USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1874-1877 > Part 11
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SECT. 2. Said Board of Water Commissioners shall exe- cute, superintend, and direct the performance of all the works, matters, and things mentioned in the Act hereafter referred to, and shall have and exercise all the rights, powers, and authority, and are hereby authorized, empowered, and appointed, as the officers and agents of the town, to exercise all the rights, power, and authority, vested in and granted to the town of Arlington, or conferred on said Board by or in pursuance of an Act of the Legislature approved on the twenty-fifth day of April, A.D. 1873, entitled " An Act in addition to the Acts relating to the Arlington Lake Water Com- pany," and by any acts in addition thereto, or to which said act is in addition thereto, so far as the same can legally be delegated, and shall perform all the duties required of them by said Act. They shall have power to appoint a superin- tendent and all necessary subordinate officers, agents, and
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RULES OF WATER-WORKS.
assistants, and may remove the same at pleasure, and may fix their compensation and that of the clerk before mentioned, provided that the same shall not exceed in the whole the sum appropriated therefor by the town. All such officers, agents, and assistants shall be subject to such rules and regulations as said Board shall from time to time establish.
SECT. 3. All bills for expenditures by said Board shall be approved by the said Board before they are paid by the treasurer, and shall be paid by the treasurer when so ap- proved.
SECT. 4. The president of the Board shall exercise a gen- eral supervision over the pipes and other structures apper- taining to the water-works, and the materials and property connected therewith, and over all subordinate officers and agents. In case of the absence or inability of the president, his duties may be performed by a president pro tempore to be chosen by said Board.
SECT. 5. The said Board shall determine and assess the water-rates according to the tariff of rates adopted by the town; and the clerk shall make out all bills for the same, which bills shall be transmitted to, and distributed and col- lected by, the treasurer of the town.
SECT. 6. All moneys paid into the town treasury on ac- count of water-works shall be placed to the credit of the water-works.
SECT. 7. For the purposes named in the eighth section of said Act of the Legislature, the selectmen and treasurer may issue from time to time so much of the Arlington Water Scrip, not exceeding such amount as may be authorized by the town to be issued, and the amount authorized by said Act and authorized by the Legislature hereafter, as may be necessary or required by the said Board of Water Commis- sioners for such purposes ; and the treasurer may, and he hereby is authorized, to sell the same or any part thereof from time to time, or to pledge the same for money borrowed for the purposes aforesaid, on such terms and conditions as he may deem proper.
SECT. 8. The annual rent for the use of the water shall
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RULES OF WATER-WORKS.
be payable in semi-annual payments in advance on the first day of July and January in each year. All charges for spe- cific supplies, or for fractional parts of the year, shall be payable in advance, and before the water is let on.
SECT. 9. In all cases of non-payment of the water-rent for thirty days after the same is due, the superintendent shall cut off the supply ; and the water shall not again be let on except upon the payment of the sum of two dollars, and not for the same occupant or owner, except upon the payment also of the whole amount due ; provided, that in cases of specific supplies, or for fractional parts of the year, where the water has been let on, it may be cut off immediately, after notice given at the place that the rent is not paid, and may be let on again upon the conditions before mentioned. And the foregoing provisions shall apply when two or more parties take the water through the same service - pipes, although one: or more may have paid the proportion due from him or them.
SECT. 10. The clerk, under the direction of the said Board, may make abatements in water-rents, in all proper cases.
SECT. 11. The clerk shall keep suitable books, in which. shall be entered the names of all persons who take the water, the kind of building, the name of, and location on, the street, the nature of the use, the number of taps, and the amount charged, which shall always be open to the inspection of the- said Board, and any committee or officer of the town.
SECT. 12. The following regulations shall be considered a part of the contract with every person who takes the water; and every such person, by taking the water, shall be con- sidered to express his assent to be bound thereby. They shall be printed upon every bill for water rent ; and, when- ever any one of them is violated, the water shall be cut off from the building or place of such violation, although two or more parties may receive the water through the same pipe, and shall not be let on. again except by the order of the Board of Water Commissioners, and on the payment of two dollars ; and in case of any such violation, the said Board shall have the right to declare any payment made for the
82
RULES OF WATER-WORKS.
water, by the person committing such violation, to be for- feited, and the same shall thereupon be forfeited.
The said Regulations are as follows : -
First, All persons taking the water shall keep the service- pipes within their premises in good repair, and protected from frost, at their own expense; and they will be held liable for all damage which may result from their failure to do so.
Second, They shall prevent all unnecessary waste of water, and there shall be no concealment of the purposes for which it is used.
Third, No alterations shall be made in any of the pipes or fixtures inserted by the town, except by its agents, who are to be allowed to enter the premises supplied, to examine the apparatus, and to ascertain whether there is any unnecessary waste; and no alteration or extension of the pipes in the house, ground, or premises, shall be made without notice to the Water Commissioners.
Fourth, No water is allowed to be supplied to parties not entitled to the use of it, under these rules and regulations, unless by special permission first obtained from the Water Commissioners.
Fifth, The said Board, or any person authorized by the Board, may enter the premises of any water-taker to exam- ine the quantity used, and the manner of use, and to cut off the water for non-payment of rents or fines, or any violation of the foregoing rules.
SECT. 13. The owner or occupant of any premises, where an unnecessary waste of water occurs, shall be liable to a fine of two dollars, and shall be notified thereof in writing; and if such waste shall not be prevented, and the fine aforesaid paid, within two days from the time when said notice is given, the water shall be cut off from the said premises, and shall not be again let on until the waste be stopped, and the fine paid, together with an additional sum of two dollars for cutting off and letting on the water ; and, in case of a second offence during the same year, a fine of four dollars shall be imposed, and, if not paid as before mentioned, the water shall
83
RULES OF WATER-WORKS.
be cut off, and not again let on till the cause of complaint is removed, and the fine paid, together with two dollars for cut- ting off and letting on the water ; and, in case of a third or subsequent offence, the water shall be cut off, and shall not again be let on, except by vote of the Board, and the pay- ment of such fine, not exceeding ten dollars, as the Board may impose. Service-pipes will be laid to the line of the street without charge; and all applicants for whom the pipe is laid will be charged for the use of one faucet whether the water is used or not.
SECT. 14. Said Board shall have power to establish such other regulations as they may deem expedient for the intro- duction and use of water; and the water shall not be sup- plied to any building unless the pipes and fixtures shall be made conformable to the said regulations.
SECT. 15. The following rates shall be charged annually for the use of the water, namely : ---
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet . $5 00
For each additional faucet to be used by same family, 2 00 Where a house is occupied by more than one family,
and less than four, one faucet only being used for all, for each family 4 00
Where a house is occupied by four or more families, and but one faucet is used by all, for each family, Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family having the water carried into their part of the house ..
3 50
For the first bath-tub . .
·
5 00
For each additional bath-tub 3 00 . .
For the first water-closet 5 00
For each additional water-closet . 3 00
For hopper water-closets, special rates will be made. Where bath-tubs or water-closets are used by more
than one family, for each family . 4 00
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RULES OF WATER-WORKS.
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, and both emptying into one basin, but one charge will be made for both ; provided, that in no case shall the charge for the use of water by a private family, exclusive of hose and stable, be more than $25 00
BOARDING HOUSES.
For the first faucet . 10 00
Each additional faucet 2 00
Water-closet or bath-tub, when used by boarders . 10 00
Each additional bath-tub or water-closet · 3 00
STORES, OFFICES, WAREHOUSES, &C., NOT. INCLUDING MANUFACTORIES OR WORKSHOPS.
First faucet . $5 00
When two or more tenants are supplied from the same faucet, each ·
4 00
Water-closet used by occupants of one tenement only, 5 00 When used by occupants of more than one tenement, for each tenant 4 00
For each additional faucet or water-closet, half of above rates will be charged.
MARKETS, SALOONS, RESTAURANTS, WORKSHOPS.
For markets, saloons, restaurants, workshops, or for purposes not included in any other classification, and not requiring more than an ordinary supply of water . $5 to $25
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers $3 00 . .
For each bath-tub in a hotel . 10.00
For each water-closet in a hotel . . 10 00
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RULES OF : WATER-WORKS.
PUBLIC BATHS.
For one tub in public bath-house $10 00
For each additional bath-tub . 5 00 ·
For one water-closet in public bath-house . . 10 00
For each additional water-closet .
.
. 3.00
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse . 5 00
66 · For each additional horse 4 00
For one cow
· 2 00
66 For each additional cow . ·
1 00
Livery, club, and boarding stables. For each horse . 3 00 Car and omnibus stables. For each horse . 2 00
Truck and cart stables. For each horse · 2 00 Provided, that in no case shall any stable be charged less than $5.
The rates for stables include water for washing carriages without hose.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets (and the use of the same shall be limited to one hour per day), not less than . $3 00
STEAM BOILERS.
For each boiler in use not over twelve hours a day, for each horse power . . $6 00
BUILDING PURPOSES
For each cask of lime or cement
. 6 cents.
HYDRANTS.
Hydrants set by the town at the rate of $28.00 each, allow- ing one hydrant to each 200 inhabitants.
-
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AUDITOR'S REPORT.
SECT. 16. When water is required for purposes which are not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rates shall be fixed by the Board of Water Commissioners; and the rates fixed in the foregoing tariff may be varied by the Water Commis- sioners, whenever in particular cases, in their judgment, the. interests of the town shall require.
SECT. 17. In all cases the action of a majority of the Board of Water Commissioners shall be deemed to be the action of the Board.
AUDITORS' REPORT.
THE undersigned have this day examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer and Collector for the year 1875, and find the same to be correctly kept, with vouchers for all the payments and the balance of cash to be as stated by him.
G. M. MORSE, Auditors. ABEL R. PROCTOR, S
ARLINGTON, February 8, 1876.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1875.
Selectmen of Arlington.
GENTLEMEN, - I have to report the Fire Department in nearly the same condition as last year, all the apparatus being in fair condition.
There have been fourteen fires and alarms.
Loss as given by owners or agents,
$39,950
Insurance, $17,210
I shall be pleased to make recommendations and sugges- tions when so requested.
I would recommend an appropriation for the current ex- penses for the ensuing year, of two thousand three hundred. dollars. Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOBBS,
Chief Engineer.
RECORD OF FIRES AND ALARMS FROM JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31, 1875.
88
Day of Week.
Date.
Hour.
Owners of Property.
Occupants.
Location.
Loss.
Ins.
Remarks.
Friday. . . .
April 16 9.30 P.M.
Wednesday .
April 21 6.30 A.M.
1 sent.
Tuesday. . . July 6 8.30 P.M. Cyrus Cutter. . . .
Cyrus Cutter. . . .
Summer Street
. . $1,700
$1,350
Barn struck by lightning and burned; also two horses, harnesses, hay, &c.
Thursday . . July 29 10.30A.M. J. Schouler . . .
S. Baxindale ...
Arlington Av. .
· $25,000
$7,700
1
Monday . . . Aug. 25.00 A.M. M. Waugh.
M. Waugh. . ...
Warren Street.
. . $150
. . $85 Incendiary attempt to burn store.
Wednesday . Sept. 1|12.45A.M. Town of Arlington Town ..
Summer Street
. . $2,000
$1,700
§ Burning of stable, &c., in which Samuel Russell lost his life. Incendiary.
Wednesday .
Sept. 1 8.45 P.M. Cyrus Cutter
Cyrus Cutter
Summer Street
. . $5,000
$2,775
Burning of barn, five horses, hogs, &c. Incendiary.
Saturday . .
Sept. 25 9.30 P.M. D. Puffer . . .
D. Puffer . . . Winter Street .
. . $2,500 . None Burning of hot-bed sash. Incendiary.
Sunday . . .
Oct. 3 5.45 P.M. J. Henderson . . .
J. Henderson . . .
Appleton Street
. . $800
. $600
( Burning of barn, hay, &c. Supposed in- cendiary.
Friday . . . . Oct. 15 8.40 P.M.
.
No. Cambridge
.
§ Burning of picture-frame shop. Hose 3 and H. & L. companies reported.
Friday .. . . Nov. 26 10.50P.M.
Cook . ...
None . . Park Avenue .
. . $2,800
$3,000
§ Burning of unfinished unoccupied house. 1 Incendiary.
Friday .. . . Dec. 3 9.15 A.M. R.W. Shattuck&Co. R. W. S. & Co. . . Arlington Av. .
. Trifling
· . .
Igniting of oil in basement of store.
$39,950
$17,210
.
Needless alarm.
Winchester . . E. Lexington .
§ Burning of hotel. Hose 2 and Engine
-
( Burning of shoddy mill; loss and insur. ance as near as could be ascertained.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
THE Public Library continues to justify the wisdom of the appropriation which is yearly made to sustain it. Its advan- tages are largely used. The good influence of well-selected books cannot be over-estimated. Habits of reading such books should be cultivated by individuals, and encouraged by all who have the welfare of the Town at heart. A love for good books tends to keep the young from places of question- able resort, to make them despise what is low and vulgar, to form in them pure and noble characters, and to encourage and stimulate them to moral and beneficent lives. The Library should be carefully guarded against every thing which can vitiate the taste or corrupt the heart. Thus it may be made, through the liberality of the Town, an ever-strength- ening power for good.
The whole number of books is 5,331.
There have been given out during the year 17,985, showing how extensively the Library is used.
Number of volumes not returned, 11.
Amount of fines, $62.00.
D. R. CADY, In behalf of the Trustees.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
FROM my own examination of the High School, Cutter, and Russell Schools, I can say that the teachers and schol- ars have done good work therein during the past year. In recitation the scholars seem prompt and accurate in an- swer, attentive to instruction, and well grounded in the first principles of the various studies. In their preparation for recitation, as far as I could judge, it is particularly noticeable that the scholars seem interested in their work. The com- mittee are more fully convinced than ever that our graded sys- tem is doing much to advance the standard of scholarship in our schools. The monthly written examinations made by the teachers, which must be answered in writing by the scholars, all indicate thorough instruction on the part of the teachers, and a good acquaintance with what has been studied on the part of the scholars. The committee place great confidence in our present excellent corps of teachers, and feel that it would not be a wise or economical plan to make any change in the board of instructors in these schools at the present time. The committee desire to make some suggestions as to the improvements of the school buildings and public grounds about them. It is the duty of the town to make our public buildings, and especially our public school buildings and grounds, attractive to the scholars and others who are inter- ested in them. Nothing shows so much a generous public spirit to strangers who may feel drawn to settle in a town like ours as good public buildings, with grounds about them ornamented with trees and grassed lawns. Our Russell Schoolhouse and grounds show a great chance for improve- ment. In the first place, at each end of the building, where the children enter and leave it, there should be laid an
91
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
asphaltum pavement, because in wet weather considerable water and mud will be found about those entrances, which remain there until dried up by evaporation. In wet weather the children are more liable to use the small spaces about those entrances for play than any other place; and the change suggested would be of advantage to their health. There is not a tree on the whole park of any value for shade. While at school the children must be encouraged to exercise in the open air as much as possible. But it would hardly be expected that the park of the Russell School in its present condition could offer any inducement to out-door sports and recreation during the summer months, especially to the girls, who particularly need such recreation. It is particularly noticeable to the committee, and complained of by the parents, that our school children loiter too much about the streets on their way to and from school, and during recess hours. We believe this could be obviated by making the grounds about our school building more attractive. Our High-School building and grounds are in a very poor condi- tion. An old broken-down fence about it that any citizen of moderate means would be ashamed to have about his own grounds ; a building that can be heated with difficulty dur- ing the cold days of winter. and ill adapted to proper venti- lation ; its situation in a position where the scholars can have little or no chance for amusement or recreation from outdoor exercises, because of the smallness of the grounds, - all render it desirable that great changes and improvements in our High-School building and grounds should be made.
It is to be hoped that the town will soon begin to make some annual appropriation for planting trees, building walks, and keeping lawns about our school buildings. We feel that the schools are now under good instruction, that the scholars are making good use of the advantages given them, and, that the work of the scholars and teachers may be blessed to the common welfare of the town, we ask the hearty co-operation of the parents in forwarding the best interests of our public schools.
By JOHN H. HARDY, Chairman.
92
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Cotting High School.
The High School has had a favorable year under its ex- perienced teachers. It has kept its full numbers ; and has a wide and well-distributed classification of studies. An in- creased interest in the study of several branches has been ob- served, particularly in that of Latin. The spirit of the school is excellent in animation, conduct, diligence, and thorough- ness. It has secured its place, firmly, as the first in the grade of our series of schools, and now affords a basis for all the improvement which time and public favor may furnish.
The requirements for admission have not been reduced. They are still placed at the average standard of the best High Schools. Twenty-four candidates were accepted for the junior class of the present year, whose preparation re- flected great credit on the teachers by whom their previous study had been directed. The graduating class consisted of seven pupils, who had completed the required three years' course. The usual exercises of graduation were held in the Town Hall, in the presence of a large audience. One young man, who had finished the classical course, entered at Har- vard University with special honor, thus continuing the prestige of unconditional acceptance, which, to this time, has attended our graduates in their college examination.
The full curriculum of studies has been preserved. In the first place, a complete classical course ; then a partial course of the classics, together with German, French, mathematics, English literature, history, ethics, natural science in various branches, drawing, and music.
The school now numbers, nine in the senior, seventeen in the middle, and twenty-four in the junior class, thus consti- tuting a total of fifty members, and being at the highest numerical point since its establishment.
The sub-committee thus present the few details, which the experience of the year affords. There is but little to be added by way of general suggestion.
It is observable that the school increases in the num- ber of its pupils ; and, from the promise which the Grammar Schools give, the classes in the coming years will keep up the
93
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
complement. The proportion of this school, to the whole number of school-children in the town, will not probably in the future greatly exceed that which it now bears; yet it will be large enough to warrant a wide provision in the branches to be taught, and in the means of teaching. The committee cannot recommend any change which might abridge the usefulness of the school in either respect.
It may seem inopportune, in this time of financial depres- sion, to bring to the notice of the Town the inadequate accommodations of the High School. That the building is unfit, as to comfort and convenience, leaving out every consid- eration of attractiveness, has long been apparent. Even if the project of a new schoolhouse must take its place far behind many pressing and onerous burdens of expenditure first to be provided for, still its necessity should be recognized as a claim not to be deferred indefinitely. The Town should not over- look the advantage which comes from the possession of public edifices erected not only with reference to the instruction of the young, but also to the diffusion of knowledge among all its inhabitants. The time will come, unwelcome as the sug- gestion may be at the present moment, when it will be felt as a common duty, prompted by respect for the fair character of the Town, to provide Library and High School buildings, ornamental in architecture, spacious and convenient in' all appointments. It should be borne in mind, that this town is becoming a place for suburban residence, and that its growth and prosperity will depend upon its attractiveness in that regard. As a merely economical question, then, is it not worth considering how much the inducement to reside here may be enhanced by the existence of institutions contributing to the intelligence and refinement of the community ?
WILLIAM E. PARMENTER, For the Sub-Committee.
Russell Grammar School. (First and Second Grades.)
The Sub-Committee respectfully report : -
These schools maintain their excellent character for good order, and for faithful work on the part of teachers and scholars.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
One great danger in our school system is, that teaching will become mechanical; that every class, and each pupil, will be moulded after a fixed pattern ; that individuality will · be sacrificed to general rules and theories and requirements. In so far as this tendency is developed, our schools fail of their true end.
Your Committee are happy to believe, that, in the grades under their immediate care, the teachers strive to avoid this evil, and endeavor to train the scholars to habits of exact thought, and of careful expression.
Mr. Grover resumed his position as Master in the First Grade, soon after the school year commenced, and has pur- sued his labors with fidelity and success.
Miss Hobart retains her place in the Second Grade, and continues to give the most gratifying proof of her power to communicate knowledge, and to stimulate thought.
D. R. CADY, In behalf of Sub-Committee.
East District.
The schools of this district continue under the manage- ment of Miss Scanlan and Miss Bowers. Their instruction still proves to be thorough, careful, and efficient ; and the pupils in their charge well maintain their rank with the classes of the same grade in the Russell. The numerical state of the schools is also satisfactory ; and an increase in the average attendance has been noted.
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