USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1882 > Part 20
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Whenever any member of the force finds himself too ill to do duty, he must at once notify the foreman in charge of that company of the fact, and the foreman will employ one of the regular substitutes of the company, or if he cannot be had, some other suitable person to act, and report the fact to the Board of Engineers.
Each member of the permanent force will be entitled to seven days vaca- tion annually without loss of pay, this time to include one of the "days off" of the member; the arrangement of the time for the several members will be made by the Board of Engineers.
Officers and members of the permanent force, while on leave, will be held accountable for their conduct, whether in uniform or not, and if in uniform, strictly so.
HOSE.
All the hose in the department shall be numbered, and a record kept in each company of the amount on hand, showing the number, kind and length of each piece, and all communications concerning the same must be made by number, and any transfer from one company to another (temporarily or otherwise), the acquisition by purchase or issue, the loss by fire, by being turned over, or by any other cause, must be at once reported to headquarters by special report, by the member in charge.
On the first of December, annually, each company shall forward to head- quarters a statement of the hose on hand, giving each piece, number, kind and length.
Whenever a piece of hose is burst, or injured, report must be made at once as per form issued for that purpose.
Particular attention is called to the proper care of the hose, which must be done subject to the direction of the chief or assistant engineer.
305
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SUBSTITUTES.
Upon the appointment of a substitute he shall obligate himself to abide by, and to conform to, all the rules and regulations during his active service which govern the force, and be subject to all the penalties therein, and per- form such duties as may be prescribed by the officers in command.
DUTIES OF DETAILED MEMBERS.
All work necessary in the department, or on the property in use in the department, will be done by the permanent members as far as practicable, and details will be made from one company to another for that purpose.
UNIFORM.
All members of the permanent force shall wear the uniform prescribed in orders always when on duty; and at other times when the nature of their work will permit.
All linemen, repairers or employés of the fire alarm branch of the depart- ment shall wear when on duty, such badge or distinguishing mark as may be designated by the Board of Engineers.
All uniforms and parts of uniforms shall conform strictly to the prescribed orders, and receive an inspection before being worn; and no insignia of office, except the one prescribed, will be worn on any part of the uniform.
The assistant engineers will inspect from time to time the uniform of the men in their respective districts, and report to the board of engineers mem- bers who continue to wear shabby uniforms or are slovenly dressed.
UNIFORM OF THE PERMANENT MEMBERS
OF THE
WORCESTER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 1. The uniform of the permanent members of the fire department shall consist of overcoat, coat, vest, pantaloons, shirt, fatigue cap, and badge, made in accordance with the following named material and pattern :
OVERCOAT.
SEC. 2. For the Chief Engineer, a double-breasted frock coat, with rolling collar, made of dark blue Middlesex cloth, pure indigo dye; in length to reach two inches below the knee; cut to button close to the neck, with five regulation buttons of white metal on each breast, three on each skirt behind, and three of small size on each sleeve at the cuff. One large outside pocket on each skirt, and a small one on the left breast to be covered with lappels- inside pockets optional. Skirts and back to be lined with blue flannel, the sleeves to be lined with linen. For all others, same as Chief Engineer, except that there will be but two buttons on each skirt behind and two on each sleeve at the cuff.
UNDER COAT.
SEC .. 3. For Chief Engineer, a double-breasted close-fitting sack coat of dark blue Middlesex cloth, pure indigo dye, cut to button close to the neck, with rolling collar; to have five department buttons of white metal on each breast and three on each sleeve at the cuff; pockets optional. The length of the coat to be to the ends of the fingers when standing erect. Coat to be lined with black lasting, and sleeves to be lined with linen. For all others, the same as for chief Engineer, except that there shall be but two buttons on sleeve at cuff.
FOR SUMMER WEAR.
Officers and men will be permitted to wear in summer a coat cut in the same style as the above, except that it be single-breasted, made of dark blue flannel, pure indigo dye, without lining.
307
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
VEST.
SEC. 4. For Chief Engineer, a single-breasted vest made of same cloth as under-coat, without collar; to have six small department buttons of white metal. For all others, same as the Chief.
PANTALOONS.
SEC. 5. For Chief Engineer and all others, made of the same material as under-coat and vest, the outside seams to be a welt seam; to fit close around the waist, but loose around the thighs and legs, to admit of their free use.
SHIRTS AND CRAVATS.
SEC. 6. For Chief and Assistant Engineers, white linen, muslin or of blue flannel, double-breasted, with narrow rolling or standing collars.
For other members of the department, a double-breasted shirt, made of dark blue flannel, with white pearl buttons, and rolling collar of same material as shirt. A black silk cravat to pass once around the neck and tie with a double bow and flat knot in front, the ends to extend not more than three inches from the knot. Except in the months of June, July, August and Sep- tember they will wear a white shirt.
FATIGUE HAT AND CAP.
SEC. 7. For Chief Engineer, black, soft hat, similar to what is known as a Grant Hat. It shall have a black and gold cord with gold acorns and wreath indicating position.
For Assistant Engineers same as that of Chief Engineer except that the acorns upon the cord are black.
All others to be a cap made of dark blue cloth same as uniform coat, of the United States Navy pattern, with a plain solid black patent leather vizor two inches wide with rounded corners; top seven inches wide and seven and one- half to eight inches long; band one and one-half inches wide; quarters one and three-quarters inches high; lining of red leather, to be sewed into the seam of top and quarters, a narrow welt around the bottom of band and also around the top seam of cap; inner band to be of strong, serviceable leather; chin strap of black patent leather, one-half inch wide; one small regulation button on each side of cap; with wreath indicating the position in the depart- ment and the number of company to which the wearer belongs. Said uniform to be worn at all times except when absent from duty or cleaning up. Cap to be enveloped in bad weather only.
SEC. 8. The purchase of the regulation uniform by the assistant engineers and members of the department, not doing permanent duty, shall be optional, but its general adoption by every member of the department, so far as is practicable, is requested.
RULES AT FIRES.
RULE 1. The Chief Engineer shall have supreme command at fires.
RULE 2. In the absence of the chief, the assistant engineer next in rank shall take command, but when the chief is present the senior assistant engi- neer shall exercise no authority over the other members of the board.
RULE 3. The officer in command only shall relieve companies. Engineers having them in charge shall direct their foremen to report to the officer in command when their services are no longer required.
RULE 4. No engineer shall interfere with, or attempt to give orders relative to, the location or use of a line of hose when he has ascertained that another has command of it, unless by consent of the engineer in charge of it, or by orders of the officer in command at the fire, and it shall be his duty to inquire whether there is an engineer in charge.
RULE 5. In the absence of the chief and assistant engineer, the foreman or assistant foreman first on the ground shall command until the arrival of a superior officer.
RULE 6. On second alarms commanders of hose companies shall not lay their line until they report to an engineer, unless it appears certain that their services will be needed; they will order connection made with the nearest hydrant before reporting.
RULE 7. Commanders of hook and ladder companies shall not permit their carriages to come within one hundred feet of the fire before reporting to the officer in charge.
RULE 8. All call members or substitutes sleeping in the department houses shall aid and assist the driver in his work at alarms of fire.
RULE 9. In responding to alarms of fire no person other than members of the fire or protective department will be permitted to ride on any of the fire apparatus, and on rising ground or bad going they shall dismount and assist in forwarding the same.
RULE 10. The number allowed to ride, in addition to the driver, shall not exceed three in the tender and four on the hose carriage; on the ladder car- riages not exceeding six ; on the chemical engine three with the driver.
309
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
RULE 11. Riding on the apparatus when returning from an alarm of fire is prohibited except that the engineman, or his assistant, may, if necessary, remain in the tender to do such work as may be required to be done; also members of the department who may have been disabled while on duty. Members will form in a single or double file, either on the sidewalk or street, and walk abreast of their apparatus in returning from a fire.
RULE 12. Members in charge of engines at fires will never allow the water pressure to exceed eighty pounds unless specially ordered to do so by the chief or any assistant engineer.
RULE 13. While on duty at fires the greatest degree of silence compatible with the efficient discharge of duty will be required, and noisy conversation or boisterous conduct will be considered a breach of the rule.
RULE 14. Special report must be made to the board, by the foreman, of the absence of any member under his charge, from alarms of fire, giving the date and cause of such absence. This report will be made monthly.
RULE 15. Whenever at a fire the services of members are not actually required, they shall remain at or near their apparatus unless otherwise ordered, and they will bear in mind that in service they are working for a common cause, and that wherever useful, under command of an engineer, there is their place of duty.
It is expected that they will be courageous without recklessness, and strictly obey all orders of superiors; and cowardice, shirking of duty, or dis- obedience of orders at fires will be looked upon as grave offences, and will be followed by immediate suspension or dismissal from service.
Any of the foregoing rules may be repealed, altered or amended by vote of a majority of the board of engineers, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Aldermen. Notice of the same having been given in writing of such intention at a previous meeting.
Adopted by the Board.
WILLIAM BROPHY, Clerk.
ENGINEER'S OFFICE, Feb. 26, 1882.
WORCESTER FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
ESTABLISHED 1871.
NUMBER AND LOCATION OF BOXES.
No. 4. CITY HALL. Key-Police Office.
No. 5. TRUMBULL SQUARE. Keys-Drug store, 50 Trumbull street; Kendrick's stable, Trumbull street; 121 Park street.
No. 6. COR. LAUREL AND EDWARD STREETS. Keys-41 Edward street; corner Laurel and Edward streets; J. L. Baker's stable.
No. 7. HOSE SEVEN'S HOUSE, LAMARTINE STREET. Keys-Hose house and 42 Lamartine street.
No. S. COR CHATHAM AND IRVING STREETS. Keys-37 Irving street, and 40 and 53 Chatham street.
No. 9. SCOTT'S BLOCK, FRANKLIN SQUARE.
No. 12. COR. MAIN AND CHANDLER STREETS. Keys-Continental Hotel; 633 Main street ; 34 Chandler street.
No. 13. WEBSTER SQUARE, STOCKWELL & BARROWS' STORE. Keys-Stockwell & Barrows' store; A. G. Coes' counting room; Loring Coe's' counting room; 10 Webster street; 1059 Main street.
No. 14. STEAMER THREE'S HOUSE, SCHOOL STREET. Keys-Steamer house, and 17 and 73 School street.
No. 15. WASHBURN & MOEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY'S YARD. Key- Company's office.
No. 16. COR. SOUTHBRIDGE AND SARGENT STREETS. Keys-Sargent's counting room; Junction shop engine room; railroad depot.
No. 17. COR. MAIN AND FOSTER STREETS. Keys-359 Main street; Lincoln House ; Waldo House.
No. 18. COR. LINCOLN AND CATHARINE STREETS. Keys-108, 109 and 118 Lin- coln street.
No. 19. COR. NORTH AND GROVE STREETS. Keys-157 and 187 Grove street; 1 North street; 188 Prescott street.
No. 21. COR. MAY AND MAIN STREETS. Keys-842 Main street; 9 May street ; 7 Hammond street.
No. 23. UNION STREET, RICE, BARTON & FALES' FOUNDRY. Keys-Rice, Barton & Fales' office : Chas. Baker & Co.'s office; Headquarters Bigelow court.
No. 24. SOUTHBRIDGE STREET, CHANDLER & CARR'S STORE. Keys-Chandler & Carr's store ; Adriatic mill; Drug store ; 468 Southbridge street.
No. 25. SALISBURY STREET, NEAR GROVE. Keys-Witherby, Rugg & Richard- son's counting room, and 21, 26 and 56 Salisbury street.
311
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
No. 26. COR. PORTLAND AND MADISON STREETS. Keys-96 Portland street and 104 Southbridge street.
No. 27. COR. PLEASANT AND WEST STREETS. Keys-4 West street and 143 Pleasant street.
No. 28. COR. MILLBURY AND WORTH STREETS. Keys-62, 63, 64 and 109 Mill- bury street.
No. 31. COR. MAIN AND RICHARDS STREETS. Keys-7 Beaver street and 978 Main street.
No. 32. COR. EXCHANGE AND UNION STREETS. Keys-D. W. Pond's shop; Merrifield's engine room; 78 Exchange street.
No. 34. GREEN STREET, FOX'S MILL. Keys-Counting room; Crompton Loom Works; 6 Vernon street; 27 Millbury street.
No. 35. COR. WINTHROP AND VERNON STREETS. Keys-49, 63 and 65 Vernon street.
No. 36. COR. FRONT AND SPRING STREETS. Keys-134 Front street; 9 Trum- bull street; Waverly House.
No. 37. COR. HIGHLAND AND NORTH ASHLAND STREETS. Keys-55 Highland street and 64 North Ashland street.
No. 38. SALISBURY STREET, NEAR MILITARY ACADEMY. Keys-C. B. Metcalf's ; Dr. Merrick Bemis'; John B. Pratt's; Chas. Baker's.
No. 41. COR. THOMAS AND SUMMER STREETS. Keys-Drug store, 93 Summer street ; 1 Prospect street; 92 and 117 Thomas street.
No. 42. COR. SOUTHBRIDGE AND CAMBRIDGE STREETS. Keys-Crompton carpet mill, and 502 and 513 Southbridge street.
No. 43. QUINSIGAMOND WIRE MILL. Keys-Wire mill and Benjamin Booth's house.
No. 45. COR. SHREWSBURY AND PINE STREETS. Keys-102, 114 and 199 Shrewsbury street.
No. 46. HOSE TWO'S HOUSE, GRAFTON STREET. Keys-Hose house; T. K. Earle's counting room; Washburn's foundry, Grafton street; J. H. & G. M. Walker's office.
No. 47. COR. BELMONT STREET AND OAK AVENUE. Keys-60 Belmont street ; 18 Oak avenue; 30 Liberty street.
No. 48. COR. SOUTHGATE AND CAMP STREETS. Keys-72, 87 and 89 Southgate street.
No. 51. LINCOLN SQUARE. Keys-11 Main street; 16 Lincoln square; Exchange Hotel.
No. 52. PRESCOTT STREET, A. P. RICHARDSON'S SHOP. Keys-Counting room ; Ames Plow Co.'s office ; 16 Prescott street.
No. 53. COR. PROVIDENCE AND HARRISON STREETS. Keys-56, 57 and 76 Providence street, and Worcester Academy.
No. 54. COR. AUSTIN AND NEWBURY STREETS. Keys-Grocery store, corner Austin and Newbury streets; 112 and 113 Austin street.
No. 56. COR. WILLIAM AND CHESTNUT STREETS. Keys-33 Chestnut street; 1 Harvard street; Extinguisher house, John street.
No. 57. HERMON STREET, TAYLOR & FARLEY'S FACTORY. Keys-Counting room; J. S. Wheeler & Co.'s; drug store, 725 Main street.
312
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 37.
No. 58. COR. WOODLAND AND KING STREETS. Keys-1 Woodland street; 35 King street ; boot shop, 60 King street.
No. 61. GARDNER STREET, FOREHAND & WADSWORTH'S SHOP. Keys-Fore- hand & Wadsworth's office; store, Canterbury street; 4 Hollis street; 29 Wyman street; 71 Southgate street.
No. 62. ORANGE STREET, OPP. PLYMOUTH. Keys-Corner Orange and Plymouth streets ; 74 Orange street ; 41 Plymouth street.
No. 63. WASHINGTON SQUARE. Keys-Union station; 295 Front street; Arcade foundry.
No. 64. COR. GRAFTON AND BARCLAY STREETS. Keys-143 and 153 Grafton street; Stowe & Co.'s boot shop.
No. 65. ELM STREET, OPPOSITE LINDEN. Keys-22 and 46 Elm street.
No. 67. HOSE SIX'S HOUSE, PLEASANT STREET. Keys-Hose house; 240 Pleasant street ; 4 Winslow street.
No. 68. COR. BLOOMINGDALE ROAD AND NORFOLK STREET. Keys-Graton & Knight's tannery, and B. & A. engine house and freight house.
No. 71. COR. MAIN AND CENTRAL STREETS. Keys-Harrington Bro.'s stable, and W. S. Green's stable, Central street; 249 and 265 Main street; Bay State House.
No. 73. COR. WACHUSETT AND DIX STREETS.
No. 75. COR. MAY AND WOODLAND STREETS. Keys-30, 32 and 37 May street ; 81 Woodland street.
No. 76. COR. WILLIAM AND WEST STREETS. Keys-30 West street and 48 William street.
No. 81. CITY FARM. Key-Police office.
No. 82. COR. CAMBRIDGE AND PITT STREETS. .
No. 81. COR. WEST BOYLSTON AND MILLBROOK STREETS.
INSTRUCTIONS TO KEY-HOLDERS.
1. Alarms should be given from the box nearest the location of the fire.
2. Upon the discovery or positive information of a fire, you will unlock the box, pull down the slide or hook once only and let go. This will give the desired alarm all over the city, repeating itself four times. After giving an alarm, always remain by the box until the arrival of the Department, so as to direct them as to the location of the fire.
3. Each box contains a small bell, which, if heard before you pull the hook indicates that the alarm has been previously given from another box; in such cases do not pull the hook until you are sure the alarm has been completed.
4. NEVER SIGNAL FOR A FIRE SEEN AT A DISTANCE; never touch the hook except to give an alarm of fire. Give an alarm for no cause other than actual fire.
5. Alarm bells are located :- First Unitarian Church, Court Hill; First Baptist Church, Salem Square; Bell Tower, corner Pleasant and Oxford streets; Steamer Two's House, Beacon street; Hose Two's House, corner Grafton and Providence streets; Pleasant Street Engine House; School-house, Webster Square. Also Steam Gong at Grove street Wire Mill.
6. Never let the key go out of your possession unless called for by the Superin- tendent of Fire alarm telegraph. If you change your residence or place of business where the key is kept, return it to him at
HEADQUARTERS, NO. 10 BIGELOW COURT.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON WATER.
To the Council of the City of Worcester : -
In conformity with an ordinance of the city, the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Water submit their report with those of the Water Commissioner, Water Registrar and City Engineer, for the year ending November 30th, 1882.
WATER SUPPLY.
The supply of water the past year was hardly adequate to the demand, but of good quality. The quantity stored in Lynde Brook Reservoir on the thirteenth day of November was twenty- six million gallons less than at a corresponding date last year. The question of an additional supply of water has occupied much of the attention of the committee, and their report, with recommendations, which was presented to the City Council, and accepted November 13th, 1882, was made after careful con- sideration, and to which nothing of an important nature can be added. We refer to the report of the City Engineer to this committee on the matter of surveys and estimates of cost of necessary dams, laying pipes, etc.
The continuous dry weather of last season, accompanied with excessive use of water, reduced the supply stored in the reser- voir to such an extent that the committee publicly requested the citizens to dispense with the use of hose upon their grounds, which request was cheerfully complied with.
THE DEPARTMENT.
A great amount of work has been done by the department during the last year, including important operations, such as
316
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 37.
cleaning the shores of the basin of Bell Pond Reservoir, the extension of main pipes to Northville, the laying of high service pipes through Front and Main streets to Park, the high service carried to the Lunatic Hospital, a new main in Lovell street, and the relaying of main pipe and making new connections in Sum- mer street.
Breaks have not been so frequent, there being thirty-three less than the previous year, which is a cause for congratulation. The most serious damage occurred from the breaking of the high service on Cambridge street, where the pipe was for some dis- tance on a temporary structure during the change of street grade by the highway department.
RESERVOIRS.
The reservoirs have been visited by the committee during the year, and the condition of Lynde Brook Reservoir and surround- ings has been materially improved. Five thousand dollars was expended in removing vegetable matter from the basin of Bell Pond, and favorable results gained thereby, but to effectually render this reservoir free from the accumulation of years would involve a large outlay. The property, consisting of two houses and land adjacent to the basin, has been purchased by the city. The houses will be removed before April, 1883, the land cleared, and the water-shed improved, insuring a better quality of water.
For details of the working of construction and maintenance branches of this department, we refer to the accompanying reports of the Water Commissioner and Water Registrar.
In closing this brief report, the committee are unanimous in the recommendation that the City Council, at the earliest meet- ing possible, take action in the matter of the introduction of water, as presented in the report of this committee to the Council, November 13th, 1882.
CHAS. G. REED, LORING COES, E. O. PARKER, THOS. TALBOT, BENJ. BOOTH, JOHN G. BRADY, Worcester, December 18th, 1882.
Joint Standing Committee on Water.
REPORT .
OF THE
WATER COMMISSIONER.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :
GENTLEMEN :- I respectfully present the following report for the year ending November 30, 1882.
The quality of the water in Lynde Brook Reservoir has been good. In the unusually hot and dry weather last summer the daily loss was so large, and the use of hose so excessive, that measures were taken to prevent unnecessary use and waste.
In August, people were requested to limit the use of hose for sprinkling streets and lawns to the hours fixed by the ordinance, and later they were requested to cease the use of hose until October, which requests were generally complied with.
The record of the daily height of the water, as given in Table A, shows a small overflow over the top of the flash-boards from May 21 to June 7, and a gradual loss from this time to Novem- ber 30, when the quantity on hand was two hundred and forty- one million gallons-about fifty days' supply, twenty-six million gallons less than at the same time last year.
The amount of snow-fall recorded was 36.69 inches, 4.48 inches less than that of the previous year.
Through the efforts of His Honor Mayor Stoddard, a number of land-locked salmon were procured from the Massachusetts Fish Commissioners last spring and placed in the reservoir.
21
318
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 37.
The clearing of the land and extending the wall around the reservoir has been continued as in previous years.
BELL POND.
This reservoir is a natural basin, surrounded by a steep water- shed, with a public highway on one side. The bottom was covered with the accumulation of years, a part of it evidently car- ried there by the heavy rains in the spring and fall, and a part of it a vegetable growth from the bottom, which in decomposing became detached from the bottom and was carried around in the. water by the wind; in addition to this, with low water in the summer, the quality was very poor, causing annoyance to our citizens by stoppage in pipes and house fixtures, and by offensive odors when drawn from here in large quantities, as is frequently done.
After careful examination by the committee, they decided to clear that part of the bottom usually exposed at low water. The shore has been cleared to a point four feet below the outlet pipe, greatly improving the appearance of the reservoir, and there can be no doubt the quality of the water will be better than for- merly. There is only a little stored here now, owing to the light rain-fall since the work was completed.
The coffer dam, built at the easterly end of the reservoir to retain the water from Putnam Meadow while the work was being done, was made into a temporary filter for the outlet to the Lunatic Hospital. The expense of the work done was $4,826.05.
Another cause for complaint was the drainage from the .two houses at the westerly end of the reservoir going into the water. This land has been purchased by the city, the buildings to be · removed next spring, when the land will be cleared.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
Appropriation,
$47,500 00
Transfer from other sources,
11,500 00
Revenue received for labor and materials,
24,650 00
$83,650 00
319
REFORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
EXPENDED.
For Pay roll, labor,
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