USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1887-1888 > Part 3
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May 17. Brush fire in Cemetery. No damage.
July 4. Tenement, Main St., owned by W. C. Moulton. Loss, $25 ; insurance paid, $25. Cause fire, defective chimney.
July 4. Dwelling, Ash St., owned by Hugh Dooling. Loss $20, insurance paid $20; Cause, fire- crackers.
July 4. Dwelling, Washington St., owned by Wm. Weston. No damage. Cause, fire-works.
July 5 .. Dwelling, Washington St., owned by Joseph Horton. Loss, slight. Cause, children playing with matches.
July 15. Dwelling, West St., owned by John Mur- ray. Loss, $900; insurance paid $900. Cause, defective chimney.
Dec. 2. Dwelling, Hancock St., owned by Charles Jackson. Loss, $200 ; insurance paid $200. Cause, fire in unfinished grate.
1888. Feb. 15. Burning chimney in house owned by I. W. Ruggles. No damage.
Mar. 16. Factory, owned by E. B. Richardson. No damage. Cause, careless smoking. (Still alarm.)
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On account of alterations on the Bethesda Church, an elec- tric fire-alarm striker with two alarm boxes has just been put in operation during the past year. The engineers believe that eight or nine new alarm boxes should be located in different parts of the outskirts of the town. The posts of the New Eng- land Telegraph and Telephone Co., can be used to conduct the wires for these boxes, making the construction of the line inex- pensive. The engineers recommend that twelve hundred ($1200) dollars be appropriated for the same.
There has been no other addition to the department. The engineers recommend that one hundred ($100) dollars (esti- mated) should be appropriated to supply the hook and ladder truck with new wheels and axles, and to paint the same. The engineers recommend the sale of Eagle engine, as the town has no use for it, and as the engine decreases in value each year, for there is little demand for old hand engines. The engineers recommend that the sum of twenty three hundred and fifty ($2350) dollars be appropriated to defray the expenses of the department for the ensuing year, including the amount necessary to repair the hook and ladder truck.
In conclusion, the board wishes to commend the department for the faithful and prompt performance of its duties.
E. C. NICHOLS, Chief. WM. L. CROWE. WENDELL BANCROFT. Assistants. MOSES NICHOLS. A. T. RICHARDSON, Clerk.
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POLICE REPORT.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF READING :
Gentlemen, we submit the annual Police report.
Number of arrests for the year, 13.
For drunkenness 5
assault 2
larcency 3
" violation of liquor laws 1
" cruelty to animals
1
" breaking and entering
1
Liquor raids. seizures 1
2
Tramps taken care of 514
Doors found unlocked 13
Fire alarms given 1
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY STOCK, Chief,
EPHRAIM WIGHT,
Police.
CHARLES S. CONEY,
WM. WALLACE DAVIS, Clerk.
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REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
The Cemetery, during the past year, has been under the general charge of Mr. James A. Bancroft. In addition to the usual care of the avenues and the grounds under our charge, we have concreted the gutters of a portion of Elm Avenue, for the purpose of avoiding the necessity of re-grading the avenue after every heavy rain, as has been the case heretofore. We have also laid out thirty-seven new lots, in that part of the cemetery designated on the original plan as "Consecration Grove," making the whole number of lots which have been offered for sale six hundred and ninety-nine.
We have left undrawn of the General appropriation the sum of $100.99. A full statement of the sums expended by us for various purposes will appear in the Reports of the Selectmen and Treasurer.
The Trustees have purchased a new hearse in compliance with the vote of the town at their last annual meeting. The negotiations were conducted by Mr. Pratt, acting as agent of the Board, who succeeded in obtaining an excellent hearse, and keeping within the limits of the appropriation, made for the purpose.
Much time has been spent in investigating the subject of the erection of a new Receiving Tomb. We soon found that there were a variety of opinions among the citizens on the question of its location. The Board decided upon a spot near the southern Main street entrance. At the urgent request of those interested, the matter was brought before a special Town Meeting. Another location was decided upon by the town.
.
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The season was at that time so far advanced, that it was found impracticable to construct one properly before winter. So nothing has been done. We find that a satisfactory tomb can be constructed at an expense but little, if any, in excess of the amount designated at the last annual meeting.
We would recommend that the sum of $200.00, in addition to the amount voted last year, be appropriated for the purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS O. DEWEY, 7 Trustees.
EDWARD APPLETON, SOLON BANCROFT, W. WALLACE DAVIS. JAMES A. BANCROFT,
FRANK W. B. PRATT,
>
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LIBRARY REPORT.
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following report : -
FINANCIAL REPORT.
Appropriation
$450.00
Amount of Dog Tax. 449.73
$899.73
Expenditures : -
L. S. Cox, Librarian
$160.65
Gertrude G. Ruggles, assistant
3.30
Addie Griggs, assistant .
6.30
Jessie Grouard, assistant.
4.50
J. W. Ripley, binding books
37.70
Osias Raynor, books
7.50
Estes & Lauriat, books 315.45
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., books
22.00
Interstate Publishing Co., books
16.67
Citizens Gas Light Co., gas
36.75
M. B. Garfield, signs.
15.50
F. W. Parker, services 27.38
H. E. Cox, fuel
5.53
W. Bancroft, fuel.
7.75
W. Proctor, rent
180.00
Insurance.
30.00
C. M. Barrows & Co., printing cards, etc.
22.75
FINE ACCOUNT.
Balance reported 1887.
$63.00
Received for fines
36.22
cards
6.30
catalogues
12.75
paper . 61
.
$899.73
Amount carried forward,
$118.88
3
50
Amount brought forward, Paid for incidentals
$118.88
$2.83
books
50.00
66 expressage 3.05
55.88
Balance
$63.00
The following volumes have been presented to the library : -
NAME OF DONOR. NO. OF VOLUMES.
Christian Union Sabbath School
5
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
2
United States. 4
Charles K. Bolton 1
Total
12
Two vacancies will require to be filled at the ensuing annual meet- ing, the terms of Messrs. Chas. D. Thomas and Harley Prentiss expiring.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN FOSTER, Chairman. HORACE G. WALDIN, Secretary. JAMES H. GRIGGS, CYRUS M. BARROWS, HARLEY PRENTISS, CHAS. D. THOMAS.
Trustees.
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Report of the Committee on Water Supply.
The Committee appointed by the Town to investigate the subject of a pure water supply, and the advisability of intro- ducing such a supply into the town, respectfully submit the following report :
Immediately after the town meeting the Committee organ- ized and proceeded to attend to the duty assigned them.
Upon the general subject of introducing a water supply, the Committee report that it is expedient for the Town to take favorable action, provided that the cost involved is not exces- sive as compared with the resources of the Town and the ben- efits to be derived from such action. This opinion rests upon facts that have been so well summarized by a Committee ap- pointed by another town to examine the subject and report, that we present them in their words as follows :-
" The value of a public water supply for all purposes is uni- versally demonstrated by the fact that a large majority of the cities and large towns of the State have such works, or are about constructing them. Pure, soft water has become a necessity to these places which no consideration would induce them to part with. Many smaller towns than our own, of three thousand inhabitants and less, have successfully become the builders and owners of public water works; and the universal experience of these towns proves that the water so furnished is of a superior quality, and to be obtained in greater quantity than by any other method; that its introduction always increases the health, comfort and convenience of all classes of citizens ; that it diminishes the number of conflagrations, and greatly lessens the destruction caused by them ; that it attracts new settlers and additional investments and business; that it
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improves the town as a place of residence ; and that none of the doubts and fears and objections that in any place have been raised against its introduction, have ever been sustained in practice."
In consideration of these facts your Committee is of the opinion that that plan would be the best and most economical in the end, for the Town, which will furnish an abundant and permanent supply of potable water for all purposes, not only for present needs but for all prospective wants for some years to come; which would be a constantly increasing source of revenue, and in a few years become self-sustaining, the net income thereafter forming the nucleus of a sinking fund for the payment of the debt incurred in construction.
No fear need be entertained that there will not be a general demand for the water, for the universal testimony of other towns is, that when once introduced, its use increases to such an extent as to very soon make the works self-sustaining.
Several sources of supply had been suggested. The Com- mittee determined that each of these should be investigated and the question of choice narrowed to such as were undoubt- edly available.
The following had been mentioned :-
1. By arrangement with the town of Woburn connecting with their water main which is brought to the Reading line.
2. By contract with the Wakefield Water Company for a supply from the lakes in Wakefield.
3. From Martin's Pond in North Reading, either independ- ently or by arrangement with the City of Malden which pro- poses to acquire that pond.
4. From Swan Pond, independently.
5. From Sandy Pond, independently.
6. From wells or springs within the limits of Reading, either independently or by contract with the Reading Water Company.
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Taking these suggested sources of supply seriatim, the re- sults of our investigation are as follows :-
1. By arrangement with the town of Woburn.
This we found to be impracticable for the reason that the Woburn water supply is believed by the citizens of that town to be no more than adequate to the needs of Woburn itself. While to-day they have a surplus of water, it is thought that they ought not to enter into any arrangement with outside parties which in the future might curtail the supply available for their own use. After conference with the Water Board of Woburn we therefore have to report that that source is imprac- ticable for the reasons stated.
2. Contract with the Wakefield Water Company.
The Wakefield Water Company is to-day ready to contract to supply the Town with the water it requires, in two ways, (a) to pipe the town themselves, supplying hydrants for fire . purposes for a fixed contract price, reserving to themselves the profits from private users of water, or, (b) if the Town prefers to control its own system of piping and to put in the requisite mains, it will sell the Town water for so much a gallon for a term of years.
3. Martin's Pond.
We regard this as impracticable as an independent source of supply on account of the extreme cost to the Town, even if legislation could be had authorizing the use of the pond. It is doubtful if such legislation could be secured for the reason that the City of Malden has already obtained this right. It is probable that Malden will not take water from this pond for some time to come, however; therefore the suggestion that Reading might secure water from the pond by arrangement with the City of Malden, whose main would pass through the town, we are, at present, obliged to consider impracticable also.
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4. Swan Pond.
This source is impracticable for the reason that Danvers has the right to take water from this pond and unless it can be shown that Reading has no other available supply, Reading could not secure an equal right.
5. Sandy Pond.
This is impracticable for the reason that it is doubtful if the supply from this pond would be adequate ; and also on account of the expense involved.
6. We now come to the proposition to supply the town from wells or springs within its own limits.
A Committee previously appointed by the Town had inves- tigated this general subject and made a detailed report, which is valuable and conclusive as far as it goes. This report showed that a stratum of water bearing gravel was to be found at certain depths and in various parts of the town, and that water of an excellent quality could be obtained from it. But whether the amount of water therefrom would be sufficient for the needs of the Town for more than a limited time, was a point that was undetermined.
In order to arrive at a definite conclusion on this point the Committee decided to secure expert advice and to go into the matter as thoroughly as the time at our disposal would permit ; for this reason our investigations continued during most of the summer, and were directed not merely to the localities visited by the former Committee, but to other places within the town.
These investigations have been conducted under the direc- tion of Albert F. Noyes, City Engineer, of the City of New- ton, who is an expert on the subject of water supply from wells, and his report on the subject is full and complete. We therefore present the larger part of that report embodying the conclusions reached by Mr. Noyes.
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WEST NEWTON, Jan. 20th, 1888.
To the Special Committee on Water Supply of the Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen : -
As directed by vote of your Committee I would respect- fully submit the following report of my examination of the various sources of water supply within the limits of the town of Reading, which have been suggested as being or which may appear available for that purpose, together with my conclusions and recommendations.
In considering the availability of a district as a source of water supply for a community certain fundamental principles must be con- ceded, as follows :
First. That the supply of water to the ground, ponds and rivers is maintained by the condensation of moisture in the atmosphere, and precipitated in the form of rain or snow.
Second. That the amount of water available at any one point depends upon the area and topographical character of the water-shed above it, and the readiness with which the rainfall is or can be stored.
Third. That the area from which it is proposed to take water must be and, so far as can be foreseen, continue to be free from any source of pollution which can in any way destroy the purity of the water, thereby endangering the health and comfort of the community to be supplied.
Topographically, a ridge of hills extending from north to south through the westerly portion of the town forms the divide between the Mystic, Ipswich and Saugus river water-sheds. The main por- tion of the town is located on the southerly and easterly slopes of this ridge of hills, the water from which sheds towards and into Lake Quannapowitt and from thence into the Saugus river.
The material of which the hill is for the most part composed is coarse compact gravel, readily absorbing the rain which falls upon it and holding it like a sponge. Near the base of the hills the sub-soil becomes less compact and finer in quality until it reaches a fine sand at the lowest levels.
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In the easterly portion of the town and partly in the towns of Wake- field and North Reading, is located a tract of low land known as Cedar Swamp, lying but slightly above the level of Lake Quannapow- itt, and sloping slightly toward the Ipswich river.
The water-shed of Cedar Swamp I estimate to be between three and four square miles. North and west of the ridge of hills is lo- cated Birch Swamp, containing from seventy-five to one hundred acres, the water-shed of which is into the Mystic river and, by an ar- tificial ditch, into the Ipswich river. The area of the Mystic river water-shed within the limits of the town, I estimate to be about three square miles, but it is so broken up by spurs of hills extending westerly from the main ridge as to render but a small part of the water-shed available from any one point.
In the extreme northerly portion of the town, lying partly in the towns of North Reading and Wilmington, extending from Lobbs Pond Mills westerly, is One Hundred Acre Meadow, located entirely in the water-shed of Ipswich river, the area of which above this point is about twenty-five square miles.
The manufacturing industries of the town of Reading being limited, the amount of water necessary for an ample water supply is only such as would be necessary for domestic and fire purposes.
For domestic supply, with the present population of the town, there should be provided a supply and pumping capacity of at least two hundred and fifty thousand gallons per day, with a storage reser- voir or stand-pipe which shall be capable of holding in reserve at least one day's supply.
For fire purposes there should be a storage and pumping capacity which shall be able to supply at least twelve hundred gallons per minute for at least four hours.
I therefore consider it would be unwise to select a source of water supply and locate a plant from which at least five hundred thousand gallons of water per day could not be taken. If possible the source should be selected so that as the growth of the town demands an ad- ditional supply it can be obtained at the least additional cost.
In company with a sub Committee of your Committee, I visited the various points within the limits of the town which had been spoken of as being or which appeared to be available as a source of water
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supply, and carefully studied from surface indications, from the rec- ords of such boring, as were made by a previous Committee of your town, and from the records of a few borings, authorized by your Committee and made under my direction, the topographical and geological features of each; from which I would respectfully report the following results and conclusions, together with my reasons there- for.
The Bancroft Meadow is located in the Mystic water-shed, west of the main ridge spoken of, and between two spurs of hills extend- ing from the main ridge west, nearly, if not quite, to the Woburn line, and has a visible water-shed of from one-third to one-half square mile.
Near the lower portion of this valley a pipe had been driven from which a small stream of water was flowing, I should judge to be fully equal in amount to that recorded by a former Committee of your town. From their records the sub-stratum was found to be seven- teen feet of fine sand and clay, below which there was at least fif- teen feet of coarse sand and gravel. A second pipe driven about one hundred feet nearer the town line reached the same bed of gravel at a greater depth than the first, showing that the dip of the gravel bed is from the hill, and I consider it extremely doubtful, judging from its general formation, if this stratum extends beyond it, in which case any supply of water to be furnished therefrom must de- pend largely upon the rain falling upon it. I estimate the yield from this source, if dependent npon the storage in the ground, to be from one hundred thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand gallons of water per day, during the dryest portion of the year.
A little north-west of the Bancroft Meadow is another meadow near the Woburn line, a pipe had been driven through a sub-stratum similar to but of finer material than that obtained in the Bancroft Meadow, and the indications of a sufficient water supply were not so favorable.
The interception of the ground flow of water from the water-shed of Birch Swamp was next considered ; but its area is too limited in extent to warrant the expectation of finding a large amount of water.
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The Cummings Spring is located in the Mystic water-shed near its upper line. It has a very limited water-shed and, as shown by the experiments of your previous Committee, the supply of water would soon become exhausted.
Near the south line of the town a large tract of level meadow land slightly above the level of Lake Quannapowitt would appear to pre- sent favorable conditions for obtaining sufficient water ; but examin- ations made by a former Committee on Water supply shows a sub- stratum of fine quick-sand from which water could only be obtained with difficulty.
A larger portion of the town being built on this slope, and as its further growth may be expected in this direction, the ground water would be likely to become contaminated by drainage into the ground. Cedar Swamp with a drainage area of at least three square miles, and a ground storage of at least one-half that, presents admirable con- ditions, from surface indication, for sufficient water ; but so far as. borings were made the sub-soil was found too fine for the ready pas- sage of water through it.
Near the lower end of One Hundred Acre Meadow, just above the road leading by Lobbs Pond Mills and near the banks of the Ipswich River, borings were made thirty-three feet to bed rock.
The first ten feet were through coarse gravel and boulders, the next five feet were coarse sand with gravel, the next five feet were coarse sand with a little clay wash, and the next thirteen feet were through blue clay to bed rock. Here were presented conditions more favorable than at any point visited. The Ipswich River has a water- shed of at least twenty-five square miles, the flow of which must pass this point.
The country above this point, which is for the most part level or slightly undulating, is woodland, meadow or farming land, and is well calculated to store and yield slowly the water falling upon it.
The sub-soil is admirably adapted to the ready flow of the ground. water through it and will admit of the easy construction of a well and collecting conduits. The physical conditions of this territory are such as to preclude the probability of any contamination of the water, and it is so extended in area as to furnish an abundant water supply
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for a very long period. So favorable are these conditions, I feel they would more than offset the extra cost of the main pipe to the reser- voir, and the settlement of any prospective claim for water damage.
Should circumstances occur, or conditions, of which I have no knowledge, exist, to prevent the taking of the water from the point suggested, I would recommend a more thorough examination of the sub-soil in Cedar Swamp, to determine if possible a sufficient collect- lecting area of coarse gravel from which a supply can be obtained.
The water-shed is sufficient to furnish the amount of water desired if it can be properly collected. If the water bearing gravel is less than twenty feet from the surface of the ground the water can be bet- ter collected by open wells or galleries. If at a greater depth than twenty feet it can be better obtained by driven wells.
Should it seem necessary to resort to some locality other than those already outlined, it would seem that the Bancroft Meadow present- ed the most favorable conditions in the Mystic water-shed, but as al- ready stated there would not be enough water to warrant the estab- lishment of a pumping plant unless the water bearing stratum of gravel extends, as assumed by the previous Committee on Water Supply, over a much greater territory than would be shown by sur- face indications. This can only be determined by sinking a number of wells, and while pumping from them for several days, watch the ground flow of water.
In closing I wish to acknowledge the courtesy and attention I have received from the various members of your Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT F. NOYES,
CONSULTING ENGINEER.
We regard this report as conclusively determining that it is possible to supply the Town of Reading from wells within its own limits.
It will be seen that of the sources we have enumerated seria- tim, only two are to-day open to the Town, viz. : wells within our own limits, and the Wakefield lakes through the Wakefield Water Company.
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We may utilize the first source independently or by contract with the Reading Water Company. The Reading Water Com- pany was chartered by the Legislature of 1885, with the usual powers and liabilities of water companies. It has the right to supply the town under contract from wells or springs within our limits or to furnish a supply through mains of its own by contract with the Wakefield Company.
We may therefore utilize the second source by direct contract with the Wakefield Company, by indirect contract through the Reading Company, or, by the terms of the Wakefield Company's second proposition, independently, so far as our own mains are concerned, taking the water through them by contract with the Company ; the latter plan of course permitting us to fix rates, and entitling us to all profits from sale of water.
We now turn to the question of mode of introduction, whether independently or by contract with a company.
Upon this question the Committee is decidedly of the opinion that it is preferable for the Town to own and control its water sup- ply rather than to contract with a company, unless the expense of the works is greater than we have any reason to anticipate.
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