L. Bancroft for building fence, 16 75

" D. C. Wood, 5 10

" Albert Curtis,

35 40

for hay and wood, -

17 75-888 17

EXPENDITURES.

Cash paid by Albert Curtis, Commissioner, for labor, and sundries,

126 82

Cash paid by Albert Curtis, Commissioner, for lumber, bolts and sundries for fence, 191 91

Albert G. Mann, stone posts, -

313 30

Gill Valentine, surveying, - - 21 87-653 90

Unexpended balance in City Treasury,

$234 27

ALBERT TOLMAN;

Sec'y. of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery.

Worcester, January 6, 1863.

REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.

CITY OF WORCESTER, January 12, 1863. To the Honorable City Council of the City of Worcester :

The Commissioner of Highways in conformity to the requirements of the ordinance of the City, presents his annual report of the receipts and expenditures of the High- way Department for the year ending on the thirty-first day of December last, together with a schedule of the property belonging to said department, with the value of the same. The amount appropriated for Highways was $10,500 CO Cash paid Treasurer for oxen sold; 486 45

Cash paid to and received by Treasurer for sundry articles sold, 667 80

Street scrapings drawn to the new common, 300 loads, 150 00

Use of City teams on Long Pond Causeway, 200 00

Amount standing to the credit of the Department $12,004 25

The payments have been as follows :

Pay roll of men for labor, - $5,720 31

Salary of Commissioner, - 800 00

Paid for repairs in suburban districts,

459 41

six oxen, -

443 00

66 one horse, -

150 00

two horse carts, -

100 00

hay and grain,

1,578 91

66 setting curb and paving,

165 22

bridge plank, blacksmithing, new tools and repairs, and sundry small tools, amounting in all to 1,184 67

Amount expended,

-- $10,601 52

Unexpended balance,

$1,402 73

150

There is a small amount of outstanding bills against the department, but not enough to materially change the above.

Schedule of expenses for labor and materials for other than ordinary repairs of Highways &c., viz. :

For making sewer in West street, 409 00

" making 35 rods blind drain in Lincoln street, 104 00

setting 144 feet curb and 67 yards paving on Elm St., 136 41

" laying sidewalk near Mission Chapel, 28 81

" cleaning streets and cess pools, -

586 75

' extra repairs on the road through Tatnuck, -

480 00

Amounting to - - $1,744 97 -

Value of stock and materials on hand January 1, 1863,

as per schedule hereto annexed of, (see page 138), 2,229 10

The expense of the Long Pond Causeway has been as follows : Pay rolls of men and teams, $24,118 48

Bills for hay, grain, bridge, railing &c., -

1,878 95

Total expense, - - -

$25,997 43

Expenses other than making the fill between the abutments of the old bridge :

Stringers, plank and stone work for bridge,

- 412 25

Excavation for the bridge, -

- 75 00

Railing for causeway, - - - 240 52

Extra grading, - -

- . 2,176 00

Amounting to - - 2,902 77

Which being deducted from the above, leaves the expense

of the fill,

$23,094 66

Amount of earth removed in making the fill and grading the highway, 198,730 cubic yards, which after deducting expense of bridge, railing &c., costs a fraction over 12 1-2 cents per cubic yard.

Respectfully submitted,

HENRY PRENTICE.

REPORT

OF THE

CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

To the City Council of the City of Worcester :

GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to submit to your honor- able body my second annual report embracing such matters as relate to, and affect the interest of the fire department. In consequence of the frequent calls made by the govern- ment for the patriotic young men to enlist into the military service of the country, it has required considerable effort to keep the ranks full, but through the united exertions of my associates and the various company officers amongst whom the utmost cordiality and harmony of action exists we have not only had full rolls, but in some companies there has been a surplus of applicants. Since the annual organ- ization of the department in may last, about one third of its members have enlisted. The young men of Worcester, -

152

who have been accustomed to risk their lives in the pro- tection of property from fire have been equally ready to encounter the dangers and hardships of war in defence of our country. I have the satisfaction of being able to report. that nothing has occurred during the past year to disturb the harmony and good feeling that has so long existed, and is o essential in maintaining a well organized fire department. The question of a further supply of water will continue to be urged for consideration and action. I doubt if any are more thoroughly conscious of the real need of a better supply than the engineers of the fire department. The responsibility of extinguishing a raging fire without water can hardly be appreciated by persons not in position. Twice during the month of November I was called in the middle of the night to extinguish fires and found no water in the pipes. It can hardly be expected that people owning property that must be protected from fire by water from the reservoir will be satisfied if such a policy should be allowed to continue. If the present sup. ply cannot be increased some judicious method should be adopted whereby the citizens can have their property pro- tected to the full extent of such supply at all hours of the day and night. I would repeat the recommendation made in my last annual report, viz: that the building of two or three reservoirs in some localities, and the improvement of several natural springs in other sections of the city would in case of fire in such locality be of great benefit. It will be remembered that the large amount of property west of Main street, is very poorly provided with water in case of fire. The board of engineers partake largely of that spirit of economy which should pervade all departments of the municipal government, it has, therefore been my purpose to make as moderate demands on the city treasury as the safe protection of property from fire would allow, but in order to maintain a good and reliable fire department the necessary expense must be considerable. The apparatus

153

. as a whole, is in better condition than it was a year ago. Engine No. 1 and the steamer have recently been thoroughly repaired and improved. We have two other engines that need repairing and some improvements attached which would make them nearly as good as new machines; one at least I would advise be done early in the coming spring. A new hose carriage should soon be built to take the place of the one located on Carlton street which is quite worn out and not worth repairing. During the last season a petition was circulated and signed by nearly all the large tax paying citizens and the board of engineers asking the city council to appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase a new steam fire engine. Accordingly an order embracing that object has recently passed the city council, and the board are now negotiating with parties for the purchase of one, believing that with such an acquisition of power, the means to extinguish fires will be ample for sev- eral years to come.

The subject of a house in which to keep the new steamer and the appurtenances necessary to equip it for service should receive your earliest attention.

There has been purchased during the past year about one thousand feet of leading hose and probably about the same quantity has been laid aside, worn out. I am quite sure that if there is anything in which too much economy has been practiced it is the quantity of leading hose fur nished the department. I think it is highly important that our present supply should be increased, therefore I would recommend the purchase of one thousand feet.

There has been thirty-eight alarms of fire since my last annual report, a large proportion of the number have been caused by the burning of barns beyond the limits of the "centre district" and in nearly every case appear to have been the work of incendiaries. The amount of property destroyed by fire has been as near as could be ascertained about fifty-two thousand five hundred dollars, mostly cov- ered by insurance. The department consists of two hun"

154

dred and fifty-seven men, organized into ten companies, 1.

viz :

Washington Engine Co. No. 1, 40 men, DeWitt Fisher, Foreman.

Rapid

2, 40

J. L. Morse,

Niagara

66 3, 40

Chas. Russell,

Yankee 66

5,40

J. M. Wood,

Hook and Ladder 66 66 1,20

Joseph Rideout,

Hook and Ladder

2, 25 James Larasey,

City Hose 66 66 1,10

S. J. Brimhall,

Ocean « 66

2,10 Wm. Kickam,

Eagle £

66 3,10 Thomas Painter,

Steamer Gov. Lincoln, Co. No. 1, 15

66 James D. Shaw,

Engineers,

Total, 257

The following persons constitute the present Board of Engineers, and are organized as here represented. Alzirus Brown, Chief Engineer,

A. B. Lovell, Assistant Chief Engineer,

R. M. Gould, Assistant Engineer, and Clerk,

A. M. Barrows,

S. E. Combs,

Wm. A. Swallow,

S. A. Goodspeed,

Our worthy associate S. A. Goodspeed enlisted in, and is now with the 36th regiment Mass. Vol., therefore at the present time there is one vacancy in the board.

In closing my report I would suggest to the city council the propriety of making it the duty of the Commissioner on Highways during the winter months, immediately after snow storms, to clear the snow away in such a manner that the firemen can have unobstructed access to the hydrants. That officer always having men under his control and it being his duty to clear the streets when blocked up with snow, it would seem he could with very little additional ex- pense perform that service in a more prompt and satisfac- tory manner than any other person.

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Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1862-1866, Part 9

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