Town of Arlington annual report 1895-1897, Part 40

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


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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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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