USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1876 > Part 17
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6,245 72
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUNDS.
WORCESTER, January 1, 1877.
To the Honorable City Council :
The undersigned Commissioners of the Sinking Funds of the City of Worcester, present the following report of the transac- tions of the Commissioners for the financial year ending Nov. 30, 1876.
Receipts for the year,
$244,200 96
Disbursements for the year, 197,560 00
Balance, $46,640 96
A statement of receipts and disbursements, in tabular form, prepared by W. S. Barton, Esq., Treasurer of the Board, accom- panies this report and makes a part thereof.
Respectfully submitted.
D. WALDO LINCOLN, H. A. MARSH,
Commissioners of the Sinking Funds.
236
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF SINKING FUNDS,
For the Year ending November 30, 1876.
TITLE OF FUND.
Amount Jan. 17, 1876.
Revenue.
Total.
Disburse- ments.
Amount Nov. 30, 1876.
General Debt Sinking Fund,
$ 236,645 59
Water Loan Sinking Fund, 1876.
$ 6,055 37 1,500 00
$ 242,700 96 1,500 00
$ 197,560"00
$45,140 96 1,500 00
$ 236,645 59
$ 7,555 37
$ 244,200 96
$ 197,560 00
$46,640 96
-
INVESTMENTS, NOV. 30, 1876.
TITLE OF FUND.
CASH.
TOTAL.
General Debt Sinking Fund
$ 45,140 96
$45,140 96
Water Loan Sinking Fund, 1876
1,500 00
1,500 00
$46,640 96
$46,640 96
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF SINKING FUNDS IN 1876.
Balance of Appropriation and Revenue, Nov. 30, 1875, $159,827 16
Sewer Assessments, revenue, Nov. 30, 1875, 76,818 43
Balance of City Hospital Appropriation, Feb. 28, 1876, 2,216 02
Interest on Bills Receivable to Nov. 30, 1876,
2,209 30
Interest on Deposits to Nov. 30, 1876, 1,630 05
Appropriation for Water Loan Sinking Fund, Nov. 30, 1876, 1,500 00
Total,
$244,200 96
237
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF SINKING FUNDS IN 1876.
City Debt paid and redeemed,
$197,400 00
Premium on Bills Receivable,
150 00
Interest on Bills Receivable,
10 00
Total,
$197,560 00
Balance on hand, Nov. 30, 1876,
$46,640 96
Deposited in Central National Bank,
$15,530 87
" First National Bank,
15,570 58
" Worcester National Bank,
15,539 51
$46,640 96
DEBT OUTSTANDING, PAID OR REDEEMED IN 1876.
TITLE OF LOAN.
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1876.
Paid, 1876.
Outstanding Nov. 30, 1876
New Loan.
Total Nov. 30, 1876.
Funded City Loan,
$1,705,000 00
$8,000 00
$1,697,000 00 349,400 00 345,900 00
$1,697,000 00
Funded Sewer Loan,
349,400 00
349,400 00
Funded Water Loan.
425,300 00
79,400 00
345,900 00
Temporary Loan,
110,000 00
110,000 00
100,000 00
100,000 00
$2,589,700 00
$197,400 00
$2,392,300 00
$100,000 00
$2,492,300 00
.
Correct, per book account.
WM. S. BARTON,
Treasurer.
31
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTS.
CITY OF WORCESTER,
IN COMMITTEE, Dec. 11, 1876.
THE Joint Standing Committee on Accounts having attended to the business referred to them under provisions of Sec. 17 of the ordinance in relation to Finance, beg leave to report :
That they have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer, and all securities in his hands belonging to the City (Trust Funds excepted), and find that the books are carefully and correctly kept, and that the securities are all properly accounted for.
They find that the cash receipts of the year were
Add cash on hand Nov. 30, 1875,
$1,947,143 93 275,046 91 9
Total,
$2,222,190 84
And that the payments of the year were
$2,057,427 20
Leaving a cash balance of
$164,763 64
Which they have verified by actual count, and by examination of the several bank balances to credit of the City.
239
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
The securities belonging to the City are as follows :-
Stock, Boston, Barre & Gardner R. R. Co. (par value), $262,200 00 Note (John Corliss), due on demand, secured by mort- gage, 750 00
Execution vs. Worcester Street Railway Co., on judg- ment rendered in 1872, 2,560 53
They further report that there remain due and uncollected the following taxes and assessments, viz :-
Taxes of 1873,
$6,078 43
1874,
6,126 36
-
66
" 1875, 6,434 40
" 1876,
41,561 97
Sewer Assessments of 1872,
16,027 08
66
66 " 1875,
19,671 34
Sidewalk Assessments,
1,250 57
Street Betterments,
19,109 96
Total,
#116,260 11
They also find that there remain due and unpaid sundry bills, as per Auditor's Report, as follows, viz :--
School[ Department,
$439 51
Highway Department,
1,665 52
Incidental expenses,
10 00
Real Estate, Lien Account,
1,771 76
Sewers, Construction,
183 17
Sewers, Maintenance,
7 50
Water,¿Construction,
2,356 76
Water, Maintenance,
14,777 76
Total,
$21,211 98
Respectfully submitted.
W. H. JOURDAN, HARRISON BLISS, CORNELIUS O'SULLIVAN.
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
CITY OF WORCESTER, CLERK'S OFFICE, December 29, 1876.
To the Honorable City Council :
As required by Chapter IX. of the City Ordinances, the City Clerk submits the following statement of the money received by him as Office "Fees or otherwise," from November 30, 1875, to November 30, 1876, viz :-
From Licensed Amusements,
$663 50
Auctioneers,
72 00
66
66
Billiard Tables and Bowling Alleys,
290 00
Dogs (1592),
1,592 00
66
Fire Works,
30 00
Hackmen,
142 00
66
Junk Dealers,
55 00
66
Pawnbrokers,
45 00
$2,889 50
Fees of the Office,
2,006 40
Amounting to .
$4,895 90
-
which sum I have paid to the City Treasurer, and hold his receipts therefor.
I have also received for the Licenses of Dogs the sum of 3,39016% dollars, and paid the amount to Edward A. Brown, the County Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL SMITH,
City Clerk.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
-
To His Honor the Mayor,
And Gentlemen of the City Council:
IN compliance with the requirements of the City Ordinances, the Commissioner herewith presents his report of the management and condition of the Highway Department, with a statement in detail of the Expenditures and Receipts of the same for the financial year ending November 30, 1876, together with a schedule of the property belonging to the Department, and such other information as may appear to be necessary to give a clear and concise idea of the location and cost of the work which has been done, in the usual maintenance of our streets and highways; and also of the extraordinary expenses for damages to persons and property, which have been paid from the appropriations for Highways; the rebuilding of the City Stables, and the effects of the "second deluge" which for forty miles or less swept streets and bridges without stint or mercy ; amounting besides the ordinary expenses of the Department to $31,230.53.
I will also submit for your consideration a few recommenda- tions which the experience of the year may have from time to time suggested.
32
242
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
The season has been unusually favorable for out-door work. But very little interruption on account of stormy weather, although more rain would have been conducive to the good of our roads.
The Streets and Highways throughout the city have received a general renovation from the very flat condition in which they were found in the Spring of the year; the gutters have been opened and the crown of the street raised; not so thoroughly however as was desirable, but as far as could be done with the extra strain upon the Department on account of the freshets last Spring. The first principle of road making is drainage ; and to accomplish this it is necessary to maintain sufficient gutters to carry the water and keep them free from obstructions.
The expense of maintaining the requisite crown of a street or road is very much less by using the plow when it can be done, than by carting ; especially when good road material is so scarce and the haul liable to be so long, as in this city. The want of a good gravel bank near the centre has been felt, and the supply in part brought into the city by rail.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In the discharge of the various duties of my office during the past year, the necessity of permanent improvements in various localities has seemed apparent, and I will take the liberty to respectfully suggest for the consideration of your Honorable Boards the following recommendations :
First: That Main street be paved with "trap rock " or Belgian Paving, from the present terminus of the paving near Jackson street, to the southerly side of Benefit street ; a distance of 1,150 feet,-an area of 4,425 square yards, not including that portion within railway track, of 685 square yards.
This portion of street has been very difficult to keep in repair, and at certain seasons of the year an impossibility from Piedmont to Benefit street. Estimated cost, $2.40 per square yard, amount- ing to $10,620; the law requiring the Railroad Corporation to take care of that portion between their rails.
243
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
Also, that the portion of Main street between Central and the northerly side of School street, be repaved, and the sidewalk on the easterly side be raised, or the centre of the street be lowered so as to reduce the crown, that carriages may pass safely over the entire width of the street ; whereas, at present, only a portion of the east side can be so considered.
The whole surface of this portion of the street is rough and full of holes, and a personal examination of it will, I think, con- vince any one of the necessity of the recommendation, at least The length is 750 feet ; width, 50 feet, including railway track. Area, 3,811 square yards outside of track, and 355 square yards between the rails. Estimated cost per square yard, $2.20. Total cost, exclusive of railway, $8,384.20.
If it should be deemed best to alter the grade of the centre of the street, it would necessitate the relaying of the railway track, and paving inside. An estimate for the same would be difficult to make, until some definite plan should be adopted.
The above estimate of cost of stone is based upon the prices for which they can be obtained at the present time, which is far below any price for which they have ever been procured by this City ; and I earnestly hope that this part, especially, of my recommendation may receive early attention, and, if thought feasible, that an order for the purchase and delivery of the stone be made, and have them delivered and stored ready for use early in the Spring.
FRONT STREET.
This street, from the N. & W. R. R. to Church street, has remained in an unfinished condition for several years,-since the cutting of the shade trees and widening of the street,-and its con- dition has been the subject of much criticism. It does not reflect very much credit upon the City in the state it now is ; and yet that portion which has not been paved is traveled quite as much in dry weather as the other, or paved portion.
In view of the expected removal of the railroad tracks from the Park and street, which will cause some change in the grade of the street, it is my opinion that it may be passed until later in the season, at least.
244
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
MACADAMIZING.
It seems to me that this system of road making should not be lost sight of.
Many of our streets, where there is no street railroad track, can be maintained at far less expense by this method than by either paving or gravel, and a much more satisfactory road-bed the result. I am aware that there has been much just criticism (with one single exception) of what has heretofore been done under this system, and the same rule follows this, as well as other principles, that in order to secure success in any undertaking its principles must be understood.
The exception referred to, is that portion of Salisbury street from Lincoln Square to Grove street, which all must acknowledge is the best road-bed in this city, and has cost but very little to keep in repair.
I would also call your attention to the dangerous condition of the railroad bridge crossing the Boston and Albany railroad on James street, to which I should have called your attention early the past season, but for the unparalleled call for work in that direction. The result of an accident in such a place cannot be estimated, and all must acknowledge the wisdom of maintaining safe and suitable structures in important places. I recommend the rebuilding of the same with new stone abut- ments in place of the present trestles, located as may be necessary for the Railroad Company's accommodation. . That the stone be procured from the most feasible point, and drawn upon the ground by the teams of the Department during the present Winter, and laid as soon as Spring opens, and a suitable wooden structure erected thereon.
The bridge upon Garden street was reported by the President of the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company to be in an unsafe condition. The Highway Committee were called to meet upon the ground for consultation. It being late in the season, I was directed to repair the same sufficiently to make it safe for the Winter.
I would recommend, inasmuch as there is a stone arch covering the stream through land above the street, that the same be con-
245
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
tinued across the street, thereby permanently settling the matter for the future ; estimated expense not to exceed five hundred dol- lars.
I wish to further recommend that immediate action be taken in regard to the encroachments upon our sidewalks, by hanging signs and awnings suspended so low that a person who has grown "to the full stature of a perfect man" can scarcely walk erect beneath them ; also "man-traps" or cellar holes laid out into the sidewalk, whether they are protected by railings or not, the effect upon the traveled way is, substantially the same, and reduced in just the proportion of such encroachment; besides making the city liable to a greater or less extent should any person fall therein ; goods are hung loosely upon both sides of the walks; boxes of mer- chandise, bill-boards set loosely against buildings, trees, &c., only waiting for a gust of wind to displace them, or a thoughtful pedes- trian to stumble over them, only to arise and receive a pelt from some swinging garment.
It seems as though each trader was vieing with his neighbor which should make the greatest display in the open street.
Another and very important matter, which I wish to make emphatic, is in relation to the liability to which the city is sub- jected by overhanging eaves from which, in the Winter season, icicles are suspended, liable to fall upon pedestrians, to the results of which I need not allude. Water-spouts from build- ing are also the source of much trouble by the accumulation of ice upon the sidewalks, rendering them unsafe for travel, and from which many claims for damage have been presented to and paid by the city.
I suggest that the laws relating thereto be examined, and if found insufficient, that the Legislature be petitioned to enact those which shall meet the emergency.
STABLES.
The City Stables, Storehouses and Sheds, with the exception of the tool-house, situated on Salem Street, which were rebuilt and enlarged in 1868, for the accommodation of the teams, tools, etc., of this Department, at an expense of $8,434.16, were
246
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
consumed by fire on the night of the 10th of May last, together with hay, grain and tools, to the amount of loss upon personal property of $2,876.50.
There has been $3,000 received as insurance upon the buildings and $519.32 upon the personal property.
The fire originated in the tannery building on a lot in the rear, and from thence communicated to the stables.
It is a matter of congratulation that the live stock was all saved and most of the tools and rolling stock.
The buildings were rebuilt by order of the City Council, under the direction of the Committee on Public Buildings, of substan- tially the same size and arrangements as the old ones.
Expenses of Rebuilding.
Fitting up temporary stables,
$48 66
Removing rubbish, clearing yard, &c.,
240 14
Engineering,
5 77
Plans,
30 00
Advertising for proposals,
12 75
Contract for stables above foundation,
5,500 00
Foundation, stables, granary and sheds,
1,249 24
Extra labor on stables, labor and material for granary and sheds,
1,503 79
Slating granary, sheds and tool-house,
524 54
Iron work, piping and plumbing,
254 43
Furnishing steward's room,
28 48
Insurance premiums,
157 00
Total,
$9,554 80
Credit.
By insurance,
$3,000 00
Net cost of construction,
$6,554 80
STREET CONSTRUCTION.
The appropriation for Street Construction has not been accred- ited to this Department upon the books in the Auditor's office.
It is therefore necessary to give account, only, of the amount and location of the work which has been done by this Depart- ment, credits for which will appear under the account of Revenue.
247
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
The work has been done as follows :
HIGHLAND STREET.
From Park Avenue to Pleasant street, commenced last year, has been completed and accepted by the County Commission- ers. Cost of completion :
Engineering, $95 04 3,536 25
Labor, grading, &c., 1
Total,
$3,681 29
CRESCENT STREET.
From Garden street north has been completed. Expense, Engineering, Labor,
$21 54 307 52
Total, $329 06
UNION STREET.
From Lincoln Square to Market street.
Engineering, Labor and material,
$13 77 1,028 05
Total, $1,041 82
COLLEGE STREET.
From Southbridge street at College Square to Auburn line, as ordered by County Commissioners and accepted.
Engineering,
Flagstone,
$100 76 298 20 3,115 46
Labor,
Repairing tools,
59 63
Lumber, &c.,
34 28
Hack hire for Commissioners,
27 00
Total,
$3,635 33
CROWN STREET.
From Chatham to Austin streets.
Engineering, Labor,
$4 89
442 56
Total,
$447 45
248
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
MILLBURY STREET.
New street recently laid out by County Commissioners from Vernon street to new iron bridge.
Engineering,
$6 50
Hack hire for Commissioners,
18 00
Labor, carting and setting bounds,
27 50
Total, $52 00
Engineering upon sundry streets, surveys, &c.,
$117 20
Total Street Construction,
$9,304 15
BRIDGES.
The following bridges were carried away by the freshet of last Spring. Cost of reconstruction as follows :
Millbury street, below Quinsigamond, has been rebuilt with a substantial iron superstructure, 60 feet span, and 30 feet wide, in place of the stone arch bridge of two spans of 24 feet each.
Cost.
Advertising for proposals,
$3 00
Engineering,
238 20
Lumber for Coffer Dam,
209 79
Stone and carting,
279 93
Thomas Jones, stone masonry,
3,009 02
Use of derrick,
11 00
Wrought Iron Bridge Co., for Iron Superstructure,
1,897 60
Grading approaches, gravel, &c.,
473 00
Total,
$6,121 54
SOUTH WORCESTER.
A few years since there were three water-courses crossing Southbridge street at this place, one of which was filled four years since by consent of the owner of the land adjoining, and the water turned into another stream above the street ; the other two were carried away by the freshet.
249
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
An arrangement has been made with the owner, Geo. Cromp- ton, Esq., to turn the water from the Carpet Factory into the main stream above the street, which has been done. And a very fine iron superstructure, 90 feet span, erected by the King Iron Bridge Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, now takes the place of the three bridges of a few years since. Items of expense are as follows :
Temporary bridge, material and labor,
$253 77
Engineering.
129 16
Dredging, grading, &c.,
424 30
Allen & Chase, stone masonry,
2,341 71
King Iron Bridge Co., contract for Iron superstructure,
3,055 00
Total cost,
$6,203 94
WEBSTER STREET.
" Spurr Bridge," so called.
This bridge, rebuilt in 1873, was carried away, and the street badly damaged on both sides; most of the debris was recovered from the stream below, from which a temporary structure was immediately made. There has since been built a new bridge of substantially the same size as the former one, and on the same plan, at a cost (including temporary bridge) as follows :-
Timber, plank, nails and trucking,
$471 68
Carpenter work,
113 25
Iron and stone work,
52 40
Grading approaches,
589 15
Total,
$1,226 48
LEESVILLE BRIDGE.
The wooden bridge at this place, 40 foot span, rebuilt only a few years since, was washed away, together with one abutment and a part of the other.
Most of the bridge was found in the swamp below, although badly demolished. The portions which were suitable were used in the reconstruction. Cost of same :
Timber, plank, nails, &c.,
$127 31
Stone work,
290 00
Iron
11 70
Carpenter work,
24 00
Grading and filling,
273 50
Total, 33
$726 51
250
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
JAMESVILLE BRIDGE.
The wooden bridge at this place was only 22-foot span, with a single abutment on either side.
So great and powerful was the effect of the water that a chasm of about 125 feet separated the two banks. It was deemed . advisable at first to construct two temporary bridges across the two sections of the stream below, for travel for the time being.
The attempt was made, attended with many obstacles. The land over which the travel would of necessity pass, was very soft, the course crooked, and would be dangerous for travel, especially at night.
I wish here to gratefully acknowledge the accommodations and favors received from Mr. Benj. James in passing over his prem- ises, and assistance rendered.
Considering the probability of delay in the construction of a permanent bridge in the highway, on account of private inter- ests which might seem to affect the location of the water-way, it being desirable and almost indispensable that the same should be located opposite the rollway of the dam above, when the same shall be rebuilt, that it was thought to be the wisest plan to put a temporary bridge across the stream, in place of the old one, thereby keeping travel in the public highway until some- thing definite could be decided upon ; accordingly a wooden structure was erected, 146 feet long, 18 feet roadway, set upon piles. It was substantially and thoroughly built, and is good for ten years, at least. The cost of same was as follows :
Timber, plank, nails and trucking,
$576 60
Carpenter work,
96 38
Iron
12 60
Grading and filling,
263 25
Total,
$948 83
STAFFORD STREET.
This bridge and abutments were entirely washed away, also the street for many rods on the easterly side thereof.
251
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
Items of expense for rebuilding as follows :
James Curtis, stone work,
$224 50
Timber, plank, nails and labor,
78 75
Grading and filling,
181 00
Total,
$484 25
QUINSIGAMOND.
This bridge was so badly damaged that it was deemed hazard- ous to allow travel to pass over it, and, by direction of the Highway Committee, a substantial temporary bridge, 160 feet long and 18 feet wide, was immediately erected across the stream below ; approached on one side over land of John S. Ballard, Esq., and that of the Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Co. on the other. And your Commissioner wishes here to express his thanks to the former for his kindness in permitting the same ; also for allowing his dam below the bridge to be opened, for the purpose of drawing the water, so that the amount of damage could be ascertained and the work of repairing more successfully and conveniently accomplished ; and to the latter for the many accommodations received and the constant watch of their employés in protecting the public against accidents.
Upon investigation (after the water had been drawn), it was found to be very seriously undermined and shattered.
The bed stones under the abutment on the northerly side, and upon the southerly side of the pier, were entirely undermined, and portions of the southerly abutment and northerly side of the pier were also undermined, together with the loss of about 14 feet of the skew-backs, and a portion of the sheathing upon the upper side of the north abutment. Besides, 11} feet of the upper end of the pier had fallen into the river, allowing the bridge to settle upon the upper side, so that, upon trial, it was found to be over 15 inches from level upon line of skew-backs, making, with the addition of an open crack running diagonally across each arch, a very dangerous and difficult affair to repair.
The Committee upon Highways and Bridges were immediately called together, and met upon the ground, who made a thorough
:
.
252
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 31.
investigation of the matter,-discussing the propriety of rebuild- ing entire, or trying to repair the old one. It was decided to adopt the latter plan, and your Commissioner was accordingly directed to repair the bridge in the best manner possible.
The work was commenced and executed with the greatest degree of caution, that no accident be allowed to happen to life or limb on account of haste or want of care. Your Commis- sioner gave his personal attention to the work, and was upon the ground whenever it was not imperatively necessary to be else- where; and he congratulates himself that the work was com- pleted without an accident of any kind.
Three feet in depth of solid stone masonry was laid under the foundation of the north abutment, a sufficient amount under the pier and south abutment; a substantial wing wall, extending up the stream on the northerly side, and a buttress to protect the pier in the centre.
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