USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 22
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upon the lot was subsequently sold for $2,550.00, which with the accrued rent of $116.67, leaves the net cost of the estate $4,833.33. A brick building 60 feet front, 58 feet deep, and three stories in height, has been erected upon this lot, at a cost of about $8,237.25, making the total expense of the estate with building, after deducting the award rendered for the city's interest in the room occupied by the Hook and Ladder Co. on Main street, $12,470.58.
This building and estate will fully meet the present and prospective wants of the Water and Sewer depart- ments, will give to the Fire department spacious and convenient rooms, and will also provide a commodious room for the School department, long needed for the manufacture, repairs, and storage of school furniture.
NORTH POND.
The condition of the dam at North Pond was the cause of serious apprehension in the early part of last year ; and upon inspection proved to be not only faulty in re- pair but insufficient in construction to afford the requi- site degree of assurance as regards its permanence and its ability to meet the demands of a large increase of wa- ter ; an assurance which we believe should not only be demanded by the authorities, but should be guaranteed by the owners. The area of this pond is computed at be- tween two and three hundred acres ; its surface is about seventy feet higher than Lincoln Square, and the vol- ume of water contained therein is estimated between seven and eight hundred millions of gallons.
The breaking away of this dam and the attendant flood of water upon our city, would incur damage esti- mated only by millions of dollars, a disaster which if oc- curring would be almost irreparable, entailing a sacrifice
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of life and property incalculable. The fact of the appa- rent weakness of the structure, induced the authorities to apply without delay to the County Commissioners, who by law are empowered with full jurisdiction in such cases. By their direction plans and specifications have been prepared by the City Engineer for the construction of a dam which shall be as far as practicable absolutely secure, and afford positive security to the city against any liability of danger from this source.
This work will be accomplished under direction of the Commissioners during the coming year, an order having been issued restricting the maintenance of the water line to a point which shall insure safety until the work shall have been fully completed. The cost of the new dam will be assessed upon the different owners of the proper- ty in accordance with their proportionate interest.
The consummation of this work will not only allay all fears of impending disaster from this source, but being accomplished in this way will relieve the owners from further liability, as well as protect the city from all legal claims for damage, should any accident hereafter occur.
POLICE.
That the peace and good order of a community is attributable mainly to the existence of its police force, would be a statement reflecting upon the general condi- tion and character of a people ; and could not be appli- cable to a city which may without arrogation claim to take a high rank among those communities whose life principles and habits are based upon the elements of moral and educational culture. Yet the normal condi- tion of society is such that its existence becomes an absolute necessity, and its protective influences an im- portant feature in our municipal government.
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In the organization and maintenance of the police force of our city, it has been the aim of the executive department to select men who, by their general charac- ter and physical adaptability, should command the respect, and by judicious action win the confidence of the com- munity ; selections which have been made without re- gard to party affiliation or political preference, with the sole view of establishing a department based upon the true merits of its members, rather than to afford an asylum for the repose of faithful party workers.
While the evil disposed and wrong doer may not at all times evince feelings of affection or regard for the members of this department, still I believe as a whole, the body has never maintained itself with a greater de- gree of efficiency and evinced more interest in the pub- lic welfare than for the past year in the many trying positions to which it has been summoned. As the use- fulness of this department rests as much upon its moral power as its physical action, it must, I think, be consid- ered the duty of all good citizens to encourage and sus- tain its organization irrespective of any indiscretion on the part of any individual member ; and with the spirit of charity judge the motive and investigate the truth.
The number of arrests during the year have been 2080; the number of persons provided with food and lodging 1926.
The resources of the department have been as follows :
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1868, $4,217.34
Appropriated for the year 1868, 22,000.00
Fees on Warrants served by Assistant Marshals, 4,063.50
Witness Fees of Police Officers, 1,179.60
Extra duty of Police Officers, 34.50
From Overseers of Poor for lodgers, 100.40
$31,595.34
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The expenses of the department have been as follows :
Pay Roll of Police Officers,
$21,575.80
Salary of Marshal and Assistants,
3,550.00
278.75
Special Police July 4,
Regatta,
641.18
Incidental,
797.09
$26,842.82
Showing an unexpended balance in favor of the de- partment of $4,752.52. Deducting the earnings from the expenses, $5,243.10, and the actual net cost of the department has been $21,599.72.
The numerical force of the department, including the Marshal and Assistants, was, until Sept. 14, twenty-five, at which time five men were added to the patrol force to meet the demands of different sections of the city.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Thirty-three years ago a special act was passed by the Legislature establishing a fire department in the town of Worcester, a period thirteen years anterior to the or- ganization of the city. The population of the town was about five thousand ; no organized system for relief or protection against fire was established, and the assistance rendered in such times of peril depended very largely upon the application of simple means, the use of appara- tus limited in power, and the efforts of the neighbor or fellow-townsman exerted independently, or through the avenues of societies established for purposes of mutual protection among its members. The motive, therefore, which prompted the special legislative act of 1835 was a necessity demanded by the condition of affairs at that time, and the act was formally accepted by the town at an adjournment of the annual meeting, Aprilt 13 of the same year.
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By the provisions of this act it was made the specified duty of the selectmen of the town to appoint annually as many engineers as they may deem expedient, not ex- ceeing twelve in number; having accomplished which, the whole power and authority of the fire department was vested in the board of engineers thus appointed till the next annual election. Under the authority thus granted the board were to have the custody, care, and repair of the fire apparatus, buildings, fixtures, and ap- pendages, also all pumps, reservoirs, and apparatus own- ed by the town for the extinguishment of fires. They were also empowered to make and ordain rules for their own government, and for the conduct of citizens present at fires ; to establish rules and ordinances prohibiting and regulating certain specific acts in the streets and thoroughfares of the town, the erection of chimneys, maintaining stoves, depositing ashes, &c., with power to annex a limited penalty for the breach of such rules and ordinances. It was also provided that no rules or ordi- nances should be binding unless approved by the inhab- itants of the town; thus placing the absolute creative power in the board of engineers, while the town, with only the power to confirm, occupied a negative position entirely.
Under this system, therefore, and as it was generally understood and claimed, the fire department of the city of Worcester was a separate and distinct organization, with full and absolute powers granted them by this special act. The authority of the board of engineers was supreme, and they were amenable to no power of the city, the only action allowed to the city council be- ing the power to elect annually a board of engineers. The authority thus granted was doubtless well adapted to the wants of the inhabitants and well suited to the
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condition of affairs at the time of its adoption ; present- ing no elements of antagonism to the town system of government, yet liable to manifest objections in the present condition of administration as demanded by the municipal form of government under which we now act.
By the terms of the city charter, the City Council are fully authorized and empowered to make all needful ordinances, the propriety of which was questionable if the board of engineers have the same authority in their special department. Chapter 19 of the revised laws and ordinances of the city contains an ordinance created by the City Council, with 44 sections for the government of the board of engineers and the fire department, and it was maintained that the board of engineers and the de- partment were not amenable to any provisions of such ordinance, unless in harmony with their own rules. Sec- tion 20 of said ordinance provides that no fire apparatus is to be taken from the city, other than to a fire, except by leave of the board of Mayor and Aldermen. It was contended, however, that the board of engineers had full power to take from the city at any time one or more fire engines irrespective of any authority. It has also been claimed that the board of engineers have, by the special act, full control of all the hydrants in the city, that it is their duty to keep them in repair, free from snow and ice, and to cause the same to be in proper condition for use at all times, which duties the City Council have very properly entrusted to the water de- partment.
These instances are cited to show the constant liabil- ity of conflict between the City Council and the fire de- partment, which might arise from a difference of opinion as regards authority and power of action ; differences which naturally suggest themselves, and although based
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upon honest convictions yet never free from those ele- ments of disturbance, which in their tendencies must lessen the efficiency of the department. Practically, the joint standing committee on the fire department, ap- pointed annually by the City Council, were but the ave- nue of communication between the board of engineers and the City Council, having no power either of an abso- lute or advisory character. It therefore seemed to be the duty of the government to take such action as should place this department upon the same footing as the other departments of the city, to be created by and receive its powers from the constituted authorities of the city, amenable to the laws and ordinances established, and directly responsible to the City Council; a condition which would ever preclude the possibility of conflict of authority, and establish a permanent harmony of rela- tion between the government and the department.
Tracing back to the formation of the department the causes which led to its inception and establishment, and viewing it from the standpoint of thirty-three years ago, we readily see the propriety if not the necessity of a separate and distinct organization of citizens created for the specific purpose of mutual benefit and protection ; citizens who from a sense of duty and public interest were willing to assume the great responsibility and labo- rious service of this special department. The services rendered at this time were entirely voluntary, and the character and efficiency of the department so auspicious- ly inaugurated at this early date has been fully main- tained through the long period of its history. The ser- vices of the members of the department continued vol- untary (with the exception of a small amount paid the Chief Engineer,) until 1849, at which time the annual payment of members was inaugurated.
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Through the growth of Worcester, its assumption of a municipal form of government, the improvements and radical change in the character of apparatus, the great increase in the mechanical force of the department, with the corresponding decrease of manual labor required, (the members of the department in 1835 numbering 222, while at present there are but 168,) and the demands and relations of the department to the citizens, the City Council, and other departments, a change in the funda- mental organization seemed to be desirable ; not per- haps that any change was necessary in its management or operation, but that this department might be placed upon the same footing as the other local departments of the city, and bear the same proper relations to the con- stituted authorities, rather than remain a separate and distinct organization outside the authority of the City Council, and with absolute right granted to control not only its own department, but with power to establish ordinances and assume and regulate specified duties of other departments.
Believing, therefore, that the future welfare of the de- partment would be subserved, harmony of action and inter- ests guaranteed, and proper relations established between the municipal authorities and the fire department of the city by a change in the charter, whereby the city in its corporate capacity should be empowered to maintain a fire department, a petition was presented to the Legislature by order of the City Council, and a special act was passed by that body, giving authority to the City of Worcester to create and maintain a fire department, and repealing the act passed in 1835. The act was approved May 9, 1868, and adopted by the City Council in September following. An Ordinance creating a Fire Department in the City of Worcester in accordance with the provisions
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of the act, was passed by the City Council Dec. 7. The act and the ordinance take effect on the first Monday of January at 6 o'clock, P. M.
This day, therefore, forms a new era in the history of this department, as from its old stock it becomes legally engrafted upon the municipal tree, and assumes relations in common with the other departments of the city ; and for the first time the corporation is invested with powers to organize and maintain a fire department which prop- erly is amenable to the constituted authorities, sub- ject to its ordinances, and responsible alone to its de- mands.
As we consider the great success and efficiency which this department has won and maintained in the thirty- four years of its individuality, well may we earnestly hope that its future history may be as brilliant in achievement and satisfactory in result as its past record is rich in deeds of duty and self sacrifice. And may we also trust that the same spirit of confidence and good feeling between the citizens and the department which has existed for so long a period may be continued for the years to come.
In the retirement of Mr. A. B. Lovell from the respon- sible position of Chief of this Department which he had filled for the past three years with honor to himself and credit to his associates, we have another name added to the list of those whose ability and faithfulness have giv- en to its character so much renown, and to whom with his predecessors in office should be awarded the grateful thanks of this community.
To Mr. R. M. Gould, the newly elected Chief, who as- sumes his duties in the Department at its present point of transformation, a change that must bring responsibili- ties, which in their fulfilment will demand increased la-
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bor and executive ability of a peculiar character, let us offer every encouragement and afford every facility which shall tend to the continued harmony and efficien- cy which has so long characterized this important and necessary branch of municipal welfare.
The effective force of our fire department, as it now exists, comprises a Chief Engineer and six Assistant En- gineers, with 168 men. The mechanical power is rep- resented by 3 Steam Fire Engines with Hose Carriages, 1 Hand Engine located at Webster Square, 5 Hose Car-
riages, and 2 Hook and Ladder Carriages. Two Steam Fire Engines are equipped with six horses belonging to the department, who are stabled at the house on Front street. The entire apparatus is in thorough repair and good working order, and will probably demand no large outlay the coming year.
The number of alarms of fire during the year has been 26; two of which proved to be false, and two were occasioned by fires out of the city.
The amount of property destroyed by fire during the year is estimated at $20,656, an amount so small, as compared with the immense aggregate at all times in peril, as to incite no other than feelings of grateful con- gratulation.
The ordinary current expenses of the department for the year have been $19,000, from which is to be deduct- ed $2,304.99, for use of the horses by the Highway De- partment, and incidental receipts, making the total net expense $16,695.01.
The necessity which has existed for many years for suitable accommodations for Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2, and Hose Co. No. 2, were again brought to the notice of the government in the early part of the year.
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The right by which the city gained an occupancy of the room on Main street used by the Hook and Ladder Co. was granted by Daniel Goddard, by his deed of Au- gust 6, 1829, the premises to be used and enjoyed forev- er for the purpose of an engine house. The present owner of the property having expressed a desire that the city should relinquish their right, title, and interest in the same, it was decided to submit the question of the value of the city's interest in the property to three referees. The award agreed upon by the referees was $600, which amount has been paid to the city and the proper transfer made.
Ample accommodations for this company have been provided in the new brick building on Thomas street.
For the Hose Co. No. 2 a wooden building has been constructed with all necessary conveniences on the Bloomingdale road, at a cost of $1643.05, the use of the land occupied by the same having been freely given by the Boston and Albany Railroad corporation.
The unsuitable condition of the house on Exchange street occupied by Hose Co. No. 3 has received the at- tention of the authorities, and by substituting a new floor of stone in the place of the one of wood, erecting a suitable hose tower, and remodeling and enlarging the entrance, has with other detailed repairs and improve- ments been put in a condition creditable to the city and the department, and convenient for the company. The total cost of these alterations and repairs has been $1,- 209.22.
No further demand for the erection of new or the re- pairs of the present houses occupied by this department, will be necessary the coming year.
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CHARITIES.
The practical Christianity and enlightened liberality of our community is in no way made evident or so beau- tifully expressed, as in the fact, that the division of mu- nicipal departments cannot be considered complete with- out its ample provision and arrangement for the care of the poor and unfortunate; and that with the annual ap- propriations for the educational, social, and material de- mands of our city, there is always included the one item of expense which in its judicious allotment will carry so much of comfort and relief and happiness to the home of the desolate and the heart of the sorrowing. While the Board of Overseers of the Poor are entrusted by law with the duty of the management of this department, and are the active almoners of the city's bounty, still it will be our duty to provide the means by which these obligations may be performed, a duty to which I know you will cheerfully and heartily respond.
At the Alms House, the whole number of inmates during the year has been 53, the average number 21. The total expense of this establishment for the year has been $3,984.08, no allowance having been made for the large proportion of farm crops now on hand, greatly in excess of any previous year.
At the Truant School, the whole number admitted has been 21, the average number maintained 14.
The total cost of maintenance has been $2,540.66, which sum includes the amount expended in refitting the dormitories, $389.08.
The cost per week, including expenses of teaching, for the maintenance of each scholar, has been $3.49.
At the office of the Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor, sixteen persons have drawn weekly allowances in cash, in sums of from one to three dollars each, the total
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amount of which is $1142.93. For the relief of the poor 854 orders have been drawn by 403 families, comprising upwards of 1200 persons.
Eighty-nine persons have been sent to the State Alms House, and 38 have been returned to other States ; nine insane persons have been provided for at a cost of $1440.15, which expense is one of the largest in the department. All claims against the State, some of which were of long standing, have been satisfactorily ad- justed, and all accounts against towns' have been paid. The total expense of this branch of the department for the year has been $5833.21.
The resources of the department for the year are as follows :
Appropriation of the City Council,
$10,000.00
for Truant School,
2,000.00
Amount received from State, 625.07
" persons and towns, 1,601.34
Making the total receipts, $14,226.41
The expenses of the Department for the year have been as follows :
Disbursements at Clerk's office,
$5,833.21
Alms House,
3,984.08
Truant School,
2,540.66
Salary of City Physician,
200.00
Sup't of Farm,
550.00
Clerk of Board, 800.00
$13,907.95
Gentlemen of the City Council :
I have thus endeavored to epitomize the operations of the government of the past, to place before you the con- dition of the different departments of our city at this time, and present to you an outline of the demands which will summon your attention in the discharge of
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the duties of the coming year. 'The past is secure, let us trustingly hope for the untried future, and pressing on in the path of duty, guided and directed by the presence of a higher power, may we faithfully perform the sacred trusts now committed to us, and endeavor to meet every demand and consummate every duty with the conscien- tious determination to serve this people to the best of our ability, independent of all parties, free from all sectional influence, for the good of all and the advancement of ev- ery interest which shall in its social, moral, and material development, place this city of our birth or adoption among the first rank of New England cities, the embodi- ment of a Christian, cultivated community.
1868.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OF THE
itij
ortester,
Superintendent's and Secretary's Reports,
STATISTICAL TABLES, &c.
VORCEST
ER
18
3
+ A TOWN.JUNE
FEBY.29.1
NE 14.1722 + A
WORCESTER: TYLER & SEAGRAVE, CITY PRINTERS, Spy Block, 252 Main Street.
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1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER, FOR THE YEAR 1868.
JAMES B. BLAKE, Mayor, Ex-officio, President, B. P. CHENOWETH, Superintendent,
SAM'L V. STONE, Secretary.
Members whose Terms expire Jan. 1st, 1871.
H. WILLIAMS,
EDWARD EARLE,
JOHN J. POWER,
SAMUEL PUTNAM,
E. D. MCFARLAND,
JOHN L. MURPHY, JAMES MELANEFY, P. T. O'REILLY, RUFUS N. MERRIAM, SAMUEL V. STONE, JOHN C. NEWTON, JOHN DEAN, D. S. GODDARD,
B. F. BOWLES,
H. K. PERVEAR,
EBEN'R CUTLER.
Members whose Terms expire Jan. 1st, 1869.
JOS. D. DANIELS,
GEO. W. GALE,
FRANCIS L. KING, GEO. JAQUES,
R. R. SHIPPEN.
SUB-COMMITTEES
Appointed by the School Committee of the City of Worcester for the year 1868.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
On School Houses-Messrs. Stone, Newton, Earle, Power, and Goddard.
On Books and Apparatus-Messrs. Shippen, Daniels, Williams, Cutler, and Stoddard.
On Examination of Teachers-Superintendent, ex-officio, Shippen, Power, Cutler, Jaques, and Pervear.
On Finance -- Mayor, Superintendent, Earle, Nelson, Dickinson, Daniels, and Murphy.
On Assigning Visiting Committees-Superintendent, ex-officio, Newton, Daniels, Jaques, 0 :- Reilly, and Dean.
E. B. STODDARD.
Members whose Terms expire Jan. 1st, 1870.
WM. DICKINSON,
T. L. NELSON,
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VISITING COMMITTEES.
CLASSICAL AND ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL.
Principa',
Ellis Peterson.
Committee, Messrs. Shippen, Power, Jaques, Pervear, Cutler, Newton, and Daniela, THOMAS STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE -- Messrs. Cutler, Meriam, Nelson, Willian , Earle, Gale, Stone, Stoddard, and McFarland.
Grade.
Principals. -
Special Committee.
GRAMMAR, 66
Edward J. Comins,
Cutler,
Miss Caroline Parkinson,
Merriam,
Miss V. E. Ilapgood, Nelson,
Mrs. E. M. Wheeler,
Williams,
Miss Eldora Aldrich,
Earle,
Miss M. A. Harrington,
Gale,
SECONDARY,
Mrs. E. H. Coe,
Gale,
66
Miss Abbie Knowles,
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