USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1880 > Part 2
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The question of building lateral sewers on the Island, to con- nect with the large sewer now being constructed, will engage your attention during the coming year, and in some cases action should be taken. The further question of arching Mill Brook sewer, from the Boston and Albany railroad, south, to Cambridge street, will undoubtedly come before you for your consideration. 1 should deem it good policy to arch a small section of this sewer each year, and in this way the whole work could be done gradu- ally with but slight additional expense to the tax-payer each year. The work of sewering the Pine Meadow district can be deferred
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
for many years to come, owing to the work now being done in clearing out the ancient water course through it; this work hav- ing been undertaken by the Boston and Albany Railroad Co., the Washburn Iron Company and other parties who had allowed it to become so filled up as to obstruct the natural drainage of that section. This work is being done by order of the Board of Health, and wholly without expense to the city.
The next important project in this department will be the sew- erage of the Lincoln Brook district, so-called, which embraces quite a large portion of the western part of the city that now has no sewerage. Most of the estates in this section drain into Lincoln Brook, which is fast becoming a nuisance. A large amount of work has been done the past year in this department, and you will undoubtedly be asked to do much this year; but petitioners should remember that the larger part of the expense of building sewers must be paid for by themselves.
WATER.
The supply of water during the past year has been adequate to the demand, notwithstanding the severe drought which has prevailed. This gratifying result is due largely to the prevention of waste by metre measurement. During the past year 333 meters have been added to the works, making a total of 3,791 now in use. Their general adoption should be urged upon con- sumers, as it will undoubtedly prove mutually advantageous to the city and the water-takers.
While there seems to be no occasion for immediate alarm ås to the sufficiency of the present supply of water, it is obvious to every one who has given the subject any attention, that, as the city grows, we must have an additional water supply at no very distant day. The government of last year, being impressed with the importance of the subject, more particularly, perhaps, on account of the general drouth, and the uneasiness caused thereby, late in the fall turned its attention to the matter of a further supply, and commenced some investigations which have not as yet gone far enough to result in any information that
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CITY DOCUMENT .-- NO. 35.
would be of especial interest at the present time. I would rec- ommend, however, that you push these investigations early in the year, and endeavor to find some feasible plan for supplying the city with additional water, so as to be well prepared, when the time comes for action, to act promptly and wisely.
The sum appropriated last year for aqueduct construction was $27,000, and the revenue for materials sold, and for labor, $12,- 671.56, making a total of $39,671.56. This sum was all ex- pended upon the work, except a balance left over of $46.21. The larger part of it was spent in extending street mains as follows :-
A 12-inch iron pipe from Cambridge street to the Quinsiga- mond Iron Works, and from thence a 6-inch iron pipe through the village to Greenwood street, at a cost of $13,677.33; in Shrewsbury street 1045 feet of cement pipe, costing $4,244.63 ; in Lincoln street 1812 feet of 8-inch iron pipe, at a cost of $2,826.45 ; in Cushing and Paine streets 680 feet of 6-inch iron pipe, cost- ing $960.66; on Messinger Hill 1079 feet of G-inch and 435 feet of 4 inch iron pipe, at a cost of $1,510.12; in Southgate street 614 feet of 6-inch iron pipe, costing $683.60; and in Seymour street 426 feet of 4-inch iron pipe, costing $475.66; making a total of $24,378.45. The benefits resulting to many of our citizens from this outlay will be great, and a fair revenue will come to the city from the additional water rates. Indeed no expenditure or investment of this kind fails to yield a reasona- ble return. The balance of the above named sum was judi- ciously expended in relaying street mains and putting in service pipe, hydrants, gates, stop boxes, etc. The aqueduct is in good condition, and the water is of excellent quality. The revenue from water rates, and metered water last year, was $84,326.10; an increase of $7,323.59 over the previous. The number of gallons of metered water sold was 328,572,351, the amount charged therefor being $66,122.56. The amount assessed for annual rates was $18,203.54. For more detailed information I refer you to the annual reports of the officers of this depart- ment, who have acquired such experience and skill in its man- agement as to make their services invaluable to the city. The
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
quantity of water in the reservoirs January 1st was estimated to be 171,348,608 gallons, or about 30 days' supply.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department has proved itself equal to every emer- gency which has arisen during the past year, and has maintained its previous high reputation. It is now thoroughly equipped with every modern convenience. In past years it has received the most generous support from the City Council; and that support should be continued during the year to come. I think, however, that the expenses of this department need not be increased, and that it may be possible to diminish them some- what without detriment to its efficiency. The new ordinances provide for some changes in the method of its organization, and in its general management, which it is believed will prove advantageous to all concerned.
The number of fire alarms, of all kinds, during the year, was 103 ; bell alarms, 29; still alarms, 53; telephone alarms, 21. There have been four fires only, during the past year, where the respective losses were over $1,000 each. The estimated total loss by fire during that time was $35,831, and the amount of insurance was $456,854 .. There are sixteen horses and twelve permanent men connected with the department, who are kept constantly on duty, so as to be able to instantly respond to alarms. I know of no reason why some of these men and horses could not be detailed, if the necessary water carts were furnished, to do duty in sprinkling some of the principal streets and squares during the dusty season, and I would therefore recom- mend that they be so employed.
The appropriation for the fire department last year was $40,- 000, the revenue $1,422.29, and the amount expended $38,- 893.95, leaving a balance of $2.528.34 for the sinking funds.
POLICE.
The regular police force last year consisted of a chief mar- shal, two assistant marshals, one captain of the night police and
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
56 patrolmen. A special officer was appointed for duty at the lake during the summer months, and extra police have been em- ployed as needed on special occasions during the year, and paid for out of the appropriation for this department. Numerous. special officers have been appointed to do duty at times 'in par- ticulai localities, under the general supervision of the marshal, and have served without pay.
The city has been singularly fortunate the past year in its. freedom from large fires, burglaries, robberies, etc. Notwith- standing the unusual influx of people into the city on occasion of the New England fair and other large gatherings, no outbreak or serious disturbance has occurred, and our citizens generally have had reason to feel great security in their persons, property, and homes. The conduct of the members of the force has been generally commendable. They have been impressed with the necessity of discipline and obedience to orders, in order to pro- mote efficiency and harmony, and also with the certainty that the tenure of their office would depend wholly upon the faithful performance of duty, and loyalty to the department, and not at all upon political service. One member only was discharged for cause, during the year, and three resigned, one of whom was. reappointed ; and there was one death, that of Mr. Jaalam Gates, an old and highly esteemed officer. Experience confirms me in the opinion, expressed a year ago, that appointments in this department should be made by a commission and continue during good behavior. I shall recommend, therefore, only such changes in the force as seem necessary in carrying out the prin- ciples above indicated.
The accommodation for this department of the city's service, , in the basement of the city hall, have, for a long time, been cramped, inconvenient, and unhealthy, and in every way unsuita- ble for the efficient transaction of its business. I would, therefore, recommend that you consider the expediency of providing other- quarters for the police department during the present year .. What is needed is a central building sufficiently large to accom- modate the larger half of the force, and also the police court; and two out-stations, cach large enough to accommodate 10 to
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
12 officers, with the necessary lock-ups,-one to be situated at the north end of the city and the other at the south end,-and each to be in charge of a sergeant of police.
LIGHTING STREETS.
The expenditures of this department last year were $28,- 786.91. There have been 58 gasoline and 4 gas lights added to the system during the year, making a total of 814 gasoline and 694 gas lamps now in use. The property owned by this department is valued at $781.24.
A new contract has recently been made with the gas company which will prove advantageous both to the city and the citizens ; that company having volunteered to make a large reduction in the price of gas, in the expectation that a larger amount will be called for. I am glad to see that already many of our mer- chants and manufacturers are exchanging the poorer and more dangerous lights for gas. Many complaints have been made by our citizens on account of the early hour at which the street lights are extinguished, leaving the streets dark and dangerous for travel. I would recommend that the streets be hereafter lighted from dark to daylight, both as a safeguard against acci- dents, and in the interest of a more perfect police protection. With the present facilities of the gas company twice as much gas as is now used can be furnished for a comparatively small additional expense; and therefore the way to have cheap gas is to use more of it. It is a convenience and a luxury which should be within the reach of all. It makes our city appear more attractive, and it lightens and cheers the hearts of our peo- ple during the sombre hours of night.
PUBLIC GROUNDS AND SHADE TREES.
The commissioners of public grounds and shade trees have, for a number of years past, received substantial encouragement from the City Council. The money expended in making the parks attractive, and in planting shade trees upon the avenues
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
and public streets, is a wise and judicious investment. Nothing adds so much to the pleasure of the people as these open grounds, and the beautiful shade trees, with which our city abounds. In this connection I cannot but commend the unself- ish and painstaking labor of the chairman of the commission, who, for years past, has devoted a large part of his time to the interests of this department, with no hope of reward, save that which comes to a public spirited man in doing his best to con- tribute to the happiness and pleasure of others. Such a course contrasts favorably with that of a man who only seeks to hoard up his money and to gratify his own selfish desires, continuing, from year to year, to complain because money is wasted in fool- ish ornamentation, and because his taxes are thereby made higher than he can bear.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
The city solicitor informs me that there are still pending in the supreme judicial court several suits against the city for claims growing out of the Lynde Brook reservoir disaster; also the petition of Rice, Barton & Fales Machine Co., for a writ of mandamus, requiring the city to re-construct the railroad tracks in the Foster street extension ; and, in the supreme court, twenty- two suits against the city for claims growing out of the construc- tion of Foster street and Quinsigamond avenue, and for alleged damage for personal injury on account of a defective highway.
THE NEW ORDINANCES.
You will find upon your desk, this morning, handsomely bound copies of the new ordinances, which have been undergo- ing revision for the past two years. The committee having this matter in charge, has labored long and faithfully to accomplish this difficult task, and has been often heard to exclaim : "Oh! that mine enemy had a book to write." The city solicitor and the city clerk are entitled to great credit for much labor and valuable assistance in their preparation.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
BOARD. OF HEALTH.
The Board of Health has received substantial support and encouragement from the City Council during the past year. The city auditor was appointed to the board early in the year, and consented to serve, refusing extra compensation therefor. The board is now well organized, and is provided with an office, books of entry and record, and all the appurtenances neces- sary to carry on its work systematically and in an efficient manner. It has proceeded in its work with such caution and discretion, and has accomplished so much good, as to already commend itself to public favor. Their report shows that 550 complaints for various causes have been received by them dur- ing the year, and that they have required the owners or occu- pants of 25 estates to connect them with the public sewers.
The appropriation for this department last year was $2,000, and a further sum of $800 was transferred from liquor licenses.
The expenses were as follows :
Balance of Mr. Bigelow's salary for 1879, $ 25.00
Salary of Mr. Harrington for nearly two years, 780.54
Horse hire allowed Mr. Harrington for same time, 402.50
Expenses incurred on account of small-pox epidemic,
for nurses, burials, vaccination, etc., . 999.98
Advertising, printing, etc., 62.28
Balance to sinking fund,
529.70
Total, .
. $2,800.00
A portion of the expense incurred on the small-pox account will be recovered from towns liable therefor.
THE PUBLIC CHARITIES.
An addition was made to the alms-house, last year, of a brick building, 61 feet long, 31 feet wide, and three stories high, the same being located in the rear, and at a right angle with the main central building adjoining the same. It was constructed in a
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
plain but substantial manner, and in a style corresponding with that of the main building. As completed, it contains 18 rooms. for the occupation of the inmates, two dining rooms, with bath rooms and other conveniences, and also a much needed extension of the kitchen and laundry, together with a cellar under the whole structure. It cost $8,200, exclusive of heating facilities. The board of overseers recommend that the whole establishment be heated by steam, and will call your attention to this matter in their annual report.
The receipts and expenditures of the several divisions of this department, last year, were as follows :
City Relief.
Appropriation,
$13,000.00
Amount collected from cities, towns, and
individuals, and from Commonwealth, 4,626,44
Total,
$17,626,44
Expended,
17,111.84
Unexpended balance, $514.60
Farm,
Appropriation,
$9,000.00
Amount transferred from interest account,
634.68
Amount charged for board of men and
horses of scavenger department, and on truant school account, etc., . .
3,883.38
Total, .
$13,518.06 .
Expended,
Groceries and provisions,
$3,451.45
Grass seed, grain and feed,
813.36
Fuel,
540.53
Salaries,
1,100.00
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Extra labor,
1,848.89
Miscellaneous repairs,
1,751.92
Furniture, bedding, etc. 1,232.44
Horses,
486.50
Boots, shoes, clothing, etc.,
323.48
Sundries,
1,969.49
Total,
$13,518.06
Truant School.
Appropriation,
$1,500.00
Amount transferred from interest account, 35.90
Total, .
$1,535.90
Expended.
Salary of teacher, ·
$264.00
Board of teacher and scholars,
1,195.14
Clothing and sundries,
76.76
Total, .
$1,535.90
House Offal.
Appropriation,
$1,500.00
Amount transferred from interest account, 181.97
Proceeds of sales of pork, swine, manure, etc.,
2,452.07
Total, .
$4,134.04
Expended.
For collecting house offal, .
$1,298.07
Board of men and horses,
2,022.00
Repair of building,
253.32
Hay, grain and straw,
160.10
Blacksmithing,
138.49
Sundries,
262.06
Total, .
$4,134.04
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CITY DOCUMENT .-- NO. 35.
It will be seen by the above statement that the net expenses of this department last year were $25,337.95, and that the farming department is not especially profitable. Some portions of the outlying sprout and pasture land belonging to the farm have been sold off during the year. I would suggest the propriety of selling off all of the farm land that cannot be cultivated to advantage.
The largest number of inmates in the alms-house at any one- time during the year was sixty-eight, and the smallest was fifty- seven, the average being sixty-three. The number of insane persons belonging to the city, and provided for during the year at the several insane hospitals, was forty-one, the cost of their support being $6,677.87. I doubt the expediency of removing these persons, or at all events any considerable number of them, to the alms-house. They can be taken better care of where they now are, and probably at not much greater expense. The: policy of building up a mammoth alms-house, furnished with attractive conveniences, and intended to accommodate all kinds. of paupers, in anticipation of its being filled up, is liable to work evil to society.
There is no truth better established than this, that to relieve poverty tends to increase it, by encouraging improvidence ; and it is also true that pauperism, like disease, is, in many instances, both contagious and hereditary. The problem as to what is the best method of bestowing both public and private charity, is one which remains to be solved, and certainly is one that is wor- thy of the careful study of every philanthropist and public spirited citizen. Aside from this, however, the fact remains that the natural feelings of sympathy will always prevail, to a greater or less extent, and will, in some cases, operate with such force as to inflict evil on the general interests of society. To draw the linc, and to determine what is real charity in all cases presented for official consideration, is a difficult and delicate duty. I bear cheerful testimony to the faithful services rendered by our board of overseers of the poor, and its experienced and efficient clerk, in that behalf.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
CITY HOSPITAL.
The trustees of the city hospital, in their tenth annual report, state that the number of patients cared for, during the past year, and the general work of this institution, have been quite up to the average of previous years, and that as much has been done as could readily be attended to in its present quarters. This important charity was founded by the city, nearly ten years ago, under authority of the legislature, to care for only a certain class of cases, and it has been supported mainly by its bounty up to the present time. Its facilities have always been temporary, and its history largely experimental. Its usefulness and its necessity having become well established, it has already attracted the at- tention of quite a number of our benevolent and public spirited citizens, who have, from time to time, come to its aid in the most substantial manner. It should be borne in mind that this insti- tution is in no sense designed as a home for the hopeless pauper, or for the victim of vice and intemperance, but rather a place where the sick, and those disabled by accident, can temporarily resort for care and treatment. While its benefits are intended to be free to those persons of industrious habits, who require. that care and attention for which they are unable to pay, yet, when those aided are able to pay, there is no reason why a just. and proper amount should not be charged them, thus contribu- ting toward its expenses. Many prefer to do this so as to avoid the feeling that they are objects of charity. This sentiment of independence is strong among that class which the hospital is designed to benefit, and it is one which, as one of the great barriers .. to pauperism, cannot be too highly commended and encouraged ..
The city council of last year, early in the year, decided, with great unanimity, to erect permanent hospital buildings, upon the site on Prince street, donated by the late George Jaques, for the purpose, and to carry out the other obligations contained in his deed of gift. The matter of procuring plans and estimates was put into the hands of the committee on public buildings, and, about the first of April, after ample time and opportunity for criticism had been given to the physicians and the public,
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CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
plans were adopted by the city government and by the trustees of the hospital. The estimated expense of erecting the build- ings, in accordance with these plans, was $45,000, and that sum was appropriated for the purpose. The work was immediately commenced under the direction of the same committee, and has advanced rapidly.
The central, or administration building, and two wards, are now enclosed, and will be ready for occupancy, probably by the first of July, and, when completed, will accommodate about fifty patients. In excavating for the foundation very little rock was found, and the soil proved gravelly and of an absorbent nature. The facilities for drainage will be excellent. The site is elevated, and commands one of the finest views in the city. The new street, to be constructed, fifty feet wide, through the Jaques homestead, will make an easy and direct route to the hospital from the central parts of the city. There was a general feeling of relief on the part of many of our citizens when the vexed question of the location of the hospital was finally settled, and some, who had doubts as to the expediency of building on this lot, are now happily disappointed, and begin to realize the wisdom of the choice.
Our citizens are to be congratulated upon the prospect of hav- ing this benevolent and useful institution permanently located, and supplied with modern facilities for carrying on its work, and, also, for already having a substantial financial foundation for its support. It is to be hoped that the time is not far distant when the tax payers will be relieved from further expenditures on its account, by the generous contributions of our citizens.
The late Joseph A. Tenney, among many other acts of benev- olence, bequeathed to the hospital the sum of $5,000, which I am informed by his executors will probably be paid over to the commissioners sometime during the present year.
Memorial tablets of marble should be placed in the hall of the new central building, whereon should be inscribed the names of those who have contributed, and who may hereafter contribute to the support of this noble charity, to the end that they may be embalmed in the memory of men long after their bodies shall
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
have mingled with their mother earth, and also as a reminder that they were men fit to enjoy the higher life, prepared for them by the same wise Creator, who metes to us all, only what we deserve, both here and hereafter.
The report of the trustees contains detailed statements of the 'doings of the hospital, during the past year, and much other valuable information to which I would call your attention.
I think I may be allowed to say that the commission, having in charge the Jaques funds and other funds belonging to the city hospital, have been faithful and unwearied in the perform- ance of their duty. When the large landed property, left by Mr. Jaques, came into the hands of the commissioners, it was yielding but a small amount of income, yearly. It required good judgment and experience in real estate values to dispose of it at the right times, and to the best advantage, and to so invest the proceeds thereof that a larger income might be available for the support of the hospital, in accordance with the design of its benefactor. Quite large sales of this real estate have been made, during the past three years, and, in consequence thereof, the fund has been increased more than thirty-five thousand dol- lars during that time. The credit of a very large share of this success is due to my excellent associates upon the commission. They could hardly have manifested more interest in this important trust, or managed it more efficiently, if the property had been their own. It is the policy of the commission to dispose of the balance of this great estate, -the most valuable part of which remains yet unsold,-as soon as the lots are in good demand ; and, when sold, to carefully invest the proceeds thereof, so as to add largely to the current income, to the end that the hospital may be immediately benefitted thereby.
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