USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1878-1883 > Part 29
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Commissioners.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 30, 1882.
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1881,
$4,184 61
Amount received during the year 1882, viz. : For water rates for 1882, $9,013 76 From town, for use of street hydrants for 1882, 1,000 00
From town, for water for drinking fountains, 200 00
10,213 76
Amount received of Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on deposits,
$93 79
Amount received of town, interest on loans of $500, $500, $2,500, and $800, at 5 per cent.,
66 48
160 27
Amount received of town for stand- ing wood, $26 25
1
.Amounts carried forward,
$26 25 $14,558 64
-
93
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward,
$26 25 $14,558 64
Amount received of F. Alderman, for pasturing at meadows, Amount received of M. Patterson, for grass, Amount received for letting on water,
100 00
25 00
34 00
185 25
Amount received of town, appro- priation for interest on Water Scrip,
9,000 00
Amount received of town, as follows : June 28, loan of March 31,
$500 00
66 66 Feb. 9,
500 00
66 66 24,
2,500 00
Aug. 9, 66 May 23, 800 00
4,300 00
Amount of materials used for repairs, and credited " Stock Materials " account, 39 76
$28,083 .65
EXPENDITURES.
Service Pipes.
Paid Sylvester Stickney, for 1C ser- vices, at $18 each,
$180 00
Running Expenses.
Paid Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., service and gate boxes, 1,899 lbs. at 3 1-2 cents,
$66 47
Amounts carried forward ,
$66 47
$180 00
94
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $66 47 $180 00
Paid Scrannage Brothers & Cook,
brass service box castings, 12 lbs., at 45 cents, 5 40
Boston Machine Co., nut for hydrant, 1 00
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., spin- dle for water-valve, 3 13
Medford Water Board, 84 feet 4-inch cement-lined pipe, at 35 cents, 29 40
Waldo Bros., 2 bbls. Portland cement, 7 00
D. Richards, 12 casks cement, $20.30; labor, $1.50, 21 80
City of Somerville, 38 clamps for repairing breaks in main pipe, 49 60
Jesse Bacon, bricks, cement, and labor, repairing break in main pipe, 9 98
Charles Gott, sharpening picks,
2 48
J. M. Chase, lumber and labor, 1 25
Brooks & Co., expressing,
50
A. Needham,
1 90
C. S. Parker, printing and pub- lishing notices, 18 10
D. F. Jones & Co., printing, 16 50
Globe Gaslight Co., painting
98 hydrants, at 25.cents each,
24 50
C. B. Stevens, Registrar, record- ing agreement, 85
Amounts carried forward, $259 86
$180 00
95
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $259 86 $180 00
Paid amount of materials used for repairs, from stock on hand,
39 76
Town of Lexington, tax for 1882,
12 35 -
F. E. Foster & Co., lumber for fence on line of Thos. Cos- grove, 24 13
A. L. Teel, labor building fence, 10 50
Highway Department, as follows :
87 cedar posts for fence, at 25 cents,
21 75
labor on fence, 16 00
labor, cutting brush and digging at reservoir and meadows, concreting and gravel,
52 88
labor, ditching near Slocum Mill Pond,
95 63
J. O. Goodwin, surveying near Slocum Mill Pond, 10 00
Charles C. Sawyer, services as inspector, 61 days, at $2.50 per day, 152 50
Sylvester Stickney, as follows :- laborof selfandmen and stock used re-
pairing leaks ; re- pairing hydrants, flushing pipes, set- ting service boxes, and other work on water works, $539 77
Amounts carried forward,
$539 77
$695 36
$180 00
96
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $539 77 $695 36 $180 00
Less credit of 10 service boxes, 15 00
524 77
$1,220 13
Deduct amount received of S. A. Fowle, two-thirds of cost of hydrant and setting, 38 30
1,181 83
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
" to the town, as per vote passed at town meeting, March 16, 1882 :
balance to credit of " Slocum Mill,"
$2,189 06
balance of appropriation for " Filter," 136 48
--
2,325 54
Amount loaned to town, Feb. 9,
$500 00
66 66
66 " 24,
2,500 00
66
66 " Mch. 31,
500 00
66
66
" May 23,
800 00
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 30,1882, -
4,300 00
2,896 28
$23,083 65
97
WATER WORKS .- TREASURER'S REPORT.
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 30, 1882.
DR.
CR.
Town of Arlington,
$301,885 23
Construction,
Cash,
$305,949 74 2,896 28 131,000 09
Interest,
Town Appropriation for interest.
Water Rates for 1873,
8,035 83
" 1874,
7,913 66
" 1875,
7,600 52
66
66 1876,
8,463 59
66
66 66 1877,
8,947 58
66
66
1878,
8,857 89
66
1879,
9,415 60
66
1880,
9,590 22
66
" 1881,
9,568 78
10,291 76
Running Expenses,
14,864 83
Sundry Receipts,
7,324 01
Stock Materials,
183 73
$454,894 67
$454,894 67
ARLINGTON, Dec. 30, 1882.
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
.
66
66 1882,
57,000 00
66
7
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 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
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 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
PUBLIC BATHS.
For one tub in public bath-house, $10 00
For each additional bath-tub, 5 00
100*
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
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
. 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
. .
101
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
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 Commissioners whenever in particular cases, in their judg- ment, the interests of the town shall require.
102
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 1882 ; also as Treasurer for the Arlington Water Works for the year 1882, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the balances of cash as stated by him.
DAVID P. GREEN, A. WILLARD DAMON,
Auditors.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 16, 1883.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
To the Selectmen of Arlington :
GENTLEMEN,-In compliance with the rules and regula- tions, I herewith present my report of the Fire Department for the past year.
MEMBERSHIP.
The membership of the department is the same as last year. I recommend that three more men be added to the Hook and Ladder Truck, making the company ten men, instead of seven as at present.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
The department has been called out fourteen times during the last year. There has been but one serious fire, that of Mrs. Wm. J. Niles, on Mystic street, consisting of barns,
104
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
out-buildings and carriages, 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.
Total Losses from fires, $3,265 00
" Insurance, $10,425 00
HOSE.
The hose in the department is in very good condition, with the exception of the leather hose. We have con- demned about 500 feet. We shall need more hose soon. I think there should be a small quantity purchased each year.
BUILDINGS.
I do not think your attention need be called to the con- dition of the house of Hose No. 2, after your inspection in the summer.
The "Wm. Penn " House is in good repair, with the exception of some painting needed on the inside.
I recommend that the tower of this house be raised ten feet, and a bell be purchased for the same. Your attention was called in my last report to the imperfect system of fire alarms ; but I know that this town, like many others, will not act until they have passed through the fire ordeal.
APPARATUS.
The Hook and Ladder Truck needs painting very much. Hose Carriage No. 3 is in very good condition at present.
I think that Hose Carriage No. 2 had better be exchanged for a light horse carriage. The carriage is old and will need some extensive repair if kept in use.
1
105
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
APPROPRIATION.
I would recommend an appropriation of $2500 to meet the expenses of the fire department for the ensuing year.
PERSONAL RECOGNITION.
In closing, I desire to express my thanks to you for your generous co-operation ; to my engineers and the members of the department for the prompt and able manner they have discharged their duty ; to the police for services rendered ; to G. W. Austin for furnishing horses ; and to Chief Casey of Cambridge, for apparatus; also, to Chief Frost, of Bel- mont, for refreshments at fire.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES GOTT,
Chief Engineer.
106
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Number of volumes in the Library, July, 1882 ·
8,118
Number of magazines taken by the Library 8
Number of books added in 1882 583
Number of books loaned .
. 26,734
Number of magazines loaned 563
Largest number of books and magazines delivered in one day . 247
Number not returned to the Library from July, 1881, to July, 1882 ·
0
Registration of book borrowers during the year 257 ·
Whole number of registered book borrowers . 1,847
Fines paid to the Town Treasurer in 1882 . $81 00
LIZZIE J. NEWTON,
Librarian.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 30, 1882.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The School Committee respectfully submit the following as their Annual Report : -
It is a wise provision of the State law which requires that " The School Committee shall annually make a detailed re- port of the condition of the several public schools," and " shall cause said report to be printed for the use of the inhabitants." Chosen by the town to look after one of its most important interests, if not the most important, it is right that an account of the strictest character should be rendered as to the manner of discharging this trust, and as to the results which have been reached. For, at the pres- ent time, without such a report, the majority of our towns- people would possess a very limited knowledge indeed of the general condition of our schools ; of the work accom- plished in the school-room and the results there secured ; of the relations existing between teachers and scholars, and of the general management of the several important inter- ests watched over by your School Board.
We quickly reach the conclusion that there exists a real need of a full report, upon examining the school regis- ters, which are kept by each teacher in accordance with another State law, and in which are carefully recorded the names of all visitors who have encouraged teachers and
108
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
scholars at any time during the year, by looking in upon them during their working hours. We are sorry to find that of late the school registers all show a scanty number of visitors. The names of few parents, and especially of very few fathers are found recorded ; and, consequently, the great majority of our towns-people must depend upon the school report for such information as they may wish in regard, to the general condition of our schools and their prosperity.
We cannot urge too strongly upon all parents, and upon all the friends of our public schools (and we know that there are in Arlington many who, though having no chil- dren, are yet the strongest friends and supporters of our schools),-upon all these we cannot urge too strongly the importance of an early visit to our schools generally, at least once during each school year, and, particularly, of visit- ing that school in which their own children or young friends are receiving instruction, in order to cultivate the acquaintance of the teacher in charge, to observe the gen- eral tone and atmosphere of the school-room, and to see for themselves how our school affairs are generally managed. In this way alone will all be prepared to give teachers and School Committee that encouragement and support which should be ready on all occasions when our schools become subjects of dispute, and when sharp criticisms may be made as to the discipline, methods of instruction, or general results.
We have had special occasion during the past year to mark the importance of a knowledge of our schools ob- tained by such personal observation. Several times dis- putes have arisen or criticisms have been made, based upon statements made honestly enough by scholars to their pa- rents. But the scholar is quite apt to see only his own side of the question, and to take that narrow view of the case which is quite natural, unless he is careful to observe that the mat- ter in dispute concerns not simply one scholar, but perhaps
109
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
several hundred. And so the parent hears an account of the case which is apt to be one-sided, and which, without much thought, he at once considers reasonable. But in the ma- jority of cases, the true state of affairs has been quickly appreciated, when the parent has consulted with some mem- ber of the School Committee, or with the teacher, or, better still, by such a visit as we have just advised. And the result has been, almost without exception, that teachers and committee have been most strongly supported.
During the sickness of Mr. Armes, it became necessary to employ as substitute in the Russell Grammar School, Mr. Thomas W. Proctor, a teacher of wide experience, of broad views, and a careful observer. Very soon after taking charge of the school he remarked that he found here some- thing entirely new to him, namely, a lack of that enthusi- asm for studies and for general school work, which is usually seen among children; a lack which he observed throughout the building from the highest to the lowest grades. During his fortnight's stay with us, he made it an object of special study to obtain a satisfactory answer for this condition of affairs. Before leaving us he reached a conclusion which seems to us to be the true one, and which confirms the position we have taken as to the impor- tance of personal knowledge of school matters. His conclu- sion was that the trouble is to be found mainly at home, and that in this town, as elsewhere, we can expect to find among our children eagerness to attend school, love for their studies, respect for teachers, care for deportment in school, and some slight attention to good manners and politeness in going to and from school, when parents show their children, by occasional visits and in other ways, that they too are interested in school affairs and are working with teachers and committee to secure that harmony and good feeling which should always exist.
-
110
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
There is nothing in which your committee and teachers need the help and support of parents so much as in the mat- ter of discipline. While the discipline has been good in the main, in some of our schools there is room for the most marked improvement. During the year it has been neces- sary to suspend temporarily quite a number of scholars, and the cases have not been confined to any one school. We are sorry to say that in several instances some of our school girls, who ought now to be young ladies, have been obliged to present themselves to the School Committee for permis- sion to return to school.
This has proved to be a most effectual method of punish- ment, and we are glad to say that, here too, the parents have invariably supported us when fully understanding the circumstances of each case.
In one instance it became necessary to enter complaint before the trial justice in a case of confirmed truancy in the Cutter School District. The boy was committed to the Reformatory School at Lowell, but only after all other measures possible had been tried without success. In another case, after an aggravated disturbance about the Russell School House, the committee felt compelled to enter complaint before the trial justice against the ringleader, a boy whose age placed him beyond the reach of the truant laws. On account of this and other misdemeanors he was committed to the Reform School at Westboro', during his minority. These were quite prominent cases and have served as good examples to convince our school children that their deportment is considered of the greatest impor- tance. We have noted much improvement of late.
At the last annual Town Meeting in March, your com- mittee asked for and obtained quite an addition to the usual appropriation for school purposes, with the view of making some repairs known to be needed on some of the buildings. The prudential committee, Messrs. Swan,
111
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Wood and Winn, took charge of these matters. It was found that more or less repairs and improvements were needed upon every building and that our appropriation was not large enough to warrant many repairs that could be made with advantage and which no one would care to neglect upon his own private buildings. It became, then, quite an impor- tant question as to what repairs could be delayed till another year, when another special appropriation could be asked for. Some of these needed improvements will be referred to, and they ought to receive attention as early as possible dur- ing the coming school year.
The Cotting High School and grounds are now in excel- lent condition. As we approach this building and observe the general appearance, both outside and inside, the compari- son with former years is decidedly in favor of the present. But little was done upon this building. A little whitewash- ing was attended to, and a few shingles were placed upon the roof to cover leaks; but this method of stopping leaks is ineffectual, and the building should be shingled during the coming year without fail. Later in the year, an attempt was made to improve the ventilation in the upper school- room by cutting a large hole in the ceiling and allowing the escape of foul air through the cupola. This plan was quite a success, and the matter of ventilation is now well attended to. This building is an extremely cold one, and during the coldest weather is warmed with much difficulty, -a difficulty which becomes greater every year, for some reason not clear to us. It seems a pity to send our children to a school which is kept in a room so cold that during the winter months the teacher rarely thinks of throwing off his outside wraps before the expiration of at least two hours, or nearly half the whole session.
For several years, when the question of necessary repairs has come up, it appears to have been the general inclination of all your committees to do as little as
112
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
possible on this building; and each committee in its turn has been inclined to spend but little money here, looking forward to the day when the town or some of our liberal and wealthy friends may see fit to give us a building which will be as much credit to the town as the school which is kept there. At the present time we do not feel prepared to ask for a new building, but are content to urge the necessity of doing every thing possible to keep the building dry and warm enough to be safe. It may not be out of place to re- call a plan, which is by no means a new one, and which we wish might reach the eye and the heart of some one able and willing to carry it into execution.
Our town is very much in need of three buildings which might be combined into one with convenience and economy. Why cannot some good location be selected and a building placed thereon which will be useful in its several depart- ments and an ornament and a valuable addition to the town ? Such a building might contain our High School with its valu- able B. E. Cotting library, our Public Library with its much needed reading-room, and a Memorial Hall in honor of those brave men who represented our town in the late war of the rebellion,-Arlington having as yet neither hall nor monument, commemorative of those trying times.
At the Russell School it was thought best to make at once all necessary repairs, since we had been trying to meet the case for several years. Very little had been done upon this building since its erection in 1871. The repairs have been done so thoroughly and so well that at least fifteen years ought to elapse before further extensive repairs are needed. The blinds and the wood-work on the inside of the building were thoroughly cleansed, and a new coating of varnish applied, in place of the oil and resin put on under the con- tract and which made a surface so gummy and sticky that it collected every particle of dust which came in contact with it. The wood and iron-work on the outside were painted.
113
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The window-runs were oiled and the sash painted. There is one improvement which must be made soon in this build- ing, and perhaps it could be made with advantage at once. For several years it has been necessary to hold a school at one end of the hall in the third story. If the hall could be partitioned into two rooms, the smaller rooms could be heat- ed with far more ease and economy than at present ; and an extra room would be furnished which will soon be needed and which may be necessary at any moment.
The sanitary arrangements here are not of the most ap- proved character, but all improvements possible under present circumstances have been made already. A few years ago the Secretary of the State Board of Health examined the premi- ses, and while he would not advise any radical change, he remarked that we must expect trouble sooner or later from the location of the privies and urinals in the basement. But while water can be used there as freely as at present, no danger need be feared, provided the cesspools outside the building prove adequate to their intended purpose.
At the Crosby School the yard was graded so as to get rid of several large pools of water which gathered after every storm ; and a concrete walk was put in from the sidewalk to the school entrance, twelve feet in width. Inside the build- ing, some whitewashing was done, black-boards were re- paired, and in the second story a new floor was laid in the girls' entry. Needed improvements are an entire new floor in the second story, some of the boards being already worn nearly as thin as paper, and a good coat of paint, outside and inside.
At the Cutter School few repairs were absolutely necessary aside from those usually met with, such as repairing leaks in the roof, whitewashing, etc. This building should be painted.
At the Locke School several loads of gravel were placed at the boys' entrance and the grading was thereby improved.
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