USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1895-1897 > Part 40
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Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES GOTT,
Chief Engineer.
REPORT
OF
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Contagious Diseases.
During the past year the town has been singularly free from any epidemic of contagious disease.
Our statistics show that in 1894 there were reported thir- teen cases of diphtheria and thirty-seven cases of scarlet fever ; in 1895 forty cases of diphtheria and twenty cases of scarlet fever ; in 1896 twenty cases of diphtheria and seven cases of scarlet fever : in 1897 eight cases of diphtheria and ten cases of scarlet fever. This seems almost incredible in a town of nearly seven thousand inhabitants and in such close proxim- ity to Boston. During these four years the population of the town has steadily increased, while the number of cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever has steadily decreased.
What is the explanation of this ?
With diphtheria it may be due to the use of anti-toxine, which has been used for the past two years in Arlington.
Statistics from the latest reports of the New York Health Department show that it is used with safety, not only to arrest the progress of the disease and shorten its duration, but also to render the attendants and members of the family less liable to infection.
153
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
With scarlet fever it may be due to the greater care ex- ercised in cleansing the apartments of the sick person. Dis- infection has been, for the past two years, in the care of a person authorized by the Board of Health, who disinfects the rooms and destroys any articles that are infected and cannot be cleansed. Books and toys are especially danger- ous and should be destroyed. Disinfection, after any contagious disease should be as thorough as possible, there- fore there should be as perfect co-operation between the family and the man who disinfects the rooms as there ought always to be between the family and the attending physician.
Isolation and disinfection are equally important.
Without the most careful attention to the smallest detail of either of these, a single case might cause an epidemic.
Isolation should be so complete that no one should be allowed to enter the sick room except the attendant and the physician.
No pet animals should ever be allowed in a room where there is a case of scarlet fever or diphtheria. Both diseases may be carried by pets directly to other families, or indirect- ly to them by infecting other animals.
In prolonged cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria, where desquamation (or peeling as it is commonly known), seems to be never-ending, and the germs of diphtheria seem to be ever present, the patience of the family is exhausted and they suggest or even demand that the patient be liberated.
Such cases set at liberty are very likely to infect others and spread the diseases. That these diseases may not gain a foothold in town, causing an epidemic, it is impera -. tive that every case of contagious disease, however slight, should be at once isolated and KEPT isolated until every reasonable probability of danger to others has passed.
154
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
Not a spot of desquamation should exist upon the body after scarlet fever, and no diphtheria bacilli should be obtain- able from the throat of a diphtheria patient when that patient is allowed out of the sick room, and even then two weeks more should elapse before the patient associates with other people.
From the mildest cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever the most malignant cases may originate.
Very often the mildest cases are the most dangerous, be- cause the patient not being so ill as to be in bed distributes disease to others, and by exposure causes complications often more serious than the primary disease.
If these rigid measures were universally observed, diph- theria and scarlet fever would be less common.
What has been said in reference to careful quarantine in scarlet fever and diphtheria applies also to measles.
Measles is much more contagious than either of the above named diseases, and is more likely to develop complica- tions.
Pneumonia and inflammation of the middle ear are quite common complications during an attack of measles. The first endangers the child's life and the second endangers the hearing. Considering the great contagiousness of measles and its disastrous complications, we have included it among the diseases to be reported and isolated until recovered.
That the number of cases of contagious disease may be kept as small as possible in our town, we ask the hearty co-operation of the physicians and parents in the execution of the regulations of this Board.
Fowle's Brook.
Last June this Board was called upon to abate a nuisance in Fowle's brook, between the mill and Mystic pond, caused by the death therein of thousands of alewives killed by the
155
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
refuse which flowed into the brook from the works of the Arlington Gas Company. Large quantities of dead fish, which had become very offensive, were removed from the brook and its shores and buried. A heavy wire screen was provided and placed at the mouth of the brook to prevent fish from entering therein and to avoid a recurrence of the trouble and expense caused thereby.
Spy Pond.
Late in the summer several complaints were made to the Board concerning the offensive condition of the shores of Spy pond, between Spring valley and Pond lane, caused by an accumulation of vegetable matter, which appears most abundant in that locality. Two men were employed sev- eral weeks in removing and disposing of the objectionable matter, to remedy the conditions complained of as far as practicable.
The construction of a suitable roadway around the shores · of Spy pond would greatly improve the sanitary condition thereof, especially in preventing the pollution of its waters by surface or house drainage. As the number of residences in the vicinity of the pond and population of our town in- creases, it becomes a matter of vital importance to public health to avoid danger from impurities in the pond and un- safe sanitary conditions of its borders.
Plumbing Inspection.
The Inspector of plumbing reports that 187 applications for permits have been received and placed on file during the year 1897.
Inspections and tests of good plumbing give satisfaction to all concerned ; but testing poor plumbing and disclosing its defects does not usually prove so agreeable.
Much of the plumbing in our town is done by plumbers whose business location is elsewhere. The variations in re-
156
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
quirements of plumbing rules and regulations in different cities and towns cause some inconvenience and misunder- standing, but care has been taken by our Inspector to give information beforehand to prevent mistakes being made, and to improve the standard of workmanship whenever prac- ticable.
Sewers.
From a sanitary point of view the importance and value of our Town sewer system cannot be overestimated.
All the plumbing drainage of every building, when prac- ticable, should be connected with the town sewer.
Rules have been adopted by our Board to avoid danger from sanitary defects when the sewer connections with build- ings are made
Financial. '
Our expenditures have' exceeded the appropriation for 1897 to the amount of $142.52, on account of the expenses incurred, as mentioned in this report, upon Fowle's brook and Spy pond, which together cost $405.54; both were unexpected and unavoidable outlays, details of which, with other expenses of the Board, are in the report of the Town Treasurer.
We herewith append copy of our town mortuary records for 1897.
EDWARD S. FESSENDEN, EDWIN P. STICKNEY, M.D., EDWIN MILLS,
Board. of Health.
157
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
Deaths Registered during the year ending Dec. 31, 1897.
NAMES.
DATE OF DEATH.
Years.
Mos.
Days.
Charles P. Flynn
Jan.
3,1897.
26
Orren S. Ross
.
66
8,
66
47
11
21
Mary J. Coughlin
12,
66
-
-
-
5
Lucy H. Barnard
66
16,
66
84
2
1
Mary E. Curnyn
.
19,
:6
7
Maria M. Stevens
66
21,
66
73
5
21
James S. Prendergast
66
27,
27
9
LeRoy Coburn
66
28,
1
2
1
Sarah E. Hardy
.
31,
66
70
3
18
Belle Slawenwhite
66
7,
66
89
10
21
Louisa R. Hill
60
11,
66
89
1
10
Henry M. Beals
66
11,
66
64
10
10
Abby M. Beals
12,
66
64
9
9
Julia E. Leary
Daniel J. Collins
66
15,
66
42
William Proctor
66
16,
60
5
14
Honora Bolan
66
19,
75
Kate Kerr .
66
19,
66
34
11
Sarah P. Winn .
22,
66
85
5
Edward F. Winn
66
24,
73
1
24
Isaac Wilder
66
27,
80
2
7
Julia Walsh
Mar.
1,
66
21
10
11
Adam Walker
9
7
Edward A. Chase
66
4,
66
49
11
28
Daniel McCarthy
66
6,
66
39
1
Bridget Burke
66
66
76
5
13
Henry L. Cobb
.
66
11,
84
9
Gertrude A. Miller
66
12,
66
42
7
11
Catherine Twohig
66
15, 17,
66
67
1
-
7
1
Albert B. Balch .
77
11
20
Jane Stokes
66
66
62
George H. Holman
66
24,
66
1
11
15
Julia A. Scannell
25,
66
43
Michael Burke
"
25,
66
78
Clara J. Coates .
66
27,
66
48
5
14
James W. Keaney
66
66
-
3
William W. Bicknell .
65
-
-
-
Margaret Scannell
Apr.
1, 4,
66
78
Patrick Clifford .
66
66
68
-
-
Thomas Mawn
.
66
7,
66
1
10
12
4,
66
28
-
Bridget Rogers .
Esther A. Swendsen
66
9,
-
-
-
Leander Peirce .
66
17, 22, 23,
46
Harriet B. Burditt
66
3,
11,
66
Patrick J. Mead
66
14,
66
64
17
Emma F. Robbins
66
15,
51
.
-
-
-
-
Margaret F. Scannell .
66
42
-
.
66
9,
49
50
Feb.
AGE.
158
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
Deaths - Continued.
AGE.
NAMES.
DATE OF DEATH.
Years.
Mos.
Days.
Bruce B. Griffin .
Apr.
7,1897.
21
8
23
Joseph Bruce
8,
-
1
14
Nathaniel Johnson
66
9,
84
10
16
Robert Fitzgerald
66
10,
66
3
14
Margaret E. Yerrinton
60
20,
34
4
5
Anna B. Sawyer
66
22,
66
31
28
Michael C. Reilley
66
28,
66
35
Alice M. Edgar
.
Maý
2,
66
3,
66
73
5
9
Jane Smith
10,
74
7
Mary Woods
66
11,
66
6
Lawrence A. Woodward
20,
66
21
4
22
Albert C. Daniels
22,
66
50
11
22
James Woodman
66
23,
66
77
2
3
Sarah H. Montrose
66
27,
66
28
6
Taylor
16
66
66
1
-
-
4
Elizabeth J. Reynolds Marvin
66
29,
33
1
11
Goldie C. Stanley
June
3,
9,
80
3
-
-
-
-
1
2
Mary G. Fitzgerald
7
28
John Stingle
Lewis P. Bartlett
66
20,
66
86
11
8
Hugh Murray
66
28,
66
61
1
-
4,
66
-
66
19,
66
Joseph J. Tobin
66
20,
66
25
Edith V. Collins
66
20,
66
5
20
David Marmey .
66
23,
66
-
66
87
5
5
Ernest W. Whitman
66
30,
66
9
21
Pamelia B. Fiske
66
4,
66
97
-
6
Gertrude M. Crosby
66
49
2
Timothy J. Crowe
.
5,
4
26
21,
66
-
-
-
4
7
Mary A. Bacon .
-
George E. Storer
10,
66
15
5
12
Charles Hathaway
Ellen M. Church
Mary Price
14,
06
76
Laura B. Billings
15,
19,
66
64
John Collins
30,
66
35
-
Dorothy O'Brien
July
Madden
-
-
-
-
3,
8
24
William B. O'Neil
Aug.
26,
28,
10
Frances Murphy
66
6
66
Belle C. Sawyer .
66
30,
Smith
Hatfield .
66
28,
31,
36
Raymond D. Sawyer
66
10
11
Mary J. Moulton
66
Ruth Dollen
66
66
3
Eva C. Phillips
21
159
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
Deaths - Continued.
AGE.
NAMES.
DATE OF DEATH.
Years.
Mos.
Days.
William J. Crowe
Aug. 8, 1897.
4
29
Leland E. Ordway
8,
66
2
24
Francis C. Smith
66
9,
66
26
Ludwig C. Christenson
10,
6
18
8
Elizabeth F. Coyne
12,
66
23
10
James E. Tobin .
19,
66
2
7
John K. Simpson, 3d .
66
20,
21
3
26
Carmena Panta
Sept. 2,
66
-
-
-
-
1
Frank W. Lewis
66
18,
66
45
Kate A. Meagher
23,
66
25,
10
4
8
Samuel R. Smith
Oct.
1,
66
79
1
Elizabeth Sheehan
66
4,
27
7
13
John K. Simpson
6,
66
83
5
28
Robert T. Wentworth
66
7,
66
-
-
-
James Doughty .
66
15,
66
80
3
Ruby Baxter
66
25,
7
11
19
Agnes Fitzmorison
66
66
-
2
-
66
65
1
2
Charles B. Fessenden
66
66
63
2
20
Sophia R. Sefton
66
28,
66
36
-
-
10
6
James W. Chalmers
Nov.
1,
34
4
12
Walter J. White
66
14,
66
2
16
Hannah W. Conant
66
16,
62
1
-
66
65
Elbridge G. Locke
27
66
70
8
12
William G. Clifford
Daniel Daley
Dec.
7, 1,
66
67
Annie J. Cashman
66
7,
43
John Thyne
9
Catharine C. Smith
66
14,
58
Elizabeth B. Frost
65
16,
57
10
Albert J. Parker
20,
49
2
Joseph Williams
66
20,
66
-
2
2
Henry Scannell .
66
31,
33
7
14
William Merrick
3
David Richards .
15,
66
68
11
19
Daniel F. Daley
16,
66
35
9
20
James M. Chase
75
6
-
John Patterson
14,
66
48
4
5
Thomas J. Powers
5
Daniel Drew
66
29,
66
75
Ella A Worthen
31,
66
45
1
1
9
Francis Benham
Ann P. Richardson
21,
29,
-
1
22
Catherine Kenty
73
-
-
66
9,
--
1
7
-
Philip E. Adams
66
13,
66
Mary Harkins
18,
George C. Savage
Margaret C. Maynard
16
26,
66
27,
12,
66
26,
34
16
160
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
Deaths-Continued.
NAMES.
DATE OF DEATH.
Years.
Mos.
Days.
Isaac C. Foster
Dec. 21, 1897.
96
-
-
John Stewart
66
26,
66
48
-
-
2
5
George C. Dolliver
66
66
28
3
Nellie W. Jewett
66
66
66
30
10
15
Whole number of Deaths
Males
Females .
66
Number under 5 years of age
66
between 10 and 30 years of age
17
66
66
30 “ 60
37
66
66
60 “ 70 66
17
6
66
70 “ 80 66
66
17
66
66
80 “ 90
16
66
12
66
over
90 years of age
2
American parentage
Foreign
66
62
Unknown
1
SOME OF THE DISEASES OR CAUSES OF DEATH.
Heart Disease
13
Paralysis.
3
Phthisis
7
Tuberculosis
10
Lung Disease
6
Meningitis
4
Pneumonia
16
Cholera Infantum
11
-
11
Sarah E. Hunt
66
27,
Mary Holly
66
30,
65
Mixed
.
20
.
.
148
82
46
AGE.
1
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The Water Commissioners herewith submit their annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1897.
During the past year the pipe systems have been ex- tended as required. To anticipate the change in grade on Broadway, a new cast-iron pipe has been laid its entire length. This pipe, when connected with the low service after the grading of Broadway, will replace the cement pipe now in use from Massachusetts avenue to Webster street, and that from River street to the Somerville line.
An Underwriter fire pump has been installed in the pump- ing station to be used as an emergency pump. Necessary repairs have also been made on the main pumping engine. The high and low service systems have been connected through a reducing valve at the Town Hall Building, and in case of fire the pressure in the low service system can be maintained at 40 lbs. per square inch. The various divisions of the works are in good condition.
The poor quality of the water in both systems is still a source of complaint, and with the continual increase in de- mand it is difficult to see how this can be much improved except at great expense. The use of water directly from the brook will always place us in immediate danger from the effects of any disease germs that may, in case of sick- ness on our water-shed, be carried directly into the brook by showers. The proposed construction of a sewerage system for Lexington will still further menace the purity of our water.
The various details will be given below under the different headings.
11
162
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Pipe Extensions and Renewals. '
In all there have been laid 3453 feet of 10-inch pipe, 1953 feet of 8-inch pipe, and 8377 feet of 6-inch pipe, a total of 13,783 feet ; 26 hydrants and 20 gates were set. A portion of the pipe, mentioned below, will eventually replace old cement-lined pipe. About 182 feet of 8-inch pipe were laid from the head of Medford street to supply a new fire hydrant on the high service, which was considered necessary for ade- · quate fire protection in this congested district. There have been put in during this year 103 services, 55 connected with the low and 48 with the high service. There have also been added 30 1}-inch services for use in flushing sewers.
The following tables show the extensions in detail.
. To extend the High Service :
Location.
Length, ft. 408
Size, in. 6
0
1
Lowell St.,
879
6
2
1
Kensington Park,
213
6
0
1
Hibbert and Sylvia Sts.,
2013
6
5
3
Tannager St.,
604
6
1
1
Wollaston Ave.,
105
8
0
0
Sutherland and Lorne Roads, 682
6
2
3
Medford St.,
182
8
1
1
In all 287 feet of 8-inch pipe and 4799 feet of 6-inch pipe, 11 hydrants and 11 gates.
To extend the Low Service :
Location.
Length, ft. 875
Size. in.
Hydrants
Gates.
Cleveland St.,
6
2
1
Arlington St.,
1675
6
3
3
Davis Ave ..
400
6
1
1
Palmer St.,
588
6
1
2
Broadway,
2000
10
4
2
40
6
0
0
Hydrants.
Gates.
Vine St.,
-
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
In all 2000 feet of 10-inch pipe, 3578 feet of 6-inch pipe, 11 hydrants and 9 gates.
To eventually replace cement-lined pipe :
Location.
Length, ft.
Size, in.
Hydrants.
Gates.
Broadway, 66
1453
10
4
0
1666
8
0
0
This pipe was laid dry in anticipation of a regrading ot the street during 1898.
We have now in hand two applications for pipe extension on Brattle park and Cliff street. A considerable extension of our system will probably be required next year.
Present Pipe System.
Length of main pipe in use January 1, 1898 :
LOW SERVICE.
Size, in.
Length, ft.
Hydrants. Gates
Cement-lined pipe.
12
. 10,991
8
· 6,121
6
16,796
4
24,484
Total,
58,392
84
56
Iron pipe,
12
150
8
6,480
6
8,214
4
12,207
Total, '
27,051
61
53
Total both kinds,
85,443
145
109
16.183 miles.
163
164
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
HIGH SERVICE.
Size, in.
Length, ft.
Hydrants. Gates.
Iron pipe,
12
16,503
10
17,180
8
9,500
6
29,445
4
494
Total,
73,122 151 110
13.849 miles.
Total of both services, 30.03 miles of pipe, 296 hydrants and 219 gates. The pipe laid in Broadway, not being in use, is not included.
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.
Quantity and Quality of Water.
The high-service supply was taken from 20 driven wells as in 1896, until the demand for water during June made it desirable to add more wells to reduce the suction on the pump. On June 1st four wells were added, but as there was so much complaint due to iron in the water, on June 19th they were taken off. On July 9th one well was again added, on July 11th another, and on July 13th another, making 23 in all, which are still in use. Two of the wells near the meadows give so much iron that they are of no value. New wells are now being driven, and it is hoped that these will afford a better and an increased supply which
165
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
will enable us to cease using all wells near the edge of the meadows.
Analyses of the high service water from Jan., 1896, to the present time, are given in Table I. From these it is seen that the turbidity of the water is increasing. The material in suspension is so fine that the ordinary filter does not retain it. The amount of iron in the water appears to be increasing, which is in accord with the predictions of the State Board of Health, and there is every reason to expect a still greater amount as pumping increases. Iron is neces- sarily present in our water, due to the existence of organic matter and oxide of iron in the meadow bottom. The water on its way to the wells passes through this deposit and dis- solves the iron in the form of protoxide, which precipitates in the form of rust when the water is exposed to the air. When a ground water contains over .05 parts of iron in 100,000 in solution it will precipitate its iron on standing and on exposure to the atmosphere. Our high service water contains much more iron than this, except in the winter. The " oxygen consumed," Table I., indicates the presence of carbonaceous material in the water. Good ground waters seldom have " oxygen consumed " over .01 part in 100,000 ; our driven well water averages over .20 parts in 100,000.
The analyses of the low service water, given in Table II., show but little change except a slight increase in turbidity and odor, due to the fact that the filters were becoming clogged, and in some places inoperative. This caused more water to pass through the weak places in the filter-covering, resulting in washing out the filtering material and in poor filtration.
During December the filters were cleaned off and a new coating of sand and gravel was applied. In the spring a top-dressing of finer sand willbe put on and it is hoped to
166
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
still further benefit the quality of the water which after the application of the first coating, showed a marked improve- ment over that of last summer. It is unfortunate that the draft on our filters in the summer is so great and the storage so small that we are liable at any time to have the efficiency of the filters reduced by leakage at weak spots which can- not be detected without lowering the water in the reservoir ; also that we are compelled to use water directly from the brook. The supply on the low service was taken from the filters alone 238 days ; from filters and brook (which was turned in when the demand was more than the filters could
supply) 127 days. It was not necessary during the past wet summer to take any water from the Great Meadows.
The board wishes again to call the attention of citizens to the fact that using water directly from the brook is a menace to the health of the community.
The following table gives dates when water was taken from the various sources :
Dates. Filter. Filter and Brook.
Jan. 1 to Apr. 24,
113 days
Apr. 24 to Apr. 27,
3 days
Apr. 27 to June 26,
60 days
June 26 to July 29
33 days ,
July 29 to Aug. 15,
17 days
Aug. 15 to Sept. 1,
17 days
Sept. 1 to Sept. 8,
7 days
Sept. 8 to Sept. 24,
16 days
Sept. 24 to Oct. 1,
7 days
Oct. 1 to Nov. 1,
31 days
Nov. 1 to Nov. 18,
17 days
Nov. 18 to Dec. 15,
27 days
Dec. 15 to Jan. 1,
17 days
238 127 -365
167
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The Board, as usual, issued notices calling attention of consumers to hours when the use of water through hose was allowed, but the wetness of the season made it unnecessary to insist on this restriction.
Table III., taken from the report of the Boston Water Commissioner, shows the rainfall on the Mystic water-shed, adjoining ours, since 1877. In making comparisons the total rainfall is of little value, because much depends on its dis- tribution. Dry weather in May, June and July causes con- siderable water to be used through garden hose, and results in a lowering of our reservoir.
The last column in the table gives the rainfall during May to August inclusive, and from this it appears that last year was a very wet year, there being only one, 1889, wetter. The distribution of the rainfall was also very good, and, as a matter of fact, but little water was needed for garden-hose. The contrast between 1896 and 1897, during the summer months, is great.
Pumping Station.
During July and August a new underwriter duplex fire pump, having 16-inch steam cylinders, 9-inch pump cylin- ders and all 12-inch stroke, made by the Geo. F. Blake Manufacturing Company, was installed in our pumping station. It has a capacity of 750 gallons per minute, and is to be used as an emergency pump in case of accidents or repairs to the old pump. It was started on August 9th and found to work well.
On August 16th the old pump was stopped for repairs. The steam end proved to need packing, the plungers on the water end were much corroded and worn, and it was decided to put in new plungers, at the same time increasing their diameter to 9 inches. On September 3d the pump was tested and found not to work as expected. A close
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REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
examination revealed a bad crack in the pump cylinder, which, judging from its appearance, had existed for a long time. It being impossible to repair this break, a new cylin- der was put in place October 2d. Since then the old pump has been in successful usc. Had the installation of a second pump been longer delayed, we should probably have had serious trouble. The apparent excess of water pumped during a part of last year may have been due to this break, and also to the plunger leakage, both of which necessarily developed very slowly. A rigid frequent inspection has now been instituted which will doubtless prevent a recur- rence of trouble of this kind. The appropriation of the emergency pump was $1500. The cost of installing was $1424.66.
Table IV. gives the statistics of the Pumping Station for the year 1897, with appended columns at the right giving corresponding statistics for 1895 and 1896. On account of the break in the pump cylinder the records between July '96 and January '97 are too high. An attempt has been made to correct the records from January to July '97 by making an allowance for leakage. The records from August to December '97 inclusive may be relied upon ; com- paring these with the corresponding records of 1895 it will be seen that the demand for water is decidedly on the in- crease.
Stand-Pipe.
During the spring the stand-pipe will be cleaned and painted on the inside ; the outside is now in good condition.
Reservoir and Brook.
The riprap around the Reservoir and the brook, so far as controlled by the town, has been cleaned and put in good
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REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
condition. On account of putrid vegetable matter and algae in the water it was necessary, during the summer, to fill with gravel the small pond at the point where the brook enters the Reservoir. The brook now flows through this filling, its banks being suitably riprapped. The filters have had a new top-dressing applied, as has been previously ex- plained. All is now in good order.
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