USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1884-1888 > Part 28
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57 lengths (513 feet) 4-inch iron pipe at $4.35,
$247 95
1 6x4 Tee,
4 00
Amounts carried forward, $251 95 $1,276 42
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT. 113
Amounts brought forward, $251 95 $1,276 42
1 4-inch gate, 13 30
1 hydrant,
28 35
1 "set off" for hydrant,
: 4 00
420 lbs. of lead at 4 cents,
16 80
34 days labor at $1.75,
59 50
8 « .. . 2.50,
20 00
393 90
Cottage Avenue Pipe.
460 feet 14-inch pipe,
$34 50
labor and cement lining pipe, 5 75
10 days labor at $1.75,
17 50
5 days labor at $2.50,
12 50
use of team,
8 75
expressing,
2 50
81 50
Russell Court Pipe.
333 feet 2-inch pipe,
$42 08
lining pipe,
4 75
fittings,
7 40
14 days labor at $1.75,
24 50
5 6 65 2.50,
12 50
use of team,
1 75
expressing,
2 00
94 98
Pipe at John Kelly's North Side of Arlington Avenue. 550 feet 14-inch cement lined pipe,
$47 72
Amounts carried forward,
$47 72
$1,846 80
8
114
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $47 72 $1,846 80
21 days labor at $1.75,
36 75
5 " 2.50,
12 50
expressing,
3 00
99 97
Kenison Suit.
Paid John H. Hardy, legal services, $100 00 Samuel J. Elder, legal ser- vices, etc., 103 99
Execution in favor of Parker Kenison, with cost and in- terest,
687 75
891 74
Lawsuits.
Paid Geo. A. Kimball, civil en- gineer, professional services in "Flint & King Suits," Charles D. Elliot, civil en- gineer, professional services in "Flint & King Suits," 63 07
$19 50
82 57
Service Pipes. Amount of cost of 32 street services, laid in 1887, at $11.56} average for each, 370 08
Stock Materials.
Amount of tools and materials added to this account in 1887, 73 42
Amount carried forward, $3,364 58
WATER WORKS. - TREASURER'S REPORT. 115
Amount brought forward, $3,364 58
Interest on Water Scrip.
Paid 1 year's interest on $220,000, at 6 per cent., $13,200 00
1 year's interest on $80,000, at 5 per cent., 4,000 00
17,200 00
Amount loaned to town, March 25, 1887, 3,000 00
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1887, 1,465 88
$25,030 46
116
WATER WORKS - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1887.
DR.
CR. $306,535 23
Town of Arlington,
Construction,
$310,599 74
Interest,
216,449 41
Town Appropriation for interest,
95,500 00
Water Rates, 1873,
8,035 83
1874,.
7,913 66
66
66 1875,
7,600 52
66
66
1876,
8,463 59
66
66
1877,
8,947 58
66
1878,
8,857 89
1879,
9,415 60
1880,
9,590 22
66
66 1881,
9,568 78
66
1882,
10,291 76
66 66 1883,
10,361 49
66
1884,
9,832 09
66 1885,
10,187 30
66
66 1886,
11,172 42
1887,
11,845 03
Kenison Suit,
2 37
Lawsuits,
82 57
Service Pipes,
1,942 71
Main Pipe,
5 44
Grove Street Pipe,
20 90
Stock Materials,
708 28
Sundry Receipts,
7,992 40
Running Expenses,
20,891 51
Cash,
1,465 88
$552,140 10 $552,140 10
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1887.
11,7
RULES OF WATER WORKS. .
Extracts from 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, $6 00
For each additional faucet, to be used by the same family, 2 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, one faucet only being used for all, for each family, 4 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family having the water carried into their part of the house.
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,
8 00
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, ex- clusive of hose and stable, be more than 25 00
BOARDING HOUSES.
For the first faucet, 10 00
118
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
Each additional faucet, $2 00
Water-closet or bath-tub, when used by board- ers,
10 00
Each additional bath-tub or water-closet, 3 00
STORES, OCCUPIED AS OFFICE, SHOP, OR SIMILAR PURPOSE.
First faucet, $6 to $20 00
For each additional faucet, 2 50
For water-closet or urinal, 6 00
MARKETS, SALOONS, RESTAURANTS, WORKSHOPS.
For markets, saloons, restaurants, workshops,
or for purposes not included in any other classification, and not requiring more than an ordinary supply of water, $6 to $25 00
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
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse, 5 00
For each additional horse, 3 00
RULES OF WATER WORKS. 119
Private Stables. 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 00
The rates for stables include water for washing carriages without hose ; when hose is used, $3.00 additional.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets, and watering gardens (and the use of the same shall be limited to two hours 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
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.
Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year :
120
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
For a jet of 1-16 of an inch, $3 00
.. “ 1-8 66
5 00
" 1-4 8 00
To be cut off at discretion of the Superintendent.
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.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
The undersigned hereby certifies that he has audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, as Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Arlington, also as Treasurer for the Arlington Water Works, for the year 1887, and finds the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the balances of cash as stated by him.
DAVID P. GREEN,
Auditor.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 23, 1888.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON FIRE
DEPARTMENT. .
To the Board of Selectmen of Arlington :
GENTLEMEN-In accordance with custom and the rules of the town, I respectfully submit my Annual Report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1887 :
FIRES.
The department has been called out twelve times, but has had only three serious fires to contend with, as follows :
Oct. 25. S. A. Fowle's drug mill. Insurance on build- ing and contents, $8500. Loss, $1600.
Nov. 12. Unfinished house of Mr. C. Allen on Jason street. No insurance. Loss, $1900. Cause unknown.
Nov. 12. House of Mr. Wm. Nightingale, on Jason street. Insurance, $3000. Loss, $2600.
The other fires have been small, and with no great loss.
123
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
BUILDINGS.
The buildings and apparatus are in good repair. Land has been leased for five years, and and a house has been built on the same at Henderson street. This company has been called to one fire.
The Hook and Ladder Company has labored under a great disadvantage since it has had no regular horse to use since August.
Stalls should be fitted up in the houses for the horses. The horses should be worked on the highways. I think this would be a step towards improvement.
I would recommend that a horse be purchased for the Hook and Ladder Co., to be kept as near the house as pos- sible. I would also recommend that a telephone box be placed near the Hose-house on Henderson street.
APPROPRIATION.
For the coming year I would recommend an appropriation of $2500 to meet the expenses.
PERSONAL RECOGNITION.
In closing, I desire to express my thanks to your Board, to my assistants, and the members of the Department.
Respectfully submitted.
CHAS. GOTT, Chief Engineer.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Town Treasurer's Report, and the Librarian's State- ment given herewith, cover the ordinary points of interest in the affairs of the Public Library during the past year.
The completion of the new hand Catalogue, consolidating the old Catalogue of 1876, the Catalogue-Supplement of 1881, and the numerous printed lists which have accumu- lated in the past six or seven years, has been unavoid- ably delayed ; it is now well under way, however, and we hope to see the enlarged and perfected work pass through the printer's hands during the coming season.
This delay accounts for the considerable balance in our favor which appears in the Treasurer's accounts ; the excess of appropriation having been carefully economized, to be used in 1888 for the purpose for which it was originally designed.
The completed Card Catalogue is daily proving its very great usefulness to the Librarian and her assistants, and to students looking up particular subjects. Although it has not yet been moved into the Reading-Room, it is open to the inspection of all applicants.
J. T. TROWBRIDGE, For the Trustees.
Dec. 31, 1887.
LIBRARIAN'S STATEMENT.
Number of volumes in the Library, July, 1887
.
10,146
" publications taken (weekly and
monthly) ·
18
66 " daily papers
3
66 " books added from Jan. 1, 1887, to
Jan. 1, 1888 412
66 " books loaned 29,745
" magazines loaned 600
Largest number of books and magazines delivered in one day 268
Number not returned to the Library from July, 1886, to July, 1887 0
:
Registration of book-borrowers during the year 259
Whole number of registered book-borrowers 3141
Fines paid to the Town Treasurer in 1887 $96 00
LIZZIE J. NEWTON, . Librarian.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1887.
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
To the Town of Arlington :
In compliance with the statutes of the Commonwealth and in conformity with established custom, the School Commit- tee respectfully submit their Report for the year 1887.
On reviewing the work done during the past year, it might seem at first sight that from the nature of things there was little new or striking to call to the attention of the town. Our graded system has long passed the experimental stage. Most of our teachers have been with us long enough to gain that knowledge of the peculiar needs of their several grades which comes only from experience. Their faithfulness and efficiency are well known. Such changes and improvements in methods as have been introduced from time to time and described in former reports have become a part of the regular work, and cease to call for special mention. In short, the general condition of the schools continues satisfactory, and is so far an established fact, that there are very few points which would seem to need explanation.
A more careful survey however of the path traversed shows that in several important respects the year just ended, has been a marked one. More than one question of import- ance has come before your Committee, has been considered with care and decided as in their judgment was right. Of
127
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
these decisions, the one which has perhaps excited the most wide-spread interest has been the division of the Cutter district and it seems worth while to set forth the facts relat- ing to this matter in some detail,-not only from its interest to many of our citizens but from its bearing upon other matters-especially the work of the Prudential Committee to be alluded to further on.
The Cutter district has for a great many years included the whole western end of our town from the Lexington boundary to a line shifting from time to time, but generally not far from Highland avenue or Grove street. The Cutter school-house, containing four rooms, is near the eastern end of the district. When it-or rather its predecessor-was built, the location seems to have been quite convenient, being as nearly as possible the central point of the school population, but as the population increased towards the other end of the district, especially with the rapid growth of the Heights, considerable inconvenience ensued. Additional rooms were hired for a time, and finally in 1877 a new school- house of four rooms was built at the Heights and known as the Locke School. No division of the district was made nor did the number of scholars warrant the establishment of four new schools, the two rooms on the first floor only, being occupied at the outset. However, the number of pupils soon increased so that another room was required and for several years preceding last summer, three rooms were occupied, and the scholars distributed as follows :- two rooms in the Cutter School were assigned to the four upper grammar grades-two grades to a room; two rooms in the Locke School to the fifth and sixth grammar grades ; while the scholars in the three primary grades living in the western end of the district attended one room in the Locke School, and those living at the eastern end found accommodations in the two remaining rooms in the Cutter School.
128
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Naturally enough, this arrangement, although in the judg- ment of the Committee the best that could then be made, was not entirely satisfactory. A scholar in any grammar grade was likely to be compelled to pass by the school-house nearest his home to seek an education at the other end of the district, while groups obliged to pass each other going to and from schoor, were sometimes apt to engage in a sort of border warfare to the serious vexation and disturbance of the neighborhood. The dissatisfaction with this arrange- ment constantly increased, and finally became so great that, as mentioned in our last report, the Committee again con- sidered the matter in response to frequent requests from parents, and Miss Pierce, the senior teacher in the building, was given complete control over all the schools in the Locke school-house in matters of discipline ; a change which again seemed to be the best we could make at the time. Then the difficulties were brought before our last annual town meeting and discussed at some length, till finally the whole matter was sent back to the School Committee, where it belonged.
The Committee hardly needed this stimulus, the subject having already been so many times considered and examined by them with care.
However, a sub-committee of three was promptly appointed, who worked patiently from first to last for a satisfactory solution of the difficulty which they at last found. The rapid growth of school population had now made the estab- lishment of a fourth school in the Locke building justifiable. Therefore they were able to report a plan which was adopted by the Committee, and went into effect in last September.
The old Cutter district was divided by a line just below Forest street into two distinct grammar districts-the Cutter and the Locke. In each district are four schools, the nine grammar and primary grades existing under our system being distributed among them, by putting two classes in each
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT. 129
room, except the upper, where there are three. Each dis- trict is under the supervision of the principal of its school, and, in fact, they are entirely independent, with two excep- tions. First the master of the Cutter School may be called upon if necessary to aid in the enforcement of discipline in the Locke School, and, secondly all scholars in the first grade attend the Cutter School during the present year-at the request of the parents who wished that their children, who had already been under Mr. Soule's instruction for a year, should so continue.
The plan thus established has worked well-so far as the Committee can judge, and has much pleased the citizens of that section. A special word of deserved praise is due to the teachers who have heartily worked for the success of the new system, although in almost every case their duties have been made more difficult, since each teacher has been obliged, in whole or in part, to teach a new set of subjects to a new school.
The difficulties are settled in this way for the present. One serious disadvantage, necessarily introduced, has been the break in our graded system caused by putting two classes in one room and especially by putting three classes in the principal's room.
It will be remembered that formerly the primary teacher in the Locke School had three classes under her care. The difficulty may appear to have been simply transferred to a teacher in charge of older pupils. But we believe that the principal of a grammar school can handle the three highest grades, the classes being small in numbers, with much less difficulty than the primary teacher can manage the three lowest grades, the classes being large enough to over-crowd the school-room.
It may be well to bear in mind however, that clearly where scholars of so many grades have to be taught by one
9
130
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
teacher the time which can be given to each class is neces- sarily abridged and parts of the work must be hurried over.
It seems to be the conclusion reached by nearly everyone who has carefully looked over the whole subject in all its bearings that as the school population increases and outstrips the present accommodations the final remedy may be the build- ing of a new school-house near the Foot of the Rocks which may contain the four or five highest grades from both districts, each class to be under one teacher, and the principal to supervise the whole district, while the present buildings will serve to accommodate the lower grades.
Although the need of such a building may seem not ur- gent at present, no harm can be done by bearing the matter in mind, and considering at any rate the selection of a proper site before it is too late.
A far more pressing need exists at the other end of the town, where the two rooms in the Crosby school-house have served to accommodate all the primary scholars from that dis- trict. The rapid and continuing growth of that part of the town has caused these rooms to become greatly crowded of late years. The subjoined figures will tell the story of the in- crease in these schools more clearly than words. The whole' number of scholars in the Crosby Schools in September, 1880, was 75; in 1881,-77; in 1882,-77; in 1883,-83; in 1884,-79 ; in 1885,-104; in 1886,-84; and finally in September last,-97.
It will be observed that the climax was reached two years ago, in 1885, when these two rooms furnished accommodations for 104 scholars.
Turning now to the school report for that year, we find that the Committee called attention to the situation at some length, the statement closing with these words : " It seems none too soon for the town to provide for the inevitable by erecting at once on the old grounds a substantial school . building, with at least four large rooms."
131
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
At the present time we think a third school should be established at once, and a fourth in the near future. There- fore we again advise that a four-room building be erected as soon as may be.
As predicted in last year's report the Prudential Committee found no great alterations or extensive repairs to make in properly caring for the school buildings and grounds. We believe in the policy of having everything that is done, done thoroughly and properly once and for all, and this statement applies to the alterations and repairs made this year, as well as to those made heretofore. As fully explained in former reports such a plan leaves little to be done from year to year beyond attending to the usual general repairs, and it keeps our school property in a generally satisfactory condition.
The Cutter school-house, with its out-buildings and fences, received one good coating of paint, and the shingling of the roof, begun last year, was completed. Twenty new seats and desks of an approved pattern were put in Miss Brady's room in place of old ones which were out of repair and too small for the grades occupying the room under the new plan. In fact, all the remaining seats and desks are out of repair and too small for the grades, being without ink-wells and without proper shelf-room for text-books. They should be replaced by larger and more modern seats and desks.
In the Locke school-house, the new plan necessitated of course the rearrangement of seats, desks, etc., in most of the rooms, and the purchase of considerable new school fur- niture, since the fourth and only remaining empty room was to be fitted for occupancy. The school furniture, seats, desks, etc., already in the building were transferred to the three rooms to be occupied by the lower grades, and properly ar- ranged.
Miss Pierce wished to retain her old room, and so it was fitted up with seats, desks, etc., suitable for the three high-
132
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
est grammar grades,-only 24 desks being supplied for the present ; enough, it is thought, to meet all probable demands. A new teacher's desk was purchased for this room, large and well adapted to all the wants and requirements of the principal of such a school.
It was found, soon after opening the fourth room, that the heating capacity of the two furnaces, which were expected to warm the whole building, would probably be taxed to the utmost. On some previous occasions it had become neces- sary to push these furnaces very hard. With the object of using all means at our disposal to aid in keeping the house warm, at the close of the year, two portable partitions were added in the lower hall just inside each entrance door, making in effect a good storm door at each end of the building. Bearing in mind the difficulties we have had heretofore in keeping this house supplied with good, healthy and palatable drinking water, it may be well to mention the fact that the cistern in the basement which supplies this school-house, was pumped dry during the summer vacation, and thoroughy cleansed. This insures for several months, at least, a supply of as pure water as could be desired, viz : - filtered rain water from a clean reservoir.
The Prudential Committee would call attention here to some alterations and improvements which we believe it is in- perative should be made at once, and would ask that the proper appropriation of money be specially made for carry- ing these changes into effect.
At the Cutter school-house new floors of properly seasoned wood should be laid in both rooms in the second story ; the wood-work and all the school furniture should be carefully cleaned, shellacced and varnished; in short, these rooms should be put in thoroughly good repair.
Even since the Cutter building ivas erected, the janitor has been obliged to wade through water to his furnaces, for
133
-SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
from one to three weeks during the annual spring thaws and freshets. On several occasions the water has risen high enough to put the furnace fires out.
The necessity of trying to get rid of such a difficulty must be obvious to all. It seems hardly necessary to mention the troubles and dangers resulting ; among which are the damp cellar with consequent dangers and risks for so many chil- dren in the four rooms above ; the annoyance to the janitor, not to speak in stronger terms; and the fact that certain exposed parts of the furnaces rust out and have to be replaced much more frequently than in any other of our school-houses. It is thought that a trench can be dug and a drain-pipe laid to take away all this water from directly beneath the fur- naces. From the nature of the soil, the presence of ledges of hard rock, etc., the difficulties are insurmountable in the way of shutting the water entirely out of the basement at the outset.
When this drain-pipe is laid, advantage should be taken of the opportunity for laying a water pipe for a second supply of water,-one pipe to supply each story. For at present, there is so little pressure in the water pipes at this point, that no water can be had in the upper story while a single faucet is turned on in the lower.
It is thought that an appropriation of $650 will enable us to make these improvements.
It may be a surprise to many to know that the heating apparatus in the Russell school-house is inadequate for its purpose during our coldest winter weather. Such is the fact, however, which has become very evident now that all the twelve rooms are occupied.
The radiators in the building are sufficient and furnish enough radiating surface at all points, but the furnaces and boilers are not large enough to supply the steam required to fill them at the critical moment, even when pushed to their
134
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
utmost by skilled hands. The steam for heating the build- ing has been supplied by two boilers, one of which only is used during the early fall and late in the spring months.
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