USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1886 > Part 11
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REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.
...
·
.
.06
20.19
17.45
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16.06
15.33
14.84
5
20.26
20.77
1.50
20.26
20.20
20.46
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15.85
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17.70
16.25
15.48
13.98
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.50
27
20.25
20.23
...
...
. .
.
.
.
.72
20.00
20.65
...
20.27
20.20
..
.
..
...
.53
..
195
.
.
14.42
17.95
...
.....
.34
20.40
...
.. .
..
....
.
..
20.29
.
..
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20.16
20.19
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..
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14.81
20.21
196
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR, HOLDEN.
This reservoir and everything connected with it is now in good order.
The driveway leading from the highway to the reservoir has been graded and the wall along the highway relaid.
.
BELL POND, WORCESTER.
Considerable work has been done at this reservoir during the season, from plans furnished or approved by City Engineer C. A. Allen, who inspected the work from time to time as it pro- gressed, until completion, all of which was done in a thorough and substantial manner.
This reservoir furnishes the main supply to the Worcester Lunatic Hospital and occasionally a part of our low service is drawn from this source.
Quite a serious leak existed through the foundation walls of the south gate-house which, upon examination was found to be badly out of repair, allowing the water to enter on all sides. The repairs were made in the following manner :-
A concrete wall 12 inches in thickness was constructed on each side and front, extending from the bottom of foundation up to the underpinning of gatehouse, with two wing walls of masonry laid in cement, built on the pond side of foundation and extend- ing back into the dam. These walls were bonded with the walls laid on the sides, so as to make a complete cut-off. Cost of work $467.88.
REPAIRS TO DAM ON EASTERLY SIDE.
It was found that the height of water as at present maintained n the pond allowed it to flow over the old wood spiling in the dam, and finding its way out through an old stone drain. A 12- inch concrete wall was built extending down one foot below the top of the old spiling, and on either side about one foot in thickness ; this was built to a height of one foot above high water mark in the pond. Cost of the work including repairs to
197
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
"Putnam" meadow pipe and removal of an old stone drain is $655.99.
These repairs have long been needed and greatly improve the condition of the property.
In order to properly protect this reservoir and keep the water free from any possible pollution, a strip of pasture land ten rods wide and about three and one quarter acres in area, extending back from the shore of the pond on the westerly side, should be purchased from the State. Your Sub-Committee, consisting of Alderman Ellsworth, President Comins and the Commissioner to whom this matter was referred, have looked the ground over and consulted with the Trustees of the State property, in regard to the sale of the land to the city and are assured that a price will be given at an early date.
STREET MAINS.
All the Orders of the City Council for the extension of street mains, and the replacing of cement-lined pipe with cast-iron, have been completed.
The following Tables show the quantity of pipe laid and relaid.
The 16-inch cement-lined pipe through New Worcester is in poor condition, and should be relaid with cast-iron of same size the coming season.
A large amount of this pipe is still in use, as will be seen from the Table which is here given :
14
LENGTH AND SIZE OF NEW PIPE LAID DURING THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
PIPE.
No. of Hydrants.
No. of Gates.
Service.
STREET.
LOCATION.
Size.
Length in feet.
Beacon Street,
From End of Pipe to Ripley Street. At Worcester Lunatic Hospital.
6
578
2
Belmont Street,
At Sutton Lane and between Sutton Lane and Webster St.
6
327
1
1
High Service.
Coburn Avenue,
" north.
1
6
1460
1
2
East Central Street,
End of pipe to Mulberry Street.
6
508
1
1
Eaton Place,
Front Street, south.
4
261
1
High Service.
Florence Street,
End of pipe to Shirley Street.
6
892
1
1
Gage Street,
East Shelby Street South.
6
516
1
1
Jaques Avenue,
End of pipe to Wellington Street.
6
439
1
1
Lake Avenue,
Lincoln Park, south.
4
435
2
1
Leicester Street,
At Gates Lane.
At Smith's Mill.
10
89
High Service.
Maxwell Court,
1
230
2
1
High Service.
Millbury Street, Park Avenue,
On west line of Shirley Street and north line of Beaver St. From Park Avenue to Florence Street.
6
706
2
Shirley Street,
Thenius Street, east.
6
277
Sturges Street,
Lincoln Street, east.
4
220
1
6
552
1
1
8
84
6
127S
1
1
High Service.
12,586
20
28
4
300
2
1
Dale Street,
Jaques Avenue to Brigham Street.
Dupont Street,
Hamilton Street, north.
2
419
1
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
High Service. High Service.
Cambridge Street,
Cedar Street,
From Sever to North Merrick Street. End of pipe, south.
6
72
Channing Street,
6
770
6
361
1
2
Leicester Street,
Main Street,
From End of pipe south to Knowles' Block. Maxwell Street, north.
4
1812
1
1
2
Stebbins Street,
High Service.
Suffield Street,
Vernon Street, west.
Whipple Street,
Millbury Street, west.
2
2
198
1
Junction of Millbury and Greenwood Streets, south. At Oliver Street.
Lagrange Street,
Beacon Street, east.
LENGTH AND SIZE OF PIPE RELAID DURING THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
PIPE.
Hydrants.
Gates.
Service.
STREET.
LOCATION.
Size.
Length in feet.
Ashland Street,
From Pleasant to Elm Street.
4
538
2
Austin Street,
Bellevue Street, west.
6
278
Bartlett Place,
"6 Front Street, south.
4
204
Canal Street,
Front Street to Boston & Albany Railroad.
6
246
Carlton Street,
Front to Mechanic Street.
4
266
Catharine Street,
Windsor to Channing Street.
8
153
1
2
High Service.
Chatham Street,
Newbury Street, east.
8
547
1
2
Cherry Street,
Canal Street to Bartlett Place.
6
342
138
Conlin Court,
Winter Street, north.
4
268
1
Eaton Place,
Front Street, south.
6
940
1
Elizabeth Street,
Reservoir to Belmont Street.
6
50
1
George Street,
Main to Eden Street.
2
370
Goddard Street,
Winter to Green Street.
6
1307
2
High Service.
Grafton Street,
Barclay to Orient Street.
8
475
High Service.
Harrington Avenue,
Westminster to Windsor Street.
6
111
1
1
High Service.
Harrington Avenue,
Windsor to Channing Street.
6
654
2
1
High Service.
Hollis Street,
Gardner Street, north.
6
50
1
2
508
1
Houchin Avenue,
Austin to Chatham Street.
8
297
1
6
372
Manchester Street,
Union to Bridge Street.
6
528
1
6
840
1
4
Market Street,
Main to Summer Street.
6
480
1
1
Myrtle Street,
Main to Orange Street.
8
978
3
5
Myrtle Street,
Main to Orange Street.
6
111
Orange Street,
Myrtle to Plymouth Street.
8
176
1
6
1198
4
2
Orange Street,
Park to Myrtle Street and Plymouth to Madison Street.
6
35
119
1
3
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
199
1
Gardner Street,
Hollis Street, east.
8
313
1
1
Harrison Street,
Providence Street to Penn Avenue.
Jackson Street, Kilby Street,
Southbridge Street to Norwich & Worcester Railroad. Main Strect, east.
Mulberry Street,
Shrewsbury Street to Mulberry Street Court.
2
200
LENGTH AND SIZE OF PIPE RELAID .- Continued.
PIPE.
Hydrants.
Gates.
Service.
STREET.
LOCATION.
Size.
Length in feet.
Pearl Street,
From Main to Chestnut Street.
6
660
1
2
Penn Avenue,
Harrison Street to Union Ave.
6
1105
2
2
High Service.
Prescott Place,
Prescott Street, east.
2
207
Prescott Street,
North Street to Redding Court.
8
695
1
3
Plymouth Street,
Orange Street to Boston & Albany Railroad.
8
98
School Street,
Main to Summer Street.
6
1035
1
4
Shrewsbury Street,
Washington Square to Lyon Street.
12
2612
8
10
Sudbury Street,
Main to Eden Street.
6
343
1
1
Trumbull Street,
Front to Park Street.
8
526
1
1
6
430
Vine Street,
Front to Foundry Street.
6
484
2
2
Waldo Street,
Foster to Exchange Street.
6
1136
3
4
Washington Street,
Lamartine to Gold Street.
8
320
1
High Service.
Windsor Street,
Harrington Avenue to Catharine Street.
22,543
40
61
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
201
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
Also, Table showing the number of leaks on cement-lined mains, during the year.
The cause of leaks :--
ON.
CAUSE.
H. S.
L. S.
TOTAL.
Cement. 66
Rust,
8
75
83
Iron.
Joint,
18
9
27
66
Broken Hub,
1
1
66
Vitriol,
1
1
66
Frost, .
1
1
66
Burst, .
1
+4
2
Service.
Lead Connections,
15
15
2
2
66
Rust,
1
1
Hydrant.
Valve,
2
2
Frost,
1
1
66
Broken Top,
1
1
Waste Stop, .
1
1
Hyd't Br'ch. Joint,
1
1
Gate.
Packing,
1
1
28
121
149
Stop,
3
3
Split,
1
1
2
2
Union,
Thimble Coupling,
1
1
Rust,
Sleeve,
2
2
An inspection of this Table will show the necessity of replacing with cast-iron as much of it as possible each year.
It has been the aim of the department to keep everything in readiness and respond promptly when leaks are reported, and thereby prevent as far as possible all damage to streets or the adjoining property.
202
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
EXPENSE AND AVERAGE COST OF REPAIRING LEAKS IN 1886.
HIGH SERVICE.
LOW SERVICE.
TOTAL.
No.
Cost.
Avge.
No.
Cost.
Avge.
No.
Cost.
Avge.
Cement
8
179.17
22.39
77
1,597.10
20.74 59.21
85
1,776.27
20.89
Damages
19
263.58
13.87
14
138.34
9.88
33
401.92
12.17
Hydrants
7
100.86
14.40
7
100.86
14.40
Service .
1
3.44
3.44
23
126.90
5.51
24
130.34
5.43
28
446.19
15.93
121
2,318.50
19.16
149
2,764.69
18.55
CEMENT-LINED MAIN PIPE IN USE NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
211
31
6"
50
10"
12/
16/
18"
20"
TOTAL.
1864
687
2,036
53
5,335
9,811
1,980 1,056
20,958
1865
144
7,345
2,316
2,133
2,300
14,238
1866
857
7,110
1,085
5,837
1,869
16,758
1867
1,956 3,906
3,892
1,981
8,087
843
20,665
1868
1,334 1,499 10,795
709
1,850
16,187
1869
4,286 1,219 16,687
6,466
3.737
830 2,430
35,655
1870
807
290 12,443
5,225
2,810
21,575
1871
115
312 16,734
8,442
4,420
30,023
1872
396
226
3,274
7,335
1,950 2,000
15,181
1873
6,309
7,539
4,407
18,255
1874
1,480
4,133
1,073
6,686
1875
2,160
1877
272
1880
1,353
1,353
Total feet.
9,895 7,452 86,756 48,277 35,829
4,133 9,765
14,823
1,980
1,056
219,966
Miles.
1.874 1.412 16.431
9.143
6.785
.782
1.849
2.807
.38
.20
41.663
6
355.30
6
355.30
59.21
Iron .
1,010
1,150 272
A 12-inch Low Service line is needed from New Worcester through Cambridge to Millbury street, to supply the numerous water-takers on Cambridge and other streets in that vicinity, who are now drawing from the High Service, which should be reserved for elevators and localities where Low Service will not reach.
203
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
Table giving length and size of pipe laid, also number of gates and hydrants set on new and old lines follows.
TOTAL LENGTH AND SIZE OF PIPE LAID, AND NUMBER OF GATES AND HYDRANTS IN USE NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
10'
12"
16"
18"
20"
24"
30"
Miles.
| Gates.
| Hydrants.
Prior to 1886. Laid in 1886. 5
16,375 7,498 133,410 1,487|113,157
98,206 11,259 40,683 53,464 1,980 21,088 |11,414 7,060
97.929 886 784
1,872
4,423
21,471
4,662
89
2,612
6.653
54
27
Total. Pipe taken
2,476
538
7,567
6,653
4,647
662
4.27
up 1886
Total ft. 15,771 Total Miles. 3
2.987 1.318
24.671
.282
24.238
98,221 10,686 18.602
2.024 8.20
10.126
.375
3.993
2.160 1.340 100.312
--
18,247 7,498 137,833
1,487 134,628|102,868 11,348
43,295 53,464 |1,980
21,088 11,414 7,060
104.582 940 811
6,960 130,266
1,487
127,975
43,295 53,464 1,980
21,088 11,414 7,060
3"
4"
204
LOCATION, SIZE AND KIND OF HYDRANTS, NEW AND CHANGED, DURING THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
STREET.
LOCATION.
KIND.
SIZE.
No. of Outlets.
Size of Connec- tions.
Size of Street Mains.
TAKEN UP.
Cambridge Street,
At Sutton Lane, 674 ft. south of Webster Street,
Chapman,
2
2
16"
Southwest corner Channing Street,
5"
2
00
Boston.
Catharine Street, Cedar Street,
North Merrick Street,
5"
2
6 !!
Flush.
Chatham Street,
Southeast corner Quincy Street,
5ª
2
2
4""
2
Dale Street,
Southwest corner Brigham Street,
5"
2
6''
East Central Street,
On south side, 213 ft. east of Mulberry Street,
4ª
2
Eaton Place,
On west side, at south end of Place,
Wood.
Elizabeth Street,
opposite Farwell Street,
Chapman.
Florence Street,
10 ft. north of Oberlin Street,
4 !!
2
4"
New.
Gage Street,
Northwest corner of - Street to Eastern Avenue,
Boston, Chapman,
4 !!
2
4ª
6ª
Gardner Street,
Northeast corner of Hollis Street,
George Street,
North side, opposite Eden Street,
Wood.
H. S.
Harrington Avenue, Southeast corner Windsor Street,
Harrison Street,
Northwest corner Coral Street,
2
4"
2
5"
2
2
4"
16"
Leicester Street, Lincoln Park,
23 ft. east from Main Entrance,
2
6''
2
2
H
4ª
H. S.
On east side, 144 ft. north F. D. Perry's house,
2
2
4''
6"
Flush.
Mulberry Street, Myrtle Street,
Northeast corner Mulberry Court, Southbridge Street,
5"
2
8'
Northwest corner Portland Street,
Salem Street,
5ª
2
6"
16"
New.
H. S.
New.
Cherry Street,
On east side, 243 ft. south of Belmont Street,
66
New.
Coburn Avenue,
Southeast corner of Street to Lake Avenue,
2
2
2
2
2
2
6''
Flush.
66
·New.
Jaques Avenue, Lagrange Street, Lake Avenue,
South side, on west line Allen's Shop, 90 feet west of Avenue, between engine and car house, At Gates' Lane,
2
2
4"
North side, on west line of Baker's Store-house,
" " Hildreth's barn,
Flush. New.
Manchester Street, Market Street, Millbury Street,
30 ft. Whipple Street,
inis
2
444446444
8"
Penn Avenue, Wellington Street,
6ª 4 !!
6"
4ª
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
2
Northwest corner Canal Street,
LOCATION, SIZE AND KIND OF HYDRANTS, NEW AND CHANGED, DURING THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1886.
STREET.
LOCATION.
KIND.
SIZE.
No. of Outlets.
Size of Connec- tions.
Size of Street Mains.
TAKEN UP.
Orange Street,
On east side south line school house lot, " 41 ft. north of Myrtle Street,
Chapman,
4"
2 2
4ª
6"
New. Flush.
southeast corner Plymouth Street,
northeast
Madison Street,
66
6"
16"
New.
Pearl Street,
east line of house No. 49, northwest corner Union Avenue,
4ª
His
4"
..
66
New.
Shirley Street. 66
northeast corner Park Avenue,
" northwest Florence Street, Mulberry Street,
Shrewsbury Street,
66
" north side, east line Bicknell's lumber yard,
northeast corner - Street, from Shrewsbury to East Central Street,
5"
New.
west side, north line of lot 94,
5"
Flush.
66 southeast corner Larkin Street,
5"
east side, opposite Hill Street,
northeast corner Cross Street,
66
5"
66
Wood.
Sudbury Street,
south side, opposite Eden Street,
4"
Flush.
Suffield Street,
north side, 328 ft. from Vernon Street,
66
6"
8ª
Flush. 66
Waldo Street, 66
northeast corner Foster Street,
5"
5"
Washington Street,
southwest corner Gold Street,
west side, opposite Spruce Street,
4 '
southwest corner Lamartine Street,
New.
Whipple Street,
north side, 647 ft. from Millbury Street,
-
66
H. S.
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
Penn Avenue,
Ætna Street,
Wood.
Prescott Street,
northeast
Redding Court,
Flush.
School Street,
south side, west line Hose house,
66
66
12"
Flush.
66
5"
5"
66
66
southeast Lyon Street,
New.
Trumbull Street,
66 west side, north line of lot No. 25,
east side, north line Waldo House,
New. Flush.
205
Oliver Street,
Park Avenue,
6"
H. S.
66
206
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
SERVICE PIPES.
The number of applications received during the year is 444. Five have been withdrawn and seven not acted on. Six left over from last year have been put in, making the number added during the year 438. Total number of services 7,629. 8,673.7 feet of service pipe has been laid at an expense to the city of $4,483.40, and 14,029.7 feet laid at an expense to individuals of $4,454.25. This includes 176 feet of 6-inch and 756 feet of 4-inch cast-iron ; 100 feet of 3-inch ; 56 feet of 2}-inch; 2,246 feet of 2-inch ; 1,866 feet of 1-inch and 17,503 feet &-inch of wrought-iron pipe.
Twenty-eight service pipes have been changed for which 495 feet of pipe was laid at an expense to the city of $350.00, and 815.8 feet at an expense to individuals of $353.71. 7,175 feet have been laid for temporary mains, the expense of trenching and laying paid for by individuals, the department furnishing the pipe. The total length of pipe laid 31,189 feet or 5.90 miles.
The total length of service pipe laid for the city 32.49 miles, and for individuals 35.67 miles, or a total length of 68.16 miles, exclusive of temporary mains.
Four-hundred and four tons of pipe and fifteen tons special cast- ings, nearly all from the Warren Foundry and Machine Co. of Phil- lipsburg, N. J., and twenty-five tons castings from the Foundry of Caleb Colvin of this city, were received during the year.
The barn in which the horses belonging to the department are kept is damp and unhealthy, and is not of sufficient size for our needs. I earnestly recommend that better and more con- venient quarters be provided the coming season.
Number of stops and connections on main cement-lined pipe cleaned during the year, 191. Value of stock and tools on hand, $27,017.81.
The number of bills rendered the City Treasurer, for collection during the year 1,966, amounting to $21,450.54.
The number of abatements 43, amounting to $331.34. Number of bills in the hands of the City Treasurer 261, this includes 152 November bills which amount to $1,898.30.
1
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.
207
Amount collected during the year, $21,829.14. The water has been shut off from the premises of 13 takers, and 12 let on on payment of bills.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN G. BRADY, Water Commissioner.
Worcester, December 18, 1886.
REPORT
OF THE
WATER REGISTRAR.
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water:
GENTLEMEN : The following report is respectfully submitted for the year ending Nov. 30, 1886.
Four hundred and thirty-eight applications for water have been received during the year and placed in the hands of the Commissioner.
Bills for water have been rendered to the City Treasurer for collection, as follows :-
For Metered Water,
12,331
$106,353, 29
For Annual Rates,
2,015
18,309 29
Total,
14,346
$124,662 58
The amount of revenue received for water rates for the financial year ending November 30, 1886, was $117,851.55.
The amount of uncollected bills in the hands of the City Treasurer, Nov. 30, 1886, was $14,856.63.
Amount appropriated from Water Rates to Sinking Funds was $31,962.72.
The water was shut off from the premises of ten takers for non-payment of bills, and immediately turned on after the bills were settled.
During the year the sum of $4,336.08 has been deducted from the amount charged for water rates and metered water, owing to
209
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR.
changes from anuual to metered rates, adjustment of bills of water-takers, and by votes of the Committee.
The quantity of measured water furnished during the twelve months ending September 30, 1886, inclusive of water used for street sprinkling, waste, and leakage was as follows :-
From October, 1885, to April, 1886, 273,192,952 gallons. 308,429,536
From April, 1886, to October, 1886,
Total,
581,622,488 66
METERS.
The number of new meters set during the year was four hun- dred and twenty-four (424), making the total number in use at the present time 6,379.
METERS IN USE.
SIZES.
KINDS.
3.11
1ª
2 !!
3/
4"
8'
TOTAL.
B. & F. Piston Union, Rotary Desper
3091
158
61
41
90
16
4
2
1
3464
1050
36
2
1088
Crown
15
2
1
1
19
Gem
6
1
1
3
4
15
Duplex
1
1
Empire .
1
1
5615
467
113
48
104
20
9
2
1
6379
.
·
1791
1451
271
49
7
12
1
The present Meter System can hardly be called satisfactory to the department or the water-takers. We probably have at the present time from one thousand to fifteen hundred meters on the works that do not register more than fifty per cent. of the water passing through them. This is not the fault of the construction of the meters, but is owing to the length of time they have been in use without repairs. Many of them have been in use from seven to ten years and have become very much worn, conse-
210
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 41.
quently allowing a large percentage of the water to apss through without being registered.
It has been the policy of the department to allow a meter to remain in use until it ceases to register. It is then removed for repairs. After being repaired and replaced, it immediately commences to measure accurately, thereby causing a correspond- ing increase in the next water bill. This is followed by a com- plaint at the office that there must be some mistake in the water bill, as it is so much larger than the former bill, when the facts in the case are, that the party has not been paying for water actually used, until their meter was repaired.
Many cities own all meters on their works. This can be done only where a high minimum rate is charged, say from eight to ten dollars per year. While the first cost to the City for the pur- chase of the meters now on and belonging to water-takers would be considerable, I am of the opinion that in the near future the City will be obliged to adopt some plan by which the Depart- ment can own and control all meters on the works.
ELEVATORS.
Nineteen new elevators have been connected with the works the past year .; four on high service and fifteen on low service ; three being passenger and sixteen freight elevators.
It will be necessary for some rules to be adopted in regard to elevators, as at the present time there are none.
COLLECTION OF WATER BILLS.
Your attention is respectfully called to the large amount of uncollected bills in the hands of the Treasurer at the close of the financial year. I trust some way may be devised for the more prompt payment of the same.
RATES.
In my last Annual Report, I recommended a revision of our water rates; I am still of the opinion that they should receive careful consideration at your hands.
211
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR.
RULES.
I most earnestly call your attention to our present rules which were formed for a small community, and which the City has en- tirely outgrown -; some should be stricken out, others amended, and new rules added. Under our present rules the Department finds that it is powerless to prevent some abuses that are well known to exist.
REMARKS.
The policy adopted two years since, of sending notices to par- ties whose meters indicate a large excess of water used over the previous month, has been continued the past year, and six hun- dred and sixty-five (665) of such notices have been sent.
Most people seem to appreciate this act of courtesy, but in some cases I find that it has a tendency to make others careless in the use of water or in looking after their fixtures, as they seem to think the department will look after them. Still the policy adopted is for the best interests of the citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
4
GEO. E. BATCHELDER.
Registrar.
REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER
TO THE
COMMITTEE ON WATER
To the Joint Standing Committee on Water:
In compliance with the City Ordinances the following report is submitted :-
The Reservoirs have been examined frequently during the year. The Lynde Brook and Holden reservoirs are in ex- cellent condition.
At Bell Pond, the leak through the easterly dam was stopped, after it was ascertained that high water in the pond as at present maintained, was higher than the top of the old wood spiling in the dam, the filling back of the spiling being loose enough to allow the water to percolate freely through.
The gate-house at the southerly end of the pond was also bad- ly out of repair, the lime in which the foundation stone were laid having almost entirely worked out, so that the gate-chamber was constantly flooded with water.
These repairs have been thoroughly done from plans furnished by this office.
A description of the work will be found in the Commissioner's report. The above-mentioned repairs have long been needed, and greatly improve the condition of the property.
It is of the greatest importance that the water in this reser- voir should be kept pure; this is impossible under the present condition of things. The pasture in which the cattle belonging
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REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER ON WATER.
to the State Lunatic Hospital are kept during the summer months, extends down to the edge of the pond, and it is no un- common thing to see from ten to thirty or forty cows standing and wallowing in the water.
This should not be allowed, but cannot be helped unless land is purchased from the State, as recommended by the Water Commissioner. As the State Hospital is the largest and at times the only consumer of water from this pond, and as it is therefore directly interested in the matter, it ought not to be a difficult matter to obtain the land at a reasonable rate. The east gate-house as constructed does not allow the water to be drawn much below the surface of the reservoir, as the prevailing winds are from the west, all floating matters are driven directly into the gate-house, quite a portion of this sediment being fine enough to pass through the screens and into the pipes.
In addition to this the water is frequently fouled by boys wading into the pond and around the gate-house. This can be remedied to a very great extent, by taking down the old house and constructing a new one, about fifty (50) feet further into the pond in deeper water. There would be much less chance for sediment to accumulate at the house in its new location, as it would probably be driven past by the wind, and the boys could not reach it owing to the increased depth of water.
This house could be connected , with the dam by a bridge, similar to the one at the Lynde Brook Reservoir. I would recommend that this work be done in the near future.
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