USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1883 > Part 10
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* An estimate of the quantity of water contained in this reservoir, between high and low water mark, exhibiting the extent of surface, has been kindly furnished by Henry Snow, Esq., of Shrewsbury, made from actual admeasure- ment by that accurate surveyor. Low water is estimated at 2 feet 10 inches above the bottom of the flume at the Irish dam, for all water below the neck of Quinsigamond, and 1 foot 5 inches above the bottom of the flume at that point, for all above :
Surface :
Depth :
Acres.
Rods.
Feet.
Inches.
Cubic feet.
Above the Old Road,
28
120
2
0
2,504,700
Quinsigamond,
437
06
3
3
61,871,398
17
31
2
3
1,746,415
Half-Moon Pond, 66
14
155
3
3
2,119,126
2
00
2
3
196,020
Flooded Meadows and River,
202
18
2
4
20,542,714
Round Pond,
6
50
3
3
893,660
Flint's Pond,
45
147
3
3
6,500,717
36
125
2
0
3,204,382
Making 99,579,135 cubic feet, rejecting minute fractions. About 21 millions of cubic feet cannot be drawn down by reason of the back water from the pond of the New England Village Factory.
12
APPENDIX B.
A full description of this Pond, heartily appreciated by both the local histo- rians, yet not even to this day fairly and fully estimated, is given at length as recited in Andrew H. Ward's History of Shrewsbury :-
*
* * * *
*
* *
" This pond was called by the natives, Quinsigamond Pond, but is now better known by the name of Long Pond; it lies partly in Shrewsbury, and whether the residue is in Shrewsbury or Worcester, will probably be a subject of future investigation. Worcester was laid out in 1668, to be bounded Easterly on Quinsigamond Pond, and when Shrewsbury was laid out in 1717, it was bounded by Worcester on the West. As Keyes' survey does not include all of the Pond in this town (why he departed from the line as originally estab- lished between Shrewsbury and Worcester is not known) it would seem, if he is correct, that a part of it belongs (and there are no islands in that part) to neither Town. Long Pond extends North and South; and is a very large body of water, nearly in the form of a crescent, and is about four miles in length on the western shore; yet, on a straight line, as measured on the ice, it is but little more than three miles; its width varies from one hundred rods to three-fourths of a mile; it is the largest body of water in the County, and deserves rather the name of a Lake, than a Pond."
*
* * *
*
*
* * *
" There are several brooks, which empty their waters into this Pond. It is clustered with no less than twelve islands of various sizes. The first is Ram Island, at the West end of the Floating Bridge; it contains about two acres, and is mostly covered with wood. Little Pine Island, the second, is one and one-half mile down the Pond, it is about 40 rods from the Western shore; it contains half an acre, principally covered with small pines. The third is three rods South of the last, of one-fourth of an acre, covered with fruitful grape vines, and called Grape Island. The fourth is Grass Island, of one- eighth of an acre, mowed sometimes, and is twenty rods from Grape Island, and nearer the middle of the pond. Bowman's Island is the fifth, covered with wood, and lies Southeast twelve rods from Grass Island and contains three acres. The sixth is Bayberry Island, near the West shore, of about two acres. The seventh is Sherman's Island, of one and a half acre, near the east shore and covered with wood. Nearly South, and about thirty-five rods, is the eighth, called Grass Island, of one-eighth of an acre, and has been mowed. The ninth is called Shoe-Make Island, of one and a half acre, and is twenty-five rods south of Bayberry Island. The tenth is Sharp Pine Island,
167
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
of half an acre, and twenty-five rods south of Shoe-Make Island. The eleventh is a small Grass Island, half a mile south of Sharp Pine Island, of one- eighth of an acre, and twenty rods from the South-West corner of the Pond. The twelfth is called Stratton's Island, and contains one hundred and fifty acres, principally under cultivation, and has several families living upon it.
Some of the other islands are more or less cultivated, and are known by different names.
"Some idea of the boldness of the shores, the depth of the water, and the unevenness of the bottom of the pond, may be formed by viewing the land on its borders and adjacent to it. So large a body of water was not destined to lie always dormant and unimproved. This pond, and the others connected with it at the south end, unite in one outlet, which, passing in a South Easterly direction, enters the town of Grafton, and becomes a principal tributary to Blackstone River, upon which a canal is now constructing to Providence. This pond rises and falls, according as there are heavy rains and sudden thaws in the Spring, or dry seasons, about two feet; though it has been known to vary considerably more."
" Stratton Island is bounded on the west and north by Long Pond, on the east by Round Pond, south by Flint's Pond, and south-west by Half-Moon Pond ; all of which communicate with each other. The communication of the waters on the southwesterly part of the Island between Half-Moon and Flint's Pond has been stopped by means of a gravel causeway having been constructed there. The outlet from Long Pond is into Round Pond, and is at the North- East corner of the Island; it is very narrow, and by means of a short bridge, the Island and the main land are connected. A dam was erected here about four years ago, at a trifling expense, with a small flume and gate; by means of which the water was raised in the Pond several feet; yet, on account of its steep banks, it did not overflow so much land as might naturally have been · expected. It is now in contemplation by means of a dam at this place, to raise the water still higher (from four to nine feet), for the purpose of pro- curing and retaining a head of water sufficient for the use of mills, &c., situated below, and manufacturing establishments about to be erected there."
It would thus appear, from contemporary history, that there was a time when the Lake maintained a definite, scarcely fluctu- ating level. Could the youthful Athletes of the Quinsigamond Boat Club ; who find intermittent occupation in screaming farce, and occasional pastime in dolce far niente boating ; enlist their superfluous languor in any better cause than this,-of guarding and securing that peerless sheet of water in its pristine integrity ?
E. W. L.
SUPPLEMENT.
The subjoined special communication was addressed to the City Council, because of the imperative necessity therein in- dicated for certain Legislative action :-
COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Worcester, Massachusetts.
Worcester, Mass,, January 22d, A. D. 1884.
TO THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL :
The Commission of Public Grounds would represent that they are painfully impressed with the insufficiency of the Commons and Parks, belonging to the City, for its present uses, to say nothing of its imperative future necessities. They simply ask each member of the City Council to reflect upon the distance to which the City has expanded within his individual memory.
Shall no provision be made for the future ? In their Annual Report, simul- taneously offered, the Commission have gone into this matter at length. What they would now submit for your consideration is, briefly, as follows :
Assuming that Commons or Parks are essential to the beauty, comfort, and development of a City such as Worcester is and trusts to continue,-shall this living generation take any steps to provide them? If yes? When and where ?
As to the when,-why not now? Thirty years have elapsed, this coming March, since Worcester acquired Elm Park. Of all the members of the City Government who participated in that sagacious measure, the efficient Alder- man from Ward Two alone survives in official life and in perennial vigor. Is it not time to take a fresh departure?
The Commission would most earnestly ask the Honorable Council to ac- quire Newton Hill for the City and add it to Elm Park, in the full conviction that no measure would so fully commend itself, not alone to those who have taxes to pay but to those who should, now and then, be privileged to enjoy free air and soil. They would submit to no extortion. The Act empowering the City to buy and hold that Hill for the purpose of a Reservoir and Park will soon expire by its own limitation. The Commission advise that the City
169
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
insist upon a restoration of the right to take; a right once accepted by a three-quarters popular vote, and subsequently eliminated from the Act through misrepresentation that it is not worth the while to expose.
And the Commission would also most urgently impress upon the Honorable Council the wisdom and necessity of obtaining, from the Commonwealth, that large tract of land lying along the westerly shore of Lake Quinsigamond, between Lake Avenue, as decreed, and low-water mark. It should be avail- able; it should be obtainable at a fair price; the Commonwealth ought to be grateful to a purchaser that will give something for it and yet leave it in com- mon; and it can be made still more accessible by the probable future extension of the Worcester & Shrewsbury Railroad, to Northborough and Marlborough. The sum paid by Massachusetts, for its entire freehold by the Lake, as stated upon the Registry, is set forth by the Commission, in their Annual Report. How much or little the State would part with; how little or much should satisfy the wants of an active growing City like Worcester; the Commission prefer not to estimate, leaving the decision where it must ultimately rest, with the Honorable Council subject to the General Court.
The Commission are not unmindful of the fact that different parts of the City have, or think they have, pressing wants of a similar nature. Their original plan of a Broad Avenue encircling the City was intended to supply such necessities in a measure where they could not be met otherwise. But just now they confine themselves to projects that are of imminent conse- quence ; that would appear to be of possible realization; and that would, if achieved, give such an impulse to the future fortunes of Worcester as to place it beyond all reach of envy, hatred, or malice.
No debt should be incurred without good reason. No opportunity should be lost, for lack of reason. Parks may be luxuries in the judgment of some who will be beyond hearing, when posterity vents its maledictions upon those who buried their talent in a napkin. Yet reflect, Gentlemen of the City Council ! A Common, of somewhat less than Eight Acres, due to the fore- thought and self denial of men who were probably never in their whole lives, possessed of One Hundred dollars in ready cash !
And a Park, or Public Garden, of Twenty-Eight acres. for which you may thank men who were esteemed ultra conservative in their day and genera- tion,-" old fogies "-as the slang phrase was; but whose little finger upon the throttle was thicker, as it seems at this distance from the event, than all your loins as they bear heavily upon the brakes.
Shall not the City of Worcester repose some trust in the future ?
Put some investment at interest, letting posterity for whom the debt was incurred, gladly pay the principal?
Shall she not afford her sons and daughters some little cheer; some trifling respite by hill or dale from grinding toil; though the return should be slightly less than cent per cent as reckoned upon the ledger, perhaps only a deposit where moth and rust do not corrupt, and where Barre & Gardner is neither watered nor preferred.
In this, his fifteenth and final year of official service, the Chairman of the Commission appeals to you, Gentlemen of the City Council, to advance the
170
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
City. In the ordinary course of nature, he could not be always pleading with you. In the logical sequence of events, it ought not to be required. For the men of this especial Worcester have ever approved themselves equal to any emergency ; have never yet failed to perceive the apt occasion; and will not omit, when their attention is arrested, to deserve and achieve a newer and more " crowning mercy."
All which is respectfully submitted for the Commission
(by)
EDWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN,
Chairman.
It was referred to a joint special Committee, consisting of His Honor Mayor Reed, Aldermen Thayer and Porter ; with President Parker and Councilmen Rich, Gallagher, and Whitney.
Dirge :
" The City of Worcester, in Massachusetts, has an annual report upon its Parks and Trees which ranks among the eccentricities of official literature. This year the condensation of it is only three columns long. We regret that the Courant hasn't room to reprint the whole, but we take pleasure in publish- ing its closing paragraph. It is unique, and we might add opaque, also."- Hartford (Ct.) Courant : Jan. 31, 1883. (Copied into the Spy.)
NOTE : If a thing is unique, surely a fellow-feeling might com- mend it to the " Gentleman-In-Politics !" " Eunuch, did you call him, sir ? John ! stir the lion up !" &c., &c.
The writer of these Reports addresses himself to the meridian of Worcester, and hapless Hartford is elsewhere located. The Transit of Venus was adapted to observation in Connecticut- but Hartford could not see ! " Opaque," eh ?
" He that has light within his own clear breast,
" May sit i' th' centre, and enjoy bright day." " Opaque " John Milton.
.
171
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
But seriously,-may not an official report, in Worcester (whether in condensation or diffusion matters little), be addressed to its local constituency, without keeping both eyes upon the Hart- ford Retreat ! If this is all that Dr. Butler achieved in the de- votion of a life-time, had he not better stayed in Worcester ?
The writer has never forgotten that if he had occasion to ap- peal to the brain of Connecticut, and not to the belly of the Putnam Phalanx, he must keep New Haven steadily in view.
E. W. L.
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, Assistant City Engineer and Water Regis- trar, for the year ending November 30th, 1883.
For all details we refer to these reports, from which it will be observed that the past year has been a busy one for the depart- ment.
WATER SUPPLY.
The subject of an additional supply of water for our city has occupied much of the attention of Water Committees for several years, and the adjustment of the question in all its phases proved no easy task. The report submitted to the City Council by the Committee of last year being adopted, the initiative step was taken, and in January of the present year orders were prepared for the taking of the water of Tatnuck Brook, and for the pur- chase of such iron pipe as might be needed, which orders passed the Council February 6th, 1883. The work pertaining to the Reservoirs and Pipe Line involved much time and labor, and was performed, under the supervision of sub-committees, to their sat- isfaction. The season was remarkably propitious for the enter- prise, and the delay in the progress of the work, by reason of
174
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
inclement weather, was so slight that no detriment was experi- enced. No accident of a serious nature occurred, which fact, considering the magnitude and nature of the work, was some- thing unusual.
The work was virtually completed November 27th, 1883, when your Committee realized a relief from responsibilities which were attended with duties of no ordinary nature. They have the sat- isfaction of knowing that the long contemplated question of an additional supply of water has been settled, and can naturally, with some degree of pride, review their participation in the attainments of results so beneficial to the interests of a large and growing community. They deem it a privilege afforded them in stating that the new source is being practically utilized, which, in a great measure, rewards them for efforts made in achieving such a desired object.
The accomplishment of the work occurred none to early, for without a rain-fall of unusual amount, the present supply of water stored will hardly prove adequate to the expected demands for the next three months.
The cost of the New Supply will of course augment the city debt, but when the constant growth of the city, with the urgent necessity for a further supply is considered, the expense created in securing it will seem a lighter burden to our citizens, and prove a rich legacy to bestow upon coming generations.
Boundary lines have been established for land in Holden taken by the city, and the matter of land damages will subsequently require attention.
The total cost of the work of New Supply to December 1st, 1883, exclusive of land damages, is $223,574.34.
THE DEPARTMENT.
A large amount of work has been performed by the depart- ment foreign to that pertaining to the new pipe line to Holden. Numerous petitions for the extension of mains were granted, and a larger number of services were laid than in any previous season for ten years. A large quantity of cement lined street mains
175
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WATER.
has been taken up or discarded, and new cast iron mains substi- tuted therefor.
The short supply of water necessitated pumping part of the season, which work ceased October 9th, 1883.
We refer to the reports of the Commissioner and Regstrar for details of the Account for Construction and Maintenance, which in the aggregate shows that the past year has been one of unusual activity.
RESERVOIRS.
Five Reservoirs are now owned by the city, which are in good condition. The land adjacent to Bell Pond was purchased last year, and early this season buildings were removed, and the sur- roundings placed in better condition than ever before. This basin is a valuable auxiliary to our water system, and the money expended in improving it has been wisely disbursed. Under the direction of the Commissioner, Lynde Brook Reservoir has received much attention, and a great abundance of vegetable matter, stumps, and débris has been removed. The channel above the road has been widened and straightened, a substantial stone wall has been extended on the boundary line of the basin, which improvements are in marked contrast to the former state of things in this locality.
The basin of the Holden Reservoir has been cleared and burned over ; the channel between the upper and lower reservoirs has been cleaned ; and no pains spared in effecting results which would insure a good quality of water, and there is no apparent reason why it should not be excellent.
S. E. HILDRETH, CHAS. G. REED, JOHN G. BRADY, E. O. PARKER, BENJ. BOOTH, D. J. SAVAGE, B. W. CHILDS,
Joint Standing Committee on Water.
Worcester, December 17th, 1883.
-
REPORT
OF THE
WATER COMMISSIONER.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :
The Commissioner's annual report of the operations of the Department for the year ending November 30, 1883, is respect- fully presented.
LYNDE BROOK RESERVOIR.
The water in this reservoir has been of uniform quality, but in quantity not equal to the consumption. The deficiency was sup- plied by pumping at New Worcester from Tatnuck Brook. In Table A is given the record of the daily height of water in this reservoir, also the rainfall.
By referring to this table it will be seen there was a gradual loss from November 30, the date of the last report, to January 12, and a gain from this time to June 12, when 32.83 feet was the highest elevation for the year, or 4.57 feet below the rollway. November 30 of this year there was 24 feet on hand or two hundred and sixty-one million, nine hun- dred and ninety-nine thousand gallons. The brook above the reservoir has been turned from its former crooked course into a new trench which has been dug as far north as land owned by the city, so that in time of severe storm the water will be confined to one trench and not overflow the valley as formerly. The gate houses and horse shed have been painted, the extension of the wall, and the land around the reservoir have received the usual attention, while many of the stumps have been taken out and some of the mud removed from the bottom.
BELL POND.
This reservoir has not been full since it was partially cleaned in 1882, owing to the severe drought and the increased use from here, but it has been filled from Lynde Brook Reservoir. No
177
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
complaint has been made of the quality of the water since the reservoir was cleaned, though with low water it is plainly seen that not enough was done. There is evidence of a leak at the north-easterly corner of the reservoir, which is thought to come through a culvert leading from the pond, and should be repaired in warm weather. The buildings have been removed from the land at the westerly end of the pond and the land will be sown with grass in the Spring.
HUNT RESERVOIR.
The calls upon the department have been so frequent that nothing has been done here.
The fence should have some repairs and be painted next sea- son and some work done on the embankment to prevent future wash by rains.
NEW SUPPLY.
A contract was made, March 7th, with A. H. McNeal of Bur- lington, N. J., to furnish the twenty, twenty-four and thirty-inch pipe for the new pipe line from the Tatnuck Brook distributing reservoir to Main street for thirty-five and 185% dollars per ton of 2,240 pounds, delivered in Worcester.
The contract for drawing the pipe from the cars to the line of work was given to H. S. Pike, for sixty-seven cents per ton. These parties presenting the lowest bids in each case.
Work on this line was commenced May 1st and continued without interruption till the line was completed from the distri- buting reservoir to Main street, October 10th, two days after the last invoice of pipe was received in Worcester. Thirty-inch pipe was laid from the reservoir to the intersection of Chandler and Mill streets ; twenty-four-inch in Chandler street from Mill street to Park Avenue; and twenty-inch from Park Avenue to Main street. The four and eight-inch pipe in Chandler street from Abbott to Main street was taken out and all street, hydrant and service connections were made with the new line. Two hydrants were set in Tatnuck, one at the corner of Pleasant street and the other at the corner of Mill street. One at the corner of May street and another at the corner of June street. Most of the
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 38.
houses along the line are now connected and supplied with water. A pipe has been laid through June street to May street, and a petition is now before you for a pipe in Pleasant street from Chandler street easterly.
The cost of pipe line is as follows :-
For Pipe and special castings,
$93,271 26
Valves and hydrants,
3,191 15
Lead,
3,658 36
Freight and trucking,
2,702 08
Powder and fuse,
209 27
Labor (men),
27,359 80
Transportation (men),
1,878 46
Packing, fuel and cement,
244 49
Traveling expenses,
142 87
Engineering,
97 22
Repairing sewer,
82 45
$132,837 41
Length of new supply pipe line 22,120 feet or 4.19 miles as follows :-
20 in.,
4,346 feet.
24 6℃
10,714 “
30 “
7,060 “
Total,
22,120 feet.
STREET MAINS.
All the mains ordered by the City Council have been laid ex- cept Bloomingdale street, which will be laid as soon as the pipe is received.
Table B shows the streets where mains have been laid this year and the number of feet laid, with the number of gates and hydrants in each street, also the number of feet re-laid. Pipe laid for extension of mains 27,771 feet to replace pipe taken out 10,074 feet, making the total length of pipe laid 37,845 feet.
The building of the new bridge over Cambridge street, on line of the Providence & Worcester R. R. required that 760 feet of the 16-inch high service pipe in Cambridge street be changed to conform to the new grade of the street.
The number of feet of wrought iron cement-lined pipe taken out or abandoned is 11,161.
179
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
As considerable apprehension exists in the minds of many of our citizens relative to the merits of wrought iron cement-lined pipe as compared with cast iron, it may be well to mention some of the reasons for the changes made. In Providence street the cement pipe was laid for a light pressure in 1864. In 1872 a connection was made with the high service and this pipe subjected to a pres- sure of from ninety to one hundred pounds per square inch, and has frequently burst, sometimes doing extensive damage to the highways and also to private property.
East Worcester street was re-laid because of the close prox- imity of the sewer trench and water pipe, and the sandy soil causing a settling of the pipe, so that a slight change in location was necessary.
Hudson street pipe was burst by lightning during the shower of June 8th, nearly the entire length of the street.
The grade of Piedmont street has been changed since the pipe was laid, so that the pipe was from nine to twelve feet below the surface, making unusual expense for all street, hydrant and ser- vice connections that were called for.
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