USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1892-1894 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY.
Date of
Appearance.
Odor.
Residue on Evaporation.
Ammonia.
Nitrogen as
No.
Collection.
Examin'''n
Turbidity.
Sediment.
Color.
Cold.
Hot.
Tot.
Loss 011 Igni tion.
Fix. Free
Toťl
In So In lut'n' Sus
8533
Feb. I8
19
Very slight
Very slight
0.55
8.40
2.25
6.15
. 0042
. 0150
.0136 .0014
. 63
. 1050
.0000
2.86
8534
18
19
Slight
Very slight
0.55
..
7.40
2.25
5.15
.0036
. 0208
. 0172 .0036
.61
. 0850
. 0002
2.47
8535
18
19
Milky
Very slight
0.40
. .
7.15
1.75
5.40
. 0222
.0I12
. 0098 . 0014
. 66
.0950
. 0000
2.73
8609 Mar.
12
14
( Dec.clay'y Heavy rusty ¿ & floculent § Slight
O. I
7.60
.
. .
0024 .0004 .0004 .0000
.3I
. 0070
. 0002
4.03
8610
I2
I4
Clayey
( Sl'g't gr'n
Very slight
0.20
§ Very faint ¿ or none
( Decidedly vegetable ( and fishy
7.65
1.00
6.65
. 0048
.0148
.46
. 0000
. 0000
4. I
..
9739
28
29
Milky
0.25 ( When r'c'd
8.10
0.70
7.40
. 0096
·
..
.45
.0100
. COOO
5.0
. .
9752
Dec. 2
3
None
None
. .
. .
..
0048
.0086
.5I
. 0000 . 0000
4.8
. 1440
9
9753 |II A.M. 3
5
None
None
O.IO ( Dec.7,0.08 0.08
8.30
·
. 0074 .0092
. .
.
.51
. 0000 .0000
4 8
. 2080
9756
4 P. M. 3
5
None
§ Very slight sand
0.08 ? Dec.7, 0. 15
.
8.05
. 0106
.0100 .
.50
. 0070 .000I
4.I
. 2480
5
8533. Stream flowing into reservoir.
8534. Reservoir.
8535. Filter gallery.
8609. Driven well, Great Meadows, Lexington. 8610. Driven well, Reed's Meadows, Lexington. Last five samples are from wells near East Lexington R. R. Station.
Iron
Remarks.
Albuminoid.
Chlo rine.
Nitrates.
Nitrites.
Hardness.
1892.
1892.
Slight earthy
0.02
. .
·
. 0006 . 00c0
.
.
. 27
.0090
.000I
2.34
.
9738 Nov. 28
29
? on top § Slight
Slight
15 "
.0082
8.05
66
“ 12
..
·
. .
5.85
Fr'm Io wells
§ Distinct
IO
REPORT OF
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Reply of the State Board of Health to an application from Arlington, for advice in relation to water supply under the provisions of Chapter 375, of the Acts of 1888.
OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, 12 BEACON STREET,
Boston, Feb. 10, 1893.
To the Committee on Improved Water Supply of the Town of Arlington.
GENTLEMEN,-Your application of December 24, 1892, with regard to the extension and improvement of the water supply of Arlington, together with the information furnished with regard to driven test wells at the Great Meadows in Lexington, have been carefully considered by the State Board of Health.
In order to ascertain the quality of water from these wells the Board has caused analyses to be made of the five samples sent in by you. These samples showed the presence of an unusually large amount of free ammonia for a ground water and a larger amount of iron than is com- monly found, both of which were probably due to the proximity of the wells to the Great Meadows. Notwith- standing these characteristics, if the water drawn from this source should continue to be as good as the samples, there is no doubt that it would be satisfactory for all water supply purposes and very much better than the water at present supplied to Arlington. The great danger, however, is that with continued pumping the water will be derived to an increased extent from the meadow by filtration through the peaty material, and will deteriorate and become unsatisfactory.
It is obvious from an inspection of the locality where the wells are driven that very little if any water can come from the easterly or down stream side of the wells, owing to the presence of rock and other impervious material and the fall of the ground in this direction. In other directions from the wells the character of the upland which might contribute ground water to them is such that a large portion of the water flows off into the meadows and only
COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY.
a comparatively small amount soaks into the ground near enough to the wells so that it will percolate directly to them. If any large quantity of water is to be obtained from the wells the supply must necessarily be derived from the meadow by filtration of water through it into the ground beneath ; under such circumstances it is extremely doubtful . if the supply will continue to be of satisfactory quality.
With regard to the quantity of water to be derived from this source, the character of the material encountered by the test wells, and the results obtained by the pumping tests, seem to indicate that the ground in the immediate vicinity of wells is of favorable character for obtaining a ground water supply. The tests have not been sufficiently extended, however, to determine from how large a territory wells at this place will draw water or how much water can probably be obtained from this source. Even if the wells . should draw water from a very considerable distance, so that all the water now coming into the Great Meadows could be utilized, the average daily supply in a dry year could hardly be expected to exceed 200,000 gallons per day ; but if the water filtering through the peaty material of the Great Meadows should prove to be of satisfactory quality the supply might be increased by diverting into the meadows some of the water from the upper half of the main watershed, which would otherwise run to waste during the spring over the dam of the main reservoir.
Taking everything into consideration, the Board is of opinion that the chances are against getting a satisfactory supply from the proposed source, either as regards quantity or quality, though some of the doubts which now exist might be removed by more thorough tests of this source if it were thought advisable to make them.
In view of the unfavorable outlook for obtaining a satis- factory supply from the source already tested near the Great Meadows, the Board has caused examinations to be made by its engineer. of other portions of the watershed from which you water supply is derived. Judging from the surface indications he finds that some of the land in the vicinity of the main brook which feeds your reservoir promises to furnish a larger supply of ground water of good quality than any other place upon the watershed, and the Board would therefore advise that you make further
I2
REPORT OF
tests in this vicinity. It is desirable to locate a well or wells quite a long distance, say one-fourth of a mile or more, above the present reservoir, but not so far up stream as to be above the ridge through a cutting in which Munroe Brook flows into the stream which supplies your reservoir. It is also desirable to avoid the immediate vicinity of any large swamp and to select a place where the porous material from which water can be pumped freely extends to a considerable depth, say from 30 to 50 feet.
In addition to the question of obtaining a supply from the ground your application also refers to the deepening of the present reservoir with a view to improving the quality of the water.
The disagreeable character of the water drawn from the reservoir at times last year, and also on previous occasions, is caused by the growth and decay of minute vegetable forms, and these in turn grow in greater abund- ance when the water contains an abundant supply of nitrogenous food. Experience has shown that this supply of food may be derived from organic matter in the bottom of the reservoir or it may come into the reservoir in the water which supplies it. In the present case the supply of food for these minute organisms may be derived from both of these sources, as there is a considerable amount of organic matter in the bottom of the reservoir, and analyses show that the water of the brook entering the reservoir contains a liberal supply of nitrogen, a result which might be expected from the population upon the watershed and the heavy manuring of portions of it.
The removal of all mud from the reservoir and the deep- ening of the shallower portions would undoubtedly have a decided tendency to improve the character of the water. Of these improvements, however, the removal of the mud is of greater importance than the deepening of the shallower portions of the reservoir where it has a gravelly bottom ; still, both of them are very desirable. There can be no certainty, however, of any radical change for the better in the quality of the water, as these improvements would only remove one of the causes of the minute vegetable growths.
By order of the Board,
SAMUEL W. ABBOTT, Secretary.
REPORTS
OF
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF ARLINGTON
FOR
THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1893,
ALSO
A LIST OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1893.
CAMBRIDGE
INCORP 190
ACORP 1807
HUNGTONY
HUBERT
TATIS
LAVITA
PROPVCNATIO
HEREDITAS
BOSTON: EDMUND W. NOYES, PRINTER, 63 Kilby Street. 1894.
TOWN OFFICERS, 1893.
SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR AND SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.
EDWARD S. FESSENDEN, GEORGE D. TUFTS, WINFIELD S. DURGIN.
ASSESSORS.
GEORGE I. DOE, ALFRED D. HOITT, FRANK Y. WELLINGTON.
TOWN CLERK, TREASURER AND COLLECTCR. B. DELMONT LOCKE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOSEPH C. HOLMES,
WARREN W. RAWSON, for three years.
SAMUEL H. SMITH,
HERBERT H. CEILEY, JAMES P. PARMENTER, for two years.
EDWIN PRESCOTT,
GEORGE D. MOORE,
FRANKLIN WYMAN, for one year.
TIMOTHY O'LEARY,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
I. FREEMAN HALL.
4
TOWN OFFICERS.
TRUANT OFFICERS. GEORGE D. MOORE, JAMES A. BAILEY, WARREN W. RAWSON.
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
SAMUEL E. KIMBALL, for three years, WARREN RAWSON, for two years, ALFRED D. HOITT, for one year.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. SAMUEL E. KIMBALL.
SUPERINTENDENT OF ALMSHOUSE. BENJAMIN F. DURGIN.
SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS. THOMAS RODEN.
COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND.
WILLIAM G. PECK, for three years, A. D. HOITT, for two years, WILLIAM H. ALLEN, for one year.
TRUSTEES OF PRATT FUND.
WILLIAM G. PECK, for five years, WILLIAM E. WOOD, for four years, HENRY SWAN, for three years, GEORGE HILL, for two years, JAMES A. BAILEY, for one year, B. DELMONT LOCKE, ex-officio.
5
TOWN OFFICERS.
TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY. SAMUEL C. BUSHNELL, for three years, MATTHEW ROWE, for three years, JAMES P. PARMENTER, for two years, FRANK W. HODGDON, for two years, JOSEPH C. HOLMES, for one year, E. NELSON BLAKE, for one year.
TRUSTEES OF ELBRIDGE FARMER FUND. WM. E. PARMENTER, EDWIN L. FARMER, WILLIAM G. PECK, JOHN Q. A. BRACKETT,
JOHN P. SQUIRE, JOHN H. HARDY.
CONSOLIDATED BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ROB- BINS FUND, SOLDIERS' MONUMENT FUND AND CEMETERIES. WARREN A. PEIRCE, for three years, WILLIAM G. PECK, for two years, HENRY SWAN, for one year, B. DELMONT LOCKE, ex-officio.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS. WILLIAM H. PATTEE, WALTER CROSBY,
JACOB F. HOBBS, B. DELMONT LOCKE.
AUDITORS. CLARENCE T. PARSONS, LEANDER D. BRADLEY.
CONSTABLES.
EUGENE MEAD, JOHN DUFFY, DANIEL M. HOOLEY, GARRET BARRY,
ANDREW IRWIN.
6
TOWN OFFICERS.
SEXTONS. JOHN H. HARTWELL, CHARLES T. HARTWELL, EDWARD J. SWEENEY.
FENCE VIEWERS.
JOHN H. HARTWELL, MATTHEW ROWE.
MEASURERS OF WOOD. WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON, .
OMAR W. WHITTEMORE, LUCIAN C. TYLER.
TOWN WEIGHER. LUCIAN C. TYLER.
FISH PRESERVER. FRANK A. BAXTER.
ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. CHARLES GOTT, Chief.
ASSISTANTS.
GEORGE HILL, JOHN M. O'KEEFE.
POLICE. EUGENE MEAD, Chief.
GARRET BARRY, DANIEL M. HOOLEY,
ANDREW IRWIN, JOHN DUFFY,
GARRET J. CODY.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
In presenting to the citizens of Arlington our report for the year 1893, we deem it proper to include in it some recommendations that are suggested to us by the experi- ences of the past two years. Departing somewhat from for- mer custom, we present the report of the Superintendent of Streets as a separate one, in which will be found the details of the work that has been completed in the past year. We would call attention to the excellent quality of the work which has been done in this department.
The completion of Weir Bridge, and the repairing of Medford street from Arlington avenue to the Medford line, there uniting with similar improvements in the city of Med- ford, makes one of the best roads in the county. On this street, the enclosures with granite edge-stones, were built at the expense of private individuals ; they greatly increase the attractiveness, and could well be imitated in other parts of the town. Good work was done on Lake, Park and Teel streets.
The greatest undertaking of the year, was the change on Arlington avenue - caused by the extension of the West End Road to Park avenue, and by the widening of the avenue to sixty-six feet as ordered by the County Commis- sioners. The greatest expense was between Forest street and Park avenue.
In our judgment, the citizens will recognize the greatly improved condition of this portion of the avenue and that it is a good investment, and one which will result in valuable
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
returns at no distant day. It is a matter of satisfaction for the Board, whose term now expires, to be able to congrat- ulate the citizens of the town on the completion of the long hoped for extension of the Electric Railway to Park avenue. The historic point, " The foot of the Rocks," will be preserved by the rock enclosed triangle, at the junction of Arlington avenue and Lowell street, an idea suggested by our Superintendent of Streets.
The orders have been issued by the County Commis- sioners for the widening of the avenue from the Lexington line to Pleasant street, also Mystic street from Arlington Centre to the Winchester line. The work, to be properly done, will require a liberal appropriation, as at a number of points on both streets, expensive changes must be made. In our opinion, when widening Arlington avenue, between the two points named, it would be wiser to make the width eighty rather than sixty-six feet. The expense would be large but never at less cost than at the present time, as the value of the property taken will naturally increase rather than diminish with the growth of the town.
During the past few years we have often been compelled to hire a steam-roller. It would be economy for the town to purchase one, as by its frequent use our streets can be kept in better condition than in any other way, and at less expense.
SEWER AND DRAINS.
This year the Town Treasurer has made the second pay- ment on account of the Metropolitan sewer amounting to $1524.54. A similar amount will be required in December, 1894 - after that date the payments will be larger. It is expected that we shall be able to connect with the sewer sometime in 1895. In order that we may avail ourselves of this great benefit to the health of our town, it is necessary that we should begin our preparations at once. The streets, through which the pipes will be laid, must be of established
9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
and accepted grades. That the work may be properly and intelligently done, it is necessary that a complete and correct map of the town be made, showing the grade of each street and the location of each house. This is a matter of considerable expense and will require a long time to prepare accurately. An appropriation should be made at the annual meeting and work begun as soon as possible. The map will show all the property lines and the location of all the buildings in the town and would be very valuable to the assessors, thereby serving a double purpose. We have inserted an article on this subject in the warrant for the Annual Meeting.
The new drain, which has been laid from the Centre through Mystic street, will be continued across the meadow to tide water in Medford Pond. This drain is expected to take the surface water from the avenue and adjoining streets. It should be extended up the avenue to the foot of Academy street as soon as the widening of the avenue is completed to Pleasant street. This matter should engage the early attention of our successors.
It is not generally understood that the towns will not be allowed to turn any surface water into the sewer pipes which will connect with the Metropolitan sewer; that is to be exclusively for house drainage.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
In the absence of a regularly elected Board of Health the Selectmen, under the Statutes, constitute the Board. As our town increases in population, and dwellings are erected nearer together, the importance of an alert and competent Board of Health is evident. There are questions in connec- tion with the public health, which will have to be met and considered by our citizens in a broad and liberal spirit.
On all our streets a greater or less portion of the land is used for cultivation. This results in the use of various forms of fertilizers, which, while not always dangerous to
10
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
health, are very objectionable- whole neighborhoods at times being rendered uncomfortable by the unloading of refuse from the city.
The keeping of swine, within the limits of the town, should be restricted to places remote from the closely inhab- ited portions. By wise action in this matter, our town can be made more attractive to those desiring to locate here as well as to its present residents.
During the past year the Board has been called upon to inspect a number of dwellings where contagious diseases have appeared. The facts disclosed, indicate conditions that will warrant a general inspection of all the houses in town. We do not wish to create unnecessary alarm, but it is for the general health of the public that intelligent and prompt attention be given this subject.
The section of the town near Alewife Brook has suffered from the nuisance created by the city of Cambridge using the brook as an open sewer. The completion of the Metro- politan sewer will remove this objection but the difficulty of house drainage in that vicinity will not be removed until we connect with the sewer. The land is low and water is reached, in digging for cesspools, at a depth of about two feet, rendering it impossible to properly drain any house in this neighborhood.
The future condition of Spy Pond is a matter of great importance. This beautiful lake should form one of our chief attractions and it should be the aim of every person that its condition be improved. Every effort should be made to remove the drains and cesspools that now empty their contents into it - a matter which the State Board of Health will engage in if the local Board is not able to accom- plish it. The town should keep in mind an improvement around this Pond similar to that made by the city of Cam- bridge about Fresh Pond.
The State Legislature of 1893 passed a law requiring each city and town to appoint a Board of three persons, consist- ing of the Chairman of the Board of Health, or Chairman of
11
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
the Board of Selectmen, and two practical plumbers, who shall prepare a set of by-laws and regulations for adoption by the town at the annual meeting, which shall determine what plumbing materials shall be used in the work done in the town, and approve all plans for the same. The Inspec- tor appointed by this Board, Mr. Edwin Mills, has proved a very valuable aid to the Board of Health ; by his inspections and suggestions the conditions around and about a number of dwellings have been greatly improved.
We suggest that a separate Board of Health be elected by the town, selected from those citizens who are especially familiar with these matters.
The experiment of collecting offal and ashes has proved a manifest success. This department should be continued and enlarged as the requirements of the town demand.
STREET LIGHTS.
We have at present fifty-four and one-half arc and one hundred and fifty-nine incandescent lights.
During the past year the lights on Arlington avenue, Broadway and Pleasant street were changed and relocated. Several arcs have been added and many incandescents taken out, in order to get better results, and we think it has been an improvement.
There are some places still in which more lights could be used advantageously and they should be supplied the ensu- ing year.
All the lights were burned on the moon schedule of twenty nights in each month until October 1st. Since that time thirty-two arcs and ten incandescents have been burned every night. This arrangement should be extended to all the lights as soon as practicable.
At the annual meeting in March last a committee was appointed, consisting of W. H. H. Tuttle, George D. Moore, Warren Rawson and the Selectmen, to consider the feasibility of erecting a municipal plant for furnishing
12
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
electric light to the town. That committee has held several meetings and arrived at the following conclusion, " That a municipal electric light plant could be established in con- nection with a bigh-service pumping station, with the result of giving the town a very satisfactory service in lighting the streets and residences, and, by furnishing light and power for other purposes, greatly reduce the cost of street light- ing."
ALMSHOUSE.
Mr. B. F. Durgin was again appointed Superintendent of the Almshouse. He has given perfect satisfaction to the Board in his care of the buildings and treatment of the inmates. Much credit is to be given both Mr. and Mrs. Durgin for the excellent condition in which the house is always to be found. Necessary furniture, carpets and bed- ding were added during the year. The roof of the stable was thoroughly repaired, the stalls improved, a new floor laid and a ventilator put in to convey the steam from the cellar to the roof.
Additional shed-room should be built to properly protect the snow- loughs and carts of the street department.
Present number of inmates is six, three men and three women. The amount of appropriation was two thousand dollars which has been all expended.
TOWN HOUSE.
There is little to be said in regard to the Town House. The building is in a very fair condition and during the past year the basement has been thoroughly cleansed and re- paired. The present facilities for heating are insufficient and unsatisfactory. It is almost impossible to warm the entire building properly in severe weather.
We would recommend that the steam-heating apparatus now in use at the Cotting High School be transferred to the Town House, when the school is removed to the new build- ing.
13
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The need of a new Town House is apparent to all, and it is to be hoped that this subject will receive early consider- ation.
The present Post Office accommodations are a source of great inconvenience to every person having occasion to visit it. While it is not the duty of the town to provide a building for this purpose it is possible to so change the present one, as to afford a more commodious and less dangerous entrance.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department, under the able management of the Chief Engineer and his Assistants, has maintained its usual high standard of efficiency.
We heartily endorse the recommendation of the Chief, that a four way post hydrant be located at the centre of the town.
The details of the Department will be found in the Chief's report.
POLICE.
Our force at present consists of a chief and five patrol- men. During the past year, officer Barry was promoted to sergeant, in order that some one might be in authority in the absence of the chief. It was also thought advisable to have one of these patrolmen on duty during the daytime, and officer Hooley was appointed to that position.
We desire to commend the chief and his officers for their earnest efforts in securing the conviction of three parties who were guilty of illegal liquor selling.
A detailed account of the department will be found in the report of the Chief.
14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The coal for the year was furnished by the Peirce & Winn Company at the following prices :
George's Creek Cumberland
at $4.15 per ton.
Furnace )
Egg Stove
5.60 66
Honey Brook Lehigh Egg 5.85 66
with labor at High School, Almshouse and Town Hall, addi- tional.
The amount of appropriations and expenses in detail will be found in the Treasurer's report.
EDWARD S. FESSENDEN, GEORGE D. TUFTS, WINFIELD S. DURGIN, Selectmen.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS,
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN-I submit to you the following report show- ing the manner in which the Highway appropriation has been expended and the streets where the largest amount has been used.
From January first to April first about $3300 was spent. A large portion of this amount was expended in the care of snow and sanding icy sidewalks. Last winter was an un- usually bad winter, for as soon as the walks were cleared of snow the wind would blow them full again causing a good deal of shovelling. Six snow-ploughs are used in breaking out the sidewalks, and as the walks become icy, teams are sent out to sand them.
Arlington Avenue.
There has been a large amount expended on the avenue from Mill street to the Lexington line in consequence of widening according to the order of the County Commis- sioners and in changing the grade to conform to the grade of the electric railroad track. In many places it was necessary to fill with crushed stone and in other places to lower the grade. This was quite expensive as the hard macadamized road-bed had to be picked up and carted away and the street brought to a sub-grade one foot below the railroad and then covered with crushed stone again bring-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.