USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 21
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The newspaper and periodical department, as located in the commodious room provided for its use in the early part of the year, continues to be largely used, and the additions of new papers and periodicals offer continued and new attractions.
The total receipts of the Library for the past year, including an unexpended balance of the previous year, amount to $7925.37
The total expenses of the year have been 5646.27
Leaving an unexpended balance of $2279.10
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HIGHWAYS.
The operations of this department have been more extensive during the past, than any previous year of its existence - including as it does not only the general care of roads and bridges, but the work of every material enterprise in the city - establishment of sidewalks, curb- stones, gutters, and cross-walks; the grading and macad- amizing of streets, and subject to the call of almost every other department.
The revenue of the department of highways, which includes the amount appropriated for sidewalks and macadamizing, is as follows :
Appropriation for Highways,
$18,000.00
removal of Snow,
3,200.00
" Sidewalks,
15,000.00
" Macadamizing Streets,
5,000.00
Balance of account for 1867,
6,480.85
Making a total amount of appropriation,
$47,680.85
To which may be added other receipts. viz :
For materials and labor in laying 94 Side- walks, $10.776.46
For Street scrapings,
800.26
Labor, &c., in Sewer department,
2,913.11
« " Water
761.70
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« " School
2,504.68
Sale of Manure,
275.00
" of 6 Oxen,
837.00
of 2 Horses,
150.00
Sundry items of labor, &c.,
332.81-19,850.02
Making the total receipts of this department for 1868, $67,031.87 The expenses of the department for the year have been as follows :
Pay Roll of labor,
$19,320.97
Salary of Commissioner,
1,200.00
Purchase of Horses and Oxen,
4,155.00
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Purchase of carts, harnesses, &c.,
1,568.00
Hay and grain, 3,338.80
Shoeing, 481.66
Tools and general repairs,
3,347.98
Use of Horses belonging to Fire department,
1,613.33
Lumber for bridges, &c.,
1,135.33
Repairs of bridges,
300.24
Cleaning streets and catch basins,
2,691.34
Removal of snow,
3,116.16
Cutting down Terrace on Main street,
1,177.33
Grading Corbett street,
755.18
Widening and re-grading Plantation street,
470.60
42,040 pressed brick,
1,005.26
273,750 common brick,
2,559.75
Paving stones,
1,102.50
Curbstone, flagstone, &c.,
4,507.95
Labor and material,
5,320.65
Incidental expenses,
4,598.55
Making the total ordinary expenses of the department, $64,166.58 and leaving a balance of $2,865.29 in its favor.
The cost of the city stables, which properly belongs to this department, will be met by a special transfer from the amount of balance in the city treasury, Jan. 1, 1868, as also an extraordinary expense of $2700 incurred in construcing a retaining wall on the easterly side of Grove street, and made necessary at this time by the extensive building operations in progress by the Wash- burn and Moen Manufacturing Company, and the Hon. Stephen Salisbury. This amount paid is a proportionate cost of the wall, as agreed upon by the Joint Standing Committee on Highways, to whom the whole subject was referred by the City Council with power to act.
The operation of constructing and repairing streets by the Macadam system has been continued during the year with increasing success, as the operatives become more familiar with the process, and advantage is taken of the experience of the past.
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The amount of stone quarried, crushed, and delivered upon the several streets is 4334 cubic yards, the cost of which is detailed as follows :
Expense of quarrying and crushing,
$2974.16
Powder and fuse,
164.50
Repairs of machinery and tools,
216.77
Fuel and water,
196,96
Regulator for engine,
90.93
Carting from crusher to the several streets,
2194.34
Making a total cost of
$5837.44
equal to $1.34 6-10 per cubic yard.
The material thus prepared has been distributed in the repairs of various streets as follows :
Green street, which has been thoroughly re-graded and macadamized from the Providence Railroad to Mill Brook, contains a surface of 6532 square yards. The depth of stone has averaged 13 inches, and has consum- ed 2395 cubic yards of material at a cost of 47 1-2 cents per square yard of surface. The total cost of the im- provement upon this street has been $5,181.13, of which amount $3,094.32 was expended for material and $2,086- .81 in preparing the street to receive the same.
Lincoln street has been macadamized between Lincoln square and Kendall street, an area of 2043 square yards. The average depth of material used, 8 inches; the num- ber of cubic yards 452, and the cost per square yard 30 cents. The total cost has been $927.98, of which amount $615.48 was expended for material and $312.50 for grading.
Main street, from Austin street to Webster Square, has at different points been repaired with this material, the cost of which has been $1984.54 for material, and with the expense of grading, $531.72, makes a total cost of $2516.26. The number of square yards covered is
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4752. The material used, to the depth of ten inches, amounts to 1320 cubic yards, at an average cost of 41 3-4 cents per square yard of surface covered.
167 cubic yards have also been used in the general repairs of highways.
The three years' lease of the ledge belonging to the estate of the State Lunatic Hospital, will expire in Octo- ber next. I would suggest that an effort be made to secure a portion of this property by purchase, if practi- cable, for the permanent use of the city.
The demand for sidewalks, in all sections of the city is shown by the number of petitions for curbstones and gutters, which having been presented to the Standing Committee on Sidewalks of the past year, have been referred to the City Government of 1869.
The amount of stock on hand available for the opera- tions of this division of the department, and which has already been paid for, consist of
600 loads of Paving Stone, $1500.00
17,000 Pressed Brick, 510.00
61,000 Common Brick, 915.00
The establishment of sidewalks in the streets of our city is an improvement so manifest, demanding expen- ditures of so permanent a character, that I do not hesi- tate to recommend an ample appropriation for this de- partment of the city's interest, and trust that we shall be able to meet and fulfil all calls in this direction.
CITY STABLES.
The city stables, which were established on Salem st. in 1853, have year by year proved more inadequate to the absolute needs of the Highway department in the accommodation for the stock and appliances used in its operations. At that date the entire working stock con-
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sisted of six yokes of oxen. To-day the number is 2 yokes of oxen and 13 horses.
Fully impressed with the necessity for immediate en- largement of the stable accommodation, as well as pro- viding suitable protection for the rolling stock, the City Council in June last gave authority to the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Highways to make such enlargement and alteration as should meet the demands of the de- partment. In pursuance of this order, the old building was raised and a large addition made thereto ; the pres- ent structure measuring 100 by 44 feet. The small building used as a stable has been raised, moved, and fitted up as a repository for the smaller tools, repair shop, and general store house. Surrounding the enclos- ed estate ample shed room, 174 feet in length, has been provided for the rolling stock ; the yard has been re- graded and drained, a water pipe laid, and a hydrant established for protection against fire. The total cost of the improvements made upon this estate is $8434.16.
STREETS.
At no time probably since the establishment of the city has there been so great necessity for repairs and so pressing a demand for improvements in streets as during the year now closed. This may reasonably be attributed to the unprecedented growth of our city as well as the stimulated spirit of progress which is evinced on all sides.
During the past year a street has been laid out 60 feet wide extending from May street in a southerly di- rection and intersecting Beaver street at its junction with Lovell street, a distance of 3760 feet - a contract for building which, including stone culverts and bridges, was awarded to Mr. E. B. Walker for $4600, and by its terms is to be completed in May next.
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The re-location and widening of Laurel street from Hanover street to Carrol street, has also been adopted by the City Council, and only awaits the opportunity for the commencement of the work.
There is also now before the Board of Aldermen peti- tions for the extension of Winter street, from its present location, to Water street; the extension of West street, from its present terminus, to Highland street; the ac- ceptance and regrading of Lamartine street, Home street and Lafayette street,- the widening and re-location of Goddard street from Main street to the Boston & Albany Rail Road - the re-grading of Main street from Down- ing street to Tirrell street, and the widening of Front street, on the northerly side, from Church to Hibernia street - also, the establishment of a new street from Franklin street to Winter street, parallel with Mill Brook.
The Common Council having failed to endorse the ac- tion of the Board of Aldermen upon the petition for the extension of Chatham over Corbett street, to Main street, an appeal was made by the petitioners to the Board of County Commissioners, who by law have full power and jurisdiction in such cases; and while we may regret the necessity which has rendered the interference of County officers in our Municipal affairs, it will be- come our duty to carry out whatever decree may be issued by them, although the expense must inevitably be much greater than had the work been accomplished the past year, when the condition of the estates to be effected by such alteration was most favorable.
By an Act of the Legislature, the special law passed for and applicable only to the city of Boston, known as the Betterment law, authorizing the authorities to lay out and widen streets with power to assess one half of
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such cost and damage on the parties directly benefited, was made available to all the cities of the Common- wealth whenever it should be adopted by the City Coun- cil of such city. Availing itself of the general act, the Council of our city adopted the Betterment act, and it is now made applicable to the improvement of our streets ; a law whose provisions are so manifestly just, in oblig- ing the estate benefited to hear a fair proportion of the cost of improvement, rather than assessing the entire expense upon those remote from the point of such im- provement and receiving no direct advantage.
In the consideration of this important subject of re-lo- cating, accepting, and laying out streets, too much care cannot be taken in the adoption of a policy which shall combine judicious present action and wise foresight for the future. As we witness the large expenditures ren- dered necessary in other cities to correct the evils of past generations, and know that our neighbors are now paying from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in widening and straightening streets to accommodate the demands of their growing populations, well may we consider in this our new municipality, where the creation and development of a large city is fast taking form, whether the expenditure of a small sum of money in this direction at present, is not wiser than by neglecting existing opportunities and evading present responsibili- ties, entail upon those who succeed us expenses which must in the progress of events multiply ten fold.
Fully believing that in all administrations there are errors of omission as well as of commission, I cordially invite your attention to all these important measures of public improvement, in the hope and trust that they will be met in the broad spirit of enlightened liberality, view- ed in their relations to the duty of the present as well as
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their bearing upon the future welfare and prosperity of our city.
The great increase in the number of dwellings during the past few years, the appropriation of new territory in all parts of the city to building purposes, which necessa- rily involves the opening of new streets, is a subject which, although apparently of the nature of private en- terprise, should I believe be in some way placed under corporate control and municipal regulation.
In practical operation, the proprietor of an estate di- vides the same into lots, and to render each accessible, defines a right of way upon which such lots abut, and over and by which the land is made available for build- ing purposes ; lots are sold to different parties who in the location and construction of buildings are governed by the present grade of the way provided, each guided by his individual taste and judgment irrespective of any other lot; and when the whole territory is occupied, there being no defined line or established grade, great irregularity in the location of buildings must be the re- sult.
In the natural progress of events this " way " becomes a private street, and when entirely built upon, the occu- pants of the estates petition for and demand as a right its acceptance by the public and the establishment of sidewalks, gutters, &c. In acting upon the petition, the authorities are met by heavy claims for [damage to estates by the change made necessary in establishing such walks, by parties whose buildings would sustain in- jury by the cutting down on one side of the street or filling up upon the other side; and thus many of our best streets are rendered less attractive, and the resi- dents thereon debarred the common conveniences of the
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city, from the fact that no attention was paid in the out- set to the proper grade of the then private way, and the relative position of the buildings to it
These practical difficulties in the improvement of our city, and the importance of giving equal advantages to all our citizens, prompt me to suggest that some measure be adopted whereby no private way which contemplates the sale of lots of land upon the same, shall be laid out unless under the direction of the City Engineer, who shall prepare and place upon file in his office a plan and profile of such way ; and no building shall be erected within the city limits, unless the grade of the street or way upon which such building is located, shall have been established by the authorities, and the foundation of such building bear a proper relation to such establish- ed grade.
By such action I believe great mutual benefit will hereafter result ; the citizen without expense is protect- ed against any change of grade after his building is located, enjoying equal advantages in his claims for a public street and finished walks, while the city will be relieved from any demand for damages incident to the change in the surface of the street after the grade shall have been properly established.
WATER.
The operations of the Water Department during the past year have been confined almost exclusively to the establishment of main pipes in the streets of the city, in answer to the several petitions presented, all of which have guarantied the annual income of six per cent. on the cost of the same, and the laying of service pipes from the main to the estate of the applicant.
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The total length of main pipe laid in 1868 is 22,500 linear feet, and consists of the following sizes :
8 inch,
1,850 1-2 feet,
6
3,206
4 66 13,709 1-2 66
3 66 1,540 1-2
2
2,193 1-2
Which pipe has been laid through forty-four streets and courtsy and with the necessary gates and branches has cost about $24,000.
The total length of main water pipe now laid in the city is 163,698 feet, or about 31 miles.
The total length of service pipe now laid in the city is 42,160 feet, of which amount 13,000 feet have been laid during the past year.
Forty-seven gates have also been set, making the total number now on the works 274.
The number of public hydrants in the city is 337,-30 of which have been set the past year.
The amount of Water investment Jan. 1, 1868, was $378,006.98 ; adding to this the amount expended dur- ing the year 1868, $39,300.00, and we find the total cost of the Water Works as they stand Jan. 1, 1869, to be $417,306.98. Of this amount $400,000 are represented in the Water Bonds of the city, interest payable at six per cent., with the exception of $60,000 with five per cent. interest, on time varying from one to twenty years. The balance of $17,306.98 will be converted into bonds at an early day.
The number of water takers registered Jan. 1, 1869, was 1740, of which number 490 have been added during the past year ; 38 applications now remain unanswered, which will receive attention at as early a day as is prac- ticable.
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The revenue of this department for the year 1868 has been as follows :
For sale of water to general consumers, $21,053.00
for hydrants and public buildings, 6,947.00
6. 66 to new consumers commenced during the year, 4,000.00
Making the total income $32,000.00 Being an increase of $7,551.65 over the previous year.
This statement, so satisfactory in result, shows that the income of this department is sufficient to meet the interest upon its bonds, and leave a balance in its favor of $7,460, which will much exceed the annual cost of maintenance.
MILL BROOK.
In accordance with an order passed by the City Coun- cil appropriating and laying out an additional section of this stream for sewerage purposes, the Committee on Sewers advertised for proposals for excavating and wall- ing up a section from the terminus of the work as left in 1867 to the line of Front street, a distance of 1170 feet. Propositions were received from four different parties, and the work was awarded to Mr. E. B. Walker for $43,700.00.
A contract having been executed with satisfactory bonds, operations were commenced in May, and were prosecuted with as much vigor as the peculiar and diffi- cult character of the work would allow, until the close of the season ; which resulted in the completion of 820 feet, extending to the Boston and Albany Rail Road bridge. In the line of the work, stone bridges have been built at Winter, Temple, and Franklin streets, compris- ing a length of 145 feet, and costing $8957.50.
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The amount already paid on account of this contract is $28,752.19, leaving a balance now due and in the hands of the city $5599.24 ; 350 feet of the work includ- ed in this contract yet remain to be accomplished. In addition to the contract, $2,830.31 has been expended by the city in moving and shoring up buildings, extra piling, construction of race-way, and general expenses incident to the demands of the work, making the cost of the operations on Mill Brook for 1868, $37,181.74. Adding to this the balance paid Dawson & Co. in full for their contract of 1867, the amount paid Messinger & Wright as per agreement, together with the total amount expended upon the work in 1867, and we find the whole cost of the enterprise, including the purchase of the water power, to be $121,200.00, which amount is represented by 6 per cent. Sewer Bonds of the city pay- able in 1877 and 1878 ..
In order that the full benefits of the work already accomplished may be realized by that portion of our city where facilities for drainage are so much needed, I do not hesitate to recommend that immediate action be taken by the City Council to lay out, appropriate, and wall up another section of Mill Brook extending fromn Front to Exchange street, a distance of 1460 feet; which if accomplished will afford opportunity for the construc- tion of sewers in Union, Mechanic, Foster, Exchange, and other streets connecting therewith, giving imme- diate and permanent relief to this section of the city.
In the appropriation of Mill Brook for sewerage pur- poses, and the laying out and construction of its walls, questions of and claims for local damage by adjoining estates have already been presented ; questions which arise from the necessary appropriation of land for tem- porary use as well as permanent occupancy ; claims
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which are made for removal or damage to buildings and other causes incident to the progress of the enterprise ; as the work advances in the more densely settled section of the city, where land increases in value and all space must be utilized, larger claims will undoubtedly be pre- sented to the city. While the corporation should be willing to meet any just claim and would desire to com- pensate the individual for damages sustained to private property for the public benefit, yet it is difficult to adjust such claims in a satisfactory manner without litigation.
With the view, therefore, to relieve the individual claimant from the expense of a legal suit, and that full justice may be obtained in the most direct manner to all parties in interest, I would recommend that a petition be presented to the Legislature for an Act, amendatory to the Act passed in 1867 and approved March 29, whereby all questions of claims, damages, and better- ments arising from the appropriation and change of the brooks therein specified, which cannot be satisfactorily adjusted by the city authorities, may be referred to a special commission, consisting of the Board of County Commissioners, or appointed by the Supreme Court, whose adjudication shall practically be considered a finality, although the right of appeal would still remain. The whole expense of such commission to be paid by the city. By such a system it would seem the claimant would be relieved from cost in obtaining the damage perhaps rightly due, would submit to the arbitration of disinterested minds, and the corporation in the spirit of manifest justice will have dealt promptly and fairly with each of its citizens, guaranteeing equal rights to the humblest who would submit to injury because he had not the means to contend against the larger power, as well as the one whose position would allow an expen- sive litigation for a great length of time.
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SEWERS.
The establishment of sewers in the streets of the city has been prosecuted without intermission during the en- tire working season of the year.
The number of streets in which sewers have been established, is thirty. The number of lineal feet laid, including inlets to catch basins, is 16750, and consists of the following dimensions.
30 x 45 in. brick sewer,
835₺ feet.
20 × 30
1494
18 x 27 66
1096
18 66 pipe
243 66
15
4699₺
12
66
6566¿ 66
9
66 6.
413
The area of surface drained by these sewers is esti- mated at 175 acres.
The cost of the sewers laid in the streets of the city during the past year has been $77,304.28, and added to the amount expended in 1867, makes a total cost of $115,151.43, deducting. $17,000.00, the estimated amount paid for inlets and catch basins, which cost may properly be assumed by the city in connection with the highway department, and we have $98,151.23, which amount is represented by the temporary loan of the city and is to be assessed by the Board of Mayor and Alder- men upon the estates benefited by the establishment of such sewers.
Sewers have already been established and laid out by the City Council on Laurel and Hanover streets, and on Grove, Salisbury and Boynton streets; the work upon which should be commenced at as early a day as is prac- ticable.
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A thorough survey has been made, levels taken and plans prepared of the entire district west of Main street from Highland street to Piedmont street, for the purpose of devising a complete, practical and economical system for the relief of this densely populated section of the city. This subject will be presented for your considera- tion at an early day, and will doubtless receive at your hands such promptness of action as the exigencies of the case shall demand.
In the prosecution of this great material enterprise, which by its magnitude and growing necessity has be- come one of the most important interests entrusted to our care, the limit of operation should, I believe, be re- stricted only by the ability to consummate the work, and no effort be spared to press to its completion a sys- tem which, in its full development, will not only enhance the value of all real estate within reach of its benefits, but will prove itself an enduring convenience and a san- itary blessing to all.
NEW BUILDING ON THOMAS STREET.
The growing wants of the water department, with the increasing demands of the sewer department, and the lack of accommodation for shop room and storage, en- gaged the attention of the government in the early months of the past year. The necessity of providing a suitable house for Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2 was also presented for consideration. By an order passed by the City Council March 31, and under authority of the same, the Joint Standing Committees on Fire Department and Water effected the purchase of a lot of land on Thomas street, having a frontage on the street of 60 feet, and running back to Mill Brook 175 feet, with an area of about 10,500 square feet, for $7,500.00. The building
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