Town of Arlington annual report 1895-1897, Part 23

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1895-1897
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 982


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I would recommend that one more telephone box be con- nected at the corner of Grove street and Massachusetts avenue, for telephone calls to the station.


I also recommend that the apartment now occupied by the postoffice, soon to be vacated, be utilized as police head- quarters, as the small room so long used by this department for office and guard room is now inadequate for the growing demands of the service.


133


REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.


Conclusion.


In conclusion I wish to thank your honorable board for the courteous consideration received from you officially, also all town officials for their assistance.


It gives me great pleasure to state that the members of this department have shown a desire to perform their duties faithfully at all times, and to assist me in the discharge of my duties, for which I wish to extend to them my hearty thanks.


Respectfully submitted.


ALONZO S. HARRIMAN, Chief of Police.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ARLINGTON


FIRE DEPARTMENT.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1896, which contains several recom- mendations and suggestions, which I trust are of sufficient worth to receive favorable consideration. Fortunately, we have had no large fires to contend with during the past year, although the opportunity has been frequent. Owing to the promptness of the department, large fires have been averted. The men in the department are capable, faithful and deeply interested in the arduous duties which they are called upon to perform and deserve the confidence of the citizens of the town.


FIRES AND ALARMS.


The fire losses this year have been very small. The de- partment has answered 17 box and three still alarms, as follows :


Jan. 23d. 4.10 P. M. Box 36. Naphtha explosion in Finance Block. Value $4000. Insurance $3000. Loss $100. Stock value $500. Insurance $400. Loss $40.


Feb. 2nd. 2.15 A. M. Box 25. Lime fire at Mrs. H. C. Whittemore's, 207 Massachusetts avenue. Damage to Mrs. D. C. Rood's house, lime value $50. Loss $30. D. C. Rood's $2000. Insurance $1500. Loss $10.


135


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


March 7th. 3.55 P. M. Box 39. House of Mrs. E. L. Bartlett. Valuation $3000. Insurance $2500. Value of furniture $500. No loss.


March 14th. 9 P. M. Box 27. S. A. Fowle's mill. Valuation $7000, Insurance $5000. No loss. Stock and machinery $10,000. Insurance $6000. Loss $325.


April 11th. 4.50 P. M. Box 25. House of E. L. Well- ington and Annie L. Proctor. Valuation $3500. Insur- ance $3000. No loss. Furniture valuation $1000. Insur- ance $800. No loss.


April 13th. 1.05 P. M. Box 46. Grass fire. J. Ma- loney's grass. Hotbed mats and planks. Valuation $800. Insurance $600. Loss $12.50.


April 15th. 2.50 P. M. Box 21. Board fence fire of Michael Coughlin. Valuation $25. Loss $10.


April 18th. 12.05 P. M. Box 61. Grass fire on Arling- ton Heights. No loss. May 13th. 11.30 A. M. Box 36. Unfinished house of L. C. Tyler. Valuation $4500. Insurance $4000. Loss $20.


June 13th. 8.50 A. M. Box 36. Peirce & Winn. Co.'s coal yard. No damage. June 28th. 8.45 A. M. Box 36. F. P. Winn's store. No fire.


June 29th. 3.50 P. M. Box 15. Grass fire on J. P. Squire's estate. No damage.


July 4th. 12.15 A. M. Box 26. Stable of Mr. B. F. Russell. Valuation $3000. Insurance $2500. Loss $140. F. P. Winn's stock value $350. Insurance $200. No loss. J. O. Holt's stock value $350. Insurance $250. No loss. Oct. 21st. 1.04 P. M. Box 45. R. T. Sawin's house, corner Brattle street. Valuation $1450. Stingle's furniture $300. No loss.


Oct. 29th. 7.10 P. M. Box 15. House on J. P.


136


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


Squire's estate. Valuation $1200. Insurance $1000. No loss. P. Quinn's furniture $200. No insurance. No loss.


Dec. 12th. 4 45 P. M. Box 54. New house of E. C. Bolles, Arlington Heights. Valuation $4500. Insurance $4000. Loss $82.


Dec. 23d. 11.45 P. M. Box 36. New block of Warren Sherburne. Valuation $20,000. Insurance $15,000. Loss $425.


We have had two fires of incendiary origin which have been investigated by the Fire Marshal.


MEMBERSHIP.


The membership of the department remains the same as in last report, with the exception of one permanent man as driver of Hook and Ladder truck. We have now three permanent drivers. The pay of the call men has been raised from $35 to $50 per year, which I hope will have a tendency to keep the companies full of men, who are in town all or a greater part of the time. Our inability, heretofore, to do this, has been a great disadvantage.


APPARATUS.


In accordance with the vote passed at the March meeting, we have placed in William Penn House a two-horse Hose Wagon capable of carrying 1500 feet of hose ; also a two- horse Hook and Ladder truck. We now have five pieces of apparatus, and I think no town in this vicinity is better equipped.


BUILDINGS.


Hose Houses 1, 2 and 3 have been thoroughly repaired as follows :- Hose 1-New floor has been laid, and some new sills. Repainted outside, and a room finished for a sleeping room. Hose 2-New floor and some new floor timbers. Some changes have been made making room for extra stalls. A large sleeping room has been added. This build-


137


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


ing is now in good condition and ought to be kept so for some years. William Penn House has had extensive repairs. Room has been made for four stalls back of apparatus with horses facing out. In order to make this change closets and stairway had to be removed. This is a convenient House with the exception of not giving quite enough room. William Penn House is now in good condition, but some new heating apparatus should be placed in it the coming year. The furnace now in use has been in the House twenty-three years.


Hose 4 at lower section of the town still remains in the same condition as last reported. I think the town will be called upon to place a building in this section in a short time.


HOSE.


The hose is in the same condition as last reported. No new hose has been bought this year. Some small appro- priations should be made each year for hose.


FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.


The association is in good condition. Through the gener- osity of the citizens who purchased tickets for our Annual Ball, we were able to place in our Treasury $300. This worthy institution not only helps members in sickness, but causes them to take a deeper interest in the department.


FIRE ALARMS.


This branch of the system has been maintained in good condition by the superintendent. We have had two burn- outs caused by electric currents, and I hope I shall be able to place in our line some apparatus which will take this current off.


SUGGESTIONS.


I would suggest that the citizens acquaint themselves with the location of the nearest Fire Alarm box and where the key for the same is kept. Any responsible person liv-


138


REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.


ing near a box may obtain a key on application. I also suggest that the poles on which the boxes are placed be painted with a red band above the box, also that a small red incandescent light be placed on said poles.


I would suggest that a permanent man be employed as driver of Hose 2. A permanent man placed in this House would have a tendency to make the department much more efficient. Also that four pony fire extinguishers be pur- chased ; two be placed on Hook and Ladder truck, and two on Hose 3. I think one of Eastman's deluge sets would be of service in case of a large fire, with plenty of water of good force, and its addition might have a good effect on insur- ance rates.


APPROPRIATIONS.


To meet the expenses of the department for the ensuing year, I would recommend the sum of $7500 be appropriated. I ask this appropriation for the following reasons : The pay of call and permanent men amounts to $5500 alone ; and the cost of feed for horses is $800.


In closing I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to your Board for the courteous and gentlemanly manner in which they receive me in matters pertaining to the Fire Depart- ment. To my Associate Engineers,-accept my thanks for co-operation in all matters pertaining to the management of the Department. To the Captains and Members, -- accept my thanks for the promptness displayed in responding to the alarms and the interest taken in striving to render quick and effective service.


Respectfully submitted.


CHARLES GOTT,


Chief Engineer.


REPORT


OF


BOARD OF HEALTH.


At the annual town meeting, March second, 1896, Edwin Mills was elected a member of the Board of Health for three years, to fill vacancy occasioned by the expiration of his previous term of office as a member of the Board.


The Board organized by choice of Edward S. Fessenden for Chairman, and B. Delmont Locke as Clerk.


We are pleased to be able to report that this year, like the last one, has been free from cause for alarm from any epidemic of dangerous or contagious diseases. Such favor- able records indicating good sanitary conditions may well prove a source of great satisfaction to present or prospec- tive residents of our town


Among occurrences of the year now closing, in a sanitary point of view, of greatest importance is the rapid progress which has been made in the construction of our public sewers and connection of same with the Metropolitan system which now serves a large portion of our town, as more fully set forth in reports of the sewer commissioners.


Spy pond has always been notable in the history of our town and of great interest to our citizens for purposes of recreation and the commercial value of its product of ice.


140


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


Of late years the problem of how to purify its waters has engaged the attention of citizens and local organizations.


Last summer Cambridge sewerage having been cut off from discharging into Alewife brook, as that stream is a natural outlet of Spy pond, our Board took action to improve the water course thereof. The city of Cambridge being called upon did a large amount of work clearing the bed and repairing the banks of the brook. Similar work within our town boundaries has been done at considerable outlay by parties interested. This Board paid $88.37 from the town appropriation for their use, towards the cost of said work. A portion of the borders of the pond has also been cleared from overgrown foliage, old brush, and other objectionable matter which, together with the work referred to of clearing the brook, has resulted in a very noticeable improvement of the condition of the pond.


Dumping grounds often become dangerous nuisances, especially when owners post notices, "Dump your dirt here." Garbage, rubbish and other offensive matter is apt to accumulate with astonishing rapidity day and night. Acci- dental fires therein, or attempted cremation thereof, creates odors, offensive and dangerous. Orders have been issued, which are enforced by the police department, to abate such nuisances.


Last October in compliance with request of our State Board of Cattle Commissioners a thorough examination was made of all the cattle and swine kept within the limits of our town. Dr. Alderman, veterinary surgeon, and Chief of Police Harriman attended to this duty. No case of disease was found.


The Plumbing Inspector reports that during the year 1896 there have been placed on file one hundred and twenty- four applications for permits and notices of plumbing work to be performed; also, by request, many dwellings and other buildings have been examined, and recommendations


141


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


made, especially concerning plumbing work to be connect- ed with the town sewers.


The enforcement of our State plumbing laws in conjunc- tion with city and town regulations relating thereto has resulted in very noticeable improvements in the quality of work performed and the sanitary conditions thereof.


Efforts are being made to secure by legislation or other- wise more uniformity in the rules and regulations adopted by cities and towns concerning the standard of materials to be used in plumbing ; also, as to the qualifications needed and form of examination which must be passed to secure a license under the law as a master or journeyman plumber.


Plans and specifications for plumbing work under the law vary greatly, but still greater variations can be found in the execution thereof. No rules and regulations or inspections and tests can secure good plumbing work when unskilled labor is employed thereon, or unfair contracts made for the performance thereof.


All plumbing should be open and exposed, that sanitary defects may be promptly discovered and remedied. Prog- ress is being constantly made in the production of improved materials and appliances for construction of open plumbing.


Owners, architects and plumbers, in plans for proposed plumbing, should provide for open work ; especially that all traps, drain and vent pipes are placed to be always acces- sible for inspection.


Sewer connections, with plumbing, should always be made with utmost care to avoid sanitary defects.


The plumbing of each house differs more or less from every other. A special arrangement of vent pipes is need- ed to effect a circulation of air through every house system of drainage.


Plumbing without suitable traps and vents, or otherwise defective, must be altered to conform with our town plumbing regulations before connection is made with the public sewer.


142


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


In localities where town sewers are constructed ready for use, the entire plumbing of each building should be con- nected therewith, that defective drainage and cesspools may be dispensed with as dangerous to the public health.


In concluding this report we desire to express our appre- ciation of the aid and assistance rendered us in the discharge of our duties by town officials, local organizations and citi- zens generally.


We bespeak for the future the hearty co-operation of all interested in the adoption and enforcement of needed regu- lations for the preservation of public health, that improve- ments of sanitary conditions in our town may keep pace with the requirements of increasing population and the demand of the times for wise legislation and careful admin- istration of sanitary regulations.


We herewith append copy of our town mortuary record for 1896.


EDWARD S. FESSENDEN, EDWIN P. STICKNEY, M. D., EDWIN MILLS, .


Board of Health.


143


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


Deaths Registered during the year ending Dec. 31, 1896.


NAMES.


DATE OF DEATH.


Years.


Mos.


Days.


Helen Burke


Jan.


3, 1896.


9


Irwin C. Miller .


66


9,


66


2


14


Harrie L. Darton


66


12,


66


49


10


12


James L. Edwards


12,


66


79


10


9


George L. Patterson


66


14,


55


4


1


Carrie Zeman


66 17,


14


4


20


Abigail J. Dann


19,


66


58


6


7


Arthur McArdle


Feb. 2,


66


3


2


7


Sarah W. Hart .


66


15,


66


26


5


9


Murray


27,


66


Murray


66


27,


27,


66


27


66


32


6


66


13,


19


3


23


James K. Bennett


66


16,


74


2


7


Abert L. Dickson


66


29,


66


1


2


11


Eliza A. Sm th .


29,


66


69


2


25


John W. Leary


30,


15


17


Samuel White


Apr. 2,


48


13


Laurella Burditt


11,


29,


66


67


5


2


Mary J. Allen


May


2,


69


6


27


Margaret Flaherty


66


4,


66


26


7


Nelson Baker


.


66


1.1, 11,


27


-


15,


2


3


24


Grace Gatcomb .


17,


66


26


9


8


Winifred H. Tierney


66


18, 22,


87


8


21


Helen L. Bradley


66


29,


Anna Smith


31,


Robert Speatman


June


5,


66


11


1


Thomas H. Russell


66


7,


65


4


-


66


76


5


18


Mary Ann Currier Eaton


13,


66


-


Frederick J. Johnson .


66


16,


66


59


10


4


Ann E. Marston


18,


66


56


1


24


William Smith


.


.


66


18,


1


2


-


-


Helen Collins


27


-


66


71


10


-


Eleanor M. Lyons


66


10


78


62


8


27


Henry Gilson


Irving A. Allen .


16,


66


17


-


66


50


Marshall E. Seale


8


Mary Geare


Mary Mccarthy .


Mar.


2,


George W. Whittemore


11,


28,


5,


76


5


-


James McDonagle


Thomas Mccarthy


62


11


9


Daniel Fifield


8


2


16


Joseph P. Warren


8,


12,


71


7


14


James A. Mullen


66


16


12


Susan A. Webber


66


13,


25


Cynthia J. Clough


Josephine Aylward


78


Mary J. White .


20,


25,


AGE.


144


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


Deaths - Continued.


AGE.


NAMES.


DATE OF DEATH.


Years.


Mos.


Days.


George D. Tufts


June 19, 1896.


60


9


27


Rosine McLellan


20,


66


46


Miranda Austin .


21,


82


4


9


Elizabeth A. C. Wilson


24,


66


64


6


18


Thomas J. Murphy


July


ɔ̄,


66


59


9


2


Charles Murray .


66


8,


66


66


66


7


2


Margaret T. McCarthy


66


11,


66


7


14


John F. Teehan .


66


15,


66


3


22


William Brine


66


16, 21,


66


67



15


George W. Cederholm


66


22,


7


19


Marguerite Childs


66


28,


66


8


29


Philip Cadigan


66


28,


11


22


Forrest N. Mann


Aug. 4,


66


1


20


Susan N. Carter


66


8,


66


60


8


9


Emeline Balmer .


66


8,


10,


6


.


62


Ellen Riley


66


14,


66


1


5


Charles P. Fermoyle


66


14,


66


6


13


Margaret T. Purcell


66


16,


66


46


7


27


Jennie L. Pettingill


39


8


19


Mary J. Fisher


66


26,


66


39


9


Mary A. Sweeney


6


27,


75


William Cosgrove


66


30,


Alice Quinn


Sept. 2,


66


2


Emma M. Locke


66


4,


66


20


11


4


Augusta R. Crosby


66


12,


66


53


Ellen McGrath .


66


14,


66


57


Georgina E. Russell


16,


66


47


5


12


Lottie H. Seale .


66


18,


66


34


11


23


Catherine ('Neil


18,


66


52


4


18


Raymond Hurley


66


19,


1


4


20


Elizabeth Finerty


66


19,


80


-


Joseph Nagle


21,


66


6


19


Harold McP. Fraser


66


25,


66


3


Mary Connors


66


.


26,


60


56


-


3


Anna E. Averill .


22


Annie O'Leary


66


9,


1


Pauline S. Christenson Daniel Burbeck .


6


10,


6


74


-


-


Cyrus Wood


66


Stanley Cutter


25,


9,


-


-


Patrick Collins


13,


83


Robert H. Jones


66


15,


37


9


Jennie Denning .


Ernest J. Knowles


19,


-


4


24,


66


-


Mary A. Osborn


18,


66


25


1


12


Elizabeth Kempton


66


9,


-


6


19


John M. Murphy


29,


30,


Mary A. B. Chalmers


6,


66


83


5


15


2


22


2


17


.


145


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.


Deaths - Continued.


AGE.


NAMES.


DATE OF DEATH.


Years.


Mos.


Days.


Nancy King


Sept. 26, 1896.


64


-


-


Rebecca Hawkes


28,


66


81


6


19


Sarah Webster


66


18,


66


81


8


1


Martha P. Tingley


19,


42


10


9


Catherine Flynn


66


19,


38


Mary Pettito


66


23,


66


-


66


22


1


11


Joseph McDonald


66


24,


66


1


4


17


Charles O'Neil


66


25,


66


2


4


25


Samuel C. Buckman


66


27,


56


11


Thomas R. Teel .


66


29,


66


81


3


Frederick C. Rood


66


30,


66


22


1


3


Margaret Ritchie


Nov.


6,


7,


66


70


3


5


Elizabeth A. Conlen


66


11,


74


11


1


Minnie A. Nagle


66


17,


66


24


2


23


Charles King


66


23,


66


39


9


25


Isabella W. Williams .


88


8


20


Charles P Ahern


66


30,


66


6


Eugene J. Meagher


Dec.


5,


66


5


2


Julia Curran


66


11,


66


66


Mary Hewes


18,


73


5


25


Sarah Cordingley


23,


63


Whole number of Deaths


Males


Females .


Number under 5 years of age


66


between 10 and 30 years of age


66


66 30 "


60


66


24


66


66


60 “ 70


66


16


66


66


70 " 80 66


66


13


American parentage


Foreign


66


.


SOME OF THE DISEASES OR CAUSES OF DEATH.


Heart Disease


16


Consumption


11


Brain Disease


·


.


8


Disease of Kidneys


.


7


Pneumonia


·


-


2


3


Howard W. Hill


Oct. 13,


26,


66


83


3


Mary B. Bowler .


66


10,


66


22


-


-


Samuel G. Damon


66


65


-


2


Abby Palmer


66


23,


10


.


22


Unknown


66


7


11


Cholera Infantum


.


41


53


Mixed


over


80 years of age


10


.


123


55


68


44


16


7


Frederick A. H. McMillan .


Abby M. Webb .


11,


27,


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.


Last year upon the practical completion of the new High service works, the Board in its annual report gave a gen- eral history and description of the whole works, including a plan showing the Water Works property and the extent of the pipe system.


During the past year no great changes have taken place, but the pipe systems have been extended as required, and in four streets, viz., Coral and portions of Beacon and Park streets and Lewis avenue, new 6-inch and 8-inch cast iron pipes have been laid in place of 4-inch pipes which it was necessary to remove on account of the construction of the sewer in those streets.


Pipe Extensions and Renewals.


In all 1025 feet of 6-ineh and 389 feet of 8-inch pipe have been laid to replace old 4-inch pipe, and 4333 feet of 6-inch and 642 feet of 8-inch pipe have been laid in extending the pipe system, 1361 feet of the 6-inch being on the Low service, the balance of the 6-inch and all the 8-inch being on the High service, the necessary gates and hydrants have been set in connection with the pipe. One new hydrant was set on Winter street on the line of cement-lined pipe.


The following tables show the amount of the extensions and renewals in detail.


To replace cement-lined pipe which was removed :


Length, ft.


Size, in.


Hydrants.


Gates


Coral St.,


293


6


1


0


Park St.,


272


8


1


1


Beacon St.,


117


8


0


1


Winter St.,


40


4


0


1


147


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.


To replace 4-inch iron pipe which was removed to make way for the sewer :


Lewis Ave.


Length, ft. 732


Size, in. 6


Hydrants.


2


2


To extend the Low Service :


Length, ft.


Size, in.


Hydrants.


Gates.


Grove St.,


278


6


0


0


Chapman St.,


296


6


1


1


Devereaux St.,


319


6


1


1


Pond Lane,


468


6


1


1


To extend the High Service :


Length, ft.


Size, in.


Hydrants.


Gates.


Harvard St., .


312


6


1


1


Oakland Ave.,


973


6


2


1


Elmore St.,


190


6


0


1


Cliff St.,


302


6


0


1


Irving St.,


262


6


0


1


Bartlett Ave.,


516


6


1


2


Westmoreland St.,


285


6


0


1


Dundee Road,


642


8


1


1


Ashland St.,


120


6


0


0


In all 5346 feet of 6-inch and 1031 feet of 8-inch pipe, 12 hydrants and 16 gates.


The pipe which was removed is as follows, all being from the Low service :


Length, ft.


Size, in.


Hydrants.


Gates


Coral St., .


293


4


0


0


Beacon St.,


107


4


0


0


Park St.,


262


4


1


0


Lewis Ave.,


732


4


1


1


Winter St.,


40


4


0


1


In all 1434 feet 4-inch pipe, 2 hydrants and 2 gates.


Gates.


148


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.


Present Pipe System. Length of main pipe in use January 1, 1897 : LOW SERVICE.


Size, in.


Length, ft.


Hydrants. Gates


Cement-linedípipe.


12


10,991


8


6,121


6


16,796


4


24,484


58,392


84 56


Iron pipe.


12


150


8


6,480


6


4,636


4


12,207 23,473


50


44


Total both kinds,


81,865. 134


100


15.505 miles.


HIGH SERVICE.


Size, in.


Length, ft.


Hydrants.


Gates


Iron pipe.


12


16,503


10


17,180


S


9,213


6


24,646


4


494


68,036


140


99


12.885 miles.


Total of both services 28.39 miles of pipe, 274 hydrants and 199 gates.


In addition to the above there are 3436 feet of smaller pipe, 2-inch to 14-inch, which is laid in places where hy- drants were not needed and the amount of water desired was small.


The details of the cost of the pipe extensions will be found in the report of the Superintendent. Records and sketches showing the location of the pipes and connections have been made and arranged in convenient form for use and reference.


149


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.


Quantity and Quality of Water.


The supply of water for the High service has been taken from 20 of the driven wells, the five wells which were shut off in 1895 have remained so. No difficulty was had at any time during the year in obtaining all the water needed from 20 wells. Analyses were made of this water about every other month throughout the year. The results are given in Table III. attached to this report, which also gives the results of two analyses of the water from the Low service reservoir. These show very little change in the quality of -the water.


The supply for the Low service was taken from the filters alone 240 days ; when this was insufficient, the brook which supplies the reservoir was turned into the filters and these were sufficient for 54 days, when these were insufficient the water stored in the Great Meadows was also turned into the pipes for 72 days, as shown in the following table.


Dates on which water was taken from the various sources :


January 1 to May 2, Filters.


May 2 to June 8,


June 8 to June 18,


June 18 to July 2,


July 2 to Sept. 12,


Filters and Brook.


Filters.


Filters and Brook.


Filters, Brook and Great Meadows. Filters and Brook.


Sept. 12 to Sept. 14, Sept. 14 to Dec. 31,


Filters.


On September 12 all the water obtainable directly from the Great Meadows had been used and we made preparations for turning part of the water from the High service into the Low service by laying a 23-inch pipe from the High ser- vice pipe in Lowell street into the filter at the side of the reservoir. About the time that this was completed the heavy rains of last September began and relieved us of the danger of a water famine for the season. The Board early


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REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.


in the season issued the usual notice, calling the attention of consumers to the hours to which the use of water through hose is restricted, and on July 22 issued a notice restricting the use of water through hose on lawns to 1} hours and on hotbeds to three hours a day. When it found that even then the supply was rapidly decreasing, it issued, on August 28, a notice prohibiting the use of water through hose for all pur- poses, but even then it found the supply very rapidly de- creasing, and there is no doubt that but for the very un- usual rains which we had in September, the quantity avail- able would have been utterly inadequate for the domestic supply, unless the very impure and offensive water in the reservoir had been turned into the pipes.


For the purpose of studying this question, as we have no records of rainfall on our water-shed, we have taken the records of the Mystic water-shed, which adjoins ours, and the table of the rainfall on that water-shed since 1877, taken from the report of the Boston Water Commissioner, is appended to this report as Table II. From this table it will be seen that the total rainfall last year was 39. 805 inches, nearly 4 inches less than the average for the nineteen years since 1877, about 8} inches greater than the least, and nearly 17 inches smaller than the greatest yearly rainfall in that time. It will also be seen that the rainfall in last September was one of the greatest recorded and was more than double the aver- age for the 19 years; also that the total for the four dry months, July to October, was more than an inch above the average, showing that in case we had a year like 1881 or 1883 or 1892, we should be hard pushed for water, with our increased number of consumers. In the last two years the number of new services put in on the Low service has more than equalled the number transferred from the Low to the High service. We must also remember that with the ad- vent of sewers more water will be used by consumers and




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