USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1887 > Part 13
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The city of Boston was then considering some method of relief, and has since constructed intercepting sewers dis- charging in Boston Harbor, off of Moon Island. This has resulted in a greatly improved sanitary condition of that portion of the city of Boston located near the river, and has made desirable for residences portions of that city which had experienced great annoyance from the foul odors arising from the river.
The State government, foreseeing that the continuance of this discharge of crude sewage into the river, with such additions and extensions of the various systems as were con- stantly being made, would tend to make the valley of the lower Charles River unhealthy, passed a resolve May 11, 1881, requesting the Governor and Council to report a plan for the drainage of the Mystic and Charles River Valleys. This report was submitted in 1882, and recommended that intercepting sewers be constructed along the banks of the Charles River which would receive the sewage from the cities and towns on its borders; the sewage to be ultimately discharged in deep water at Moon Island.
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A second State commission appointed in May, 1884, to consider the question, reported in December, 1885, a similar plan to that of the first commission. This plan was the result of the most careful study by the ablest engineers of this country, and has received the indorsement of the City Council of Newton for two successive years ; a special com- mittee having been appointed to appear before the Commit- tee on Drainage, of the State Legislature, and urge that the plans proposed by the commission be carried out. At the hearings held before this Committee, the execution of the proposed plan was strongly opposed by the cities of Cam- bridge and Somerville. These cities have their sewer- systems practically constructed, discharging the sewage by numerous outlets directly into the Charles River ; and to avail themselves of the sewers constructed under the pro- posed plans would require a very large expenditure, in addition to their proportional part of the main system, to make the necessary changes in their present systems. This opposition is so strong that it has seemed to your Committee extremely improbable if any measures for relief can be under- taken by the State for a number of years.
In the mean time your Committee requested the City Engineer to examine and report if some plan could not be proposed for the disposal of the sewage of the city, without creating a nuisance. Under the direction of the Committee, the City Engineer has visited, closely inspected the works, and noted the results attained at the various places in this country where special methods of disposal were in operation. From the result of these visits, and from the study of reports upon other works which have been in a greater or less degree successful, it has seemed to your Committee that by a crude
63
chemical treatment the sewage can be sufficiently clarified so that the effluent can be discharged into the river below Watertown, without giving offence ; and that such works or tanks as may be necessary for the treatment of the sewage can be constructed at so comparatively small expense, that. should the sewers contemplated by the Metropolitan Drain- age Commission be constructed at some later time, a connec - tion can be made at very little additional cost.
Your Committee has given considerable thought and study to many of the details of construction, such as methods, cost, etc. ; also as to method of payment of the cost of the sewers which shall be just and equitable to all, and be a hardship to as few as possible. The means at the disposal of the Com- mittee have been too limited to perfect the plans so as to present them in detail ; but it may not be out of place to state briefly some of the conclusions arrived at by the Com- mittee, subject to such modifications and changes as more careful study may show to be desirable.
The city of Newton covers an area of about twenty square miles. Topographically, the surface is very uneven, and is traversed by a number of rapid running brooks or streams discharging into the Charles River. The population is dis- tributed somewhat unevenly, and is almost entirely resi- dential in character: the estates are so subdivided as to preclude the probability of it becoming urban in character for a long period. The traffic on its streets is, and will probably continue to be, light, so that the wash from them cannot be so offensive as to prevent its discharge either into the streams or the river without special treatment.
It would therefore seem, that, in view of the fact that all sewage must be treated or pumped in order to be discharged
64
into deep water, it is advisable to separate the house-sewage for special treatment, and that the storm-water be conveyed by separate drains to the nearest stream.
Some portions of the city are so sparsely populated that the necessity for a system of sewerage has not become apparent ; but the demand from some of the larger villages has become imperative ; and in some sections the cost of the removal of the sewage, in the imperfect manner it is at present performed, is fully equal to a good interest on the whole cost of the sewers. As these districts increase in population, then the sewers will require to be extended until the system has practically spread itself over the entire city.
Should a more careful study of the question as applied to Newton show that the best interests of the city would be served by the construction of sewers designed to carry house- sewage alone, the Committee feel, that, by assuming the cost of maintenance and the treatment of the sewage, the city as a whole would fully pay for any benefit it might receive, and that it would be equitable for the estates benefited to bear the cost of constructing the sewers and disposal-works.
In order that the system may be designed so that the greatest economy in construction shall be attained, and so that all the parts shall blend, and be adequate to provide for the whole system when completed, a most careful study of the question will have to be made. Surveys should be made and levels taken in addition to those now in the City Engineer's office. It would also be desirable to examine in detail the results of the latest investigations in the treatment of sewage, in order to insure the city the best possible results.
We would therefore recommend the appropriation of the sum of three thousand dollars towards the cost of additional
65
surveys, plans, and designing of the system; and that the City Engineer be requested to make the additional surveys, and submit as soon as possible a detail design of the system ; also that he be authorized, with the approval of the Com- mittee, to employ such expert service as he may deem necessary.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN WARD, Chairman. S. K. HARWOOD. N. H. CHADWICK. G. D. DIX.
ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE CITY ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT.
ORDINANCE IX.
City Engineer.
Office estab- lished.
SECTION 1. The office of City Engineer is hereby established.
Duties.
Charge of plans. Make plans, surveys, etc.
SECT. 2. He shall have charge of all the plans of the streets, drains, sewers, water-works, and lands of the city ; and shall classify them, and put them in convenient form for reference and use. He shall make all plans, surveys, measurements, and levels pertaining to the streets, drains, sewers, lands, water-works, etc., and perform such other duties properly belonging to his office as may be required of him by the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, or any committee of the City Council. Drains and sewers shall be constructed and repaired under his supervision and direction.
Orders, etc.
SECT. 3. He shall prepare all orders, resolves, and other papers relating to street widenings, extensions, and alterations, which the Joint Stand- ing Committee on Highways may require, and shall furnish the City Solicitor with descriptions of lands at his request.
67
SECT. 4. He shall keep a set of books showing all the debits and credits to every estate, the whole or a portion of which may be taken to lay out, widen, or extend a street, or which may be assessed under any betterment law; and all bills for assessments made under any betterment law shall be made out by him, and deposited with the City Treasurer for collection.
SECT. 5. He shall annually, in the month of January, present to the City Council a report for the year ending on the last day of December pre- ceding, giving in detail the cost of all special work of the highway department, the expenses of his own department, the number of persons employed therein, and a description of the work done.
ORDINANCE XVI.
Highway Department. - Streets and Ways.
SECT. 4. Under the direction of the City En- gineer, he (the Superintendent of Streets) shall attend to the making and repairing of drains and sewers.
ORDINANCE XXIV.
Buildings.
SECT. 5. No person shall proceed to erect or make alterations in the location or grade of any fence, wall, or building, a part of which is to abut upon a public street, lane, square, or alley, with- out first applying to the City Engineer for the lines and grade of the street, lane, square, or alley upon which he intends to build. Such application
Accounts.
Reports.
Drains and sewers.
Applications to City Engi- neer for street lines and grade.
68
shall be made at least fifteen days before the work is begun ; and the City Engineer shall within said time furnish the required lines and grade without charge, if in his power so to do. In default of such application the city shall be dis- charged from all responsibility for damages result- ing from such default.
Violation.
SECT. 6. Whenever the City Engineer ascer- tains that any structure has been placed in viola- tion of the preceding section, he shall at once give notice to the Mayor and Aldermen, in writing, of such violation ; and, upon receipt of such notice, the Mayor and Aldermen may forthwith issue an order to the party offending, directing that the structure be removed within the time therein specified ; and in case of non-compliance, the Mayor and Aldermen shall direct that the incumbrance be removed at the expense of the delinquent.
Penalty.
SECT. 7. Whoever violates any provision of the two preceding sections of this ordinance, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty dollars.
By vote of the Board of Health, June 8, 1885, the City Engineer was appointed Agent of the Board for the Inspec- tion of Plumbing, and authorized to enforce the following rules of the Board : -
RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
TO BE ENFORCED BY THE AGENT FOR THE INSPECTION OF PLUMBING.
RULE 1. Every tenement shall be provided with a suit- able water-tight privy-vault, or with a water-closet con- nected with a water-tight underground drain of proper size to carry off the contents, and with a similar drain to carry off the waste water to a cesspool.
b. Every privy-vault or cesspool shall be built in a thorough and substantial manner, and located so that the inside of the same shall be at least three feet distant from the line of any adjoining lot or street. Cesspools must be of sufficient size to contain at least eighty cubic feet, eigh- teen inches below the surface of the ground, and, when not water-tight, must be at least twenty feet from the cellar-wall of any tenement or dwelling, and two rods distant from any well, spring, or other source of water-supply used for culinary purposes.
RULE 17. Unless the Board of Health shall permit other- wise, the drainage-system of a hotel, tenement-house, dwell-
70
ing-house, stable with sleeping-apartments, or factory, in the city of Newton, Mass., shall be constructed as follows : -
SECT. 1. - FILING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. No person shall proceed to construct, add to, or alter any por- tion of the drainage-system of said buildings (except to re- pair leaks), until they have filed at the office of the City Engineer, upon blanks in such form as the Board of Health shall order, a notice of the work to be performed. . No per- son shall commence work on such drainage or plumbing until the plans are approved by the Board of Health. Plans and specifications will be approved or rejected within five days of the time of filing. After a plan has once been approved, no alteration of the same will be allowed except on a written application of the owner.
SECT. 2. - NOTICE. The Board of Health must be noti- fied when any work is ready for inspection, and all work must be left uncovered and convenient for examination until inspected and approved.
SECT. 3. - INSPECTION. All plumbing-work in new build- ings, or new work in old buildings, shall be tested by the Board of Health, with the hydraulic or such other test as the Board may direct ; and in case the work does not stand the test, and the same is not repaired within ten days, the water shall be turned off, by order of said Board, and not let on again till the plumbing has been pronounced satisfac- tory by the said Board.
SECT. 4. - MAIN DRAIN. Every building herein re- ferred to shall be separately and independently connected with a common sewer or cesspool.
That portion of the house-drain which is outside of the building, and more than four (4) feet from the foundation-
71
walls, shall be constructed of extra heavy cast-iron soil-pipe, or of the best quality of vitrified drain-pipe.
That portion of the house-drain which is inside the walls, or under the building, and that portion outside of the build- ing, and within four feet of the foundation-wall, must be of iron pipe with a fall of at least one-half (2) inch to the foot It must run along the cellar-wall, and be securely fastened thereto, or suspended from the floor-timbers in iron hangers.
When impracticable, it shall be laid in a trench, beneath the basement or cellar floor, provided with movable covers, and walled up of such a width as to admit of access to all joints.
SECT. 5. - TRAPS. The house-drain must have a trap located beyond all house connections, of the same size as the drain, provided with a hand-hole for convenience in cleaning.
SECT. 6. - FRESH-AIR INLETS. There must be a fresh- air inlet-pipe entering the drain on the house-side of the main · trap, of not less than four inches internal diameter, extend- ing therefrom to the external air, and terminating at a point not less than three (3) feet above the ground, away from all windows.
SECT. 7. - SOIL-PIPE. All pipes receiving the discharge from water-closets must be of iron at least four (4) inches internal diameter, and continued of undiminished size at least two (2) feet above the roof, away from all windows, and left open at the top.
SECT. 8. - BRANCHES. All branches over ten feet in length must be continued of undiminished size to the roof, and carried up at least four inches internal diameter through the roof, and project at least two feet above it, and left open.
72
SECT. 9. - CONNECTIONS. All connections with hori- zontal pipes shall be made by § bends and Y branches, and all changes in direction shall be by curved pipe. No trap shall be placed at the foot of a vertical soil-pipe.
SECT. 10 - WASTE-PIPES. All waste-pipes from sinks, basins, bath-tubs, wash-tubs, etc., of two inches or less inter- nal diameter, shall be of lead : all over two inches must be of iron.
SECT. 11. - RAIN-WATER CONDUCTORS. Wherever rain- water conductors are connected with any pipe of the drain- age-system of the house, that portion within the house, or under ground, or five feet above the ground, to be of cast- iron pipe with lead joints, and in all cases provided with an extra deep trap where it enters the house-drain. No rain- water conductor shall be used as a soil-pipe.
SECT. 12. - TRAPS. Every pipe connecting a water-closet with the soil-pipe must be trapped close to the connection with the water-closet. Every waste-pipe must be trapped close to the fixture, and separately from any water-closet.
SECT. 13. - SAFE-WASTES. All waste-pipes from safes under fixtures must be run separately to basement or cellar, and left open: in no case must they be connected with the soil-pipe or any other waste-pipe.
SECT. 14. - REFRIGERATOR-WASTES. No waste-pipe from a refrigerator or other receptacle in which food or provisions are stored shall be connected with a drain, soil, or other waste pipe, but must be separated therefrom by an open sink or tray furnished with a trap.
SECT. 15. - TANK-OVERFLOW. All overflow-pipes from tanks must be left open and in sight. In no case shall it be run into a soil or waste pipe.
73
SECT. 16. - VENTILATION OF TRAPS. All traps must be furnished with a vent-pipe run from the crown of the trap. The vent-pipe from a water-closet trap must be at least two inches in diameter : other vent-pipes must be as large as the waste-pipe from the trap. All ventilation-pipes from a soil or waste pipe must be run, of undiminished size, separately or combined together, to the roof, and carried up, at least four inches internal diameter, through the roof, and at least two feet above it, and left open, or may be run into a soil-pipe above all connections. In no case shall a soil, waste, or ven- tilating pipe from a soil or waste pipe be connected with a chimney. No brick, earthenware, or sheet-metal pipes shall be used for ventilation-pipes from a soil or waste pipe.
SECT. 17. - CAST-IRON PIPES. All cast-iron pipes must be free from holes and other defects, of a uniform thickness of not less than § inch for a diameter of four inches or less, and not less than 32 of an inch for 5 and 6 inch pipe, and shall have the full weight of the following table for the cor- responding diameters : -
Internal diameter. Ordinary pipe.
Extra heavy pipe
2 inches
31 1b. per ft.
52 1b. per ft.
3 inches
41 "
66
93 " 66
4 inches
5 inches 8 66
6 inches
10 «
66
20 "
66
13 17 « 66
And before being connected shall be thoroughly coated in- side and out with coal-tar pitch, applied hot by immersion, or some equivalent substance satisfactory to the City Engineer.
SECT. 18. - QUALITY OF JOINTS. Every joint in earthen pipe shall be made in hydraulic cement, care being taken
74
that the inside of the joints and of the pipe is properly cleaned out before connection is made with the house. Every joint in lead pipe shall be made in solder, and wiped joints are to be used where practicable. Every joint of an iron and a lead pipe shall be made by a brass ferrule of same size as lead pipe, set in the hub of the branch of the iron pipe, and calked with lead ; the lead pipe to be attached to the ferrule by a wiped solder joint. Every joint in a cast- iron bell and spigot pipe to be made with packed oakum and molten lead well calked, at least 12 inches deep, and made water and air tight, and no paint or putty shall be allowed until tested. Where screw-joints are used, they shall be packed in red-lead, and made steam-tight.
SECT. 19. - WATER-CLOSET SUPPLY. No water-closet shall be supplied directly from the house supply-pipe, but shall be supplied from a special water-tank or cistern used for no other purpose.
RULE 18. Whoever shall violate any provision of these rules, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dol- lars, and a like penalty for every day after the first offence shall be committed.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE NEWTON WATER DEPARTMENT.
RELATING TO THE CITY ENGINEER.
SECTION 2 .- ORGANIZATION.
1. Besides the offices of Water Registrar and Superintend- ent established by ordinance, the permanent organization of the department shall be as follows : ---
A Civil Engineer, an Inspector of Meters and Fixtures, a Pumping Engineer, a Fireman, a main-pipe Foreman, a ser- vice-pipe Foreman, three Teamsters, and a Clerk in the office of the Water Board. It is understood that the City Engi- neer is the Civil Engineer of this department.
SECTION 6. - ENGINEER.
1. Upon receipt of orders therefor from the Board, the City Engineer shall, within twenty-four hours, establish lines and grades for the extension of all water-mains, and shall take such measurements of main and service pipe extensions, and their appurtenances, as will enable him to correctly locate and plat the same : he shall keep the returns from the Pumping Engineer closely posted up, and shall plat there- from a diagram showing the engine duty.
2. He shall make a daily report to the Water Registrar of the progress and condition of the work under his charge.
3. He shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time by vote require of him.
City of Newton.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE CITY MARSHAL
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1887.
BERTY AND UNIO
FOUNDED
CITY 1873
NON
TUM.
PORATED
PRESS OF RAND AVERY COMPANY, II7 FRANKLIN STREET, BOSTON. 1888.
CITY MARSHAL'S REPORT.
OFFICE OF CITY MARSHAL, WEST NEWTON, January 2, 1888.
TO HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWTON: -
I have the honor to submit to you an account of the work performed by the Police Department during the year 1887.
ARRESTS.
Whole number of arrests
574
Arrests on warrants
. 192
Arrests without warrants
. 382
Held for trial
. 537
Released without trial
37
Males
524 ·
Females
50
Americans
264
Foreigners
· 310
Residents
· 379
Non-residents
195 .
Minors .
. 121
ARRESTS AT EACH POLICE STATION.
Station No. 1, Newton . 56
Station No. 2, Nonantum
· 69
.
.
4
Station No. 3, West Newton
374
Station. No. 4, Newton Centre
75
574
ARRESTS MADE EACH MONTH.
Males.
Females.
Total.
January
31
1
32
February
19
5
·
24
March .
34
.
0
. 34
April
31
·
1
32
May
46
6
52
June
57
· 10
.
67
July
56
1
57
August
46
.
5
. 51
September
49
3
52
October
55
.
7
62
November
.
59
.
7
· 66
December
41
4
45
524
50
574
LOCAL POLICE WORK.
Arrests by officers on duty at Newton .
66
66
66
" Nonantum
86
66
66
66 " Newtonville
· 73
66
66
66
66 " West Newton .
· 144
66
66
66 " Auburndale
16
66
66
66
66
" Lower Falls . 18
66
66
66
66 " Newton Centre
. 81
66
66
66
66 " Newton Highlands . 19
66
66
66
66
66
" Upper Falls
38
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
99
574
.
.
5
OFFENCES FOR WHICH ARRESTS WERE MADE.
Assault.
3
Assault and battery
41
Assault, felonious .
5
Assault on officer .
10
Bastardy
Breaking and entering .
Common drunkard
.
1
Common railer and brawler
1
Contempt of court
1
Cruelty to animals
2
Default warrant
.
1
Disturbing the peace
53
Disturbing religious meeting
.
7
Dipsomania .
1
Drunkenness
286
Embezzlement
1
Escaped prisoners .
2
Evading car fare
2
Gaming on the Lord's Day
3
Insane .
12
Larceny, simple
. 26
Larceny, felonious
7
Malicious mischief
5
Non-support of family .
3
Perjury .
1
Profanity
7
Robbery
1
Selling leased property .
5
Stealing a ride
.
2
.
.
3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
8
.
.
6
Stubborn children
11
Suspicion of larceny
4
Suspicious persons
3
Threatening bodily harm
2
Tramps
9
Trespass
1
Truancy
3
Vagrancy
2
Violation of city ordinances .
16
Violation of the dog law
1
Violation of the liquor law .
14
Violation of the railroad law
6
Violation of United-States revenue law
1
Violation of town by-law (Watertown)
.
1
574
FEMALES WERE ARRESTED FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFENCES : -
Assault and battery
4
Contempt of court
·
1
Common railer and brawler .
1
Disturbing the peace . 5 .
Disturbing religious meeting
4
Drunkenness
14
Insanity
·
4
Larceny, simple
5
Larceny, felonious
1
Profanity
2
Selling leased property .
.
4
Threatening bodily harm
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
7
Violation of the liquor law . 3
Violation of United-States revenue law
1
-
NATIVITY OF PRISONERS.
United States
. 264
Ireland .
. 223
Canada
. 39
England
27
Scotland
8
Germany
7
France .
4
Italy .
2
574
At Police Station No. 1
274
66 66
66 2
. 64
66
66
3
. 473
66
66
66
4
. 139
950
Females
6
Foreigners
. 518
Number of lodgers in 1884
1,502
66
66 66 " 1885
1,438
66
66
66 " 1886 .
1,199
NATIVITY OF LODGERS.
United States
. 432
Ireland .
. 331
England
. 90
Canada
. 38
.
.
.
.
LODGERS.
50
8
Scotland
20
Germany
20
Sweden
12
France .
3
Arabia
2
Norway
1
Italy
1
950
REPORTS MADE BY PATROLMEN TO CITY MARSHAL.
Accidents
65
Buildings found open, and secured
. 20
Buildings erecting
· 222
Cases investigated
74
Defective streets .
25
Defective sidewalks
. 16
Defective water-pipes
12
Disturbances suppressed
19
Fire alarms .
43
Fires extinguished without alarm
13
Intoxicated persons helped home .
12
Lost children restored .
8
Sick and injured persons assisted .
39
Stray teams put up
9
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Amount of property reported stolen in the city . $2,316 80 Amount of property recovered . 2,056 55
Witness fees earned by officers, paid by clerk of court to the city treasurer . ·
. 1,119 81
Amount of fines imposed by court
. 2,441 00
.
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
9
Imprisonment imposed by court 23 years. Extra duties done by officers 232
Number of search warrants, for liquor, served . 18
Number of liquor seizures 13
Gallons of liquor seized
102
All liquor condemned by court is turned over to the chief of the State Detective Force, in accordance with Sect. 38, Chap. 100 of the Public Statutes.
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