USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1874-1877 > Part 24
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89
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
On the outer edge of the flat, opposite the filter, there has been built a supplementary filtering gallery 150 feet long, covered by a brick arch of 4 feet span, each end of which is connected with the filter by drain-pipe laid with open joints. This is a novel thing in filtering and may need some modification. If it continues to work, as it promises, and the reservoir can be kept full, we shall have an abundant supply for a 12-inch pipe.
Taxes, Interest and Scrip.
The petition for the abatement of the tax assessed by Lexington on our Water Works was dismissed by the County Commissioners without a hearing on its merits. No further action on the subject has yet been taken.
The amount of Water Scrip issued during the year is $5,000, making the whole amount issued up to the present time $215,000. If the income from water rates for 1878 be the same as for 1877,-and it will not probably vary mate- rially from that,-and if no more scrip is issued, an appro- priation of the same amount as was made last spring for in- terest will be needed the next year. If more claims are settled and more scrip issued, there will be needed an addi- tional sum sufficient to meet the interest on the new scrip.
Uses for which water is supplied as reported by the Reg- istrar :-
Families
supplied, 332
Stores and shops
66
15
Private stables 66
49
Livery stables 66
2
Horse railroad stable "
1
Steam railroad depot "
1
Hand hose
119
Hotels
2
Churches and societies supplied,
4
Town House
66
1
School-houses
66
3
Hose-houses
66
2
7
90
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Private fountains
supplied, 2
Irrigation
39
Cemetery 66
1
Savings Bank building 66
1
Stone crusher
1
Hydrants
96
Stock and tools on hand as reported by the Superinten- dent :-
18 picks.
5 shovels.
1 hoe.
1 rake.
2 wheelbarrows.
1 Gem meter.
7 joints, 9 feet each, 4-inch iron pipe.
1 joint, 7 feet, new cement-lined 4-inch pipe.
1 joint, 3 feet, 6 inches, cement-lined 12-inch pipe.
5 joints, each 7 feet, second-hand 4-inch cement-lined pipe.
2 branches 8 x 4.
1 hydrant jacket, foot, 2 nipples and 3 caps for hydrant.
3 hydrant rods.
3 caps for hydrants.
1 centre rod for hydrant valve.
62 pounds new manilla rope for winding.
25 66 white lead.
55 rope yarn for caulking.
3 gate wrenches.
2 hydrant wrenches.
5 6-inch branches.
56 feet 6-inch cement drain-pipe.
5 4-inch branches drain-pipe.
1 small lot of lumber not measured. R. L. HODGDON, GEORGE HILL, JOHN FILLEBROWN,
Water Commissioners.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1877.
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Receipts.
Balance of cash on hand Dec. 30, 1876, $90 14
Amount received during the year 1877, viz. : -
For water rates for 1874, $22 00
" water rates for 1875, 19 50
" water rates for 1876, 58 70
" water rates for 1877, $7,755 16
From town for use of street
hydrants for 1877, 1,000 00
- 8,755 16
For water rates for 1878,
44 00
8,899 36
Amount received of Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on de- posits, 45 67
Amount received of town, interest on loan of $1,500, 36 59
Amount received of thirty persons
for letting on water which was cut off for non-payment of rates, Amount received of D. Cahlane, for rent of Slocum Mill,
60 00
335 00
Amount received for pipe, etc., sold,
27 72
Amount carried forward, $9,494 48
92
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $9,494 48
Amount received of town, appropria-
tion for interest on Water Scrip, 7,000 00
Amount received of town (June 30), loans of Feb. 2d and 7th, 1,500 00
Amount received of town, to settle claims for land damages, and other matters, authorized by votes of the town, 7,016 51
$25,010 99
Expenditures.
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
Paid Sylvester Stickney's
bills for 22 services, $352 00
for extra on services, 10 00 - $362 00
Claims for damages, etc., as follows, viz. :-
George O. Smith, land in Great Meadows, 181 00
Estate of Thomas Hall, land in Great Meadows, 100 00
Estate of Thomas H. Teel, land in Great Meadows, 75 00
Nathaniel Hill, land in Great Meadows, 60 00
Maria A. Smith, et al., land in Great Meadows, 50 00
Oliver M. Winship, land in Great Meadows, 270 00
$1,098 00
Amount carried forward,
$1,098 00
93
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $1,098 00
Paid C. B. Stevens, Register, recording deeds, 5 95
John H. Hardy, legal services and ex- penses in mill suits and other cases, 238 75 John H. Hartwell, paid witness fees in cases of C. Fiske, et al. and T. Eaton, 47 90
C. H. Taylor, surveying and services on account Fiske and Eaton suits, etc., 146 07
C. S. Jacobs, Jr., dinners for Commis- sioners in mill suits and Eaton case, 35 00
C. Hatch, survey Winship land, 15 35
Labor on trench between Hobbs and the town land, 29 00
Labor on brook near the reservoir, 3 00
M. Day & Co., drain-pipe,
25 00
W. N. Winn, teaming pipe,
7 00
Warren Rawson, as per vote of the town, services as a member of the Water Committee, 1,000 00
Paid on account conduit at Brown's Brook, as follows, viz. : -
C. H. Taylor, surveying and plans, $ 55 35
C. H. Taylor, contract, 3,389 42
C. H. Taylor, removing earth, 48 00
Morss & White, wire screen, 8 87
Nathaniel Garmon, stone work, 67 96
Edward Storer, labor and stock, 18 05
F. E. Foster, lumber, 91 74
3,679 39
Amount carried forward, .
$6,330 41
94
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $6,330 41
Paid on account work at Great Meadows, viz. :-
C. H. Taylor, for excavating and filling with blue gravel, etc., $ 50 82
J. W. Russell, mason work, 66 65
Labor, excavating ditches, etc., 211 00
Edward Storer, labor and stock, making dam, etc., 33 77
On account laying pipes at Fiske Avenue, viz. :-
362 24
Davis & Farnum Manuf'g Co., iron pipe, $153 58
Labor, excavating, blasting, powder, fuse, etc., 115 00
Sylvester Stickney, laying pipe, etc., 51 27
J. H. Hardy, making deed, 3 00
322 85
On account, laying pipes at Dudley Street, viz : -
Davis & Farnum Manufacturing Co., iron pipes, $37 09
Sylvester Stickney's bill, labor and materials, 35 65
72 74
R. W. Shattuck & Co., for hydrants, labor, etc., for Teel, Henderson, Franklin Streets and Lewis Avenue, On account of fencing, viz :- C. H. Taylor's bill, setting stone bounds at the Great Meadows, 62 35
215 00
Amounts carried forward, $62 35
$7,303 24
95
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $62 35 $7,303 24
Paid C. H. Taylor's bill, setting stone bounds at Slocum's Mill, 37 34
99 69
On account of Lexington Taxes, viz : -
J. H. Hardy, legal services, 38 12
J. H. Hartwell, paid witness. fees, 4 70
42 82
$7,445 75
Running Expenses.
Paid R. W. Shattuck & Co., sun- dries,
$ 48 97
Sylvester Stickney, sundries, 619 75
George Y. Wellington, agent, Premium of Insurance on Slocum's Mill, 50 00
Labor at Slocum's dam,
7 50
Edward Storer, stock and labor at Slocum's dam, 6 12
Boston Machine Co., hydrant valves and washers,
15 00
Doane & Greenough, stationery,
4 25
Parker & Gannett, tools,
22 00
W. C. Schouler, wood-cut,
4 00
W. N. Winn, expressing,
2 25
F. W. Hodgdon, plan,
4 50
T. H. Russell, fuse,
75
Amounts carried forward, $785 09
$7,445 75
96
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $785 09 $7,445 75
Paid J. F. Eldredge & Co., rubber, etc., 10 38
D. F. Jones & Co., printing, 7 50
Arlington Press Association, printing, 2 00
Jesse Bacon, mason work, 2 35
Labor at reservoir, 484 06
J. W. Russell, mason work at reservoir, 123 38
M. Day & Co., drain-pipe, 207 72
W. N. Winn, teaming pipe, 40 93
Medford Water Board, for pipe, 64 05
Labor excavating and filling, 96 75
Sylvester Stickney's bill, 50 80
J. W. Russell, mason work, 4 50
1,879 51
Interest on Water Scrip.
Paid interest on Water Scrip, $12,900 00 Less amount received for interest accrued on $5,000 of Water Scrip sold May 1st, 100 00
12,800 00
Paid Sylvester Stickney, for repairing leaks in main pipe, charged to George H. Norman, 144 05
Davis & Farnum Manuf'g Co., for 9 pieces of 4-inch iron pipe, on hand, 34 58 Loaned to town, Feb. 2d, $1,000 and 7th, $500, 1,500 00
Amount carried forward, $23,803 89
97
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $23,803 89
Balance of cash on hand Dec. 31, 1877, 1,207 10
$25,010 99
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1877.
DR. CR.
Town of Arlington,
$217,982 40
Construction,
$218,997 61
George H. Norman,
186 05
Cash,
1,207 10
Interest,
48,071 42
Town Appropriation for Interest,
16,000 00
Water Rates for 1873,
8,035 83
1874,
7,913 66
66 1875,
7,600 52
1876,
8,452 59
1877,
8,833 58
66
1878,
44 00
Running Expenses,
8,839 58
Sundry Receipts.
2,473 76
Stock Materials,
34 58
$277,336 34 $277,336 34
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1877.
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
98
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
Sections 15 and 16 of Rules of Water Works.
SECT. 15. The following rates shall be charged annually for the use of water, namely :-
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet, $5 00
For each additional faucet to be used by the same family, 2 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one fam- ily, 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 fami- lies, and but one faucet is used by all, for each family, 3 50
Where a house is occupied by more than one fam- ily, the highest rates will be charged for each family having the water carried into their part of the house.
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
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, exclu- sive of hose and stable, be more than 25 00
99
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
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, ETC., 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 tene- ment, 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 classi- fication, and not requiring more than an or- dinary 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
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
100
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse, $5 00
For each additional horse, 4 00
60 For one cow, 2 00
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 wash- ing 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 cach 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, allowing one hydrant to cach 200 inhabitants.
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
101
AUDITORS' REPORT.
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.
AUDITORS' REPORT.
The undersigned hereby certify that they have audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer and Collector, for the year 1877, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all the payments, and the balance of cash to be as stated by him.
ABEL R. PROCTOR, Auditors. WM. T. FOSTER,
ARLINGTON, Jan. 28, 1878.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Chief Engineer of the Arlington Fire Department,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1877.
Selectmen of Arlington,
GENTLEMEN,-I am pleased to report this Department in a much improved condition, both in membership and appa- ratus, and hope to see that continuation of encouragement on the part of the citizens which has done so much toward placing your Fire Department in its present efficient condi- tion. I do not propose to offer recommendations, leaving that privilege to my successor.
I would call your attention to the increasing risk from fire, caused by heavy insurance, defective construction of buildings and many other causes I might mention, which call for a liberal outlay for protection against serious conflagra- tions.
There have been fifteen bell alarms for fires in town, to which the Department has responded, beside requests from citizens for service of hose to subdue small fires where the whole Department was not required.
Loss from fires, Insurance,
$26,214
29,400
I would request an appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars for the current expenses of this Department the en- suing year.
103
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
You have at present eighteen hundred feet of good hose ; also about one thousand feet which is very poor, some of which has been condemned. There have been purchased the past year eight hundred and fifty feet of cotton rubber- lined hose, with the Morse-patent coupling which I think will give perfect satisfaction.
I would again call your attention to the house occupied by Hose Two and Engine, and hope the town will see fit to make an appropriation sufficient to erect a comfortable build- ing, one in which the apparatus may receive proper care. I would also state that a feeling exists in this section of the town that their interests are secondary, and that the majority think the present structure good enough ; to such as think so, I respectfully request an inspection of the premises.
There have been but two serious fires the past year, both of which were well covered by insurance.
There have been several small fires, but by the prompt arrival of the Department they were extinguished before any serious loss was sustained.
Allow me once more to thank you for your liberality. Also to my associates on the Board of Engineers and members of the Department, my thanks are due for their generous support.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOBBS, Chief Engineer.
1
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Library has remained under the care of the same Librarian, Miss L. J. Newton, who has performed her duties faithfully and carefully. No extended report nor recommendations seem needed at the present time, as a committee was appointed at the Annual Town Meeting to report rules for the government of the Library. That com- mittee will, undoubtedly, consider all matters connected with the Library, and report on them, at the next March meet- ing.
Attention is called to the following statistics as showing the great and increasing demand there is for books : -
Number of volumes in the Library, 5,826.
Number given out during 1877, 21,206.
Number not returned, 7.
Amount of fines paid Town Treasurer, $93.00.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
R. L. HODGDON, Chairman of Standing Committee.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1877.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The School Committee submit their Annual Report : -
The schools, for several years, have been conducted on the same basis, in their classification and methods of instruc- tion. The change in their condition, from year to year, has been so immaterial, that the report which the law re- quires to be rendered annually, must necessarily have the aspect of repetition. The character of our schools is the result of continued and thoughtful labor and attention, and it has recently passed under the rigid scrutiny of the town. The committee understand that the judgment of their fellow townsmen is favorable to the existing system, and it has therefore been their study to strengthen the advantages which it is designed to secure.
The graded classification is still preserved. In the Rus- sell School this mode is practically complete. In the Cutter Schools the nearest approximation to thorough gradation, consistent with the school conveniences, and the number and character of the pupils, has this year been made. The grades now consist of the High School, the Russell School, with its six grammar and three primary classes, with which last the East Schools are parallel, and the Cutter School - with similar grammar and primary grades, including the School at the Heights as tributary. Thus all the schools are arranged in two groups with the High School at the head. The system certainly commends itself for methodical
8
106
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
disposition, and if it secures the object of thorough and pro- gressive training and instruction, it accomplishes the pur- poses of its establishment.
This order of schools is by no means of sudden produc- tion, for it is the fulfilment of a plan initiated long ago, and brought by cautious and gradual advance to its completion. It has undergone its trial during its growth, and has afforded many signs of success. Its chief merit consists in the har- mony and interdependence of all the schools. Each is bet- ter for its connection with the others. Each must discharge its duty so that there shall be no jar nor interruption in the aggregate. It must be seen that studies can be arranged in due succession from the beginning to the end of school life, and that therefore there must be the opportunity and pro- mise of thorough instruction.
The committee are ready to admit that there are difficul- ties incident to the system which in some measure interfere with its perfect operation. The theory on which it rests, requires that all children shall pass through the several grades, from the lowest to the highest ; but this can be pos- sible only where children are equal in ability, diligence and condition of life. Practically a different state of things exists, and it is found that only a portion of the pupils remain in school long enough to reach the higher grades. The lower grades are full, sometimes crowded, while the higher are relatively sparse in numbers. The inefficient, and what is a more serious consideration, possibly the poor, get the schooling of the lower grades, leave school tempo- rarily, fall out of line, and if desirous of returning, find no place except their former grade, which in body at least, they have greatly outgrown. Rather than join a class of their juniors, they abandon school altogether. Such cases exist, but not in sufficient number to warrant the opening of a special school for their benefit. Evening schools have been tried, but have not proved successful. The only course to be suggested is to meet each case as it is presented, and
107
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
when a pupil desires to resume school, to place him among scholars of his own age, where he may receive such partial instruction as can be afforded.
Another difficulty reveals itself in the promotion of pupils from one grade to another. The graded system includes the classification of studies. Each grade conprises a sin- gle class, all the members of which pursue the studies as- signed to it, for the year, in the same manner and to the same extent. The test of promotion is by written examina- tion. Some fail, and great is the grief. The duty of the Board in this respect is no doubt to see that no grade shall be overtasked, and that the requirements shall bear fair pro- portion to age and average ability. Failure will happen nev- ertheless, from one cause or another-and the consequent trouble is too delicate in its nature, to be met arbitrarily. Still the rule has been, and experience has amply shown, that it is the wisest conduct towards the pupil to require him to remain a second year in the grade from which he has failed to pass. It is an error to suppose that this course ends in discouragement ; on the contrary, the majority of instances shows the recovery of lost ground, and sometimes even the highest success in subsequent standing and attain- ment.
A word may be added touching the numbers in the differ- ent grades. The highest Grammar grades will always be the smallest, from the fact that from various causes, many children leave school at an early age. If the number of pu- pils were sufficient, each grade would include a single class only ; but where two classes in contiguous grades are small, they are placed under a single teacher. The further doub- ling of grades would bring back the old system of mixed schools. There is false judgment in selecting some one school, and determining that from its small numbers and cost of support it is unnecessarily expensive. The schools are to be regarded as a whole, and the expenditures com- mon to all. Every child is somewhere in the general school
108
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
and is benefited by the general appropriation, and the huddling or obliteration of grades would disturb and dam- age all the schools in the same series.
The committee have not been unobservant of the earnest discussion of subjects connected with common school edu- cation which has taken place during the year. This discus- sion is two-fold in character : first, in relation to the heavy cost of public schools ; secondly, in relation to methods of education. In this day of financial depression it is not clear to what reduction of expenditure the community may not be compelled to resort. The town has hitherto held to its sys- tem of schools, and the Board have been watchful in the disbursement of the money placed in their charge. Any considerable diminution of the appropriation for school pur- poses will involve a radical change in our school organization and methods, and it is to be hoped that the town will delib- erate carefully before disturbing these.
The system and methods which we have adopted, and which we hold in common with other cities and towns are undergoing rigid criticism. It is to be remembered that they are the development of many years' experience, and were originated and have been fostered and guided by some of the best educators in the country. Hitherto they have enjoyed the public confidence, and indeed have been the pride of the Commonwealth. Their early establishment was in the City of Boston, and as the metropolis has enlarged its borders, embracing in effect the smaller adjacent cities and towns, the school system has been accepted as incident to the growth in which we also have been included. It has always been claimed by your committee, that if the future of our children is to be in the community which in this way has be- come uniform and identical, it is but just they should have equal advantages of education with all other children within the same limits ; and influenced by this conviction our schools have been given form accordingly.
The committee are well aware that methods of education
109
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
are progressive and largely experimental. The strictures on those which now prevail have been severe, perhaps in some respects just, but new methods have not yet been suggested to take the place of the old. It is not the part of prudence to make sudden and premature change. The public interest in the question is already active, and in due time we may profit by all the light that may be shed upon it.
The town is referred to the special reports of the several sub-committees for information upon the condition of the schools under their charge, respectively.
Mr. L. B. Marshall continues in his position of Musical Instructor. The improvement in singing and knowledge of music is marked, and is due to the skill and diligence of this · excellent teacher. Under his direction two mass concerts of school children were given in the Town Hall, which af- forded opportunity for the public appreciation of his merit.
At the close of the school year, Miss Caroline C. Turner, who for twenty-one years had been a teacher in our schools,
tendered her resignation. The Board entered upon their records their recognition of her long and faithful service, and the assurance that she retired with the love of her pupils, past and present, the gratitude of their parents, and the re- spect of all for her fidelity and high character.
The new school-house at the Heights, built pursuant to the vote of the town at its meeting in April last, has been com- pleted, and will soon be occupied. It is a fine edifice, orna- mental in its structure and location, and creditable to the public spirit and liberality of the town. The details of its cost will be reported by the Building Committee.
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