USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 40
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32,440.00
$412,777.63
With this assumed expense of $36,853.65, to be paid for the coming year, together with the contract already made for paving Main street, amounting to $20,000- we find a sum to be provided for equal to a tax of $1.80 on the one thousand dollars, based upon the valuation of 1869.
Looking forward, therefore, into the future with its obligations already assumed and to be met, the necessity of increased scrutinizing care in the adoption of any scheme involving the outlay of money, must be evident to all ; and it would seem to be but expressing your own convictions, when I ask that no action shall be taken by the Council without a thorough understanding as regards the absolute merits and financial requirements of the same.
Pursuant to an Act passed by the last Legislature, and in accordance with the will of the people as expressed by the vote of September 20: Authority was given to the City Treasurer for and in behalf of the city, to sub- scribe for stock in the Boston, Barre and Gardner Rail- road Corporation, to an amount equal to one per cent. on the total valuation of the city of 1868. The amount of the subscription is $262,200, aud the sum paid in to the company in response to an assessment is $32,440.
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This amount with additional payments to be made will be represented in the temporary loan of the city, until the issue of certificates of stock, at which time such ac- tion can be taken in the disposition of the same as shall seem for the best interest of the city.
With the view of providing for the payment of the permanent debt, I would recommend the adoption of the fixed policy, of including in the general annual appro- priations, a sum equal to ten per cent. of the debt, what- ever it shall be at the end of the fiscal year - which amount shall be applied to the reduction of the same. I would also suggest the propriety of changing the fiscal year, that it may terminate December 1 or 15, instead of January 1, - with the view of affording the necessary facilities and time for the Treasurer to adjust his accounts, and enable him to present his report at the inauguration of the new government.
SCHOOLS.
You will, I know, join me in the feeling that there can be no duty more imperative, no trust more sacred, and no call which should summon our attention more readily, than providing for the educational interests of the child- ren of the city. The character, the intelligence, and the moral and social standing of our people of to-day, draw its strength and power and permanence from the schools of twenty years ago; the welfare of this community and the perpetuity of our institutions in the distant future, depend chiefly upon the vitalizing power and the intel- lectual status of the schools which are now placed in our hands for care and support. To this branch of municipal interest I would summon your attention, feeling that whatever is necessary for its maintenance and develop- ment will receive from you a cheerful response.
The whole number of children who have received in- struction during the year is 8949. The average number
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belonging to the schools the entire year was 6321; the average daily attendance was 5610; and the number in actual attendance at the close of the year was 6418, being an increase of 386 over the previous year.
The number of schools in the city, including three evening schools, is 117 - eight having been added dur- ing the year.
The number of teachers employed in the schools is 135, being an increase of 11 over the previous year.
The average cost per scholar for the year has been $15.44, which is much below the average of other cities of the country.
The receipts of the department for the year have been as follows:
Annual appropriation,
$105,000.00
Received from State School Fund,
1115.00
66 non-resident scholars, 49.50
for articles sold, 47.66
for school books, coll. in taxes, 102.72
Making the total receipts $106,314.88
The ordinary expenses of the department have been :
Salaries of teachers,
$77,631.78
Superintendent and Secretary,
3,575.00
Fuel,
6,664,74
Books and apparatus,
1,088.65
Janitors and cleaning,
3,509.57
Repairs,
2,510.23
Furnishings,
658.05
Furniture,
514.41
Printing and advertising,
632.25
Rent and miscellaneous expenses,
867.15
$97,651.82
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The extraordinary expenses have been :
Painting and repairs of school houses,
$1,323.19
Introduction of water to 66
227.51
New fencing, 272.44
Alterations at Thomas st. house,
244.05
Stage in hall at Dix st.
200.31
New out buildings and vaults on Pleasant and Ash sts., 1,352.35
Furnishing new houses at Quinsigamond, South Worcester, and the hall at Dix st., 4,520.25
Furnishing for new school rooms, 225.00
Books and apparatus 588.00
$8,953.10
Making the total expense of this department for the year, $106,604.92.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
The school house on Edgeworth street, which was placed under contract in 1868, was finished and occupied in May last. The amount paid during the year on ac- count of this contract was $13,584.94.
The houses at Quinsigamond and South Worcester have been completed during the year, and the amount paid on the former was $15,779.03, and on the latter $18,328.31. The house on Woodland street is not en- tirely finished, but will be ready for occupancy at the opening of the school year in May next; the amount expended on account of this contract during the year has been $21,814.95.
The necessity for additional school accommodations in the easterly section of the city, and the propriety of abandoning the apartments leased for school purposes, and upon recommendation of the Board of School Com- mittee, the City Council ordered the purchase of a lot of land on Ledge street, and the erection of a house there- on, containing ten school rooms. The lot of land was
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obtained for $4,066.70, which with the amount already paid on account of the contract for the building, makes the actual expenditure for the year upon this estate, $21,853.65.
The general and growing sentiment in the community which has manifested itself so often by expression and petition during the past four years, of the necessity of a new building for the High School, was brought to the attention of the Board of School Committee by a peti- tion signed by 1005 persons, comprising many of our most influential and wealthy citizens. This petition was referred to the City council with the unanimously adopt- ed recommendation that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and a special committee was appointed to con- fer with the City Council upon the subject. The Joint Standing Committee on Education, to whom the petition was referred, in company with the Special Committee of the School Board, visited the cities of Norwich, Hartford, Springfield, Boston and Cambridge, with the view of ap- propriating whatever should be found desirable, in the building to be erected in our own city.
Plans for a High School Building were solicited from different architects, and seven were presented for the in- spection of the Committee. After careful and compara- tive study, the Committee decided upon the design pre- sented by Messrs. Gambrill & Richardson of New York, but deferred adopting the same until absolute contract- ing proposals could be given as regards the cost of the building.
Advertisements were issued for propositions for the construction of the building, and bids were received from six different parties. The lowest bid was accepted, and a contract has been formally made with Messrs, Norcross & Brother for the completion of the building in accord-
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ance with the plans and specifications, which have been very carefully revised and drawn up, for the sum of one hundred and six thousand dollars ; the building to be completed and ready for occupancy by the first of May, 1871.
A lot of land adjoining the present High School lot, with the house thereon, has been purchased during the past year for $10,000, it being thought advisable to en- large the present lot and utilize the land belonging to the city, rather than incur the greater expense of the purchase of a suitable lot in any other section of the city.
BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Called by official position, it has been my privilege to be present at every meeting of the Board of School Committee during the past four years ; with such means of observation and thoroughly conversant with the ac- tion of the Board during this period, I cannot repress the feeling that some change in the methods of control and system of direction should be made in this most im- € portant department of the public service.
While I entertain the highest respect for and enjoy the most pleasant personal relations with the individual members of the Board, and would cast no reflection upon the motives, the faithfulness, or the specific action of the body, still I would frankly give expression to the convic- tion that the wants of the community would be more fully met, the welfare of the schools be more per- manently established, and the cause of education placed upon a firmer basis, if the present management of the schools were changed.
Practically, the Board of School Committee as now es- tablished is an administrative board of twenty-four mem- bers, whose meetings are held twelve times in the year,
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with a Superintendent who is the executive officer of the Board. In this busy community, where the cares of life and the activities of occupation are so engrossing, it is almost impossible to find competent persons of sufficient number to represent a majority of the Board, who are able or willing to sacrifice the amount of time necessa- ry to meet the demands of so important a position.
The powers vested in the Board by the laws of the State are absolute in character, and are so wisely fram- ed as to guarantee Free Schools to every community ; this power should not be lessened in degree or weaken- ed in effect.
In the annual expenditure of over one hundred thou- sand dollars, in the direction of one hundred and thirty teachers, in the government of nine thousand children, in the policies of management to be adopted, the system of study to be pursued, and the general oversight of this great educational structure, more executive power is re- quired to attain the desired results than can be expect- ed or obtained in a board of twenty-four members.
After careful consideration, with the full knowledge of and a thorough belief in the necessities of the case, and the realization of the assumed personal responsibility of the suggestion, I have no hesitation in recommending that early action be taken with the view of amending the City Charter, by which change authority shall be granted to abolish the present Board of School Commit- tee, and in place thereof substitute a Board of Education consisting of five members, one of whom shall be elect- ed annually by the City Council for a term of five years ; this Board to have all the powers now given to the Board of School Committee, to hold frequent ses- sions at their rooms in the City Hall Building, to employ such clerical or other assistance as may be necessary,
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and to receive a small sum in payment for the service rendered. I would also suggest that all plans for School Houses should originate in this Board, and be built un- der their supervision, being submitted to and subject to the approval of the City Council.
Such an Executive Board, vested with such powers, burdened with the personal and entire responsibility of the educational interests of the city, and directly respon- sible to the citizens, would, I believe, guarantee to the city a higher standard of education, absolute perma- nence of system, and a thoroughness of management in method and detail which cannot practically be attained under the present methods ;- a Board that can be in constant daily communication with the people, listen to suggestions, correct evils, redress wrongs, with a defi- nite aim, fixed purpose, and a permanent policy which would not only prove beneficial to the educational inter- ests, but most satisfactory to the citizens.
In presenting the subject matter of the adoption of this alteration of system, I believe the principle will be admitted as right; as a question of public policy in effecting so radical a change, of course there must be diversity of opinion. With no desire that a change should be effected other than for the public good, I trust no alteration will be made until the subject shall have been considered in all its manifold bearings, and unless such shall be the expressed will of the people as indi- cated by a popular vote upon the question.
HIGHWAYS.
The increasing and continued demands upon this de- partment of the public service must be evident to the mind of each member of the government, if not appa- rent to the most casual observer, as the material enter- prises of the city have been prosecuted during the past
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year; so onerous have become the duties of the Com- missioner, both as regards the practical outside attention and the great amount of personal clerical labor necessary to keep the books and accounts of the department in proper form, that it would seem, at times, the labor im- posed was more than could be assumed by one person. When it is considered that the requirements of this de- partment, as at present organized, include the care of one hundred and forty miles of streets and roads, with their constant calls for ordinary repairs and the sudden emergencies occasioned by the winter's snow or the sum- mer's flood; the opening of new and re-grading of old streets ; the setting of all curbstones, paving sidewalks, crosswalks and gutters; cleaning cesspools and streets ; besides daily and nightly attention to the neglect of others in obstructing or causing defects in the highway, and the care and provision to be paid to the maintenance of the stock and appliances kept for the use of the de- partment, in recounting these duties imposed, together with the constant friction of public office (appreciated only by those who have had experience in official life) certainly no small degree of charity should be exercised in criticising the management of a department where the responsibilities are assumed by one individual, and where every branch thereof is worked to its utmost limit.
I would suggest for your consideration the propriety of appointing an Assistant Commissioner of Highways who can divide the duties of the department and relieve the present officer from a part of the burden which he has necessarily borne the past year.
The amount expended for the ordinary repairs of the highways has been $18,871.68.
The extraordinary repairs rendered necessary by the freshet of September last, were as follows :
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Paxton street, Fowler street, Belmont street,
$1,910.50 408.50 301.00
Making a total of
$2,620.00
In the construction of new streets the following amounts have been expended :
West street,
$1,918.00
Home street,
248.50
Goddard street,
946.30
Hammond street,
465.50
$3,578.70
The cost of regrading and widening old streets has been :
On May street, including the building of Stone
Arch Bridge,
$4,629.10
Laurel street,
1,516.90
Grafton street,
615.00
And paving Southbridge st. under R. R. bridge, 1,170.37
$7,931.37
By an order issued by the Board of County Commis- sioners and adopted by the Board of Aldermen, Oct. 4, operations have commenced on widening and regrad- ing Corbett, High and Chatham streets, in accord- ance with the decree issued. The amount of labor expended by the department on this work has been $2,- 694.20. The amount of damages awarded by the decree was $10,622.25. The award to Daniel Goddard of $7000 has been accepted by him and paid by the city. The amounts awarded to Anthony Chase, $2,406.00, and to Joel W. Upham, $1,116.25, have not been paid; and Mr. Upham has petitioned the Council for additional com- pensation. Several hundred dollars will be required to complete the work specified in the Order.
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An order was also issued by the Board of County Commissioners and adopted by the Board of Aldermen, Nov. 1, requiring the re-grading of Main street between Beaver and Tirrell Streets, the straightening of the same in a direct line from Webster Square to its intersection with Leicester street, the building of a Stone Arch Bridge over the brook at this point, and the construction of sewers for the care of the water shed. The amount already expended by the city under this order is about $18,500. An expenditure of several thousand dollars more will be necessary in completing the work on the street, re-laying the water pipe and sloping the banks upon the abutting estates.
In accordance with a still further order from the Board of County Commissioners and by a vote of the Council, the Joint Standing Committee on Highways, after solic- iting proposals from different parties, have contracted with Mr. E. B. Walker for the construction of a new road from a point near Newton street to the city limits, it be- ing a part of the road recently located from Worcester to Paxton; the sum stipulated in the contract is $12,500, in addition to the cost of a Stone Arch Bridge over Tat- nuck brook.
The expense of the work accomplished (or a large proportion thereof ) under the two last orders, it is un- derstood, will ultimately be paid for by the County; the cost of the Corbett street improvement will be assumed by the city.
Thirty-six hundred and forty-nine cubic yards of Ma- cadamizing material have been used in the following streets.
Southbridge street, from Madison street to the Railroad Bridge, at a cost, including grading, $3,524.20 Grove street, " 655.65 66
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Lincoln Square and street grading, 748.71 Park st., between Orange and Washington streets 258.80 Main street, beyond Austin street, 1,099.69
And 234 cubic yards have been used in general repairs.
SIDEWALKS have been established in thirty different streets during the past year.
The amount of curb stone set has been 17,723 lineal feet, the amount of cobble paving laid, 16,511 square yards, and the amount of flagstone, 9,920 lineal feet.
The number of yards of brick sidewalk laid is 7,526, consuming 45,400 pressed and 285,200 common bricks.
The amount of paving stock now on hand and ready for use, comprises 1,200 feet of curbstone, 500 loads of paving stone, 21,600 pressed and 104,000 common brick, which have cost and are valued at $10,450.00.
The receipts of the Department for the year have been :
Appropriations for Highways, $20,000
" New Streets, 8,000
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" Macadamizing, 6,000
20,000
Making a total appropriation of
$54.000
There have been collected from 127 different parties in pay- ment for sidewalks put down, $13,298.22
For labor in Sewers department,
2,605.67
Water
181.04
66 School 66
1,247.88
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66 Fire
115.60
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" on Public Grounds,
164,90
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" " Regrading Main street,
495.90
sale of one ox,
105.00
66
" manure,
300.00
" street scrapings and incidental recipts, 2,787.17
$74,301.38
" Sidewalks,
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The expenses of the Department have been for :
Salary of Commissioner,
$1,800.00
Pay roll of men, 36,247.63
One horse and six oxen,
1,247.50
Hay, grain and straw,
5,815.80
Shocing,
726.74
Labor and material,
9,161.77
Tools and repairs, 3,934.57
Use of horses in Fire Department,
1,829.19
Water and gas pipes at stables,
198.39
Concrete walk between Walnut and Sudbury streets,
74,63
Curb and flagstone,
10,400.99
Paving stone,
2,680.86
377,000 bricks,
4,867.80
Freight,
2,256.24
Paving,
9,710.23
Fuel, powder, fuse, &c.,
558.46
Incidental expenses,
1,503.73
Making the total expense, $93,014.53
Deducting the amount of Paving stock on hand, $10,- 450, the cost of which is included in the above amount, and the gross expense of the department for the year, is $82,564.53; showing an excess of expense above the receipts of $8,263.15, which has been unavoidably created by the necessities occasioned by the freshet and the work upon new streets, ordered after the annual appropria- tions had been made.
By an order of the City Council, the Joint Standing Committee on Highways, have contracted for the neces- sary block stone to pave that portion of Main street be- tween Park and Austin streets, and on Southbridge street from Main street to the Railroad, comprising about 5,000 square yards, the stone are to be delivered on or before July next, and the estimated cost laid will be about $20,000.
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WATER.
The great blessing of an unlimited supply of water to the inhabitants of our city cannot be over-estimated ; the enjoyment, however, of this beneficent branch of municipal provision can only be attained by the larger number through the means of ample distribution ; and it has seemed to the authorities that whenever the in- terest on the cost of establishing a water pipe was guar- anteed, the duty of providing the same was imperative ; the result of this adopted policy of the government is evident by the amount of work accomplished in this De- partment during the past year.
The length of main pipes laid in 1869 is 46,506 linear feet, equal to 8 miles and 4,276 feet, at an aggre- gate cost of about $95,200, including all gates, hydrants, and services attached thereto. The total length of main water pipe now laid in the streets of the city is about 40 miles, and the length of service pipe about 11 miles. One hundred and twenty-six gates have been added dur ing the year, making the total number on the works 400.
The number of public hydrants in the city is 387; 45 having been set the past year.
The amount of the water investment at this time is $505,333.00.
The number of water takers registered Jan. 1, 1870, is 2477, of which number 737 have been added during the past year.
The revenue of this Department for the year 1869 has been as follows :
Amount collected for use of water,
$39,500
due from new takers not assessed, 3,000
Making the total income
$42,500
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And showing an increase of $10,500 over the previous year, fully guaranteeing the interest upon the invest- ment, the cost of maintenance, and a balance to meet the natural depreciation of the works.
The experience of the past season, when a limited or entire failure of water supply was seriously felt in so many cities, has fully established the conviction as well as proved the necessity of immediate additional provis- ion for the reception and storage of water in the main reservoir. The present storing capacity of the reser- voir at Leicester, comprising 48.6 acres, is 228,000,000 gallons. The maximum quantity of water delivered from the reservoir during the past year, including all loss by evaporation, occurred between Ang. 27 and Sept. 6, and was estimated at 2,500,000 gallons per day. Al- though there was no restriction in the use of water by consumers, yet had the drought continued another week, the supply having ceased, much inconvenience must have been experienced by the community. To avoid the liability of an inadequate supply of water to the city, to more fully avail ourselves of the great water-shed surrounding the reservoir, and to retain the large amount which now at certain seasons flows away, it is proposed to increase the storing capacity by raising the dam 20 feet. By so doing, the area of the reservoir is increased 113.3 acres, making a total area of nearly 162 acres, and giving a storing capacity of eight hundred million gallons, allowing a draft of 2,200,000 gallons per day for one year. Your attention is directed to this important matter with the view of consummating the object at as early a day as is practicable.
In this connection I desire to summon to your notice the subject of the establishment of numerous drinking fountains in the streets and public places of the city ;
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a subject which in its development not only epitomizes by its simple beneficence the humanity of the corpora- tion, but which in its practical effect will, I believe, have a direct bearing and influence upon the moral and social elevation of the people. The work was inaugu- rated during the past year by the erection of two fountains, and I ask your hearty co-operation in the more perfect development of the undertaking.
I would also repeat the suggestion made two years since, that some action be taken by the City Council, with the view of providing and maintaining one or more public bathing houses, for the use of the people-a pro- vision which I believe would be fully appreciated by a large number of the community, and who would hail with satisfaction the inauguration of such a measure, as a public blessing.
MILL BROOK.
By the adoption of a decree by the City Council, another section of Mill Brook, extending from Front street to Exchange street was appropriated for Sewerage purposes, early in the year; by authority granted to the Joint Standing Committee on Sewers, proposals were so- licited for walling up and arching Mill Boook from the points above named, and the contract was awarded Feb- ruary 27, to Mr. E. B. Walker, for $77,327.50, being an estimated cost of the work projected ; an arrangement was also made to arch that portion of Mill Brook laid out last year, between the Western Railroad Bridge and Front street.
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