USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1885 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
Salary.
NEW WORCESTER.
Mrs. Taft,
M. Ella Spalding, Principal
VIII-VII
$700
Martha D. Adams .
VI-V
500
(Georgianna M. Newton,)
V-IV
500
A. Brown,
Jennie M. Tainter
III
500
Anna B. Ranger
II
500
Rebecca H. Davie
I
500
SOUTH WORCESTER.
Tolman,
Carrie A. George, Principal
VIII
800
66
Edward A. Quinland
VI
500
Mary O. Whitney
V
550
Nihill,
Lydia W. Ball
IV
550
Mary C. Paige
III
550
Maggie A. Mahony
II
500
Mary McBride
I
500
(Jennie M. Sprout)
I
500
QUINSIGAMOND.
Conaty,
Richard H. Mooney, Principal .
VIII-VII
700
F. May Prentice
VI
500
66
Annie W. Newell .
V
500
Jeannie E. Sanderson
IV
500
Young,
Mary A. Winter
III
500
66
Alice V. Phelps
II
500
Mary G. Smith
I
500
Carrie M. Sweetzer
I
500
PROVIDENCE STREET.
McCafferty,
Etta A. Rounds, Principal
VIII
700
Etta R. Leonard
VII
500
Anna G. Foley
VI
500
Marion C. Tucker
v
500
Lovering,
Margaret F. Hagan
IV
500
Sarah J. Newton
III
550
Mary A. Kane
II
500
Mary C. Smith
I
500
GAGE STREET.
Scannell,
Ella W. Foskett, Principal
VIII
700
Minnie M. Parmenter, Asst.
VII
550
Mary E. C. Carroll
VI
550
Jennie E. Maloney
V
500
Barker,
Eliza T. Gilbert .
V
500
Julia A. Bunker
IV
500
Aloysia Radcliffe
IV
550
Kate C. Cosgrove .
III
500
Hughes,
Mary J. O'Connor .
III
500
Maggie E. Magone
II
500
66
Ida F. Buxton .
Ellen M. Boyden
VII
550
Ellen G. Daley
550
Annie Brown .
189
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Salary.
EAST WORCESTER.
Dexter,
Anna T. Kelley .
II
$500
Nellie G. McGillicuddy
I
500
66
Ellen F. Fallon
I
500
LAMARTINE STREET.
Warner,
Owen H. Conlin, Principal
VII
700
66
Nellie F. Saunders, Asst.
500
Mary J. Sullivan
VII-VI
500
66
Louise A. Dawson
VI
550
66
Ellen T. Shannon .
V
550
McCafferty,
Mary E. Russell
IV
500
66
Abbie F. Hemenway
III
500
66
Katharine B. Adams
II
500
Hughes,
(Mary B. Wheatley,)
II
500
Mary C. Morrissey
I
500
66
Helena B. O'Keefe
I
500
Edith M. Rolston
I
500
ADRIATIC.
Thompson,
66
L. Elizabeth King
VI
550
66
Abby B. Shute
IV
500
Moriarty,
Cora A. Baldwin .
IV-III
500
Mary A. McGillicuddy
III
500
66
Mary M. Bowen
II
500
Etta T. Whalen
I
500
Mary A. Morrissey
I
500
ASH STREET.
Barker,
Mary J. Mack; Principal
VI
700
66
Mabel Crane
IV
500
Warner,
Kate A. Fallon
III
550
66
Sarah A. Boyd
II
500
Marina H. Tucker
I
500
GRAFTON STREET.
Hughes,
Bridget T. Carlon, Principal
V
700
Evelyn E. Towne .
IV
500
66
Kate A. McLoughlin
III
550
Parker,
Margaret J. McCann
II
500
Carrie M. Adams .
I
500
Ella J. Emerson .
I
500
Katharine A. Hackett
500
Conaty, 06
Emma A. Porter, Principal
VII
700
Lizzie E. Chapin .
V
500
Anna M. Murray
III
500
Agnes J. O'Gorman .
Mary S. Eaton
V
550
66
66
190
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
Committee.
Teachers.
Grade.
Salary.
SUMMER STREET.
Drennan, 66
Mary A. Gauren, Principal
V
$600
Mary A. Hayward
IV
550
66
Anna T. Smith
III
500
Alice Chapin .
II
500
66
Agnes R. Stewart
I
500
SALEM STREET.
Dexter,
Minnie F. Whittier, Principal
IV
600
Mary O. Whitmore .
III
500
Addie M. Blenus
II
500
Nellie J. Carlon .
I
550
UNION HILL.
Nihill, 66
Etha M. Stowell, Principal
IV-III
550
Anna D. Stowell .
II-I
500
MASON STREET.
F. Brown,
Mary E. Pease, Principal
II
550
66
Effie L. Bennett .
I
500
SUBURBAN.
Committee.
Place.
Teachers.
Salary.
J. H. Kelley,
Northville,
(Mary F. Lewis.)
Joanna F. Smith.
$550
Drennan,
Tatnuck,
Benj. W. Kinney.
550
Miss Barnard,
Trowbridgeville,
Ada D. Saunders.
500
Souther,
Blithewood,
Eudora E. Hay.
500
F. Brown,
Bloomingdale,
Lizzie M. Urban.
500
Mrs. Merriman,
Adams Square,
Olive G. Davidson,
550
J. H. Kelley,
Burncoat Plain,
Hattie L. White.
550
A. Brown,
North Pond,
Etta M. Thayer.
500
Chamberlain,
Fanny R. Spurr.
500
F. Brown,
Lake View, 66
Ada B. Braman.
500
Tolman,
Valley Falls,
Ann Foskett,
VI-IV
500
Annie M. Ham,
III-I
500
Minnie A. B. Chase.
500
Rebekah L. Taft.
500
191
SCHOOLS .- SECRETARY'S REPORT.
DRAWING. Walter S. Perry, Teacher, $2,000. Fanny H. Smith, Asst., High School, $150. COMMITTEE.
Messrs. Parker, Barker, Tolman, D. J. Kelley and Mrs. Merriman.
MUSIC. Seth Richards, Teacher, $1,650.
COMMITTEE.
Messrs. Swan, Lovering, J. H. Kelley, Drennan, Mrs. Taft, Miss Barnard and the Supt.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
COMMITTEE.
Messrs. Conaty, Mrs. Taft, Miss Barnard, Thompson, McCafferty, Moriarty and Souther.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
Henry E. Fayerweather, 105 Summer St.
Michael J. English. Brackett Ct.
192
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1886.
Vacation periods indicated by Full-Face Figures.
1886.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
1886.
Sunday
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday
Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
JAN.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
11
12
13
14
15
1617
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
18 19 2021
22 2324
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
252627
28
29
3031
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
AUGUST.
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
. .
.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
28
29
30
31
26
27
28
29
30
. .
.
1
2
3
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
25
2627
28
29
30
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
.
·
.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
NOV.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
21
22
23
24
25
2627
30
31
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
DEC.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
19
20
21
22
23
24 25
27
28
29
30
26 27 28 29 3031 . . .
The 1st Term begins Nov. 30th, 1885, and ends Feby. 13th, 1886, comprising 10 weeks.
The 2d
66
Feb. 23d, 1886,
66
April 24th,
The 3d
66
May 3d,
66
July
3d,
27th,
66
12
.
·
1
2|
.
·
·
1
2
3
3
4
5
6
7
81.
9
4
5
6
8
910
JULY.
1 8
2 9
3
4|
5
61
2
8
9
10
11
12
13
FEB.
14 15
16
18
19 20
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
2122
23
24
25
26
27
22
23
24 25 26
2728
28
MARCH.
·
8
9
10
11
12
13
SEPT.
APRIL.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
OCT.
31
8
9
10
11
12
13
MAY.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
. .
1
2
3
4
JUNE.
The 4th
66
Sept. 6th,
66
Nov.
Assuming that Thanksgiving Day will be Thursday, November 25th,
1
2
3
4
1
2
1
·
. .
11 12 13 14
10
66
9
9 “
·
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON WATER.
To the City Council of Worcester :-
In conformity with an ordinance of the City, the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Water submit herewith their report, together with the reports of the Water Commissioner, Water Registrar, and City Engineer, for the year ending November 30, 1885.
Your especial attention is called to the very minute and de- tailed report of the Commissioner, showing very accurately the condition of the several storage and distributing reservoirs, from which it will be found that each of these several reservoirs is in most excellent condition in every way, and will require during the coming year but very small expenditure for repairs to main- tain them in the present condition.
The supply of water is in every respect adequate for present and prospective wants, and its quality continues to be the equal if not superior to that possessed by any city in our country.
Some progress has been made in the settlement for land and water rights. The " Foster farm," or so much of it as is adjacent to the distributing reservoir at Holden, has been secured to the city by purchase, also the "Chapin farm" and the claim ; by such purchase any cause for pollution from this source will be forever removed. The settlement of these claims is entrusted to a joint special committee, of which members of this committee form only a part and to which we do not feel further authorized to refer.
The cement-lined pipe mains connecting the Lynde Brook storage reservoir with the Hunt reservoir has given quite serious
194
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
trouble in three serious breaks which have occurred. The putting in of two new gates in this line during the past year may obviate for a short time the necessity of replacing it with iron pipe, but within a few years at the furthest this will undoubtedly have to be done.
The department has this year been actively engaged in replac- ing the cement-lined pipe with iron pipe, a large amount of work having been done in Main, Union, Church and other streets, which will prove to be a most important improvement for owners and occupants of property along its line. The wisdom of this action on the part of the committee recommending this work, we think will be apparent to all who will refer to the report pre- pared by the Commissioner at the request of the committee, under date of February 7, 1885, and now incorporated in his report, showing the cost of repairs and damages paid in 1884, by reason of breaks in the cement-lined pipe, to be fully eighty per cent. of the whole cost of repairs and damages throughout the city.
There was in use, at the commencement of the year, forty-nine miles of cement-lined pipe ; of this amount about three and one- quarter miles have been taken up and replaced with cast-iron pipe, leaving still in use about forty-six miles. It is the unani- mous recommendation of your committee that the work of re- placing this with cast-iron pipe be carried on, and a large sum received from the revenue for water be expended each year for this purpose.
Your special attention is called to the way and manner this and other work has been done by the department, as shown in the report of the Commissioner, together with his tables giving the rainfall during the past twelve months, and the daily height of water in the Holden and Lynde Brook reservoirs, and recommend it in all its details as worthy of careful consideration by all who desire to know the demands made upon this depart- ment, as well as the thorough and efficient manner in which these demands have been met and executed.
The Registrar reports six thousand and five meters in use ; their care and maintenance entails a great amount of labor and
195
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WATER.
expense upon this department. So much dissatisfaction has been expressed, by owners and users of meters, at the bill for repairs whenever it was found necessary to have them taken off for such purposes (such repairs having been made by the Meter Com- panies themselves), that your committee decided to attempt in a small way the repairs of meters by the department, at its shops on Thomas street. One hundred and thirty meters have thus far been repaired, at a saving to the owners of not less than thirty per cent. from prices heretofore paid for such repairs, and we recommend the continuance of this work by the department.
Your attention is called to the need of additional shop and barn room accommodations on Thomas street, and we hope some provision may be made for it.
The desirability of connecting by telephone the Lynde Brook and Holden reservoirs with the Commissioner's office is recom- mended by your committee ; a large amount of time and travel by the Commissioner can be saved in this way at a small expense. A telephone line is already constructed as far as Cherry Valley in the direction of Lynde Brook, a connection with which can be made; also as far as Tatnuck in the direction of the Holden Reservoir, which can also be made available.
A careful consideration is called to the report of the Registrar and his suggestion relative to the collection of water bills. The amount of uncollected bills for water, in the hands of the City Treasurer, December 1, 1885, was $12,388.28. It would seem to your committee that his suggestions are not without weight, and we recommend that early attention be given to the matter, and some measures adopted to ensure a more prompt payment of these bills.
We have before stated that the supply of water is ample for present and prospective wants. All will acknowledge that the rapid growth and present prosperity of our city is owing to the great and rapid development of our manufacturing indus- tries. All of these are in part, and many of them wholly dependent upon steam for power. They have been and are now being taxed alike in proportion to their property, to meet the heavy outlay necessary to provide our present supply and facili-
196
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
ties for obtaining it. After careful consideration of the subject, your committee recommend that all manufacturers who use water for purposes of generating steam for mechanical and manufac- turing uses be supplied and charged the same price per thousand gallons, whether used by them in larger or smaller quantities, and this at as low a price as possible, without detriment to the city.
The present rates seem to discriminate unfairly against the smaller manufacturers, and we are of the opinion that it will be a safe and good policy to aid the smaller industries to become larger.
Your attention is further called to the recommendation of the Registrar, and his remarks relative to the unmetered water rates for domestic purposes, and suggest a careful consideration of the subject, also to his recommendation that all meter-readers be under the direction, and responsible to the Registrar. We are of the opinion that the time has come for a revision of the rules of this department, governing the use and rates for water, the number of water takers having more than doubled since the present rules were adopted.
CHAS. G. REED, Mayor. JOHN G. BRADY,
E. O. PARKER, A. M. STONE, JOHN J. WHITE, A. E. DENNIS,
Joint Standing Committee on Water.
REPORT
OF THE
WATER COMMISSIONER.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water :
GENTLEMEN : The Commissioner would respectfully submit his Second Annual Report of the operations of the Department for the year ending Nov. 30, 1885.
LYNDE BrOOK RESERVOIR, LEICESTER.
At the date of the last report, the water was 4.45 feet below the rollway, or 507,149,000 gallons stored.
The lowest point was on Dec. 6, when the surface was .09 lower. From that time on there was a gradual gain until Feb. 10, when the reservoir filled and commenced running over the rollway, which continued until May 21, with the exception of a few days in the latter part of March. The waste-gate was not opened, the waste going wholly over the rollway. The flash- boards were not put on.
Oct. 29 the water was 4.38 below rollway, and thereafter gained until, on Nov. 30, it was 1.08 below rollway, a depth of 36.32 feet, or 636,113,011 gallons stored.
This is a gain of 128,964,011 gallons during the year.
The reservoir has been in constant use for the High Service supply and a part of the Low Service.
The supply has not only been abundant but of a good quality. Very few complaints have been heard, and these, so far as inves- tigated, were owing to local causes.
14
198
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
The dam, gatehouses and everything pertaining to the reser- voir are in good condition.
The brush has been mowed and burned, some stumps and roots burned, and the land around the reservoir well cleared. Considerable grass has been cut, and this amount can easily be greatly increased. No repairs have been made upon the house and buildings occupied by the employé in charge of the reservoir, as it was hoped another year a new house would be built, as the present one is in a dilapidated condition and a new one much needed.
A table giving the depth of water and the rainfall for the year, follows; also, a table of the rainfall since Nov. 30, 1874.
201
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
The grounds, buildings and gatehouse are in good condition. The Wadsworth and Chamberlain farms have been rented to their former occupants. The claims for land taken from the Chapin and Smith farms have been settled. The Chapin farm has been bought outright, and damages paid on the Smith farm. No bad results have been experienced from the use of the farm- ing lands or from the woods on the easterly side.
The open channel to the Distributing Reservoir is in good condition, except a very short distance at the Seagrave dam, which somewhat obstructs the flow of water, but does no real harm.
Three or four small claims still remain to be adjusted along the channel.
The water from this source has been excellent, better even than last year, as was anticipated would be the case.
A table giving the daily depth of water in the reservoir is given.
The main portion of our Low Service supply has been taken from this source, and a large amount of water has run to waste, which must be the case for many years to come.
TABLE Showing the Daily Height of Water in HOLDEN RESERVOIR and the Rainfall for the Year ending November 30, 1885.
DECEMBER.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
JULY.
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
| DATE.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
Water.
Rainfall.
1
6.90
15.08
25.21
20.23
45
20.45
20.30
20.21
18.61
16.16
2.10
15.76
13.76
14.08
2
6.92
15.28
20.24
20.23
20.56
20.30
20.22
18.58
.18
16.89
....
15.72
.05
13.67
14.21
1.66
3
6.87
15.35
20.23
20.27
20.47
20.28
20.16
18.50
16.95
.08 15.68
13.66
14.96
....
4
6.82
15.38
20.22
20.28
20.95
.76
20.27
20.15
.06
18.45
17.15
1.98
15.59
...
13.74
1.35
15.16
.....
5
6.85
15.43
20.22
20.24
20.72
20.26
20.22
1.00
18.37
17.56
.11
15.55
.02
13.72
15.29
....
6
6.84
15.60
1.14
20.19
20 22
20.48
20.26
...
....
..
17.48
15.46
13.76
15.36
.....
7
7.56
1.71
16.44
20.21
20.23
.02
20.45
.....
....
.12
18.11
.45
17.30
15.41
13.80
.54
15.47
.61
8
8.12
16.73
20.18
.03
20.21
.03
20.50
.25
20.24
20.24
.59
18.18
17.18
15.33
13.76
...
...
9
8.50
16.95
20.14
20.13
20.47
20.31
.42
20.19
18.12
.95
17.20
15.29
.65
13.68
...
17.88
2.48
10
8.55
17.15
20.40
1.90
20.19
20.40
20.29
20.16
18.16
17.15
15.33
.37
13.64
18.64
. .
...
11
8.58
17.35
20.54
20.16
20.35
20.24
20.16
18.14
17.07
15.25
13.54
..
19.11
....
12
8.64
17.65
20.40
20.15
20.34
.10
20.26
20.14
18.09
16.98
15.21
13.53
19.44
.....
13
8.66
..
·
·
20.33
20.13
20.32
20.23
20.10
17.90
16.85
.45
15.15
.03
13.44
19.67
....
14
8.68
.07
18.65
20.38
20.14
20.48
20.23
.89
20.00
17.84
.70
16.79
15.07
13.61
1.15
19.98
..
15
8.88
1.09
18.85
.65
20.21
...
.78
20.16
20.29
20.31
19.96
.20
17.88
16.60
14.97
.....
13.76
20.27
....
17
9.73
.20
19.35
20.28
20.16
20.29
20.26
19.89
17.77
16.50
14.91
.10
13.74
20.28
18
9.85
19.59
20.23
20.16
20.26
20.25
19.82
17.64
16.41
14.78
13.70
20.29
.. .
19
9.92
19.73
20.22
20.17
20.26
20.20
19.77
17.56
16.30
14.74
13.66
. .
.
20.31
.
.
20
9.98
19.83
20.23
20.12
20.25
20.25
19.62
17.44
16.18
14.60
13.61
.94
20.30
.19
21
10.08
.32
20.00
20.23
20.18
20.12
20.25
20.20
.02
19.22
.18
17.20
16.08
14.46
.
13.72
.
. .
..
23
12.56
.26
20.14 20.24
.40
20.13
20.12
20.23
20.23
18.99
·
..
16.02
.07
14.45
13.74
.
.
20.25
.56
25 13.21
20.30
20.18
20.13
20.23
.04
19.15
..
16.73
15.96
.31
14.27
13.71
.
. .
20.25
1.30
26| 13.56
20.24
20.17
20.13
20.23
.92
20.23
18.91
16.76
15.97
.53
14.26
.
..
..
..
20.35
.. ..
27 13.72
20.25
20.15
20.14
20.35
20.20
18.85
16.68
15.92
14.21
13.66
..
.
20.34
.. ..
28|13.94
20.24
.12
20.12
·
20.25
.28
20.29
20.18
18.97
16.55
..
. ..
. ..
..
.
. .
..
29 14.10
.08
20.21
.
20.32
20.35
.65
20.16
18.80
16.40
15.75
..
·
..
. .
·
..
..
30
14.46
20.21
.
20.34
20.35
20.16
.03
18.70
16.35
15.70
.12
14.00
13.86
1.13
20.24
.
. .
31| 14.78
..
20.23
.
20.24
20.19
.30
16.23
.21
15.81
.95
..
14.03
.
..
.
Totals.
5.36
...
3.60
2.71
1.12
2.68
2.83
2.87
2.83
.....
6.70
1.63
5.11
6.80
The rainfall is in inches and decimals of an inch. The depth of water is shown in feet and decimals of a foot.
Rainfall for year ending November 30, 1885, 44.24 inches.
202
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
·
.
24
12.98
.10
20.09
...
...
20.18
20.14
20.25
20.20
.29
19.40
..
..
. ..
14.44
.41
13.78
.
.
20.24
....
.. .
.
....
..
.
..
· ..
.. ..
13.63
20.30
...
.
.
.72
15.87
14.19
14.03
13.61
20.25
....
.
.09
. ..
..
13.59
.
.
.
....
19.48
.
17.28
16.13
.
.
14.59
.
..
22
11.49
1.53
..
.
..
.
...
.
.34
20.30
....
· ...
.
.. .
16.71
15.03
13.75
20.14
....
16
9.51
19.08
.32
20.21
.
.....
....
.
...
.
..
.
.
..
..
·
..
...
....
20.24
20.23
....
.
.
.
..
.
·
.
....
.
.
. . .
. .
.
...
·
...
.
.
.
..
....
·
20.29
18.28
...
...
.....
..
.
...
...
.97
.
.
.
·
...
20.35
20.01
17.92
....
. ..
..
20.24
17.07
16.05
16.90
. ..
..
13.72
....
....
. .
..
.. . .
.
.
...
....
·
.
...
.
.
.
...
....
...
.....
.
..
....
....
..
....
.
.57
.
.....
.
....
15.83
...
...
....
....
....
...
....
20.13
..
....
....
.
....
.....
.27
...
....
18.38
....
..
.25
...
20.23
20.24
...
Height of rollway, 20.10 feet.
....
· ..
203
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR, HOLDEN.
Everything at this basin remains in the same condition as at the date of the last report.
The embankment, surrounding grounds, waste-water channel, and gatehouse are in good condition.
The claim for land and damages to the Foster farm have been adjusted, and the buildings and adjoining land secured by pur- chase. The settlement of these claims gives the department control of all the main brooks of the stream and also buildings from which possible pollution might come. The gates, hoisting apparatus, screens, etc., are working well at all the reservoirs.
The location of our reservoirs, both in Leicester and Holden, are much frequented by our citizens on foot and in carriages, and it has been the aim to constantly improve the surroundings. Some slight repairs will be needed the coming year but probably nothing of an expensive character.
BELL POND, WORCESTER.
This important auxiliary to our supply is in good condition, also the gates, houses and the apparatus belonging to them.
The water has been good. Some repairs at the gatehouse at the southerly side should be made the coming year, and a leak through an old drain at the northeast corner repaired. They will not be of an extensive or costly character.
As usual the supply to the Worcester Lunatic Hospital has been constant from this source, and it has been used a number of times to supply a portion of the High Service line during repairs. It has been filled twice from the Lynde Brook reservoir during the year.
PIPE LINES.
The supply main from Holden is in good condition. No breaks have ever appeared. The main gates have been closed and opened again to keep them in good working order and the blow-off gates opened and shut.
204
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
The 12" cement-lined main from Lynde Brook to Hunt res- ervoir has given considerable trouble. Three serious breaks have occurred. About January 1st, the old gate at Hunt reser- voir was taken out and a new one of improved pattern with out- side main screw was substituted. There was no room to put in branches, but a three inch by-pass was tapped in to relieve the main gate in opening and closing. Without this relief it was found to work very easily. On trial it was found unnecessary to open the main gate at all, the supply through the by-pass with the 3" valve partially open being sufficient to keep the reservoir full.
Two gates have been placed on this line, one near the Leices- ter line and one in the Sargent pasture.
Previously it was necessary to go to the Lynde Brook reser- voir to shut off water. With these precautions the line may last a few years, but not long.
There have been six serious leaks and breaks on the main line from Hunt reservoir through Leicester and Main streets to Chandler, five on the 16" and one on the 18". During the year, nearly 3200 feet of the 16" pipe, from Chandler to Hammond street, has been taken up and cast-iron, same size, laid in its place.
Two additional gates have been put in this section and one at Hancock street on the cement pipe. These were old gates taken from the High Service and one from Main street last year. A large portion of this line, particularly in and near New Worces- ter, is not in very good condition.
The portion of the line relaid has been very thoroughly done, the hydrant service much improved, and the side-street connec- tions changed past the side gates, and nearly all the sizes en- larged.
The 16" cement-lined main from Bell Pond is apparently in good condition, one small leak at a sleeve being the only trouble experienced.
The High Service line from Lynde Brook reservoir has been very much improved and is in better condition than it ever was before. A number of small leaks in joints have occurred but none of a serious character.
205
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
The most important improvements have been the changing of the gate at the corner of Southbridge and Cambridge streets ; one at Washington square ; the placing of two new ones at the corner of Cambridge and Millbury streets, doing away with the necessity of shutting Quinsigamond Village off from a supply in case of a break, and shortening the space between gates; also one at the corner of Mulberry and East Central streets. The line from Mulberry to beyond Normal street in Eastern avenue has been relaid and straightened; dispensing with three abrupt turns ; shortening it considerably, and putting it in a public street. All of the new gates are of an improved pattern with 4-inch by-pass gates attached ; one or two men can easily operate the new gates while the old ones made slow, hard work for four or five men. Two new hydrants have been placed near the State Normal School, essentially improving the fire service in that vicinity. The owner of the land between East Central street and Eastern avenue has entered suit to recover the value of the pipe taken from his premises. A part of the pipe taken up was relaid on Main street.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.