USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1878-1883 > Part 28
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15 " F. O. Squire, for road scrapings ¥ 10
" " M. A. Richardson & Co., fee for third class liquor license 150 00
24 " " John Osborn, for 47 perch of stone . ·
47 00
26
" "W. W. Rawson, for setting 11 lamp- posts 4 00
29 66 " M. S. Weld, for gravel 2 00
66 " F. H. Peabody, for gravel 11 25
31 66 " John Roden, on account of horse 10 00
" " sundry persons this month, interest taxes 59 69
on
Aug. 1
66
" Edward Lacy, for board
30 10
7
66 " Wm. L. Sweatt, for a billiard license 2 00
12
" Dennis Collins, on account rent of pasture for 1882 20 00
16
" " D. G. Currier, one month's rent of shop 10 50
18
" B. D. Locke, for manure . 7 00
22
66 " Swan Bros., for stone 12 50
28 66 " John Roden, on account horse .
10 00
30
66
" Edward Lacy, for board .
26 00
31
" " C. S Jacobs, Jr., expense on sidewalk
16 12
" " sundry persons this month, interest on taxes
12 64
Sept. 7
" " D. G. Currier, one month's rent of shop . 10 50
11
" " Caledonian Club, for watering Spy Pond Grove
8 00
22
" " Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, amount to pay note to the Plymouth Savings Bank
30,000 00
26
66 for vegetables sold
13 55
66 of John Roden, on account of horse 10 00
27
" " Edward Lacy, for board .
23 80
30
" " F. E. Fowle, 6 months' rent of post-office, to July 1, 1882 .
75 00
" " sundry persons this month, interest on taxes 7 85
Oct. 2
" " L. J. Newton, Librarian, fines collected . 12 00
3 " " Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on deposits to Sept. 30 186 32
Amount carried forward
· $153,172 81
69
TREASURER'S REPORT.
ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON. CR.
1882. By amount brought forward $44,079 61
July 17 Cash paid Faneuil Hall National Bank, amount borrowed April 24, 3,000 00
interest on the same 35 00
24
66
66 Faneuil Hall National Bank, on account amount borrowed June 28 . 8,000 00
26
" Faneuil Hall National Bank, balance of amount borrowed June 28 . 4,000 00
66 interest on the same 40 50
31 Amount of Pay Rolls, No. 7 ..
2,544 57
Aug. 4 Cash paid Trustees of the Sinking Fund, amount borrowed Dec. 31, 1881
363 04
66
interest on the same 66
10 64
5
66
6 months' interest, due May 1st, on coupon note $1,000, at 5 per cent. . Water Commissioners, amount bor- rowed May 23 .
800 00
66
66
interest on the same ·
7 67
11
66 D. A. Gleason, State Treasurer, one- fourth of liquor license fee, received from M. A. Richardson & Co., $150 .
37 50
Amount of Pay Rolls, No. 8 . 3,731 89
31 Sept. 22 Cash paid Commissioners of Sinking Fund, amount of appropriation .
14,055 39
"
" 4 months 16 days interest on the same, at 43 per cent.
238 94
66
note to Plymouth Savings Bank, dated Sept. 25, 1872
30,000 00
66
66 6 months' interest on the same, at 7 per cent.
1,050 00
30
66
66 John Peabody, 6 months' interest to Oct. Ist, on note of $7,000 . 245 00
Amount of Pay Rolls, No. 9 .
3,841 29
Amount carried forward
. $116,106 04 .
25 00
9
"
70
TREASURER'S REPORT.
DR.
B. DELMONT LOCKE, TREASURER, IN
1882. To amount brought forward . $153,172 81
Oct. 5 Cash of Agent of Edson Talking Machine, use of hall 3 00
7 " Mrs. C. H. Thayer, 81 yards of con-
creting 52 65 .
" " Jere. Crowley, labor and team . 7 88
9
" Water Commissioners, for labor ·
95 63
11
" " James E. Duffee, for a billiard license 2 00
26
" " Patrick Slattery, rent of pasturing 1882 25 00
30
66 " John Roden, balance for horse . ·
5 00
31
" " Catholic Total Abstinence Society, use of hall 5 00
" Edward Lacy, for board 29 90
" " Water Commissioners, for cedar posts and labor 45 62
" " L. C. Tyler, on account weighing fees 15 00
" " G. W. Austin, use of hall .
3 00
" " D. G. Currier, one month's rent of shop " J. C. Hobbs, for road scrapings
14 60
" " sundry persons, subscriptions towards ex- pense of watering the streets . 306 50
66
" sundry persons this month, interest on taxes
5 89
Nov. 3
" Wm. Gates, for concreting 32 17
6
" " Wm. Soles, for loam and manure
13 10
10
" Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 23, 6 monthis' rent to April 1, 1882, of room in Adams School-house 25 00
" " J. M. Chase, for concreting
37 70
17
" " Ancient Order of Hibernians, rent of room 6 months, to Oct. 1, 1882 25 00
18
" " A. D. Hoitt, for concreting 16 58
20
6 R. W. Shattuck, concreting and stone 11 90
66
" B. B. and H. J. Locke, for scrapings 5 00
22
" " Welch & Griffiths, for gravel and labor 19 50
23
Amount received for dog licenses to date 433 00
Cash of D. G. Currier, one month's rent of shop
10 50
" " Edward Lacy, for board . 24 80
" for vegetables sold
7 25
" of Francis Gould, Post 36, G. A. R., use of hall 11 00
Amount carried forward
$154,484 98
10 50
66 " F. J. Child, for loam
7 50
27
28
for
71
TREASURER'S REPORT.
ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON. CR
1882. By amount brought forward
. $116,106 04
Oct. 7 Cash paid Cohasset Savings Bank, 6 months' inter- est to 9th inst., on note to State of Mas- sachusetts, due April 9, 1885, for $21,000 . 735 00 " paid Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 6 months' interest to 9th inst., on note due April 9, 1883, for $21,000 . 735 00 ·
27 paid Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 6 months' interest to 27th inst., on note $10,000 350 00
31
Amount of Pay Rolls, No. 10 4,407 64
Nov. 23
Cash paid Treasurer of Middlesex County, dog
tax . · · 394 20
paid fees on dog tax to Town Clerk .
38 80
Amount carried forward
. $122,766 68
72
TREASURER'S REPORT.
DR.
B. DELMONT LOCKE, TREASURER, IN
1882. To amount brought forward · $154,484 98
Nov. 28 Cash of sundry persons this month, interest on taxes · ·
10 08
Dec. 4 " D. A. Gleason, State Treasurer :
Corporation Tax .
$3,510 20
Bank Tax 3,195 12
State Aid
336 00
7,041 32
6 " " D. G. Currier, one month's rent of shop 10 50
9 " Joseph Payne, 95 loads scrapings 14 25
66 " Arlington Catholic Temperance Society, rent of room in Adams School-house, 7 months, to Jan. 1, 1883 29 17
13
" " S. P. Prentiss, use of hall
·
8 00
15
" " H. W. Pattee, use of hall 9 00
18 66 " E. T. Hornblower, 5 loads gravel
6 25
66 " Arlington Boat Club, use of room
1 00
19
66
" Mt. Horeb Lodge, use of hall
15 00
20
66 " S. N. Stanwood, 3 loads gravel
1 50
21
66 " J. A. Bailey, for scrapings
1 00
22
" Jere. Crowley, 2 loads sand
2 50
" Town of Belmont, for support of pauper for 1882 . 38 97
26
" " F. Lemme, 6 loads of loam 3 00
7 93
" " Dennis Collins, balance for rent of pastur- ing for 1882 15 00
26 00
" " G. W. Austin, for pork and vegetables sold
13 79
29
" " F. E. Fowle, 6 months' rent of post-office to 31st inst.
75 00
" " L. J. Newton, Librarian, fines collected . 23 00
6 00
80
" R. W. Hopkins, 7 loads of gravel
8 75
66 " A. Gage & Co., rent of land for 1882
75 00
66
" Arlington Gaslight Company, for gravel
1 50
" Edward Storer, for stone and concreting 85 75
" Henry Mott, for manure .
1 75
" interest on note to Trustees of Town Li- brary . 6 00
Amount carried forward
$162,035 74
-
27
" L. C. Tyler, weighing fees
" " Edward Lacy, for board .
" " Republican Town Committee, use of hall " " C. O. Gage, 11 loads of gravel .
13 75
73
TREASURER'S REPORT.
ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON. CR.
1882.
By amount brought forward $122,766 68
Nov. 30
Amount of Pay Rolls, No. 11 3,342 15
Dec. 4
Cash paid D. A. Gleason, Treasurer, State Tax 6,680 00
5
John Peabody, 6 months' interest on the following notes, viz. : $2,500 to Dec. 2, 1882 87 50 · $2,500 to Nov. 23, 1882 87 50
6
66 6 months' interest due Nov. 1, on $15,000, coupon notes, at 5 per cent. 375 00
30
" 1 year's interest on note, $349.85, to Treasurer of Citizens' Soldiers' Fund
20 99
66 " 1 year's interest on note $100, to Trus- tees of Town Library 6 00
" 1 year's interest on note, $5,354, to Trustees of William Cutter School Fund 321 24
Trustees of Poor Widows' Fund : 1 year's interest on note $375.61 also 1 year's interest on note $237.50 Treasurer of Middlesex County, County Tax .
22 54
14 25
2,517 58
.
Arlington Water Commissioners, on ac- count of appropriation for interest on Water Debt
3,500 00
66 6 months' interest to 26th inst., on note $10,000, to Geo. Holden 350 00
66
6 months' interest to 26th inst., on note $6,000, to O. A. Taft ·
210 00
66 " 6 months' interest to Jan. 1, 1883, on note to John Peabody, $1,000 . ·
35 00
6 months' interest to Nov. 1, 1882, on coupon note No. 8, $1,000, at 5 per cent. .
25 00
Amount carried forward
$140.361 43
74
TREASURER'S REPORT.
DR.
B. DELMONT LOCKE, TREASURER, IN
1882. To amount brought forward . $162,035 74
Dec. 30 Cash one year's interest on note $5,354, to Trustees of William Cutter School
Fund 321 24
" one year's interest on notes to Trustees of Poor Widows' Fund 36 79
" of C. Linehan, Jr., on account 18 00
" " Orthodox Society, 116 yards concreting 37 70
" Hiram Lodge, use of hall . 10 00
" Jesse Bacon, 32 perch of stone . 32 00
" borrowed of Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, on demand . 247 84
" of Trustees of Pratt Fund, income for Poor Widows' Fund . 294 69
" " Trustees of Pratt Fund, income for Public Library . 589 38
" " Daniel Haley, 16 loads scrapings .
2 40
" " Chas. Hill, 4 loads scrapings .
60
" " Water Commissioners, labor around reser- voir, etc. 45 01
" " Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on deposits to date 102 16
" " Democratic Committee, use of hall 5 00
" Baptist Society, for concreting . 14 00
" D. G. Currier, 1 month's rent of shop 10 50
66 " Mrs. H. J. Bacon, 6 loads gravel 3 00
66 " Patrick Slattery, for loam .
3 00
" C. S. Parker, labor on trench 12 00
66 " Andrew McManus, for labor
2 50
66 " sundry persons, subscriptions towards ex- pense of watering the streets . 79 00
" " Robert Speatman, one year's rent of shop to date 75 00
" " sundry persons this month, interest on taxes 71 22
Amount of unpaid bills at this date, in Pay Rolls Nos. 10, 11, 12
169 80
$164,218 57
75
TREASURER'S REPORT.
ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON. CR.
1882. By amount brought forward $140,361 43
Dec. 30 Amount of Pay Rolls, No. 12 .
6,575 40
" discounts and abatements on taxes, as shown on page 55 .
4,118 45
66 " taxes of 1881, uncollected at this date . 1,427 41
66 " taxes of 1882, uncollected at this date . 8,728 91
Cash balance in the Treasury at this date . 3,006 97
$164,218 57
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 30, 1882.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
Intentions of Marriages Registered in 1882.
Whole number of couples, . 50 ·
Average age of male, 27 . .
Average age of female, .
.
.
24
Both persons residing in Arlington,
.
· 26
But one person residing in Arlington,
· 24
Marriages Registered in 1882.
Whole number of couples, 52 · .
Both persons American born,
26
Both persons foreign born,
· 15
American and foreign born,
11
Age of oldest person married,
64
Age of youngest person married,
16
First marriage ot
97
Second marriage of
7
Births Registered in 1882.
Whole number,
-
.
79
Males,
.
· 42
Females, .
·
· 37
American parentage,
. 31
Foreign parentage,
· 40
Mixed parentage,
.
8
.
·
·
77
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
Deaths Registered during the Year ending Dec. 31, 1882.
AGE.
NAMES.
DATE OF DEATH.
Years.
Months
Days.
Eleanor G. Bacon, .
Jan.
1, 1882
50
4
16
Maggie McGrath, .
66
2,
66
4
Frank A. Richards,
66
6,
66
4
6
Arthur L. Eaton, Welch,
66
23,
66
Mary Ann Gearn,
66
27,
66
2
William Mehan,
Feb.
2,
25
6
18
Louis Perry, jr.,
66
9,
66
9
-
-
-
1
Clara E. Revere,
66
20,
66
33
-
18
George C. Dupee,
March 3,
66
50
2
3
John E. Neligan,
6
-
Emily Leavens,
66
17,
66
50
-
-
66
27.
66
9
1
66
28,
66
1
-
Mary Gibbens, .
April 12,
66
1
66
16,
66
56
11
Elizabeth Purdy,
May
6,
60
61
8
20
Edith C. Fisher,
66
8,
66
-
4
Bridget A. Hill,
66
9,
66
21
-
-
66
60
66
12,
66
78
8
-
-
19
Jane D. Warner,
66
24,
66
63
4
-
Mary White,
7
7
14
Charles G. Green,
66
29,
60
80
3
27
Mary A. Deihl, .
June
2,
66
45
-
-
66
18,
66
70
Emma L. Russell,
66
19,
66
23
1
8
Martha Clarke, .
66
21,
66
87
3
1
Daniel Reardon,
66
25,
66
59
-
66
25,
66
-
-
Sarah M. Proctor,
July 21,
66
59
9
14 .
Rebecca Falls, .
23.
40
4
Edward Cropper,
24.
84
5
- Doherty, -
Aug. 2,
-
66
18,
66
-
-
1
66
30,
66
-
6
14
Katy Lyons, . Revere,
66
15,
66
20,
11,
66
34
1
1
Catherine McCaferty, .
-
Abby C. Cowan,
Breen, .
-
66
9,
66
Langell,
James O'Keefe, .
11,
Mary Hill,
Patrick Griffin, .
16,
66
1
8,
66
George N. Cass,
Frederic A. Easton,
66
27,
25,
Jane Long,
Theresa Rogers,
10
-
11
Ella A. Winship,
2
. 78
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
4
Deaths - Continued.
AGE.
NAMES.
DATE OF DEATH.
Years.
Months.
Days.
Carrie G. Davis,
Aug.
4, 1882
2
8
Elizabeth Hagan, .
66
4,
68
11
4
Benjamin A. Spear,
6,
66
-
5
22
Warren C. Davis,
66
22,
66
1
11
Rose Ann Keaney,
24,
66
-
4
14
Lucy A. Tobin,
66
26,
66
1
5
Abel Peirce, .
Sept.
6,
85
8
Lucy Augusta Shattuck, .
66
8,
66
63
9
Margaret McCarthy,
Oct.
11,
66
62
Henry L. Armes,
66
30,
66
28
5
John Gateley,
Nov.
2,
66
16
8
Nettie M. Bacon,
66
5,
66
17
1
5
Lois Jones,
66
27,
66
83
3
Bertha B. Swan,
Dec.
20,
27
1
-
-
Tobias T. McConnell,
66
26,
66
18
8
13
Frances C. Bastine,
66
28,
66
56
-
-
-
-
Susie Wood,
66
14,
66
-
Freddie J. Russell,
66
21,
3
8
23,
66
52
George Swan,
·
11,
75
Gertrude Cummings,
79
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
Deaths - Continued.
Whole number of deaths,
Males,
25
Females,
36
Average age, 32 years, 7 months, 18 days.
25
Number under 5 years of age,
2
66
66 10 “ 30 66 66
8
66
30 “ 60 66
13
66 over 60 years of age,
13
American parentage,
27
Foreign parentage,
28
Mixed parentage,
6
SOME OF THE DISEASES OR CAUSES OF DEATH.
11
Cholera morbus, cholera infantum, dysentery,
6
Heart disease,
7
Diphtheria and croup,
5
Cancer,
4
Register of Dogs licensed since May 1, 1882.
194
Whole number,
179
Males,
15
Females,
B. DELMONT LOCKE,
Town Clerk.
61
between 5 and 10 years of age,
Consumption and pneumonia, 1
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
SINKING FUND.
THE Commissioners of the Sinking Fund make the follow- ing Report, for the year ending December 31, 1882 :-
CR.
Amount received 1 year's interest to Jan. 1, 1883, on $5,000, Arlington Water Scrip, at 5 per cent., $ 250 00
Amount received 1 year's interest to Jan. 1, 1883, on $10,000, Town of Hyde Park Notes, at 4 per cent., 400 00
Amount received 1 year's interest to Aug. 1, 1882, on $1,000, Fall River Water Bond, at 4 per cent., 40 00
Amount received 1 year's interest to Aug. 10, 1882, on $8,000, Town of Stoughton Bonds, at 4 per cent., 320 00
Amount carried forward, $1,010 00
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND. 81
Amount brought forward, $1,010 00
Amount received 6 months' interest to July 1, 1882, on $1,000, State of Massachusetts Bond, at 5 per cent., 25 00
Amount received 6 months' interest
to April 1, 1882, on $5,000, Town of Wayland Bonds, 125 00
Amount received of Town of Arling- ton, loan of Dec. 31, 1881, 363 04
Amount interest on the same, 7 months, 1 day, at 5 per cent.,
10 64
Amount received proceeds of sales by auction, by R. L. Day & Co., as follows : -
$5,000, Town of Wayland Bonds, at 105, $5,250 00
5 mos., 21 days accrued in- terest, at 5 per cent , 118 75
$5,368 75
Less commission, 6 25
5,362 50
$1,000, Massachusetts 5's, at 101}, $1,011 25
2 mos., 21 days accrued in- terest, 11 25
$1,022 50
Less commission, 2 50
$8,000, Town of Stough- ton 4's, at 100}, $8,020 00
1,020 00
Amounts carried forward,
6
$8,020 00 $7,916 18
82
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND.
Amounts brought forward, $8,020 00 $7,916 18
1 mo., 12 days accrued in- terest, 37 33
$8,057 33
Less commission, 10 00
8,047 33
Amount received from Treasurer of Town of Arlington, appro- priation of March 16, 1882, 14,055 39 Amount interest on the same to Aug. 1, 4 mos., 16 days, at 4} per cent., 238 94
DR.
Amount paid Union Safe Deposit Vaults, rent of safe, $10 00
Amount paid town of Arlington, to pay note to Plymouth Sav- ings Bank, 30,000 00
Amount loaned Town of Arlington, on demand, 247 84
$30,257 84 $30,257 84
Investment.
Town of Arlington, 5 per cent. Water Scrip, $5,000 00
Town of Hyde Park, 4 per cent. Notes, 10,000 00
Amount carried forward, $15,000 00
83
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND.
Amount brought forward, $15,000 00
City of Fall River, 4 per cent. Water Bond, Town of Arlington Note, on demand
1,000 00
247 84
$16,247 84
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM G. PECK,
Commissioners
A. D. HOITT, of the
WILLIAM H. ALLEN, Sinking Fund.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 30, 1882.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PRATT FUND.
THE Trustees of the Pratt Fund submit the following Report, for the year ending December 31, 1882 :-
Income.
Received one year's int. on $15,000, City of Cambridge Build- ing Loan, at 6 per cent., $900 00
66 one year's int. on $9,000, City of Cambridge Bridge Loan, at 6 per cent., 540 00
interest of Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, 53 46
-- $1,493 46
Paid rent of safe in the Union Safe Deposit Vaults, 20 00
$1,473 46
Paid Town Treasurer, for Poor Widows' Fund, $294 69 " Town Treasurer, for Public Library, 589 38
Deposited in Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, as a High School Fund, 589 39
-- $1,473 46
85
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PRATT FUND.
Investment.
City of Cambridge Bridge Loan sixes, $9,000 00 66 Building " ." 15,000 00
Deposited in Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank, 1,000 00
--- $25,000 00
High School Fund Income, deposited in Arlington Five Cents Sav- ings Bank, with interest to Jan. 1, 1883, 4,797 81
Respectfully submitted,
NATHAN ROBBINS, WILLIAM G. PECK,
Trustees
JOHN P. WYMAN, DAVID P. GREEN,
of
HENRY SWAN, B. DELMONT LOCKE, ex officio,
Pratt Fund.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 30, 1882.
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
IN our annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1881, the Board unanimously recommended to the town the ap- pointment of a special committee, whose duty should be the revision of existing water rates. At the annual Town Meeting in March, a committee was appointed to act with your commissioners relative to changes in the water tariff.
The committee convened several times during the year, visited the reservoir, compared the present rates with those of other towns and cities, and after a somewhat protracted discussion of the whole matter, agreed upon certain changes in the tariff, which, if adopted, would have added very ma- terially to the income from the works, and at the same time made the cost of the water to the individual taker no higher than the price charged in other towns and cities. At the November Town Meeting, the committee made their report in writing, recommending certain changes in the water rates, and discussing at length certain other matters, relative to increased filtering capacity and the leakage at the dam, near the gate-house. The meeting was poorly attended, and the town, by a decisive vote, refused to adopt, so far as any changes in rates were concerned, the suggestions of the committee. The Board would take this opportunity to say, that, notwithstanding the negative vote of the town, this
87
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
matter is an important one, and one which sooner or later will again force itself to the front.
The protracted drought of last season proved conclusively that the quantity of water stored in the reservoir and great meadows is amply sufficient to supply, without stint, exist- ing wants. Our whole trouble lies in the quality. During the warm season, the water in the reservoir became turgid, exhaling a very perceptible and nauseating odor, while the surface, especially near the shore and the inlet, was covered with a green scum. The Board at once removed a flash- board from the dam at the great meadows, thus letting into the reservoir sufficient water to cause an overflow at the waste-way. The result was that in less than twenty-four hours the water of the reservoir became as clear and pure as at any time in the fall months. The same trouble reappeared later, but by the prompt application of the same remedy, to wit, allowing water to flow in from the meadows, we suc- ceeded in keeping the main reservoir in a comparatively pure state. At the time the drought was broken we had let in from the great meadows, all the water possible, so that had the dry spell continued, we should have been powerless to prevent any increase of impurity.
The problem of obtaining additional filtering capacity can be solved only by experiment. Given a good filtering gravel, and plenty of it, the solution is not difficult ; but to walk the surface, and be able to find out the character of the soil ten or twenty feet beneath your feet, without ex- perimental excavation, is beyond the pale even of science. Rumor reaches us of several plans which have been formu- lated on the part of our citizens, which, if carried out, would certainly give all the water the town desires for all pur- poses, yielding a continuous supply of filtered water for our twelve-inch pipe, every month in the year, and that too at an estimated expense from one to three thousand dollars. If these rumors mean anything, and can be supported by
88
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
proper guarantors on the part of the individual or individ- uals, contracting to accomplish the above undertaking, it would in our judgment be for the highest interest of the town, to appropriate five or six thousand dollars for so valuable a work, and to close the contract without delay.
During the past year, with a view if possible of recom- mending to the town some feasible plan for additional sup- ply, we made an excavation near the margin of the great meadows, at a point above " Slocum's" mill, so called, digging a ditch to drain the surplus water into the mill pond. The supply from this excavation was limited. At a depth of four or five feet we struck blue gravel, and at once abandoned the experiment. Appearances indicate that a belt of blue gravel extends across the valley from the hills on either side, thus forming an almost impervious natural dam, which holds back the waters of the great meadows.
We have also made excavations at the foot of the dam, near the gate-house. This work was commenced so late as to hardly warrant the assertion that we have found a sup- ply. It would seem, however, from the rapidity with which these holes filled, the character of the soil, and the quality of the water, that at least a very material supply might be obtained from this quarter.
If, by further excavation in the spring, the apparent sup- ply from this quarter should be more certainly determined, we believe it would be for the interest of the works, to con- struct a filtering gallery at this point, which could be done at a cost roughly estimated of about four thousand dollars. The expenditure already of more than three hundred thousand dollars makes it imperative that the town should do some- thing for the purity of its supply. We cannot afford to stop where we are, and have too much at stake to abandon the progress. Certain it is, that increased supply can be attained only by additional outlay. Our citizens must remember that the town is already pledged to an old and unsuccessful
89
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
venture, and not standing on the threshold of a new under- taking. If we are satisfied with simply a domestic supply, strictly speaking-a supply for the family alone, without the use of hose even for lawns or gardens-then by ce- menting all loose joints of the pipes, connecting the main filter with the smaller filter in the reservoir, we shall reach that end : but if we desire to filter sufficient water to allow its use to families through hose on their premises, also its use on forcing beds and in wash-houses, then we must in- crease materially our present capacity. If in addition to above you add field irrigation, then the town must make ap- propriations with lavish hand.
The general condition of the works compare favorably with the preceding year. The Board has cleared the mar- gin of the reservoir, and painted all of the hydrants. The breakage of main pipe is still a large factor in the expen- ditures of the works.
For detailed report of income and outlay for the past twelve months, we respectfully refer to the statements of the Water Registrar, herewith submitted.
Uses for which water is supplied, as reported by the Registrar :-
Families
supplied, 414
Stores and shops
16
Private stables 60
44
Livery stables 66
2
Horse railroad stable supplied,
1
Steam railroad depot
1
Hand hose
66
137
Hotels
66
3
Churches and societies
66
7
Town House
66
1
School-houses 66
3
Hose-houses
66
2
-
90
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Private fountains supplied, 2
Irrigation 66
42
Cemetery 66
1
Savings Bank building 66
1
Stone crusher 66
1
Hydrants 66
98
Water Motor
1
Stock and tools on hand, as reported by the Superin- tendent :-
1 second-hand street hydrant. 3 street service boxes. <
594 lbs. cast-iron pipe.
2 hydrant feet.
2 2 1-2 inch hydrant nipples.
321-2 " 66 caps.
291 lbs. street boxes.
2 4 1-2 feet frost cases.
2 hydrant centre rods.
2 rubber gaskets.
8
" valves.
14 feet 6 inch cement-lined pipe.
7 " 8 00
66
42 66 4 66
3₺ “ 12
66
28 lbs. Manilla rope.
5 yards rubber cloth.
2 eight by four cast-iron branches. 56 feet 6 inch cement drain pipe.
5 co 66 66 66 branches.
5 66 66 1 snow shovel.
1 hoe. 1 rake.
91
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
3 lanterns.
5 gate wrenches.
1 hydrant wrench. 23 lbs. of oakum.
3 four inch clamp sleeves.
7 six 66
Lot of old iron.
1 Gem meter.
1 cask Portland cement.
HENRY MOTT,
Water WARREN RAWSON,
WILLIAM G. PECK,
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