USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1884 > Part 28
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400 00
Balance to sinking fund,
20 07
$16,102 89
FRANCIS H. DEWEY, " JONAS G. CLARK, SAMUEL D. NYE,
$16,082 82
Finance Committee.
28
428
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
1
THE GREEN LIBRARY FUND.
The income for the year ending November 29, 1884, is as follows .
Interest on notes secured by mortgage,
$1,151 50
Dividends on bank stock,
413 50
Dividends on Savings Bank deposits,
423 60
Bank tax refunded,
121 82
Interest on national bank deposits,
28 03
-- $2,138 45
In accordance with the will of Dr. John Green, one-fourth part of the income, $534.61, has been added to the permanent fund and three- fourths, $1,603.84, transferred to the fund for the purchase of books, 2,138 45
STATEMENT OF THE PERMANENT FUND.
Nov. 30, 1883.
Nov. 29, 1884.
Notes secured by mortgage,
$22,451 00
$18,101 00
Bank stock, par value,
7,300 00
7,300 00
Savings bank deposits,
10,653 99
15,538 60
$40,404 99
$40,939 60
STATEMENT OF BOOK ACCOUNT.
Balance December 1, 1883,
$2,261 88
Three-fourths of annual income of fund,
1,603 84
Interest on bank deposits,
37 98
$3,903 70
Expended for books during the year,
1,238 24
Balance on deposit Nov. 29, 1884,
$2,665 46
SUMMARY.
Nov. 30, 1883.
Nov. 29, 1884.
Investment balance,
$40,404 99
$40,939 60
Book account balance,
2,261 88
2,665 46
$42,666 87
$43,605 06
FRANCIS H. DEWEY, ) JONAS G. CLARK, Finance Committee. SAM'L D. NYE,
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
OF THE
READING-ROOM FUND.
JAMES E. ESTABROOK, Treasurer, in account with the Reading-room Fund of the FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY :
1884.
DR.
Money from City Treasurer,
$400 00
Dec. 1. To interest on City Bonds to date,
300 00
Mortgage notes, 273 67
66 U. S. bond,
10 00
66
66 Money in Savings Bank, 8 00
66 Refunded subscription to " Coal," 1 00
Total, $992 67
1884. CR.
Dec. 1. Balance due Treasurer, $84 54
66 By cash for subscription to newspapers and peri- odicals to date, 832 62
Total, $917 16
1884. Dec. 1. Balance in hands of Treasurer,
75 51
The Reading-room Fund is invested as follows :
City of Worcester bonds,
$5,000 00
Mortgage Notes,
4,500 00
Money in Worcester Savings Bank,
312 65
Money on deposit awaiting investment,
1,000 00
Total amount of fund, $10,812 65
Respectfully submitted. JAMES E. ESTABROOK,
Treasurer.
Examined and approved.
F. H. DEWEY, JONAS G. CLARK, Finance Committee. SAM'L D. NYE,
1
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
CITY OF WORCESTER, Jan. 20, 1885.
To the Honorable City Council :
GENTLEMEN : - In compliance with Section 3, Chapter 48, of the City Ordinances, I have the honor to submit the following report of the condition of the several City buildings, with the amount expended for repairs and in the construction of new buildings.
NEW BUILDINGS.
By order of the City Council of May 26, the Joint Standing Committee on Public Buildings were directed to purchase two lots of land, one in the vicinity of the corner of Piedmont and Chandler streets, the other in the vicinity of the corner of East Central and Mulberry streets, at a cost not exceeding eighteen thousand five hundred dollars, and subject to the approval of the School Board, and a lot of land for the school building in the vicinity of Piedmont and Chandler streets was purchased of the Jaques Commission on Chandler street, opposite Newbury street ; 151 feet on Chandler street, and extending through to Jaques avenue, and having a front on the avenue of 159 feet, containing 34,816 feet of land, at a cost of $8,704.00. For the school building in the vicinity of the corner of East Central and Mulberry streets a lot of land was purchased of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital, situated on Gage street and extend- ing through to Eastern avenue, and containing 28,095 feet, at a cost of $3,511.87, and a lot adjoining of Amos. Pike, containing
432
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
8,432 feet, at a cost of $1,686.40, making the whole amount of land 36,527 feet and the total cost of land $5,198.27.
June 23, 1884, by order of the City Council, the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Public Buildings were ordered and directed to build two school buildings of ten rooms each, one upon Chandler street and the other upon Gage street, the plans to be approved by the School Board, at an estimated cost of $57,000.00. July 8th the contract for building the Chandler street school-house was awarded to Thomas Barrett for the sum of $19,400.00, he being the lowest of the several bidders. Upon the same date the contract for building the Gage street school-house was awarded to Jeremiah Murphy for the sum of $23,300, his being the lowest bid. The excavating and stone foundations, painting, steam heating, fencing, grading, concreting, school furniture and teachers' desks were not included in the contracts for the build- ings.
The cost of the Chandler street school-house to date, Novem- ber 30, 1884, has been as follows :
For land,
$8,704 00
Amount paid Thomas Barrett on contract,
11,759 10
Thomas Smith, excavating, &c.,
1,782 24
66 Eureka Ventilator Co., 30 ventilators,
630 00
66
Charles Stewart & Son, steam boiler,
840 00
plans for steam heating,
25 00
66 of buildings, one-half cost,
122 50
James Draper, sewer,
200 00
66
T. Smith, gravel,
25 90
Batters,
9 41
66
Worcester Water Works, service pipe,
20 97
engineering,
37 46
66 advertising,
14 94
66
66 hack hire,
7 75
66
coal,
10 50
66
66 trucking and freight,
8 75
iron work for ventilators,
5 96
Total cost of land and building to date,
Total cost of building to date,
$24,204 48 15,500 48
433
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The cost of the Gage street school-house to date, November 30, 1884, has been-
For land,
$5,198 27
" amount paid Jeremiah Murphy on contract,
12,159 35
66
excavating and stone foundations, 1,142 62
66
66
grading in part,
276 44
66
plans and specifications, one-half, cost,
122 50
66
66 steam heating,
25 00
Charles Stewart & Son, boiler,
860 00
Eureka Ventilator Co., 30 ventilators,
630 00
66
Webb & Batchelder, stone,
329 84
66
brick,
103 60
66
engineering,
62 93
66
advertising,
14 94
66
66
A. B. Lovell, sewer, 66 66 extra,
20 50
A. Bangs & Co., eave troughs,
59 91
66
Batters,
10 20
Worcester Water Works, service pipe,
25 59
66
carting,
10 50
66
hack hire,
7 25
66
66
iron work for ventilators,
6 60
Total cost of land and building to date,
Total cost of building,
$21,164 03 15,965 76
The order of the City Council of July 7th, 1884, directing the raising of the Lake View school-house and the putting under of an additional story, has been complied with. The estimated cost was $1,200.00. The cost has been as follows :
Benj. W. Dean, raising building,
$135 00
Advertising,
4 50
L. D. Hubbard, contract for building,
1,150 00
Total cost,
$1,289 50
SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The several school buildings are in good repair, the exceptions being the Summer street and Trowbridgeville school-houses, which will require a considerable outlay to make them what they should be. The unoccupied school-rooms are, one at Tatnuck and one at Northville, and the old school-house at Valley Falls, which has been unoccupied for school purposes since the new
98 00
66
66
434
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
house built on Ludlow street has been occupied. A small build- ing rented at New Worcester for two schools is not adapted to the wants of the school, the school-rooms being small and low and poorly ventilated.
A new sewer bas been put in at Quinsigamond, and a sewer is much needed at South Worcester and the yard graded.
Two new steel boilers have been put in to heat the High and Walnut street school buildings, and an archway has been built connecting both buildings, for the passage of the steam pipes, and large enough to admit of their repair without disturbing the street.
City water has been put in at Lake View and Bloomingdale school-houses.
New slate urinals have been put in the Ledge street basement.
New fences have been built at the Northville school-house.
The amount expended for ordinary repairs has been as fol- lows :
For ordinary repairs of buildings,
$5,692 78
repair of stoves,
1,105 02
furnaces,
163 97
66
steam heating apparatus,
326 56
clocks,
204 50
new furniture, furnishing new school-rooms and
replacing old,
1,093 77
" repairs of furniture,
323 94
$8,910 54
Extraordinary repairs-
Two 54 in. by 16 ft. steel boilers, 93 three-inch tubes, each furnished and set by Wm. Allen & Son,
$1,895 00
Washburn & Garfield, steam piping, 527 74
Wm. Knowles, for passage-way connecting two buildings, 1,565 59 J. M. Richardson, for brick, 314 61
170 00
For insurance,
642 00
City water,
513 02
" cleaning buildings,
687 00
66 snow from walks,
222 47
yards, removing ashes,
432 51
66 vaults,
40 00
66
supplies, brooms, brushes, pails, &c.,
333 49
The amount paid for janitors,
7,165 19
9,403 13
Dwight S. Jackson, covering steam pipes,
$4,472 94
$2,870 49
66 fuel,
435
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
CITY FARM.
The several farm buildings, barns, sheds, piggery, &c., are in good condition. I would recommend that the painting of the barns, sheds, and house offal buildings be done in the early spring.
There has been expended for repairs on buildings the sum of $1,637 87
For new furniture and repair of old,
558 41
" new steel boiler for cooking,
370 00
" making steam connections,
7 75
" repairs of house offal buildings,
84 57
POLICE STATION, NO. 2.
For repairs,
$90 77
" coal and wood,
252 22
" repairs of Lake View Police Station,
10 58
"' wire guard at Police Office,
120 40
$473 97
CITY HALL. 4
The City Hall would be somewhat improved by a coat of paint, which should have been done the past year. New awnings will be needed to replace the old. New carpets are needed in the Mayor's office and ante-room.
The cost of repairs and other expenses have been as follows :
For Repairs of building,
$660 66
Repairs of furniture and new furniture,
545 50
Janitor,
600 00
Coal and wood,
596 11
Gas, Police office,
739 00
Gas, City Hall,
217 40
Gas, Court Room,
43 20
Gas, brooms, brushes, mats, &c.,
66 30
Ice,
44 82
Telephone service,
72 00
Cleaning snow from walks,
51 30
New Hose,
20 00
Repairs of clock,
2 50
Hanging awning,
8 50
Total cost,
$2,658 60
$3,667 29
436
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
CITY HOSPITAL.
The principal wants at the City Hospital are a new ward and additional room for laundry purposes. The building of an additional ward will necessitate the moving of the barn, and the removal of the sheds. The several buildings are in good con- dition. I would recommend the painting of the outside of all the buildings the present year.
The cost of repairs and other expenses have been as follows :
For Repairs of building,
$398 26
Boiler for hot water, and setting,
272 46
Coal,
1,137 46
Gas,
464 40
Total,
$2,272 58
CITY STABLES.
The City Stables are in good repair with the exception that the wood work upon the outside needs a coat of paint.
The repairs of buildings have cost,
$93 42
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The several Fire Department buildings are in good repair. There has been a considerable painting done during the year, and the plumbing at headquarters has been thoroughly remod- elled. The bank wall in the rear of the John Street Extinguisher House needs re-laying.
The total cost of repairs of buildings has been,
$906 71
For Paint and oil,
49 69
Coal,
824 82
Gas,
515 43
Total, $2,296 65
.
437
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
WATER WORKS SHOP, &C.
A new barn is very much needed for the use of the depart- ment, and more shop room is required to accommodate the in- creasing demands of the Department. I would most respect- fully recommend that the portion of the building formerly occu- pied by the Fire Department be transferred to the Water Department for their use. I would further recommend that the old house on School street used for lining water pipe and as a repair shop for the School Department, be removed and a new building erected for the better accommodation of both depart- ments.
The cost of repairs of buildings has been :
For Heating apparatus,
$162 10
Repairs of Plumbing,
11 15
Lumber and carpenter work,
329 41
Total,
$502 66
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Free Public Library building is in excellent repair.
By reason of the enlargement of the library by the use of the French roof story and a portion of the basement for book room, the boiler now in use has become too small to heat the building economically or satisfactorily, and I would advise the putting in of a new boiler of larger capacity.
There has been expended for new book cases and shelv- ing in French roof story,
$423 50
For Painting,
73 01
Other repairs,
270 89
Coal,
320 83
Gas,
808 80
Total,
$1,897 03
438
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
GASOLINE BUILDING.
By reason of the backing up of the water from Lincoln brook the floor of the Gasoline House had to be raised some two feet, the cost of which has been, $79 84
ARMORY.
The cost of repairs and other expenses of the Armory building have been :
For Repairs of building,
$114 77
Stoves and repairs,
38 68
Insurance,
225 00
Janitor,
52 25
Coal,
80 10
Gas,
200 70
Water,
25 00
Total,
$736 50
There has also been fitted up for the use of the two Militia Companies, a rifle range on land leased from the heirs of John Hammond, at a cost of $112 53
INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.
During the months of June, July and August, in company with Mr. Joseph Dyson of the State Police force, we have made a careful inspection of all the work-shops, factories, blocks and halls, and in all cases which, in our judgment, were not provided with the means of egress required by the laws of the Commonwealth, additional means of egress have been ordered, and with very few exceptions, all orders have been complied with or are in process
439
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
of manufacture. I desire in this connection to extend my grate- ful thanks to officer Joseph Dyson for his valuable aid and assistance.
AMOUNT OF STOCK IN REPAIR SHOP OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT IN WATER DEPARTMENT BUILDING, SCHOOL STREET.
600 feet of best pine finishing lumber, $50,
$30 00
200 feet of hard pine, 4} cents, 9 00
200 feet of pine sheathing, 4} cents,
9 00
130 feet of ash boards, 5 cents,
6 50
180 feet of birch desk tops, 30 cents,
5 40
100 pickets, 2} cents,
2 50
100 old pickets, 1 cent,
1 00
7 boxes glass, $3.50 per box,
24 50
2 casks nails,
8 00
25 gross large screws, 50 cents per gross,
12.50
50 gross medium screws, 20 cents per gross,
10 00
1 Grindstone and frame,
3 00
1 Saw frame and saws,
20 00
3 Shovels,
3 00
1 Crowbar,
1 00
1 Iron vise,
2 00
3 Bench vises,
3 00
2 Pairs clamps,
2 25
100 feet hose and nozzle,
6 00
1 Bbl. kerosene,
5 25
10 Gallons linseed oil,
6 30
50 lbs. lead,
3 50
5 lbs. colors,
1 00
1 Ladder hook,
1 00
1 Ladder,
1 00
1 Bbl. disinfectant, 300 lbs. at 8 cents,
24 00
100 feet rope and pulleys,
3 00
2 Boilers for heating water,
5 00
16 Old doors,
8 00
30 Desks, old pattern,
15 00
20 Desks, old Boston pattern,
10 00
Total, $241 70
MATERIALS SOLD.
City Hall. Old carpet, Old iron,
$3 00
1 60
Total, $4 60
440
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
For Use of Ward room,
$1 50
Use of land, Millbury street,
10 00
Rent, Valley Falls school-house,
12 49
Boiler, High School,
151 00
Brick, High School,
7 25
Black-board materials,
32 41
Old building sold,
20 00
Total,
$239 25
Respectfully submitted.
CHAS. H. PECK, . Supt. of Public Buildings.
-
TABLE SHOWING THE LOCATION, SIZE AND VALUE OF THE SCHOOL-HOUSE LOTS BELONGING TO THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
REMARKS.
LOCATION.
Material.
Brick,
3
130 x 87
14
Good,
$125,000
31,672
$1 30
$41,173
$ 166,173
High ...
66
3
70 x 50
7
..
20,000
9,487
1 30
12,33
32.333
Walnut Street .......
2
92 × 90
15
45,000
31,440
25
7,860
52.860
Belmont Street ..
..
2
96 x 60
11
30,000
24,000
25
6,000
36,000
Dix Street ...
2
96 x 60
11
28,000
40,000
25
10,000
38,000
Woodiand Street ...
.6
2
69 x 41
.
66
27,000
48,040
20
9,608
36,608
Lamartine Street ...
2
96 x 60
66
5,500
7,188
60
4,313
9,813
Washington Street ..
2
50 x 30
12
30,000
40,670
20
8,134
38,134
Ledge Street ..
..
3
75 x 53
12
33,000
23,433
60
14,060
47,060
Thomas Street .....
2
75 x 52
8
..
20,000
12,625
75
9,468
29,468
Sycamore Street ....
3
62 × 50
6
13,000
18,150
40
7,260
20,260
East Worcester .....
4
62 × 50
8
18,000
58,000
50
29,000
47,000
Providence Street ...
2
64 x 52
4
15,000
24,897
15
3,734
18,734
Grafton Street ....
2
46 x 24
Fair,
2,000
Grafton Street ....
3
59 x 51
6
Good ,
13,500
13,400
30
4,020
17,520
Ash Street ....
2
75 x 32
..
30,000
17,200
1 25
21,500
51,500
Oxford Street ...
2
107 x 53
10
29,000
25,009
20
5.001
34,001
Winslow Street .....
2
78 x 62
8
66
24,000
52,664
10
5,266
29.266
Millbury Strect ....
2
62 × 50
4
12,000
12,555
40
5,022
17,022
Salem Street ....
2
62 × 50
66
22,000
30,760
5
1,538
23.538
Edgeworth Street ...
2
50 x 36
4
9,000
14,900
15
2,235
11,235
New Worcester ....
2
51 x 48
5
Poor,
3,000
16,083
40
6,433
9,433
Summer Street ......
2
75 x 32
7
Good,
2
5,500
13,200
15
1,980
7,480
Mason Street .... .
66
3
62 x 51
6
15,000
25,000
10
2,500
17,500
Adriatic.
3,000
L 35 x 28.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
441
Total ... ....
42
234
$ 667,950
29.39 acres.
$ 231,386
$ 899.336
66
20,000
29,184
10
2 918
22,918
[ 40 x 33 and three school-rooms in French roof. Addition built in 1880, 46.6 x 36.6 for school-rooms. L 66 x 51. [Ward 8 ward-room in basement.
Addition built in 1880, 38 x 34.8 for three school- rooms.
L 51 x 33 and hall in French roof.
Quinsigamond .
2
44 x 30
Adriatic ...
Wood, .6
2 2
4 2
2,000
11,000
10
1,100
3,100
Union Hill.
1
73 × 30
2
Good,
5,500
34,875
500
6,000
Northville ...
2
43 x 32
2
5,000
11.500
300
5,300
Tatnuck ....
2
46 × 32
2
6,600
29,440
100
6,700
Valley Falls,
Wood,
28 x 22
1
Old,
500
4,988
75
375
Trowbridgeville .... Blithewood ....
36 x 28
Good,
1,500
43,560
100
1,600
Bloomingdale ...
1
40 × 32
1
Fair,
3,000
14,000
200
3,200
Adams Square. .
1
40 x 32
1
Good,
2,800
22,360
300
3,100
Burncoat Plain
1
31 × 28
1
2,500
21,500
200
2,700
North Pond ...
Wood,
1
40 x 32
1
Fair,
1,600
20,300
300
1,900
Chamberlain .... ..
1
38 x 22
1
1,200
21,780
100
1.300
Lake View ...
2
44 × 30
2
Good,
2,950
15,684
400
3,350
. ..
No. of School
Rooms.
Condition.
Estimated
Size of Lots,
sq. feet.
Estimated
Value per
Amount.
Total Value
of Houses
and Lots.
Ling Schools in this Building. Ward 1 ward-room and rooms for Evening Draw- Ward 2 ward-room in basement. Addition built in 1881, 58 x 68, for six school-rooms. Hall iu French roof and two school-rooms.
Hall in French roof and three school-rooms, and Ward 4 ward-room in basement. Two L's 52 x 21 each.
9,530
2
52 × 30
4
.6
5,000
9,060
50
4,530
2,000
South Worcester ...
3
52 × 50
10
66
4
10,000
10,000
Woodland Street ....
2
96 x 60
East Worcester ....
Wood, Brick, 66
Wood, Brick, 66
20,000
34.500
5
1,725
21,725
45 × 30
Fair,
3,000
38 x 28
Brick, ..
Valley Falls ..
100
600
1
30 x 25
1
300
5,050
..
Brick,
66
Value.
foot.
Size.
.
ENGINE AND HOSE HOUSES.
NAME.
LOCATION.
No. feet in Lot.
REMARKS.
Gov. Lincoln, No. 1,
Bigelow Court,
5,310
Head-quarters of the Chief Engineer in this Building.
A. B. Lovell, No. 2,
Beacon Street,
7,688
S. E. Combs, No. 3,
Prescott Street, on leased land,
8,000
Alert Hose, No. 1,
School Street,
With Steamer 2.
Ocean Hose, No. 2,
Providence and Grafton Streets,*
Eagle Hose, No. 3,
Carleton Street, unoccupied,
1,270
Niagara Hose, No. 4,
Exchange Street,
500
Yankee Hose, No. 5,
Myrtle Street,
1,277
Tiger Hose, No. 6,
Pleasant Street,
6,106
Protection Hose, No. 7, Rapid Hose, No. 8,
Webster Square,
1,600
Babcock Extinguisher,
John Street,
1,837
With Steamer 1.
Prescott Street,
Pleasant Street,
On School-house lot.
OTHER BUILDINGS.
City Hall,
Corner Front and Main Streets,
Common.
Armory, City Stable,
Waldo Street,
7,258
Salem Street,
Free Public Library,
Elm Street,
City Farm,
Boylston Street,
Water Works Shop,
Thomas Street,
10,525
City Shop,
School Street,
8,265
City Hospital,
Hospital Street,
150,643
Police Station No. 2,
Lamartine Street,
16,800
Gasoline House,
- Dewey Street,
[ City Offices, Police Station and Police Court Room, Ward 7 ward room in this building. Ward 3 ward room in this building
Building formerly occupied by 5th Battery, Salem Street.
*On School-house lot.
442
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39
Lamartine Street,
8,400
Hook and Ladder No. 1, Hook and Ladder No. 2, Bell Tower,
Bigelow Court,
50,331 9,902
REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER
TO THE
COMMITTEE ON WATER.
CITY OF WORCESTER, CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE,
December 20th, 1884.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :
GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with Section 1, Chapter 17, of the City Ordinances, the City Engineer submits the following report :-
The reservoirs at Leicester and at Holden have been visited by me frequently during the past year, and I believe the dams to be in good condition. The dam at Holden has been much improved in appearance by the grading done there by the Water Commissioner. A careful survey and cross section of the Holden Reservoir has been made and its capacity calculated. The figures are so arranged that by reference to the tables prepared the amount of water stored is shown for any given depth of water in the pond. The capacity of the Leicester Reservoir was calcu- lated in a similar manner when it was first constructed, so that it is now possible to ascertain the amount of water stored for use at any time. Measurements have also been made of the amount of water wasted at both reservoirs during the year. As the facilities for making accurate measurements are somewhat lim- ited, and as it is a matter of great importance to the city to know
29
444
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
just how much water is furnished by the water-sheds that is not used, I recommend that suitable weirs for measuring the water be placed in the streams below the dams, so that more accurate results can be arrived at. A series of measurements and experi- ments have also been made to ascertain the amount of water drawn per day from the reservoirs for use in the city and what proportion of this amount is returned to the stream through the sewers. The results are as follows : Average amount drawn, 3,419,394 gallons per day ; average amount returned to stream, 2,230,852 gallons per day, or 65 per cent. In conclusion, I would say that I consider the water supply of this city one of the best in New England. The additional supply obtained last year was provided none too soon. In fact, there is no doubt but that pumping would have had to be resorted to through the past summer and fall if the new works had not been constructed.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES A. ALLEN,
City Engineer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER'S OFFICE, FIRE DEPT., WORCESTER, January 1st, 1885.
To His Honor the Mayor, and the Honorable City Council :
GENTLEMEN :- In this the eleventh Annual Report, the Board of Engineers most respectfully present for your consideration such matters in connection with the workings of the Fire Depart- ment as are of general interest, together with such recommenda- tions for the future as will in their opinion maintain the present efficiency of the Department.
MANUAL FORCE AND DISCIPLINE.
The manual force of the Department is made up of a Chief and four Assistant Engineers ; thirty-one members of Steamer Companies, including drivers ; thirty members of Hook and Ladder Companies ; sixty-three members of Hose Companies, including drivers and four members of the Chemical Engine Company, including driver, a total of one hundred and thirty men. Hose carriages are stationed at Quinsigamond, Tatnuck, Coes Square and Northville, where volunteer companies are, and sufficient interest in the organizations is shown to warrant a continuation of this branch of the service until something more satisfactory to those having property at stake in these neigh- borhoods can be provided.
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In its work the past year the Department has been satisfactory to the Board of Engineers, and from the public have come assurances that they have been satisfied that all calls for assist- ance have been promptly answered, and that the service rendered in response to such calls has been of a character to win general approval. We believe that the reputation established in former years for prompt, vigorous and effective, actual fire duty has been fully maintained, if not advanced. To move forward has been our endeavor ; not to slip backward, our determination.
The record of losses is a long and for this city a serious one, but in comparison with other cities of similar size and with simi- lar property risks, it is favorable. It should not be forgotten that every addition to the number of large buildings increases the danger from fire, while the liability to serious fires increases in much greater proportion. Every additional building of the character of many which have been erected on the principal streets within the past few years makes necessary the addition of new and improved apparatus and increased attention to the care of the old, that it may not be found unreliable when there is no time for change or repairs. The experience of past years has taught that the truest economy is practiced by keeping every- thing in the best of repair. Such has come to be the settled policy of the Department. The value of experienced men in the work to be done is at once apparent to all, and with this end in view changes have been made only when the good of the service positively required.
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