USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1878-1883 > Part 17
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It is evident that our citizens require, and must have, fil-
1
91
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
tered water for domestic use in full supply ; and the problem before us, is, how to get it with the least outlay.
It is possible, that, by the application of the meter system to all takers using the water for other than domestic pur- poses, the check upon this enormous waste, which is every- where apparent, would be sufficiently great to afford a sup- ply from the present filter during the average season ; but the introduction of meters would necessitate the appropri- ation of money, not only for the meter itself, but for the connections which must be made in attaching them to the service-pipes, and the boxing and covering of the meter to protect it from frost. Again, no meter has, as yet, been . offered to the public, that gives perfect satisfaction in point of accuracy. If, on the other hand, the town should decide to still further increase the filtering capacity, this can only be · done by additional appropriations, and by continued experi- ments in constructing one or more galleries, until sufficient is stored to satisfy all demands. The expense of a filter on the north side of the reservoir will be much less than on the south side ; for no pipe is there required to be laid through a high embankment to connect with the main.
We do not present these points at this time by way of recommending the citizens to adopt either plan, but simply as suggestions, offering a possible solution to the difficulty. Perhaps, in v ew of the fact that the present filter has never been tried in an average season, it would be as well to let the whole matter rest for another year, or until such time as a fair test can be applied, to show how far we have fallen short of meeting the ordinary requirements of the town.
Uses for which water is supplied, as reported by the Registrar : -
Families
supplied, 356
Stores and shops
66
16
Private stables
52
Livery stables
66 2
92
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Horse railroad stable supplied,
1
Steam railroad depot 66
1 128
Hand hose
Hotels
3
Churches and societies "
7
Town House . 66
1
School-houses 66
3
Hose-houses 66
2
Private fountains 66
2
Irrigation
43
Cemetery
1
Savings Bank building 66
1
Stone crusher 66
1
Hydrants
98
Stock and tools on hand, as reported by the Superin- tendent : -
95 lbs. cast-iron gate boxes. 460 lbs. 4-inch iron pipe, 23 feet. 2 street service boxes. 1 second-hand street hydrant.
2 hydrant feet.
4 22-inch hydrant nipples.
4 22-inch hydrant caps. 2 4} ft. frost cases.
6 hydrant rods.
1 hydrant centre rod.
5 rubber gaskets.
32 ft. 12-inch cement-lined pipe.
7 ft. 6-inch cement-lined pipe.
7 ft. 4-inch cement-lined pipe. 73 lbs. manilla rope.
11 yds. rubber cloth. 2 eight-by-four cast-iron branches. 19 lbs. tarred rope, for calking. 2 picks.
93
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1 snow-shovel. 2 pails. 1 hoe. 1 rake.
56 ft. 6-inch cement drain pipe.
5 ft. 6-inch branches drain pipe.
5 ft. 4-inch branches drain pipe.
3 lanterns.
5 gate wrenches.
2 wheelbarrows.
1 Gem meter.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
HENRY MOTT,
JOHN FILLEBROWN, Water WILLIAM G. PECK, )
Commissioners.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1880.
WATER WORKS, - TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1879, $742 94
Amount received during the year 1880, viz. :
For water rates for 1880, $8,513 22
From town, for use of street hydrants for 1880, 1,000 00
9,513 22
Amount received of Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on deposits, $92 63
Amount received of town, interest on loans of $2,500 and $500, Amount received of Daniel Cah- lane, one year's rent of Slocum Mill, 480 00
52 08
Amount received for letting on water, 4 00
Amount received for grass sold,
89 25
717 96
Amount received of town, appro- priation for interest on Water Scrip, 9,000 00
Amount carried forward, $19,974 12
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT. 95
Amount brought forward, $19,974 12 Amount received of town, appro- priation for the filter, 1,500 00 Amount received of town (June 30), loan of Feb. 18th, 2.500 00 Loan of March 31st, 500 00
3,000 00
Amount of materials used and credited "Stock Materials" account, 20 23
$24,494 35
EXPENDITURES.
Service Pipes.
Paid Sylvester Stickney, for 17 services, at $19 each,
$323 00
Lexington Taxes.
Paid C. S. Parker, advertising hearing, $12 50
J. H. Hardy, legal services, 15 00
Tax of 1878,
63 5.7
Tax of 1879,
30 00
Tax of 1880,
47 09
168 16
Filter.
Paid Edwin P. Adams, civil engi- neer, for staking out ex- tension of filter gallery, and plan, $9 00
Highway Department, labor of men and horses,
659 00
Amounts carried forward, $668 00
$491 16
96
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $668 00 $491 16
Paid Dennis Reardon, 20 loads of sand, 20 00
J. L. Sands & Son, 29,850 bricks, at $9.25 per M, 276 11
L. G. Burnham & Co., ce- ment, 72 80
J. W. Russell, labor, laying brick, 126 25
S. L. Holt & Co., use of en- gine and services of engi- neer,
83 50
2 00
expense of procuring pump, board of engineer,
8 00
56 86
J. W. Peirce, 9-16 tons coal, Brooks, Rushton & Co., ex- pressing, 2 40
R. K. Carpenter, manhole stones, 20 00
D. P. Green & Co., manhole cover, 23 35
City of Cambridge, 5 perch of stone, 4 25
1,363 52
Running Expenses.
Paid on account of Slocum Mill, as follows :
Edward Storer, repairs, $115 25
F. A. Smart, repairs on wheel, 38 00
Alfred Brooks, repairs of stone work, 59 13
Amounts carried forward, $212 38
$1,854 68
1
97
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT.
$212 38 $1,854 68
Amounts brought forward, Paid G. Y. Wellington, agent, Premium of Insurance, $2,500, for one year, 50 00
$262 38
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., service boxes, etc., 99 40
R. M. Gow, 6 service boxes, 7 50
Scrannage Bros. & Cook, castings,
9 96
J. W. Peirce, cement,
24 40
Waldo Bros., 2 casks Port- land cement,
7 00
Chas. Gott, sharpening tools,
4 40
City of Somerville, repairing leak,
13 63
M. F. Whiton & Co., 114 lbs. Sisal, 11 40
Highway Department, labor of men and horses, grading, cutting brush, etc.,
59 25
Doane & Greenough, cash book,
6 25
D. F. Jones & Co., printing,
22 50
C. S. Parker, printing,
1 50
J. H. Hardy, legal services,
9 95
W. C. Currier, horse hire,
12 75
S. B. Moore, carriage hire,
1 75
Calvin Andrews, horse hire,
1 00
amount of materials used from stock on hand, 20 23
Sylvester Stickney, bills, as follows :
2 brass screens, $29 36
Am'ts carried forward, $29 36 $575 25
$1,854 68
1
98
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Am'ts brought forward, $29 36 $575 25 $1,854 68
100 lbs. white lead, 9 75
151 ft. 1-inch pipe, for E. T. Russell's service, 50 00
fittings, packing, sleeves, lead, etc., 31 55
labor of self and men, repairing leaks in main pipes, hy-
drants, and other
work for water works, 440 92
561 58
Less credit 17 ser-
vice boxes, $29 75 2 street boxes, 5 00
- 34 75
- - 526 83
1,102 08
Interest on Water Scrip.
Paid one year's interest on $220,000, at 6 per cent.,
$13,200 00
one year's interest on $80,000, at 5 per cent., 4,000 00
17,200 00
Amount loaned to town, Feb. 18th, 2,500 00
66
Mch. 31st,
500 00
3,000 00
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1880,
1,337 59
$24,494 35
99
WATER WORKS, - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1880.
DR.
CR.
Town of Arlington,
$304,210 77
Construction,
$305,176 80
Cash,
1,337 59
Interest,
96,917 10
Town appropriation for interest,
39,000 00
Water rates for 1873,
8,035 83
66
6
1874,
7,913 66
66
66 1875,
7,600 52
66
66 1876,
8,463 59
66
66 1877,
8,947 58
66
66
1878,
8,857 89
66
66
1879,
9,415 60
66
6 1880,
9,590 22
Running expenses,
12,626 71
Sundry receipts,
4,035 01 .
Filter,
136 48
Stock materials,
148 95
$416,207 15 $416,207 15
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1880.
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
100
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 fam- ilies, 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
.
101
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 ten- ement, 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 class- ification, and not requiring more than an ordi- nary 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.
$10 00
For one tub in public bath-house,
For each additional bath-tub, 5 00.
10 00
For one water-closet in public bath-house,
3 00
For each additional water-closet,
102
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse, $5 00
66
For each additional horse, 4 00
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
2 00
Truck and cart stables. For each horse,
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 each, allow- ing one hydrant to each 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 the foregoing tariff may be varied by the Water Commission- ers whenever in particular cases, in their judgment, the in- terests of the town shall require.
103
AUDITORS' REPORT.
AUDITORS' REPORT.
The undersigned hereby certify that they have audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, as Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Arlington, for the year 1880; also as Treasurer for the Arlington Water Works for the same year: 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. REUBEN W. HOPKINS,
ARLINGTON, Jan. 29, 1881.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Arlington :
GENTLEMEN, -I herewith submit my Third Annual Re- port of the Fire Department, being for the year 1880.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
The department has been called out six times during the year, as follows :-
May 3d, barn of Mrs. A. G. Peck, Pleasant Street. This was the most serious fire we have had during the year, and the only one that we were obliged to use water on. At this fire the department responded promptly and worked hard ; but, owing to the low pressure of water, we were obliged to carry the water to the fire, instead of throwing it on. Loss by this fire $2,500. Insurance $3,000. Cause unknown.
June 17, alarm of fire in High School building. Loss mostly by water from the melted water-pipes. Cause un- known.
September 1, fire in basement of S. Stickney's store. Cause, ignition of oil. Damage slight.
October 12, fire in furniture-store of T. F. O'Brien. Caused by carelessness. Loss $100. Insured $400.
105
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
November 18, alarm of fire at S. A. Fowle's drug mills. Cause, bursting of boiler-flue. Damage slight.
MEMBERSHIP.
Same as that of last year, with the exception of the engi- neers, who were reduced from five to three men, in accord- ance with the vote passed at the town-meeting of March last. I find it difficult to keep the company full of good men. I would recommend that the pay of the firemen be raised to the old standard of thirty-five dollars per year, and that three additional men be added to hook-and-ladder truck.
HOSE.
The hose is in the same poor condition as represented last year ; and, if something is not done soon to renew or repair the same, I fear for the consequences.
I would recommend the purchase of one thousand feet of hose.
DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS.
The buildings are in much the same condition as at the close of the year 1879. There has been no new outlay on the same the past year, 1880.
The floor in house of Hose 3 is in poor condition, and needs repairs. The building occupied by Hose 2 is in too poor a condition to be repaired, and, in my opinion, is an unfit place in which to put the apparatus.
APPROPRIATIONS.
I would recommend an appropriation of twenty-five hun- dred dollars to meet the expenses of the ensuing year.
I desire to call your attention to our imperfect system of fire-alarm, and think all interested citizens will agree that there should be some change from the present system.
106
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
I take this opportunity to thank you for your support, also my assistants and members of the fire-department. I shall ever remember the able manner in which they have per- formed their duty, with, I trust, as much satisfaction to the public, as they have to me.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES GOTT, Chief Engineer.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The expenses of the Library during the past year are fully set forth in the Town Treasurer's report, printed else- where. Other items of interest to its friends and supporters appear in the Librarian's statement appended hereto.
Some important changes in the management of the Library have been rendered necessary by the constantly increasing business. The yearly examination formerly took place during the last two weeks of December, at the height of the season when books were in greatest demand. The inconvenience to the public which this occasioned seemed a matter of small importance when readers were few; but it grew serious after the popularity of the Library had become such, that often more than two hundred volumes a day were given out. The time for calling in the books has been postponed to July, when the interest of readers is at its lowest ebb.
The method of giving out books was also changed during the past year. The old ledger system, which serves well for a small library, is found full of embarrassments in a large one, when two or more persons are employed in delivering and receiving books. We have accordingly dispensed with the ledger, at which only one person could conveniently work at a time, and adopted the most approved modern method of
108
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
paper slips. It has been proved a very great improvement on the old system in many ways.
Book-cases have been added as they have been required by new books, until but little room remains for further additions in our present quarters. This fact must soon become one of pressing importance to the Town. Not only more liberal space for books will soon be required, but at the same time the establishment of a reading-room cannot be too strongly recommended, or too early provided for. The present use- fulness of the Library would be greatly enhanced by such an addition, and it is believed that in no other way could so much be done for the moral and social welfare of the young people of this community.
The Library has for some time been indebted to Mr. C. S. Parker for complete files of "The Arlington Advocate " at the close of each year. These are preserved for future reference.
We are also under obligations to the editor for printing our bi-monthly lists of new books in the columns of "The - Advocate." This has been without cost to the Library ; but the lists have become numerous, and confusing even to readers who have preserved them all. A supplementary catalogue, therefore, comprising all the additions to the Library, since the large catalogue of 1876, has become necessary, and will be issued at an early day.
J. T. TROWBRIDGE,
For the Trustees.
LIBRARIAN'S STATEMENT.
Number of volumes in the library, July, 1880 6,838
Number of magazines taken, weekly and monthly . 9
Books added from July, 1880, to January, 1881 199
,
109
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Whole number added in 1880 . 504
Number given out in 1880 25,640
Largest number delivered in one day 239
Number not returned to the Library, from January, 1879, to July, 1880 10
Whole number of subscribers, January, 1881 . 1,332
Fines paid to the Town Treasurer in 1880 $76
LIZZIE J. NEWTON, Librarian.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The School Committee herewith respectfully submit to the Town their Annual Report.
They believe that they have cause for congratulation in the general prosperity of the schools, in the seeming harmony that has prevailed between teachers and scholars, and in the faithful work that has been performed by the teachers during the past year. In a town where the salaries paid in many instances are not an adequate compensation for the ability or experience desired, it is impossible in the selection of so large a corps of teachers to satisfy the exacting demands of some parents who do not understand the variety of character that must be dealt with in each schoolroom. Strict impar- tiality in discipline is expected. To many parents it seems a hardship that their children should be made to conform to the seemingly rigid rules that would not be required in the management of their children at home. We earnestly urge upon the attention of those who are disposed to complain, a careful examination of the schools where their children are placed, and the cultivation of the acquaintance of the teach- ers who have them in charge. We know those teachers would gladly welcome any such examination and the sugges- tions that may be made as to the discipline of such children. It is natural for the child to make complaints at home, which may on investigation prove reasonable or unreasonable; but it is better that conference between the teacher and parent should precede any harsh criticism upon that teacher's action
111
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
in the presence of the child. The Committee fortunately have had but little trouble during the past year upon ques- tions of discipline. One or two cases of truancy have been brought to our attention, and one boy has suffered punishment therefor by sentence to confinement in the Reformatory School at Lowell.
We are satisfied that by means of our graded system the best education can be imparted to the greater number of the scholars in our schools. The age at which the majority of our scholars graduate from the Grammar Schools ranges from twelve to fifteen years. If the course of study prescribed for the Grammar Schools, and as taught by our teachers, is thoroughly acquired and understood, we believe that would be a result that would satisfy the people of our town. Cer- tainly it would be a result that could not be acquired by the large majority of our scholars under the former common- school system. I speak of this to reply to the criticisms of some who wonder why their children do not learn more, and object to the constant reviewing and repetition made neces- sary by the prescribed course for each term and year. What education aims at is the discipline of the mind, and to compel habits of accuracy in the acquirement of knowledge. The opportunity of getting knowledge by observation, reading, and conversation, comes to every one after leaving school or college; but the power to acquire it, to digest the same, to judge of its bearings in every respect, and to express the results of one's thoughts upon such knowledge, must be strengthened in our schools. Strength of the mental powers is only obtained by the complete mastery of the studies pro- posed to the scholar. The old system of education resulted in educating to a high standard two or three naturally gifted scholars at the expense of the rest of the school.
The High School, as it appears from the report of the sub- committee, is in a prosperous condition. Mr. Clay, with zeal for his work, is untiring in his endeavors to serve the best interests of the school. The number of scholars now fitting
-
112
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
for college, with the high standard required for admission, has imposed upon him much extra work during the past year. We trust that in the coming year the scholars in the college course will be so classified that his services can be devoted to a greater extent to the English studies. Miss Sara A. Hamlin, early in the year, suffered an unfortunate accident, which deprived us of the services of a faithful and painstaking teacher until the beginning of the January term. We are glad to see her again in her former station. In Miss Simmons's department we find that she has succeeded in stimulating to a gratifying degree that enthusiasm for inquiry which is the true criterion of a successful teacher. We believe no parent can afford to have his children forego the advantages of the High School. To some it seems best that the boy of fourteen who graduates from the Grammar School should then commence to learn some trade, or enter upon a mercantile career. This belief oftentimes is encouraged by the boy, who is eager for the excitement of a city life. But it does not seem reasonable, nor does experience prove, that the boy who spends the three years after he leaves the Grammar School as an errand-boy, or an under-clerk, can possess any superior advantages in his whole life career to the one who at seventeen years of age has completed his High School education. We congratulate the school that its former high standard at Harvard has been maintained by James Parmenter, one of the late graduates of the High School, who has received special honor and notice by vote of the faculty. The Committee are glad to announce that the long- needed repairs to the High School buildings and grounds have been completed. These have been made at an expense which we think will be appreciated by the town.
The mastership of the Russell School has been the subject of some change during the past year. Mr. J. H. Wardwell remained in charge of the school until the Summer vacation. With an ample experience as a teacher, he instituted and reformed methods of discipline in the school, which we hope
113
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
will confer upon its future management a lasting benefit. Mr. S. J. Dunbar was re-elected for the year, beginning with the Fall term, but on account of his continued ill-health he concluded to resign the position. The Committee wish to express their warm appreciation of the zeal and heartfelt interest in the instruction of his pupils that have been mani- fested by Mr. Dunbar during his long connection with the Arlington schools. Upon a very short notice the Committee were quite fortunate in the selection of Mr. Henry L. Armes, of Nashua, N. H., as Master of the Russell School, who entered upon his duties in the Fall term. From the exami- nations of the sub-committee, and my own, we believe that the faithful endeavors of the teachers in the lower grades of the Russell School have shown good results this year, and that those results will challenge comparison with those of any other town with the same advantages as possessed by Arlington.
The Crosby Primary School has been under the charge of Misses Scanlan and Snelling. The reports of the school show that the standard maintained by these teachers in former years is still preserved.
Mr. H. A. Freeman is giving general satisfaction to the Committee in his management of the Cutter School. The other schools in the same building are taught by the same teachers as of last year, and their several classes in the examinations have shown satisfactory progress during the year. On account of the sickness of Miss Stiles, a faithful and active teacher, the Committee were obliged to obtain a substitute. They were fortunate in their ability to employ the services of Miss Caroline C. Turner, who has been so long and so favorably known as a teacher in our schools.
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