USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1880 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
Feet.
Miles.
Feet.
Miles.
No.
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
2.19
581
1871 .
10,089.36
1.911
9,149.6
1.733
504
1872 .
7,444.75
1.41
6,811
1.29
357
1873
6,004.91
1.137
7,241
1.371
315,
1874 .
4,773.83
.904
6,209.5
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
1878 . .
3,207.33
.607
3,354.66
.635
151:
1879
3,790.08
.718
4,355.33
.824
18}
1880
5,237.5
.992
6,132.91
1.161
229-
122,266.35
23.154
115,016.69
21.745
5,200
.
MAIN AND DISTRIBUTION PIPE LAID TO NOVEMBER 30, 1880.
2 inch.
3 inch.
4 inch.
5 inch.
6 inch.
8 inch.
10 inch.
12 inch.
16 inch.
18 inch.]
20 inch.
24 inch.
Miles.
Gates.
drants Hy-
Prior to 1864
19,697
2,822
12,674
5,159
1864
4,197
·
·
·
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
4,102.97
1,004.16
2,725
8.796
109
45
1870
1,469
365.5
14,745
9,335
3,791.5
1871
340
315
19,110
10,052
5,690
627
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
1878
211
326
666
2,222
3,197
1.254
11
9
1879
311.25
1,173.25 972.75
3,337.25 3,997.5
1,812
5,898
1,045.75
2.6
15
22
Total, . . Pipe taken up,
13,766.65 409
8,276.25
138,605.76 8,099
2,822 1,335
4,786
1,221
1,800
.
53,216 330
1,980
15,186
700
83.340 3.405
748
634
Total in feet, . 13,357.65 Total in miles,
2.52
8,276.25 1.567
130,506.76 24.717
1,487 282
16.942
2.124
52,886 10.014
1,980 .375
15,186 2.876
.133
79.935
.
·
·
-
·
1.026
9
11
1880
.
421
226
4,420.25
7,307
·
.
.
17
35
1869
·
5,129.6
2 312.25
20,428.53
10,642.53
5 626
64
29
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.
175
.
7.642
35
·
.
.
.
.
94,212.28 64,600.47 13,016.16 33,553.75
89,456.28 63,379.47 11,216.16 33,553.75 12. 6.355
719
·
·
633
.
.
6.849
80
39
1872
3,744
63
.
4.427
.
700
29
1
597
Inventory of Stock and Tools on Hand
NOVEMBER 30, 1880.
5S pieces 20 in. Cast Iron Pipe.
12
16 "
66
66
14 8X 6 4-way Branches. 13' 6× 6
11
12 "
28 " 10 «
1 16× 8 66
61
8 "
6 4
35
3
20 4
4 12 feet
22
736
100
12
1 SX 6 60 31 8 «
2 6× 6
19 6× 4
129 50
6
66 66 456 6
Old.
77
4 "
4 20 in. Curves.
8 6× 4 "
2 5× 4 "
2 4× 3
3 4× 2“
10 12 in. ¿ “
9 6 in. 4
1 20 in. Plug. 1 16 " " 4 4 in. d 7 12 in. }
6 12 in. Plugs. . 2
10 6 in. ₺
9 6 "
10 4 " 66
28 4 in. § 6 4 8 in. 1% "
13 8 in. Bonnets.
5 16×12 4-way Branches.
22 6 "
3 12×12
6 4
3 12× 8
8 20 in. Sleeves for Cast Iron Pipe. 6 16 " 7 10 “
66 4 12× 6 16 8× 8
66
2 16× 6 9 16× 4
6 12×12
Old. 1 12× 8
6 12× 6
5 12× 4 66 66
..
5 10X 5 8× 8
66
Old. 2 20×18 in. Tapers. 2 20×16 " 2 16×12 " 4 12× 8 " 66
287 28 10 « 322 66 3 2
322
3 12× 6 “ 19 8X 6 "
66 5 8× 4 "
4 16 in. 5 10 in. 66 4 16 in. ¿ Turn.
4 " 66 12 " Cement-lined Pipe.
"
66
3 16×16 3-way
68 66
66 5 24 " 20 16
66
16
66
177
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.
39 8 in. Sleeves for Cast Iron Pipe.
10 6 “ 66
6 5 " 66 66 66
8 4 "
5 3 "
1 Set Half Sleeves for 20 in. Pipe.
1 4 66 18 “
5} " 66 16 "
12
2 66
10 "
2
11
66 6 " 66
4 "
1 12 in. Gate.
2 10 in. Gates.
10 8 " 66 2 4 " 6
28 Screws for Gates.
3 Gate Boxes.
5 Gate Frames.
4 Gate Covers.
7 Ludlow Gate Frames.
8 Ludlow Gate Covers.
1 Gate top.
9 Flush Hydrants. 7 Post
5 Flush Hydrant Boxes.
12
66 Frames, 66 Covers.
4 Frost Jackets.
8 Hydrant Bowls.
54 Brass Nuts.
17 Valves for Hydrants.
34 Nozzles for Hydrants.
25 Hydrant Caps.
9 Nuts for Hydrants.
8 Extension Hydrants.
6 Castings for Drains for Hydrants.
186 feet 1 in. Cement-lined Pipe.
80 2 in. Galv. Iron ¥ 1} in. 72 " 1 in. 84 " } in.
1105 lbs. Lead Pipe. 37 lbs. Solder. 15 2 in. Valves. 6 1 in. Valves.
4 ª in. Valves.
18 ₺ in. Stops for Bands. 2 ª in. Waste Stop.
8 & in. Waste Stop. 59 Cast Iron Stop Boxes. 62 lbs. Cast Iron Box Covers. 10 Sleeves for Stop Box Extensions.
231 Front Tapping Bands.
1497 lbs. Back Bands.
526 lbs. Bolts and Nuts for Service Pipe .. 335 lbs. Bolts.
136 Brass Tees.
597 Galv. Iron Tees. 52 Brass Elbows.
444 Galv. Iron Elbows. 91 Galv. Iron Reducing Couplings.
311 Thimble Couplings.
206 Galv. Iron Nipples. 35 Brass Nipples. 52 Combination Nipples.
146 Solder Nipples.
206 Plugs from 2 to & inch. 3 Iron Unions.
180 Lead Connections.
261 Rubber Packings for Tapping Bands .. 1 Crown Meter.
2 Gem Meters.
7 Ball & Fitts Meters.
2 Worthington Meters.
4 pieces Pipe for Meter Connections.
5 Stanwood Pipe Cutters.
1 Chase Pipe Cutter.
8 Die Plates and 63 Dies.
9 Pipe Taps.
1 Packing Box Tap.
32 Pipe Tongs.
6 Packed Drill Stocks and Drills.
1 Ratchet and Drills.
90 Files.
1 Hydrant Tongs.
3 Screw Drivers.
29 Monkey Wrenches. 3 Baxter Wrenches.
12 Stop Wrenches.
11 Gate Wrenches.
11 Hydrant Wrenches. 44 Cold Chisels.
9
12
178
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
22 Steel Sets.
16 Stone Points.
4 Packing Irons.
1 Large Furnace and Ladle.
3 Furnaces.
11 Ladles.
13 Hand Drills.
8 Hand Hammers.
10 Striking Hammers.
4 Stone Hammers.
1 Nail. Hammer.
2 Paving Hammers.
2 Hammers for Breaking Stone.
15 Hammer Handles.
10 Iron Bars.
47 Picks.
37 Shovels.
13 Long-handled Forks.
4 Long-handled Hooks.
1 Hay Fork.
9 Long-tooth Rakes.
8 Hay Rakes.
2 Garden Rakes.
5 Wheelbarrows.
5 Boiler Pumps.
2 Force Pumps.
3 Copper Pumps.
1 Knowles Rotary Pump.
2 Knowles Large Steam Pumps.
2 Knowles No. 3 Feed Pumps.
4 Boilers, Heaters and Connections.
1 12-horse-power Portable Engine.
3 Iron Spoons.
28 Iron Tampers,
3 Iron Vices.
2 Wood Vices.
4 Pair Shears.
4 Jack Screws. 33 Pails.
11 Axes.
4 Hand Saws.
2 Planes.
1 Bit Stock and 7 Bits.
1 Try Square.
1 Drawing Knife.
1 Grind Stone.
1 Oil Stone.
12 Scythe Stones.
2 Hoes.
7 Oilers.
3 Trowels.
3 Derricks.
1 2§ in. Flue Scraper. 1 bbl. Cement.
655 lbs. Pig Lead. 19 lbs. Jute Packing. 3 lbs. Steam Packing.
86 lbs. Twine.
8 bbl. Charcoal.
10 bbl. Charcoal Dust.
70 lbs. Rosin. 4 yds. Enameled Cloth.
32 lbs. Rubber Cloth.
102 lbs. Hook Bolts for Street Branches.
800 lbs. Bands and Straps.
165 lbs. Post Hydrant Box Fastenings.
8 Hydrant Yokes.
1 Brass Check Nut.
5 pair Heavy Strap Hinges.
1 Drinking Fountain.
1 Fountain Stand.
2 Sidewalk Grates.
508 lbs. Chains. 10 lbs. Wire.
252 lbs. Rope.
160 lbs. Old Metal.
1 bu. Salt.
2 Horses.
2 Wagons.
2 Buggies.
1 Sleigh.
2 Harnesses.
7 Horse Blankets.
2 Brushes.
2 Cards.
2 Curry Combs.
3 Sponges. 1 Chamois Skin.
18,230 lbs. Hay. 3500 lbs. Rye Straw.
20 bu. Oats. 1 bag C. Corn.
1 Wagon Jack.
1 Fire Alarm Gong.
179
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.
Patterns for Pipe, Gates, Branches, and Hydrant Box Frames.
4 Hooks for removing Hydrant Waste.
3 Forks for removing Hay from Hydrants. 1 Spirit Level. 5 Wrenches for repairing Hydrants. : 32 Letters for Flush Hydrants.
Lot of Tools for repairing Hydrants. I Howe Scale.
16 set Cones for Lining Pipe. 1 Press for Lining Service Pipe. 1 Tank for Testing Meters. 1 Truck.
2 Sand Screens. I Test Pump and Gauge.
11 Steam Gauges.
2 Rain Gauges.
4 set Pully Blocks and Ropes.
Canvas Tent and Frame.
800 feet Spruce Timber.
1200 feet Spruce Plank.
1000 feet Chestnut Plank.
150 feet Chestnut Joist-3×4.
30 feet Pine Plank.
Ton Coal.
44 Lanterns.
10 Lantern Lamps.
12 Lantern Bottoms. 4 Bracket Lamps.
Anvil.
1 Portable Forge and Blacksmith Bellows. 15 Scythes and Snaths.
1 Fan Blower.
197 lbs. Steel in drills.
3 Tool Boxes.
5 Tool Chests.
2 Ladders.
58 lbs. Wire Rope.
1 Hand Cart.
5 Stoves.
5 Hose Nipples.
2 Goose Necks.
৳ Oil Cloth Suits.
20 pair Rubber Boots.
5 pair Rubber Mittens.
2 Soldering Furnaces and Tools.
8 Dies for Cutting Packing.
1 Oil Tank. 10 gallons Kerosene Oil. 6 Oil Cans.
5 Brooms for cleaning Hydrants.
2 Shop Brooms.
2 Brushes.
2 Coal Hods. 1 pair Plyers.
2 Powder Cans.
18 lbs. Powder.
2 Paving Rammers. 3 pair Tongs for Lifting Pipe.
2 Carpenter Horses.
5 Hay Knives.
1 Wood Marker.
1 Sprinkler.
3 Tin Dippers.
3 Tea Kettles.
3 Mixing Boxes.
4 Tape Lines.
1 Sled.
1 2-quart Measure.
1 1-quart Measure.
3 Tunnels.
1 Thermometer.
7 Furnace Grates. 5 Boilers.
5 Wooden Rollers.
3 Spoons for Cleaning Stop Boxes.
2 Zinc Dripping Pans.
2 Steel Bars.
5 Hand Drills.
1 Augrr.
1 Pruning Hook.
1200 feet & in. Pipe for Thawing Service Pipe.
15 lbs. Tin Pipe for Thawing Service Pipd- 7 lbs. Nails.
4 & in. Hose Bibbs.
1 Bedstead and Bedding. 2 Desks.
5 Office Chairs.
REPORT
OF
THE CITY ENGINEER.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water.
GENTLEMEN :- In compliance with the provisions of Section II, Chapter 68, of the Ordinances of the City-the following report is submitted : ----
The water in the Lynde Brook reservoir, December 1st of the present year, stood 1554 feet below the rollway; this would give a depth of water in the reservoir of 2175% feet, represent- ing a capacity of 222,103,588 gallons, or 74 days' supply, call- ing the rate of consumption 3,000,000 gallons per day. The water in the reservoir, December 1st, 1879, stood 10.08 feet below the rollway, or 5.56 feet higher than at the same date of this year. The highest point reached by the water during the year was on May 4th, when it stood .58 feet below the roll- way; it remained at this height until May 6th, when it com- menced to fall and has continued to do so up to the present time.
The amount of rain fall during the year ending December 1st, 1880, has been somewhat larger than the rain fall of 1879. The greatest amount of rain fall in any one month was in July, when 8f inches of rain is recorded for the month. The total amount of rain fall during the year was 38.9 inches; total amount in 1879 was 35.96 inches. The reservoirs and dams have been examined by me regularly during the year and everything found in satisfactory condition.
181
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER.
On the 15th of November I received instructions from your Committee "to make a survey of the valley of Lynde Brook above the present ressrvoir, for the purpose of ascertaining if the waters of Kettle Brook could not be turned into a reservoir above our present storage basin, and also to locate a basin if possible, to store the waste waters of Lynde Brook. Careful surveys have been commenced and the result will be reported to you as soon as they are finished. As the question of an additional supply of water is now being considered by you, and inasmuch as this question is to be made the subject of a report to the City Council at some future date, it would not seem to be advisable for me to express my views upon the subject in this report. The accompanying table gives the condition of the supply in the Lynde Brook reservoir for each day in the year ending December 1st, 1880.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. ALLEN.
Worcester, December 20th, 1880.
City Engineer.
24
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, 1880.
There were two hundred and thirty-four (234) applications for water received during the past year, of which number all but one were granted and the service pipes laid.
I rendered to the City Treasurer for collection, water bills as follows :
For Metered Water, 7,163, amounting to
$66,122 26
" Annual Rates, 2,358, . ( $18,203 54
Total, 9,521,
$84,325 80
The water was shut off from the premises of thirty-one (31) takers, on account of over-due unpaid bills for water, fixtures and labor furnished, and immediately turned on in cases of set- tlement. The number of places from which water remains shut off is three.
Abatements amountimg to $2,587.50 were made, owing to change of bills from rate to meter, on account of vacant tene- ments, for correction of assessment, and for transfer, and in accordance with orders of the Committee.
The quantity of water consumed during the twelve months
TABLE-Showing the Daily condition of Lynde Brook Reservoir Supply, for the year ending December 1, 1880, and the Rainfall during that period.
1879. DECEMBER.
1880 JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
JULY.
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DATE.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Water.
Rain- Fall.
1
10.08
9.89
6.86
3.50
2.20
0.80
1.89
3.80
4.84
7.45
10.38
13.49
2
10.15
9.90
6.85
3.45
2.15
0.78
.58
1.79
1.35
3.86
.43
4.94
7.53
10,49
13.47
3
10.19
9.95
6.80
.24
3.40
.26
2.05
.61
0.65
1.78
.15
3.94
.26
5,02
7.64
10.61
13.54
4
.25
9.94
6.80
3.28
1.65
.06
0.58
1.79
4.00
5.02
7.74
10.77
13.63
5
10.23
9.80
6.83
3.14
.35
1.38
0.58
1.83
4.07
5.02
7.82
10,93
.09
13.73
6
10,27
.40
6.83
2.88
1,29
.15
0.58
1.90
4.18
.22
5.12
7.91
11.05
.41
Deficiency,
459,724,201
7
10.09
9.70
6.90
2.78
.15
1.20
0.61
1,93
4.24
5.22
8.00
11,18
13.66
.34
8
.03
9.60
6.85
2.70
1.18
0.67
2.00
05
4.33
5,29
8.09
11.37
13.70
9
9.92
9.57
6.90
2.70
.05
1.17
0.66
2.05
4.45
.24
5.40
8.22
11.47
13.75
10
9,94
9.57
6.93
2.70
1.17
0.75
2.12
4.52
5.46
8.27
.88
11.57
13.85
11
.15
9.55
6.98
2.65
.09
1 16
0.77
2,16
4.60
5.59
8.37
11.73
13.95
.52
12
9.88
9.55
.30
.33
2.65
1.18
0,82
2.21
4.69
5.69
.68
8.45
.64
11.84
.19
13.86
13
9,92
9.40
6.63
.39
2.65
1.25
0.88
.20
2.23
1.26
5.65
8.55
11,93
13.91
14
9.99
9.35
5,45
.67
2.65
.09
1.25
0.96
2,35
4.75
5.77
8.60
12,07
13.97
15
9.80
9,32
4.97
.03
2.62
1.30
1.02
4.89
2.00
5.86
8.63
.42
12.20
14.06
16
9,65
9.35
4.88
2.62
1.35
.84
1.02
.36
4.64
5.97
8.65
12.38
14.13
17
9,63
9.35
4.80
2.55
1.15
1,11
2.54
4.66
6.06
8.74
12.55
14.25
18
9.68
9.33
4.70
.17
2.55
1.02
1,17
.17
2.63
4,75
6.18
8.83
12.65
14.33
19
9.72
9.30
4.45
2.50
,29
1.01
.06
1.20
2.72
4,84
6.27
8.93
12.80
14.47
20
.10
9.28
4,38
2.45
0,99
1.22
2.78
3.68
6.36
9.05
12.94
14.60
.50
21
9.80
9.13
4.38
2.40
0,99
1.26
2,83
.17
4.24.
6,46
.34
9.16
13.10
14.53
22
9.90
9.07
.74
4.35
2.40
0.99
1.34
2.92
4,20
6.49
9.26
13.24
1.59
14,58
23
9.90
8.90
4.35
27
2.30
1.02
1.38
3.02
4,15
.58
6,55
9.40
13.20
14.68
24
.40
8.38
4.27
2.20
1.01
.30
1.47
3.14
4.18
6.64
9.50
13.20
25
9.89
8,28
4.27
2.20
0.99
1.49
.13
3.23
4.25
6.74
.17
9.61
13.30
15.00
26
9.92
8.19
4.27
2.24
1.02
1.58
3.33
4.30
10.
6.85
9.72
13.41
.05
15.10
37
9.95
8.19
4.17
2.25
0.97
1,62
3.41
4.35
6.95
9.84
13.56
15.25
28
9.98
7.80
4.07
2.20
.70
1.05
1.75
.22
3.51
4,45
7.08
.13
13.69
15.37
29
10.05
7.36
3.89
66.
2.20
1.06
1.79
3.60
4.54
.03
7.26
10.07
13.81
15.49
30
10.04
7.30
.22
2.20
0.90
1.85
3.68
4.63
7.21
1.90
10,21
13.92
15.64
31
9.89
.51
7.08
2.20
1.84
.52
4.74
7.36
13.77
1.68
Totals.
3.95
2.99
2.76
2.41
2.75
1.86
2.62
8,80
4.07
2.07
3.85
1.77
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Water.
Rainfall for the year ending December 1st, 1880, 38.90 inches.
Capacity of Reservoir, Stored Nov. 30th, 1880, 222,103,588
681,827,789 gal's.
10.24
.87
9.80
9.92
Rain- Fall.
Rain- Fall.
·
The Elevation of the water shows the distance of the surface below the Rollway in feet and decimals of a foot.
The Rain-fall is in inches and decimals of an inch.
.25
.04
.08
4,94
9.76
.58
.38
9.94
.69
.38
2.47
4.69
2.42
.47
.99
.06
9.92
7.00
.05
.03
9,98
.27
.62
REMARKS.
.98
13.73
.07
183
REPORT OF THE WATER REGISTRAR.
ending September 30th, inclusive of waste and leakage, was as follows :
From October, 1879, to April, 1880, 147,675,592 gallons.
" April, 1880, to October, 1880, 180,896,759
Total,
328,572,351
METERS.
During the year, three hundred and thirty-three (333) meters have been placed upon the works, and the total number in use at the present time is thirty-seven hundred and ninety-one, (3791) the sizes and kinds of which are given below :
SIZES.
KINDS.
§
1 in.
1} in. | 2 in. 3 in. 4 in. 6 in. 8 in.
Union, (Piston)
1493
297
57
S
19
1
. .
.
.
. .
Union, (Rotary)
1014
35
18
14
30
7
1
1
1
Desper, .
738
34
2
Gem, .
14
1
1
3
· .
Worthington,
2
.
.
.
.
The moderate price at which meters are now furnished induces nearly every applicant for water to order one attached to his fixtures. It was once thought that the adjustment of water bills by meter measurement would be less difficult than otherwise, but on the contrary it is attended with less satisfaction, for when any inquiry is broached as to where or how a certain quantity of water is used, the officials must admit ignorance, which inva- riably leads the inquirer to imagine that the meter is wrong, and that he is right.
Experience, however, is a good teacher, and after the pay- ment of one or more excessive bills caused by carelessness or defective fixtures, the water taker learns that the meter is his
184
CITY DOCUMENT. - NO. 35.
friend instead of his enemy. There is not a meter in the city which will register more water than it delivers, and many per- sons who have asserted the case to be otherwise, invariably ad- mit their error after an investigation. Meters like any other machines are subject to repairs, and often will cease registering, and at the same time deliver water to the owner free of charge. When this fact is obvious to the department, the meter is re- moved and repaired, sometimes to the apparent surprise of the possessor, whose love for the machine weakens as he liquidates a bill for the maintenance thereof. There is no question but that a meter is an advantage to the water taker as well as to the city, and I consider the payment of water bills by meter meas- urement to be the most equitable mode of assessment.
Respectfully submitted,
J. STEWART BROWN,
Registrar. Worcester, Dec. 16th, 1880.
-
WORCESTER SCHOOLS.
Extract from the Mayor's Inaugural Address.
SCHOOLS.
The value and the necessity of popular education being admitted by all, it is the duty of the City Council to appropriate whatever sum is necessary for the maintenance of the schools on a liberal and comprehensive basis. The rapid growth of the city brings a large yearly increase in the number of pupils attending school. On the first of October last there were actually in school some eight hundred more pupils than at the same date the year before. It should be expected that the cost of main- taining the schools up to the present standard will be correspond- ingly increased from year to year. The amount appropriated for school purposes last year was $146,000, the unexpended balance of which, amounting to $1,972.03, was turned over to the sinking funds. For the coming year the committee ask for $150,000 for school expenses. This request should be care- fully considered by you, and if that amount is found necessary it should be cheerfully furnished. Besides the expenditures for the schools it will be necessary to erect one or more school- houses during the present year. Already there is a demand from the neighborhood of the Adriatic Mills and also at New Worcester. School-houses should be built whenever and wher- ever they are needed. The necessity for them grows out of the very prosperity of the city, and they will yield a good return.
25
186
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
During the last year an enlargement of the Oxford street: school-house has been made at a cost of $16,122.33, including .. steam-heating apparatus, furniture, etc. The four new rooms; are equal to a new house, and the ward room finished off in the: basement of the old building is one of the most commodious in: the city. At Edgeworth street school-house a similar enlarge- ment of three rooms has been made at a cost of $5.535.02, including furniture. Both of these additions have been substan- tially built, without unnecessary ornamentation, but in good taste, and are thoroughly convenient.
After the necessary appropriations have been made for the schools your responsibility for them ceases. Their conduct and" internal management belong to the School Committee ; a body- which, like ours, is responsible to its constituents. As parents and citizens, however, we all have a deep interest therein, meas- ured only by the natural affection which we have for our children. It is quite likely that the best method to be adopted. in regulating the expenditure of the money appropriated for our schools has not yet been reached ; but this should be sought for with great earnestness until found. Instead of striving for the best method attainable it has sometimes seemed to me that. there was manifested in the school board a spirit of dictation .. and false economy which worked evil to our schools, and especially" to the High School. In order to insure the greatest efficiency in our High School, a steady policy, securing permanency in its. corps of teachers, is absolutely indispensable. Two principals, each excellent in his way, have been allowed to leave the school. within a short time, and no one since our elegant high school- house was built has been retained long enough to see a class. through to its graduation.
The school-board, in my judgment, is too large, and its selec- tion should be taken wholly out of politics. Let politics have" full play, if need be, in the choice of Mayors,-a matter which. is of far less consequence than the selection of those who are. to have charge of the education of ten thousand of our children yearly. I believe our citizens want our High School to be raised. to a higher standard, and to be made capable of fitting boys and
187
SCHOOLS. - SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
girls for the best colleges; and they are willing to pay a fair price for such a school. If it is necessary to divide it into two distinct and separate departments, the one classical and the other English, let this be done. The practical thing to do, however, is to make a radical change in the school-board, for, so long as it remains organized as it now is, it seems to me to be almost impossible for us to have or to maintain as good schools as we ought to have in this city. The public ought to be satisfied with nothing short of the very best, in all arrangements affect- ing the efficiency of our schools, and should see to it that none but the wisest measures are adopted in their behalf.
The expenditures for schools the past year have been as follows :
Cost of day schools,
$137,237.33
Cost of evening schools,
1,589.00
Cost of drawing schools,
895,57
Cost of instruction,
$139,721.90
Repairs of houses and furniture,
4,982.43
Rent of school-rooms and offices, . 1.229.16
Cost of permanent improvement of houses,
1,465.55
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER,
SEPTEMBER, 1880.
FRANK H. KELLEY, President.
ALBERT P. MARBLE, Sup't and Sec'y. 464 MAIN STREET.
Members whose term expires January, 1883.
REBECCA BARNARD,
SARAH B. EARLE,
JOHN J. CASEY,
THOMAS J. CONATY, OWEN H. CONLIN,
ASAPH R. MARSHALL, EMERSON WARNER,
GEORGE E. FRANCIS,
Members whose term expires January, 1882.
EDWARD H. HALL,
CHARLES M. LAMSON,
JAMES P. TUITE,
JOHN B. COSGROVE,
JOHN TIMON,
ALZIRUS BROWN, JOSEPH M. BASSETT, GEORGE SWAN,
Members whose term expires · January, 1881.
CALEB B. METCALF, ANNE B. ROGERS, TIMOTHY H. MURPHY, JEREMIAH MURPHY, RICHARD O'FLYNN, FRANCIS P. GOULDING, EDWIN T. MARBLE, RUFUS WOODWARD.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
ON SCHOOL HOUSES .- Messrs. Brown, J. Murphy, Timon, Marble and Francis. ON BOOKS AND APPARATUS .- Mr. Warner, Mrs. Earle, Messrs. O'Flynn, Tuite and Goulding.
ON TEACHERS .- Superintendent ex-oficio, and Messrs. Metcalf, Conaty, Hall, Woodward and Lamson.
ON FINANCE .- The Mayor ex-officio, Messrs. Swan, Bassett, Marshall, T. H. Mur- phy and Conlin.
ON APPOINTMENTS .- Superintendent ex-officio, Mrs. Rogers, Messrs. Cosgrove, Metcalf, Casey and Miss Barnard.
189
SCHOOLS. - SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
The Committee of Visitation shall exercise a general supervision over the schools to which they are severally assigned, and shall visit them according to the provisions of the statutes, not less than once in four weeks, and generally during the week preceding the monthly meeting of the Board at which they shall report their condition .- [Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. 6.
Though each school is assigned to a special committee, yet every member of the Board shall consider it his duty to watch over all the public schools of the city, to attend their examinations, and visit them at other times as his convenience will permit .- [Sec. 7.
VISITING COMMITTEES.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Committee.
Teachers.
GOULDING,
Samuel Thurber, Principal.
Metcalf,
Alfred S. Roe.
A. Carey Field,
Conaty,
William F. Abbot.
Lamson,
Edwin T. Painter.
Warner,
Mary A. Parkhurst.
Rachel L. Moore,
Hall,
Josephine L. Sanborn.
Arthur A. Brooks,
Mrs. Rogers,
Mary P. Jefts.
Tuite,
The ROMAN NUMERALS designate the ROOMS to which members of committees are specially assigned, and the GRADES according to the course of study.
BELMONT STREET.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Mrs. Earle,
Arthur G. Lewis, Principal,
IX
66
Emma C. McClellan, Asst.,
66
Mary H. Warren,
VIII
66
Sarah L. Phillips,
VII
Conlin,
Tirzah S. Nichols,
VI
66
Jennie L. Dearborn,
VI
66
Esther G. Chenery, .
IV
Bassett,
Mary T. Gale, .
III
Carrie P. Townsend,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.