USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1877 > Part 3
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September.
.48 “
February.
.37 “
June,
2.14
October.
8.42 "
March.
7.03 "
July.
3.84 "
November.
7.07 "
Total for twelve months, 41.71 inches.
BELL POND.
This reservoir has not received in the past that attention which its importance demands. Ever since it has been used as a reservoir, a large mass of vegetable matter, covering two acres, in all stages of decomposition, has been allowed to remain until the effect upon the water was perceptible to all. Very little water has been drawn from here since the completion of the high service pipe ; then only in case of emergency, when com- plaints have been numerous relative to the quality. A portion of this floating material was removed in 1874 ; the rest has been taken out this year to an average depth of six feet, at a cost of $2,758.04. The number of cubic yards removed, three thousand three hundred (3,300), showing a great change in the quality of the water. Much mud now remains upon the bottom, which, it is thought, may be removed without drawing off or seriously affecting the water. The new Lunatic Asylum is now supplied from here, and as we are liable to use this for a temporary sup- ply at any time, it seems necessary that further improvements be made.
PUMPING.
The pumps furnished the city until January 16th. With the exception of eighteen days, the high service was supplied from the reservoir.
The expense of building, pumps, boiler and connections, as per report of 1876, amount to $11,260 97
Running expense to January 16,
11,065 62
Total expense for pumping, $22,326 59 Number of gallons pumped, 626,000,000.
Cost of pumping one million gallons, not including cost of pumps, $17.69.
The fixtures now in place are :-
BUILDING.
1 Knowles Pump, 24-inch steam cylinder, 16x24 water cylinder.
1 Knowles Pump, 24-inch steam cylinder, 18x24 water cylinder.
31
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
2 Feed Pumps.
4 Boilers, 50 H. P. each.
1 Haskins' engine, 12 H. P.
1 Portable engine, 12 H. P.
DISTRIBUTION.
Pipes laid during the year, as follows :
20 inch for waste gates below dam, 56 feet.
66
16 Newton Street, from Pleasant to Elm Street,
1029
12
. Elm Street, from Newton to near Sever Street. 1374
12 Agricultural Street, from Elm to Highland St., 1584
12 Union Street, from School Street south, 58
66
8 Brussels St., from Chelsea St. to Crompton Carpet Co.
679
8
66 Elm Street, for connections,
12
8 Agricultural Street, for connections, 3
392
66
6
66 Hudson Street, to connect Elm Street,
38
6
66 Bridge and Manchester Streets,
271
528 66
6 Hydrant Branches,
85 66
4
6 Hope Cemetery,
347
Amount laid this year, 6,456 feet.
Deduct pipe taken up,
799
Amount added this year,
5,657
Of the 799 feet of pipe re-laid, 528 feet of 4-inch in Franklin Street has been discontinued, and 6-in laid to replace it. 271 feet of 6-inch laid in Bridge and Manchester Streets, in place of pipe taken out when building the railroad viaduct.
LOCATION OF HYDRANTS SET.
Agricultural street, opposite Agricultural building.
Belmont street, corner of Hanover street.
Carbon street.
Brussels street, opposite Crompton Carpet Co.
66 66 south end
Cambridge street, corner Pitt street.
Elm street, corner Agricultural street.
Harris Court, at lower end of Court.
Hawley street, between Pleasant and Austin streets.
Jefferson street, Vernon and Columbia streets.
King street, corner Prince street.
Main street.
Hancock street.
Gardner street.
Newton street, between Pleasant and Elm streets.
Salisbury street, opposite Highland Military Academy.
66
8 Lincoln Street, extended northerly,
66
6 Franklin St., from Grafton to west side of Mill Brook.
32
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
Sargent street, corner Gold street.
Southbridge street, opposite College street.
Quinsigamond Village, connected with force pumps at Washburn & Moen Mfg. Co.
Number of hydrants set during the year, 18
Number previously set, 574 ·
Whole number now in use,
592
LOCATION OF GATES SET.
2 20-inch Below the dam.
16 Newton, corner Pleasant street.
12 Agricultural, corner Elm street.
12
Highland street.
12 Elm, corner Newton street.
8 Belmont, corner Oak Avenue.
8 Brussels, corner Chelsea street.
8 66 Highland, corner Agricultural street.
8 Pleasant, corner Newton street.
6 Bridge, corner Manchester street.
6 Brussels street, for Crompton Carpet Co.
6 Gardner, corner Main street.
6 Hudson, corner Elm street.
6 King, corner Queen street.
2 Blow off. Austin, corner Newbury street.
2
Belmont street, at Lincoln Square.
2
66 Elm, corner Fruit street.
2
Harvard, corner Highland street.
2 Pleasant, corner Fruit street,
2
66 Quincy street.
2
66
166 William, corner West street.
Number of gates set during the year, 22 Number of service pipes laid, 147
Feet of service pipe laid for the city, ·
2,976 33
individuals,
3,679 67 .
Amount laid this year.
6,656 feet.
Bills for labor and materials have been rendered to the Treas- urer for collection, to the amount of $13,020.05; amount uncol- lected November 30th, $1,690.36.
Number of metres set, 345, making 2,423 now in use.
Leaks repaired, 54. 40 were on main pipe, viz: Rust, 12; Joint, 28. On service pipe, 4: Lead connections, 2; Coup- ling, 2. Hydrants, 10: Valve, 7; Joint, 3.
Twenty-nine new hydrant boxes, 37 gate boxes, and 46 stop boxes have been set to replace old ones. 84 stoppages in ser- vice pipe attended to.
-
33
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
The value of personal property on hand December 1st, as per inventory accompanying this report, $32,750.02.
I would recommend that the 12-inch pipe in Elm street be extended from the present terminus near Sever street to Main street. There is now 8-inch pipe from Sever street, the end of the 12-inch, to West street, and 4-inch from West to Main street. This will require about 3000 feet of 12-inch pipe, and will give better protection from fire on the hill west of Main street. The 4-inch pipe in Summer street, from Lincoln Square to Prospect street, should be replaced with a larger size, as more hydrants are located on this line than can be supplied and main- tain the pressure upon all.
About 650 feet of 16-inch high service pipe in East Central street and Eastern Avenue should be taken up and re-laid, as a change has been made in the location of a part of Eastern Ave- nue. The present pipe will be sufficient for the new location.
The 6-inch pipe in Winter street should be extended from the west side of Mill Brook to Water street. This will require about 300 feet of pipe.
The land owned by the Department between the Hunt Res- ervoir and Armandale street, should be inclosed with a fence.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK E. HALL,
Water Commissioner.
WORCESTER, Dec. 24, 1877.
MAIN AND DISTRIBUTION PIPE, IN FEET, LAID TO NOVEMBER 30, 1877.
2 inch.
3 inch.
4 inch.
5 inch.
6 inch.
8 inch.
10 inch.
12 inch.
16 inch. 18 inch. 20 inch. 24 inch.
Length in miles.
Gates.
Hydrants.
Prior to 1864.
19,697
2,822
12,674
5,159
7.642
35
. ...
1864.
4,197
3,744
63
7,166
13,309
1,980
1,056
5.968
12
152
1865.
144
8,946
6,259
5,769
3,455
886
2,255
5.248
49
65
1866.
982
10,211
1,624
11,266
2,915
273
5.165
42
36
1867.
2,564
3,487
8,964
2,197
8,402
1,474
1,374
5.39
57
56
1868. .
2,194.8
1,540.5
14,585.57
3,206
1,850.5
4.427
47
35
1869.
5,129.6
2,312.25
20,428.53
10,642.53
4,102.97
1,004.16
2,725
8.796
109
45
1870
1,469
365.5
14,745
9,335
3,791.5
5.626
64
29
1871.
340
345
19,110
10,052
5,691
627
6.849
80
39
1872.
421
226
4,420.25
7,307
2,032
2,656
8,916
13,801
7.534
42
9
1873.
5,736.75
9,714
5,691
2,845
11,554
6.731
46
35
1874.
3,058.91
6,170
5,948
3,724
8,330
5.157
37
26
1875.
562
2,257.25
1,150
3,534
1.421
49
28
1876.
1,122.25
140.75
4,819
700
1.284
23
19
1877.
349.5
919
1,086.5
3,016
1,029
56
1.222
21
18
Total,.
13,244.4 349
8,276.25
136,133.76 7,017
2,822 1,335
86,241.53 2,549
59,969.47
7,118.16 1,800
29,311
53,216 330
1,980
15,186
700
78.460
713
592
Pipe taken up,
12,895.4 2.442
8,276.25
1,487
83,692.53 15.850
59,969.47 11.358
5,318.16 1.007
29,311 5.551
10.016
1,980 .375
15,186 2.876
.133
75.926
·
....
34
CITY DOCUMENT-NO. 32.
2.534
25
.
Total in feet, .
688
592
Total in miles,
1.567
129,116.76 24.453
.282
·
-
.... . .
52,886
700
35
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
SERVICE PIPE LAID TO NOVEMBER 30, 1877.
LAID FOR CITY.
LAID FOR INDIVIDUALS.
No.
Length in feet. In miles. Length in feet. In miles.
Prior to 1865.
3,800
.719
129
1865
5,979.83
1.132
3,538.67
.672
207
1866.
8,592.39
1.627
7,930.95
1.502
284
1867
11,231.46
2.127
12,938.01
2.45
388
1868
13,237.24
2.507
11,343.59
2.148
504
1869.
17,958.14
3.401
12,855.87
2.435
673
1870 ..
11,403.95
2.160
11,562.01
2.190
581
1871.
10,089.36
1.911
9,149.60
1.733
504
1872
7,444.75
1.410
6,811.
1.290
357
1873.
6004.91
1.137
7,241.
1.371
315
1874
4,773.83
.904
6,009.5
1.138
231
1875
4,171.25
.79
5,568.75
1.055
215
1876.
2,368
.448
2,345.17
.444
104
1877
2,976.33
.564
3,679.67
.697
147
Total,.
110,031.44
20.839
10,0973.79
19.125
4639
36
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
INVENTORY OF STOCK AND TOOLS ON HAND DECEMBER 1, 1877.
6 pieces 24 inch cast iron pipe,
58 pieces 20 inch cast iron pipe,
20 pieces 16 inch cast iron pipe,
62 pieces 12 inch cast iron pipe,
63 pieces 8 inch cast iron pipe,
3 pieces 20 inch cast iron pipe, been used,
11 pieces 10 inch cast iron pipe, been used,
130 pieces 6 inch cast iron pipe, been used,
120 pieces 5 inch cast iron pipe, been used,
272 feet cast iron pipe, short pieces,
747 feet cast iron pipe, short pieces, been used,
210 feet 12 inch cement lined pipe,
1,582 feet 10 inch cement lined pipe,
. 1,169 feet 8 inch cement lined pipe,
427 feet 3 inch cement lined pipe,
700 feet 2 inch cement lined pipe,
2,101 feet cement lined pipe, been used.
200 feet 2 inch galvanized iron pipe,
3 20 inch curve pieces,
6 16 inch curve pieces,
4 16 inch 1-4 turns,
6 12 inch 1-4 turns,
2 8 inch 1-4 turns,
1 6 inch 1-4 turn,
6 4 inch 1-4 turns,
1 2 inch 1-4 turn, brass,
6 12 inch 1-8 turns,
5 8 inch 1-8 turns,
6 6 inch 1-8 turns,
18 4 inch 1-8 turns,
1 24 inch branch,
4 16x16 inch branches,
4 16x12 inch branches,
2 16x8 inch branches,
2 16x6 inch branches,
8 16x4 inch branches,
10 12x12 inch branches,
15 12×8 inch branches,
12 12x6 inch branches,
1 10x6 inch branch,
4 10x4 inch branches, 22 8x8 inch branches,
39 8x6 inch branches,
10 8x4 inch branches,
49 6x6 inch branches,
43 6x4 inch branches,
11 5x4 inch branches,
27 4x4 inch branches,
134 1-2 set sleeves for cement lined pipe,
101 sleeves for cast iron pipe,
2 20x16 inch tapers,
2 16x12 inch tapers,
4 12x8 inch tapers,
3 12×6 inch tapers,
6 8x6 inch tapers,
6 6x4 inch tapers,
3 4x3 inch tapers,
4 4x2 inch tapers,
2 24 inch plugs,
1 20 inch plug,
2 16 inch plugs,
11 12 inch plugs,
30 8 inch plugs,
40 6 inch plugs,
50 4 inch plugs,
2 10 inch gates,
11 8 inch gates,
4 6 inch gates,
13 4 inch gates,
2 gate boxes,
16 gate box frames and covers,
10 gate box covers,
8 brass screws for gates,
18 hydrants,
5 flush hydrant boxes,
7 flush hydrant box frames,
12 flush hydrant box covers,
19 hydrant wastes,
10 hydrant bowls,
4 brass screws for hydrants,
21 valves for hydrants,
22 nozzles for hydrants,
31 hydrant caps,
8 brass tops for hydrants,
386 lbs. hydrant fittings,
318 lbs. cast iron bands for repairing solder branches,
1,125 lbs. wrought iron bands and bolts for street branches,
140 feet 1 inch rubber coated pipe,
350 feet 1 inch cement lined pipe,
200 feet 3-4 inch cement lined pipe,
168 feet 1-2 inch galvanized iron pipe,
1,258 lbs. lead pipe,
74 lbs. solder,
187 lead connections,
90 lead connections, been used,
37
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
2 3 inch globe valves,
25 Ludlow gates,
50 1-2 inch stops for bands,
35 1-2 inch stops for bands, been used, 44 waste stops,
34 brass nipples,
54 cast iron stop boxes,
129 cast iron stop box covers,
427 tapping bands,
2,217 lbs. back bands,
541 lbs. hook bolts and nuts for service pipe,
298 brass tees,
421 galvanized iron tees,
25 rubber coated tees,
305 plugs,
52 combination nipples,
806 galvanized iron nipples,
52 thimble couplings,
49 galvanized iron reducing couplings, 1 malleable iron union,
2 brass unions,
195 galvanized iron elbows,
23 brass elbows,
204 rubber packings for tapping bands, 20 meters,
1 meter box frame and cover,
21 bbls. cement,
1 Knowles rotary pump,
5 boiler pumps,
2 force pumps,
2 copper pumps,
3 tool boxes,
4 tool chests,
20 wheelbarrows,
68 picks,
26 pick handles,
77 shovels,
19 long handled forks,
9 long handled hooks,
15 iron bars,
12 iron tampers,
11 striking hammers,
5 stone hammers,
2 nail hammers,
12 hand hammers,
2 paving hammers,
8 hammer handles,
226 lbs. steel in drills,
16 hand drills,
5 ladles,
5 iron spoons,
68 cold chisels,
32 steel sets,
7 packing irons,
1 large furnace and ladle,
4 furnaces,
21 wrenches,
6 packed drill stocks and 31 drills,
1 ratchet and drills,
6 die plates and 18 dies,
10 Stanwood's pipe cutters,
1 Chase patent pipe cutter and 14 dies,
6 taps,
1 packing box tap,
33 pair pipe tongs,
23 axes,
2 axe handles,
1 adz,
5 hand saws,
1 bit stock and bits,
1 saw set,
2 try squares,
2 planes,
1 drawing knife,
1 grindstone,
1 oil stone,
3 screw drivers,
4 hoes,
1 spirit level,
5 oilers,
7 trowels,
2 soldering furnaces and tools,
1 powder can,
18 files,
2 pair plyers,
2 paving rammers,
3 pair tongs for lifting pipe,
5 hay knives,
5 scythes and 11 snaths,
3 spoons for cleaning stop boxes,
6 hooks for removing hydrant wastes,
3 forks for removing hay from hy- drants,
11 stop wrenches,
11 gate wrenches,
12 hydrant wrenches,
3 wrenches for repairing hydrants,
9 set cones for lining pipe,
9 set cones for lining service pipe,
9 rubber cones,
1 platform scale,
1 Concord buggy,
2 wagons,
1 sleigh,
38
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
2 horses,
2 harnesses,
1 hand cart,
8 derricks,
4 set pulley blocks and ropes,
8 dies for cutting packing, Lot of tools for building hydrants.
AT PUMPING HOUSE.
Building,
2 Knowles' large steam pumps,
2 Knowles' No. 3, steam pumps,
4 boilers,
2 heaters,
pipe connections &c.,
1 12 H. P. Haskins engine,
1 12 H. P. portable engine,
MISCELLANEOUS.
1 fire alarm gong,
1 test pump and gauge,
6 furnace grates,
3 galvanized iron boilers,
3 boilers for thawing hydrants,
1 press for lining service pipe,
1 tank for testing meters,
36 water pails,
1 truck,
1 hand sled,
2 mixing boxes,
18 pair rubber boots,
15 brooms,
1 whitewash brush,
2 coal hods,
95 lanterns,
59 lantern globes,
4 bracket lamps,
600 feet chestnut lumber,
9,000 feet lumber, been used,
1,936 lbs. pig iron,
738 1bs. old lead,
20 lbs. white lead,
520 lbs. chains,
212 lbs. rosin,
58 lbs. wire rope,
235 lbs. 1 inch rope,
25 pickets for reservoir fence,
5 pair rubber mittens,
3 cast iron sinks,
6 stoves,
1 goose neck,
577 feet rubber hose,
6 hose nippers,
4 tea kettles,
33 tin dippers,
2 zinc dripping pans,
2 quart measures,
4 tunnels,
1 pruning hook,
6 wooden rollers,
1 anvil,
1 portable forge,
2 fan blowers,
3 iron vises,
2 wood vises,
3 pair shears,
25 letters for flush hydrants, 2 1-2 tons coal,
1 handle basket,
4 carpenters' horses,
5 steam gauges,
1 oil tank,
7 oil cans,
38 gallons kerosene,
4 jack screws,
14 iron screws,
4 ladders,
500 brick,
2 desks,
5 office chairs,
1 window frame,
3 oil cloth suits,
1 canvass tent and frame,
14 lbs. rubber packing cloth,
9 yards enameled cloth,
152 lbs. packing,
26 bbls. charcoal,
2 nuts for Boston hydrants,
950 feet 1-8 inch gas pipe for thawing service pipe,
45 lbs. tin pipe for thawing service pipe,
3 sand screens,
2 gimlets,
9 tape lines,
1 wood marker,
4 augurs, Patterns for pipe, gates, branches, hydrant box frames,
1 bedstead and bedding,
800 lbs. hay,
115 bush. oats,
5 bush. corn,
2 brushes,
1 card,
1 curry comb,
4 horse blankets,
1 rain gauge,
1 thermometer.
REPORT
OF THE
WATER REGISTRAR.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :
GENTLEMEN .- I respectfully present the following report for the year ending November 30th, 1877.
The number of applications for water received during the past year, was one hundred and fifty-three, of which all but six were granted and the service pipes laid.
Bills for water were rendered to the City Treasurer for col- lection, as follows :
amounting to $51,211 53 66 Annual Rates, 4,713
For Metered Water, 4,428
37,753 64
Total, 9,141
$88,965 17
The water was shut off from the premises of one hundred and twenty (120) water-takers, on account of over due, unpaid bills for water and labor furnished, and immediately turned on in all cases of settlement. The number of places from which water remains shut off for non-payment, is eighteen.
Abatements amounting to $29,551.79 were made, owing to change of bills from rate to meter, on account of vacant tene- ments, for correction of assessments and for transfer, and in accordance with orders of the Committee.
40
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
The quantity of metered water consumed during the last twelve months, inclusive of waste and leakage, was as follows :
From October, 1876, to April, 1877, 106,159,699 gallons. 66 April, 1877, to October, 1877, 137,553,795
243,713,494 66 Total,
METERS.
During the year three hundred and forty-five (345) meters have been placed upon the works, and the total number in use at the present time is twenty-four hundred and twenty-three (2,423), the sizes and kinds of which are given below.
SIZES.
KINDS.
5-8
3-4
1 in.
1} 1n.
2 mn.
3 in.
4 in.
6 in.
8 in.
Union.
1499
295
55
9
24
1
1
Union-Rotary
79
6
2
1
5
1
1
Desper (new)
365
32
2
Desper (old)
23
-
Gem
14
1
1
3
Worthington
1
2
The satisfactory results derived from placing meters on the works, induce the department to express renewed confidence in them and advocate their use. In the assessment of premises by rate, especially where a large quantity of water is supposed to be used, the amount paid is invariably less than a measurement of the water would insure. Premises on which a special rate has been fixed in conformity with the statement of the taker as to quantity used, have disclosed by meter three hundred per cent. larger consumption. The longer the fixing of special rates is indulged in, the less inclined will the water taker become to have a meter attached. Over one hundred gallons daily, for three hundred and sixty-five days, are furnished the taker of metered
·
41
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR.
water in this city at a cost of ten dollars, at the price of twenty- five cents per thousand gallons. In some cities the metered water taker is assessed ten dollars annually, whether water equivalent to this sum is used or not, and an additional sum charged for any excess of water used. Various modes peculiar to cities are adopted relative to water rates, placing of meters, etc., and the matter seems difficult of adjustment to the satisfac- tion of all parties.
The largest meter on the works at this date is an eight (8) inch Union Rotary, which meters the water furnished the Wor- cester Lunatic Hospital.
CONSUMPTION VS. WASTE.
The quantity of water needed for daily use in the city, and the quantity actually consumed by use, leakage and waste, are entirely different in complexion when the question of the supply for a city is considered. Meters serve to check the waste of water, but to assume that they would effectually stop the waste would be a foolish assertion to make. Meter or no meter, water will be wasted as long as there is any to use. In many cities the waste is so excessive, that in order to repress it, the combined efforts of the Water and Police departments are called into requisition. Such facts, in connection with the increase in the annual consumption, the low state of water at times in the res- ervoir, and the desire to banish the thought of a water famine, has prompted the Committee to recommend an additional supply of water. A reservoir containing less than a months' supply of water for forty thousand takers, would naturally cause anxiety in the minds of any committee on water.
PREVENTION OF WASTE.
To prevent waste and unusually large bills, we take the liberty to suggest to the water taker the following advice: Keep your faucets well packed ; if you have a tank, examine it once a month to know if the float is in good condition; if you have a hopper- closet in which parties persist in negligently or wilfully leaving the water running, attach a good self-closing fixture; if your
4
42
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 32.
pipes are so arranged as to freeze in cold weather, alter the con- dition of things, or allow the water to run and pay for it, without expecting the city to make an abatement. There is more water wasted through tanks and hopper-closets in some dwellings, than is necessarily used. A barrel of water costs less than a cent by meter, and thus obtained is cheaper than through a kitchen pump, the manipulation of which might dislocate the shoulder of the person at the handle, or cause a mangling of the English language in the immediate neighborhood. The comfort derived in many ways from the use of city water, is deemed by most of . our citizens well worth the cost, and the thought of using water by the old methods would not be cheerfully entertained.
PAYMENT OF BILLS.
Bills for water have been more promptly paid than last year, which is attributed to the enforcement of the Ordinance passed May 7th, 1877. The officers in this department, undoubtedly have been deemed heartless individuals, by parties who were deprived of water for non-payment of rates. If the fear of creating displeasure prevented the enforcement of the ordinance, the city would be the sufferer through the negligence of its officers, and the counter of the Treasurer covered with uncol- lectable bills.
REVENUE.
The amount of revenue actually received from the sale of water the past year was $73,426.83. It may be a matter of in- terest to have stated what water is furnished, for which no revenue is obtained. In accordance with an agreement, the following parties have water free of charge:
Fox Mills, 100,000 gallons per day.
W. T. Merrifield, 200,000 gallons per day.
No bills are rendered for water supplied the Fire Department for use in hydrants. The former custom of abating the tax against several institutions, was abolished last year, and a uni- form special rate is now assessed, which relieves the department from any shade of partiality.
®
43
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR.
REMARKS.
The last year has been one freighted with complaints regard- ing the variable quality of the water, and the pacification of the water-taker has occupied no small portion of the time of the officers. Your Committee have had heavy burdens to bear, and the mists and fogs of public opinion have failed to dampen your convictions of doing what you deemed for the best. When the clouds are dispelled by the rays of impartial judgment, no thoughts can exist which will intimate that any personal or private interests ever deterred your Committee from placing the welfare of the City primary to all other considerations.
Respectfully submitted.
J. STEWART BROWN,
WORCESTER, December 24th, 1877.
Registrar.
REPORT
OF THE
JOINT COMMITTEE ON WATER,
AND
RECONSTRUCTION OF DAM.
To the Council of the City of Worcester :-
In accordance with an Order which passed the City Council March 26th, 1877, a Special Committee was appointed to have the charge of the renewal of work at Lynde Brook Dam, in con- formity to a decree issued by the County Commissioners. Said Committee have discharged their duties, and would respectfully submit the following
REPORT.
At a meeting of the Committee which was held March 20th, 1877, a sub-committee was appointed who subsequently pre- sented a modification of the contract for work with M. R. Ed- wards, who was engaged to commence operations as soon as the season would permit. The Dam was visited by the Committee and the County Commissioners on the tenth of April. The work was resumed on the sixteenth of April, under the special charge of L. A. Taylor, civil engineer, who, with the Committee exer- cised a constant watch over repairs till they were completed. The work was performed in accordance with the specifications, and virtually ceased May 31st, 1877.
The Dam was inspected by the Committee, May 25th, 1877, and being deemed perfectly satisfactory, the County Commis-
45
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WATER AND DAM.
sioners were notified that the Dam would be ready for their inspection June 5th, 1877. On that day the Commissioners, the Special Commission, the Committee, and also many citizens who were invited by His Honor, the Mayor, were present at the Dam, which was formally inspected and accepted by the County Commissioners.
The completion of the Dam being prevented last year by the lateness of the season, the full head of water has not yet been attained, but the work has every appearance of being in complete and thorough repair. No leakage ever existed but in the pipe- arch of the old dam, and none has ever been apprehended in the present dam since the repairs were commenced. In the month of April, two twenty inch gates were placed on the high and low service pipes for the purpose of controlling the water in cases of freshets or sudden emergency. The cost of these gates, inclusive of pipe and labor was $1,023.65.
The total cost of repairs at the Lynde Brook Dam, is as follows :
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