USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1884-1888 > Part 5
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GENERAL REPAIRS.
Thirty-nine leaks have occurred on the different mains, nine of which have been repaired by the use of clamps, eight
109
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
by putting in new lengths of pipe, and the balance by wind- ing. Eight of these were new breaks, the others being where they had been repaired years before. The rip-rap around the reservoir has been cleared of weeds, the boxing in the rear of the new filter has been raised and graded to high-water mark, and some repairs made about the gate house. For detailed account of expenditures for labor, sup- plies,etc., you are respectfully referred to the report of the Treasurer and Water Registrar. Stock and tools on hand you will find in annexed schedule.
Schedule of stock, material, and tools on hand Dec. 31, 1884 : -
119 feet 14 inch pipe. 75 “ 1 66 66
40 “ 2 66
Lot of oakum.
Lot of second-hand pipe.
Lot of old iron and pipe.
Lot winding rope.
14 feet 10 inch pipe.
14 66 8 66
7 66 6
7 66 4 66
6
66 12 66
3 four inch plugs.
Lot rubber gaskets.
1 Gem meter.
1 Continental meter.
Lot of couplings, caps, elbows, ties, and unions.
1 second-hand hydrant.
3 11 inch corporations (complete).
110
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
4 S. & W. cocks. 2 one inch corporations (complete). 2 centre rods. 1 frost case.
Lot cast-iron clamps.
Rubber packing.
2} barrels cement. Oil and can. 6 service boxes.
5 gate boxes.
7 cap fastenings.
7 sheet-iron sleeves.
1 iron branch.
4 monkey wrenches.
1 Stillson wrench.
1 cap wrench.
2 hydrant wrenches.
3 chisels.
1 trowel.
2 pairs pipe tongs.
3 files.
1 hatchet.
Set calking irons.
2 punches.
2 sets stuffing boxes and drills. Soldering irons and furnace. .
1 ladder.
2 lanterns. 1 tool box. Die plate and dies. 1 pipe cutter.
111
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
7 gate wrenches. 1 centre-rod wrench. 1 pair tongs. 2 sleeve wrenches. 2 pails.
1 screw-driver. 1 pair winding sticks. 1 ratchet.
Set drills and frame.
1 bench vice.
1 copper box. Very respectfully submitted,
GEO. W. AUSTIN, Superintendent.
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1883, $1,257 65
Amount received during the year 1884, viz. : -
For water rates for 1884, $8,611 46
From town, for use of street hy-
drants for 1884,
1,000 00
Also for water for drinking fountains,
200 00
9,811 46
Amount received of Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on deposits, $92 42
Received of town, interest on loans, 53 49
145 91
Received for wood sold, at meadows, $48 00
Received of F. Alderman,
for pasturing at meadows, 100 00
148 00
Received of town, appropri- ation for interest on water scrip, $6,500 00
Amounts carried forward,
$6,500 00 $11,363 02
WATER WORKS - TREASURER'S REPORT. 113
Amount brought forward, $6,500 00 $11,363 02
Amount received of town, as fol-
lows : -
June 25, loan of Jan. 31, $2,500 00 June 25, loan of Feb. 27, 1,000 00
3,500 00
Borrowed Dec. 31, of the
town, on demand, 1,400 00
11,400 00
$22,763 02
EXPENDITURES.
Running Expenses.
Paid Braman, Dow & Co., for piping and tools, $193 46
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., for service and gate boxes and iron pipe, 155 77
Summers & Hunt, 3 way cor- porations, etc., 67 50
Scrannage Bros. & Cook, cap
fastenings for service boxes, 14 72
J. H. & T. Cunningham, stop and waste cocks, etc. 22 23
George D. Tufts, white lead, 7 82
Amount carried forward, $461 50
114
WATER WORKS - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $461 50
Paid Warren A. Peirce, 36 casks of cement, 87 50
Wm. H. Wood & Co., lumber for filter, 55 22
James Baston, labor repairing filter, 7 50
Russell & Cotton, mason work, 7 05
A. Lawrence, enamel cloth, 4 20
W. L. Clark & Co., enamel cloth, 20
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., water gate, 12 35 .
City of Somerville, 9 clamps, 9 62
Medford Water Board, labor and materials used in laying and repairing pipes, 206 27
Highway Department, labor on repairs and putting in service pipes, 897 67
R. W. Shattuck, labor and ma- terials, 253 25
M. F. Whiton & Co., manila bale rope, 13 98
Sylvester Stickney, keys and rings, 2 65
Farrar, Simpson & Co., plumb- ers' solder, 5 91
W. T. Wood & Co., machine work, 95
Amount carried forward, $2,025 82
115
WATER WORKS - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $2,025 82
Paid Charles Gott, wrenches, etc., 9 85
A. Needham, expressing, 9 75
Brooks & Co., 15
M. Patterson, expressing,
1 25
L. C. Tyler, repairing rubber mittens, 25
Middlesex Townsman, advertis-
ing, 1 50
C. S. Parker, printing and, ad- vertising, 16 70
D. F. Jones & Co., printing, 14 00
Town of Lexington, tax for 1884,
9 54
Geo. W. Austin, services as su- perintendent for 12 months, 100 00
John H. Hardy, legal services in Kenison and Cosgrove cases, etc., 48 75
Hardy, Elder and Proctor, legal services in Kenison and Cos-
grove cases, 30 00
*$2,267 56
Deduct amount received of Cem- etery Department, for labor and materials, laying pipe, $210 07
Amounts carried forward, $210 07 $2,267 56
* Include I in this amount is the cost of laying pipes in Dudley Street, $127 35
From which are now derived yearly water rates, $20. Also laying pipes at Jason Str. et, 237 51
From which are now derived, yearly water rates, $50.
$364 86
116
WATER WORKS - TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $210 07 $2,267 56
Amount received of High-
. way Department, for drain pipe, 30 00
Amount received of Mrs. Eli Robbins, for lay- ing pipe, 54 88
Amount received of W.
H. Richardson, for 60 feet of drain pipe, 9 00 Amount received of W. W. Rawson, for pipe, 2 52
Amount received of J. M. Chase, for trenching, 3 50
Amount transferred to account of " Service Pipes," 390 40
Amount transferred to account " Stock Ma- terials," 58 27
758 64
$1,508 92
Service Pipes,
Amount of cost of 32 services, at $12.20 each, 390 40
Stock Materials.
Amount of tools and materials added to this account this year,
58 27
Amount carried forward, $1,957 59
WATER WORKS - TREASURER'S REPORT. 117
Amount brought forward, $1,957 59
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, Jan. 31,
$2,500 00
66 66 66 Feb. 27,
1,000 00
3,500 00
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31,1884,
105 43
$22,763 02
ʻ
1
118
WATER WORKS -TREASURER'S REPORT.
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1884.
Dr.
Cr.
Town of Arlington,
$306,535 23
Construction,
$310,599 74
Cash,
105 43
Interest,
165,097 80
Loans,
1,400 00
Town appropriation for inter-
est,
69,500 00
Water rates, 1873,
8,035 83
66
66 1874,
7,913 66
1875,
7,600 52
:
66 66 1877,
8,947 58
56.
1878,
8,857 89
6.6.
66 1879,
9,415 60
66.
66 1880,
9,590 22
66 66
1881,
9,568 78
66
1882,
10,291 76
66
66 1883,
10,361 49
6.6
66 1884,
9,832 09
Service pipes,
656 40
Filter,
12 89
Stock materials,
372 88
Sundry receipts,
7,661 51
Running expenses,
17,156 39
$493,988 64 $493,988 64
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1884.
66 1876,
8,463 59
119
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 family, 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 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, special rates will be made.
Where bath-tubs or water-closets are used by more than one family, for each family, Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, both emptying into one basin, but one charge will be made for both. Provided, that in no case shall the
4 00
120
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
charge for the use of water by a private fam- ily, exclusive of hose and stable, be more than $25 00
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
1
When two or more tenants are supplied from the same faucet, each, 4 00
Water-closet used by occupants of one tene- ment 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 classification, 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
-
121
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
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
66
For each additional horse, 4 00
66
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 00
The rates for stables include water for wash- ing carriages without hose.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets (and the use of the same shall be limited to one hour per day), not less than $3 00
STEAM BOILERS.
For each boiler in use not over twelve hours a day, for each horse-power, $6 00
122
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For each cask of lime or cement,
6 cents.
HYDRANTS.
Hydrants set by the town at the rate of $28 each, allowing 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.
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, also as Treasurer for the Arlington Water Works, for the year 1884, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the bal- ances of cash as stated by him.
DAVID P. GREEN, Auditors. A. WILLARD DAMON.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 22, 1885.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF ARLINGTON :
Gentlemen, - In accordance with custom and the rules of the town, I would respectfully submit my annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1884.
MEMBERSHIP.
The membership remains the same as that of last year, viz. : Thirty-seven men, and two substitutes to each Hose Company, and four to Hook and Ladder Company. The latter receive no recompense and fill vacancies as they occur. We find it difficult to keep the companies up with men who live in the vicinity of the department buildings.
FIRES.
We have had no serious fires during the year, and have answered seventeen calls, one of which was in Somerville. The losses from fire have been slight, and the citizens can cer- tainly congratulate themselves on the slight losses and few fires, and may the future record of the town read as clear. The department has responded promptly to all alarms, and performed good service at all times, and I think will com- pare favorably with any in this vicinity with the conve- niences here.
125
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
HOSE.
The hose of the department is in good condition, with the exception of some old leather. Three hundred feet of cotton hose have been purchased during the year, and in my opinion a certain amount should be purchased each year.
INCREASED FACILITIES.
I would call your attention to the unprotected condition of the upper and lower portions of the town, but, owing to the high rate of taxes, refrain from making any recommenda- tions at this time.
BUILDINGS AND APPARATUS.
The lower story of William Penn House has been partially painted, and the upper story will require some repairs this year. The Highland House has received a bell for alarms, and a brick tank for washing hose, with minor repairs, and is now in good condition. The Hook and Ladder truck has been thoroughly repaired and painted. Hose 3 requires to be painted during the coming year.
APPROPRIATION.
I would recommend the sum of $2,500 to meet the expenses for the ensuing year.
PERSONAL RECOGNITION.
Feeling deeply grateful to your board, my engineers, and members of the department, I remain,
Very respectfully,
CHARLES GOTT,
Chief Engineer.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
At the beginning of 1884 the Library still occupied the room in the Town House to which it was removed in 1873. During these years the number of books had steadily increased, and the space allotted to them had rapidly filled up. In 1880 the Trustees state in their report that " little room remains for further additions," and of course, as time went on, the difficulty became greater. It is safe to say that by the end of 1883 books could no longer be properly arranged, while the work of the Librarian and her assistants could be done only under most unfavorable circumstances. A few figures will best show the growth of the Library. In 1873 there were 3,362 volumes, in 1883 there were 8,565.
A similar change had taken place in the use of the Library ; 15,597 volumes were given out in 1873 ; in 1883 the number was 26,199. How many different persons took out books in 1873 cannot be exactly stated, but the number could hardly have been much, if any, over a thousand. Ten years later, there were 2,090. The waiting-room, at first large enough, was often, of late years, uncomfortably crowded. In fact the library room was in every way outgrown.
Another disadvantage was the lack of a reading-room.
127
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This matter is spoken of at some length in another part of this report. It is sufficient to say here that the Trustees had often recommended the establishment of a reading-room, and several committees on the subject had been at different times appointed by the town. Probably all practicable ways of enlarging the library room in the Town House were many times considered, but the general feeling was, that such a change, necessarily involving the removal of the post-office or the crowding together of the town offices, would only annoy the public, without much benefiting the Library.
In the latter part of 1883 the plan for removing the Library to Swan's Hall was laid before the Trustees, and received from them careful attention. It was reported to the town by the Reading-room Committee, consisting of the selectmen and Trustees, at the last annual meeting, and the town voted with substantial unanimity that it should be carried out.
By the provisions of the lease entered into according to the vote of the town, the hall is hired for five years from July 1, 1884, at an annual rent of four hundred dollars. At the end of the term the town has the right to renew the lease, if it chooses, for five years more, at the same rent. Such ante- rooms as are not needed may be sublet, and, in fact, two of them are now so occupied.
The removal took place in the early part of July. The usual examination was made at the same time, so that the public might not be put to unnecessary inconvenience. In- deed, the work was pushed forward so rapidly that books were given out as soon as they would have been if the Library had not been moved.
The hall was found so well adapted to its new purposes that few changes have been made. It has been divided, by
128
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
low partitions, into three rooms. The first of these is fur- nished with a table and settees and serves as a waiting-room. Next comes the reading-room. Along its sides are cases in which will be kept books of reference and the bound volumes of magazines. On the two large tables in the centre of the room the newer periodicals will be placed. These two rooms together occupy the eastern part of the hall. The rest of the space is taken up by the book-room. Here are the book-cases, and here is done cataloguing, repairing, and the many kinds of work necessary to the proper carrying on of a library so much used as ours.
The experience of the past half-year has confirmed the Trustees in their opinion that the town acted wisely in making the change. While space is gained in the Town House, which may be used in such ways as are deemed best, the Library is placed where it has ample room for growth, and in a hall, in most respects, as convenient and attractive as if originally designed for the purpose.
As above stated, the Trustees and others interested in the Library have felt that without a reading-room it could not perform an important part of its duty to the community. It may be well to mention shortly some of the reasons for this belief.
In the first place, there are many books which are not meant to be read through, but to be consulted for information on special points. Such books are cyclopædias, dictionaries of biography, and the like. If these are to be used to any extent, experience shows that they must be kept where readers can examine them easily. Otherwise they will ordinarily remain idle upon the shelves, for very few persons are willing to carry home a bulky volume in order to search it for some-
129
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
thing which, at best, forms but a small part of its contents, and which very possibly does not appear in it at all.
Again, a reading-room is necessary in cases where it is desired to look at several books on the same subject. An example will make this clear : Suppose a boy in one of our schools is studying the history of the War of the Revolution. He comes to the account of the treason of Arnold. He wishes to find out more than the school books give about that very striking and interesting event. The Library has, perhaps, a dozen books of history or biography which will help him. Obviously, he ought to have the chance to look over them all, so as to see which one is best suited to his needs. In this way he not only gets the special help which he is seeking, but also makes the acquaintance of several wholesome books, some of which he may be glad to read afterwards. But if, as was particularly the case in the old room, the Library furnishes him with no place where he can examine the books, he has to take out some one volume at a' venture. It may or may not serve his immediate purpose ; in any case he has lost the good which always comes from comparison and selection among several accounts of the same thing.
Papers and magazines - daily, weekly, or monthly - cannot be used to any extent unless within the Library. If these have to be taken out like books, but few persons have a chance to see them while they are new. As this class of reading matter is both good in itself, and, perhaps, more universally popular than any other, the Library ought to make it generally accessible, - a result which can be reached only by means of a reading-room.
Apart from these special needs which a reading-room sup-
130
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
plies, it is in many ways a convenience to readers ; and any- thing which makes a library more attractive, at the same time makes it more widely used.
For various reasons it was thought best not to open the reading-room formally until the last part of December. The use that was made of it even before that time showed clearly how much it has added to the advantages of the Library.
Work upon the card catalogue, the beginning of which is mentioned in the last report, has been continued during the present year. To understand fully the plan of this catalogue and to appreciate the skill and labor involved in making it, one should visit the Library and examine the part already fin- ished. Its purpose is to enable those who consult it to find readily whether the Library contains any particular book, or what books or parts of books it contains by any given author, or on any given subject. Its two main advantages over a printed catalogue are that it is much more full than a printed catalogue can be made without great, and, in most cases, unjustifiable expense, and that it is always up to date. The completion of the card catalogue will not make the pres- ent catalogues useless. They will still serve many purposes ; the card catalogue will supplement, rather than replace them.
A suitable case has already been obtained, and probably in a short time the work will be so far advanced as to allow the use of the catalogue by the public, although some time must needs elapse before the whole Library is catalogued.
The system of a weekly .delivery of books at Arlington Heights has been continued during the colder months of the year, and has proved of much convenience to persons living in that part of the town. The credit of this extension of the
131
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
advantages of the Library is mainly due to Mr. E. B. Bailey, who has taken charge of the books sent. The Trustees are also under obligations to the editors of both local papers, who have shown themselves always ready to publish lists of new books and other items concerning the Library, and have given complete files of the Advocate and Townsman. A number of other gifts have been received, among which should be mentioned several of especial value and interest from Rev. E. G. Porter, of Lexington.
The Library is now a valuable collection of books. With the added facilities which the new rooms give, there is every reason to expect that its usefulness will continually increase. It furnishes every year a great deal of pleasure and benefit to our community, and well deserves the steady support that it has received from the town for nearly half a century.
JAMES P. PARMENTER,
DEC. 31, 1884.
For the Trustees.
LIBRARIAN'S STATEMENT.
Number of volumes in the Library, July, 1884 8,913
" magazines taken by the Library 8
" books added in 1884 246
66 " books loaned 26,180
66 magazines loaned . 709 ·
Largest number of books and magazines delivered in one day 229
Number not returned to the Library from July 1883, to July, 1884 . 0
Registration of book-borrowers during the year 250
Whole number of registered book-borrowers . 2,340 ·
Fines paid to the Town Treasurer in 1884 $88 00
LIZZIE J. NEWTON,
Librarian.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1884.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
To the Town of Arlington :
In compliance with a well-known provision of our State law, the School Committee submit their annual report.
In doing so they sincerely regret losing for a time the valued services of their faithful and efficient chairman, who after a sudden and complete physical prostration, is now believed to be rapidly regaining health and strength to resume
his duties in town, and in connection with this Board. The regular monthly meetings of the Board have been uniformly well attended, and their sessions perhaps protracted with a zeal beyond discretion. Visits have been made to the schools as frequently as the demands of business would permit. The various matters needing attention have been looked after with reasonable diligence, and it is confidently hoped that our schools are now in a good and prosperous con lition, with bright prospects for the future. Events have more than justified the wisdom of the town in granting, at the last an- nual meeting in March, an ample appropriation for the pur- pose of making repairs much needed and long neglected. It is certainly a matter of the first importance to provide comfortable and commodious quarters, where the children of the town may assemble without detriment to their health, and pursue their studies under the most favorable circum- stances. A considerable amount of money has been ex-
134
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
pended by the prudential committee having this matter in charge, with a view to the best results and a proper econ- omy, and it is with pleasure that we are able to report the buildings, with one exception to be noted later, in a satis- factory condition. We are confident that inspection will secure approbation. In the Crosby School new floors have been laid, in both the upper and lower rooms and entries and on the stairways. It is now no longer possible to drop a slate pencil through the floor into the cellar below. This change has added much to the comfort and appearance of the rooms. New seats and desks have been placed in the lower room. The building has been painted with two coats, both inside and out. In the Russell School nothing of importance was done, because nothing of importance needed to be done. The outlays of previous years were so judiciously managed, and the work so well and thoroughly done, that the entire building and all its appointments are in good order, and it required only thorough cleansing and the slight repairs inci- dent to any building constantly in use. The High School building has been entirely painted over on the inside, the roof reshingled, new ventilators put in, and the partition in the lower story so moved as to make two rooms of equal size. This very desirable change meets with universal ap- probation, and the wonder now is that it should have been so long neglected. In connection with it, a number of small jobs were done in various parts of the building which need not be enumerated.
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