Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1907, Part 8

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 262


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.45


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.04


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3.21


2.89


3.80


3.58


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7.90


3.36


6.83


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The average rainfall in Massachusetts is 45.30 inches. The rainfall at Reading Pumping Station was 44.61 inches, making a deficiency of .69 inches. There was an excess of rainfall in Jan- uary, June, September and November; most of the excess occurred in September and November, when the rainfall was double the average for those months.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS - STATE BOARD OF HEALTH


ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM READING WATER WORKS


PARTS IN 100,000


DATE OF


APPEARANCE


No.


Collec- tion


Exami- nation


Turbidity


Sediment


Color


Cold


Hot


Residue on


Evaporation


Albu- mi- noid


Chlorine


Oxygen


Consumed


Hardness


Iron


.


1907


1907


Slight


Slight


Fil.


.34


None


8.10


.0100


.0068


.68


.0060


.0000


.32


2.9


2150


Filter Gallery


64758


Feb.


4 Feb. 4


Slight


Slight


Fil.


.01


None


9.60


.0086


.0042


.68


.0040


.0000


.12


3.6


.0430


64759


Feb.


4 Feb.


4


None


None


.CO


None


None


9.00


.0024


.0030


65


.0040


.0000


.05


3.4


0090


64918


Feb.


12 Feb.


13


Decided


Slight


.07


None


Faintly Un.


8.80


.0098


.0054


.69


.0040


0001


.12


3.0


.0750


Filter Gallery


64919


Feb.


12 Feb.


13


Decided iron Cone. iron


.43


None


Faintly Un.


7.10


.0106


.0100


.65


.0050


0001


39


2.7


.2400


64920


Feb.


12 Feb.


13


None


None


.00


None


None


8.70


.0014


.0030


.66


.0040


.0000


08


.0080


65288


Mar.


12 Mar. 12


Slight


S. flocculent


.07


None


None


10.90


.0084


.0034


.72


.0050


0001


.15


3.6


0620


65290


Mar. 12 |Mar.


12


None


None


.00


None


None


9.40


.0012


.0036


.72


.0050


0000


.10


3.0


.0120


65607


9| Apr.


10


Decided iron Cons. iron


.33


None


None


6.70


.0084


.0094


64


.0050


0001


.41


.1950


65608


Apr.


9 Apr.


10


V. slight


C. white floc.


.11


None


None


8.40


0074


.0048


.62


.0060


.0000


.12


3.0


.1200


Filter Weir


65609


Apr.


9| Apr. 10


None


None


.01


None


None


7.90


.0038


.0030


.62


.0050


0000


04


3.0


0090


65962


May


14| May


14


Decided iron Cons. iron


Fil.


.50


F. Woody


7.50


.0088


.0106


.61


.0060


0001


.57


2.9


.1600


Filter Weir


65963


May


14


Cons.


Fil.


.07


None


None


7.10


.0068


.0058


60


.0060


0000


20


3.0


0520


65964


May 14 May 14


None


None


.00


None


None


7.20


.0004


.0034


60


.0060


0000


.08


2.9


.0020


66355


June 11


June 11


Slight


None


Fil.


.16


None


None


8.40


.0080


.0084


.62


.0080


0000


.24


2.9


.0380


66356


June 11


June 11


Slight


Slight


Fil.


.75


None


F. Woody


7.50


.0092


0142


.59


.0080


0001


.61


.1700


Filter Weir


66357


June 11 June 11


None


None


.02


None


None


7.10


.0020


.0054


.60


.0090


.0000


.15


2.5


.0100


66712


July


9 July 9


Slight iron


Cons. iron


Fil. .57


Faintly Un.


Faintly Un.


8.00


0100


.0102


.76


.0080


0000


.54


2.6


.1700


Filter Gallery


66713


July


9 July 9


Slight


Slight


Fil. .10


None


None


7.00


0090


.0056


.79


.0070


.0000


27


2.9


.0300


67385


Aug. 13 Aug. 14


Slight


Slight


Fil.


.55


Very F. U.


Faintly Un.


9.30


.0124


0092


1.20


.0020


0002


.46


2.9


.1800


67386


Aug. 13|Aug. 14


Slight


V. slight


Fil.


.09


None


Very F. U. None


10.60


.0124


.0076


1.82


.0030


.0002


.0003


.11


3.8


.0550


68329


Oct.


9 Oct.


9


Slight


9


Slight


S. flocculent


Fil.


.02


None


10.50


.0128


.0060


1.38


.0040


0000


.14


3.5


.1000


68914


Nov. 12 Nov. 13


68915


Nov. 12 Nov. 13


Slight


Slight


Fil.


.01


None


None


12.30


.0130


0064


1.01


.0050


.0000


20


3.9


.1700


69447


Deo. 10 Dec. 11


Decided


Cons.


Fil.


.48


None


Very F. U.


10.60


.0128


.0106


.93


.0020


.0000


.47


3.3


.3200


Filter Gallery


69448


Dec. 10 Dec. 11


Slight


Slight


T'bid 13


None


None


10.60


.0122


.0058


.94


.0020


.0000


21


3.5


.1100


Filter Weir


64757


Feb.


4 Feb.


4


Decided iron Cons. iron


.25


None


None


7.80


.0098


.0084


.75


0010


0001


.44


3.0


.1880


Filter Gallery


65289


Mar.


12 Mar. 12


Ex. Filter


Filter Gallery


Ex. Filter


Filter Gallery


Ex. Filter


Filter Gallery


Filter Gallery


67827


Sept. 10 Sept. 11


Sept. 10 Sept. 11


Slight


Cons floccul't


.12


None


F. Woody


10.20


0126


.0058


0094


1.40


.0040


.0001


.32


3.6


.2400


Filter Gallery


68330


Oct.


9 Oct.


Decided iron Cons. iron


Fil.


.40


V. F. Woody


F. Woody


12.40


.0136


.0110 1.01


.0050


.0000


.50


3.9


.3200


.26


3.0


.1900


Filter Gallery


Decided iron


Cons. iron


Fil.


.37


None


9.10


.0120


.0066


1.21


.0020


.0002


.18


2.9


.0540


Filter Weir


Filter Weir


67828


Faintly Un. None


9.90


.0142


1.90


.0030


Cons floccul't Fil.


.37


Very F. U.


Filter Weir


Filter Gallery


Filter Weir


ODOR


AMMONIA


NITROGEN AS


Free


Ni- Ni- trates trites


Filter Weir


Ex. Filter


Filter Weir


3.8


Ex. Filter


Filter Weir


2.3


Apr.


14 May


Slight


2.9


Ex. Filter


Filter Weir


F. Woody


Faintly Un. Faintly Un.


157


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1907


In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association.


READING WATER WORKS READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASS.


GENERAL STATISTICS


Population by Census of 1905, 5,682.


Date of construction, 1890 and 1891.


By whom owned, Town of Reading.


Source of supply, filter gallery.


Mode of supply, pumping.


PUMPING STATISTICS


1. Builders of Pumping Machinery, Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co.


L Kind, coal.


a. b. Brands of coal, Bituminous.


2. Description of fuel used


c. Average price of coal per gross ton, delivered, $5.40. d. Percentage of ash, e . Wood, price per cord, $


3. Coal consumed for the year, 508,225 lbs.


4. [Pounds of wood consumed] divided by three equals equivalent amount of coal, lbs.


4a. Amount of other fuel used,


5. Total equivalent coal consumed for the year equals (3) plus (4), lbs.


6. Total pumpage for the year, 60,279,935 gallons, with allowance for slip.


158


7. Average static head against which pumps work, 219 feet.


8. Average dynamic head against which pumps work, 240 feet.


9. Number of gallons pumped per pound of equivalent coal (5), 1182.


10. Duty equals gallons pumped (6) x 8.34 (1bs.) x 100 x dynamic head (8) Total fuel consumed (5)


equals 23,740,728.


Cost of pumping, figured on pumping station expenses, viz., $2,758.50. .


11. Per million gallons pumped, $45.76.


12. Per million gallons raised one foot (dynamic), $0.19. Cost of fitting per million gallons, $18.22.


9


FINANCIAL STATISTICS


RECEIPTS


Balance brought forward :


(a) From ordinary (maintenance) re- ceipts $9 33


Total ·


$9 33


From Water Rates :


B. Meter rates ·


·


$11,586 56


C. Total from consumers .


$11,586 56


D. For hydrants · 4,950 00


E. For fountains ·


300 00


F. For street watering 500 00


J. Total from municipal depts. . 5,750 00


L. From note issue


2,500 00


M. From other sources :


Rents, interest, etc. ·


303 67


Service pipes


498 52


N. Total


$20,648 08


EXPENDITURES


Water Works Maintenance : AA. Operation (manage- ment and repairs) $6,517 57


CC.


Total maintenance


·


$6,517 57


7,825 00


DD. Interest on bonds · CC plus DD 14,342 57


Water Works Construction:


GG. Extension of mains · 1,364 51


HH.


Extension of services


1,719 89


II. Extension of meters .


508 47


JJ. Special :


Experimental filters 856 28


Clear water basins 1,845 56


KK. Total construction .


6,294 71


MM. Balance : Total balance .


10 80


N. Total


$20,648 08


DISPOSITION OF BALANCE-CARRIED TO NEW ACCOUNT


O. Net cost of works to date . .


·


Q. Value of sinking fund at date, none


R. Average rate of interest, 4 per cent.


. . $304,970 62 P. Bonded debt at date .


196,500 00


161


STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER


1. Estimated total population at date, 5,735.


2. Estimated population on lines of pipe, 5,635.


3. Estimated population supplied, 3,145.


4. Total consumption for the year, 60,279,935 gallons.


5. Passed through meters, 35,125,060 gallons.


6. Percentage of consumption metered, .583.


7. Average daily consumption, 165,013 gallons.


8. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 28.77.


9. Gallons per day to each consumer, 32.07.


10. Gallons per day to each tap, 129.4.


11. Cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance (item CC), $108.12.


12. Total cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance plus interest on bonds, $237.93.


STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAINS


1. Kind of pipe, cast iron.


2. Sizes, from 6 inch to 12 inch.


3. Extended 1,308.4 feet during year.


4. Discontinued 0 feet during year.


5. Total now in use, 29.776 miles.


6. Cost of repairs per mile, $1.51.


7. Number of leaks per mile, none.


8. Length of pipes less than 4 inches diam., none miles.


9. Number of hydrants added during year (public and private ), 1.


10. Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use, 166.


11. Number of stop gates added during year, 2.


12. Number of stop gates now in use, 267.


13. Number of stop gates smaller than 4-inch, none.


162


14. Number of blow-offs, 14.


15. Range of pressure on mains, 63 lbs. to 78 lbs.


SERVICES


16. Kind of pipe, cast iron, lead, and cement lined.


17. Sizes, 3-4 to 6 inches.


18. Extended, 4,023.9 feet.


19. Discontinued, 564.8 feet.


20. Total now in use, 17.7293 miles.


21. Number of service taps added during year, 29.


22. Number now in use, 1,275.


23. Average length of service, 138.7 feet.


24. Average cost of service for the year, $59.30.


25. Number of meters added, 37.


26. Number now in use, 1,167.


27. Percentage of services metered, .915.


28. Percentage of receipts from metered water (B divided by C)


29. Number of motors and elevators added, 0.


30. Number now in use, 4.


LEWIS M. BANCROFT, Superintendent. Reading, Jan. 31, 1908.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


School Committee


OF THE


TOWN OF READING


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1907


School Committee


WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman, Walnut St. Term expires 1908 ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD, resigned Dec., 1907


CHARLES A. LORING, Summer Ave., elected Dec., '07


Term expires 1909


HOWARD W. POOR, Mt. Vernon St.


Term expires 1908


J. H. ROBINSON, High St. Term expires 1909


MRS. ELIZABETH H. BROWN, Prospect St. Term expires 1910


HENRY C. PARKER, Chute St. Term expires 1910


Superintendent of Schools and Sec'y of School Committee MELVILLE A. STONE


Truant Officers A. A. SMITH WM. KIDDER


ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE


WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman MELVILLE A. STONE, Secretary


SUB-COMMITTEES


Finances and Accounts


W. S. Parker


Arthur N. Mansfield


Books and Supplies


W. S. Parker Mrs. Brown


School Houses and Property


J. H. Robinson


H. W. Poor


J. H. Robinson


Rules and Regulations A. N. Mansfield


H. W. Poor


W. S. Parker


H. W. Poor


Music and Drawing


Mrs. Brown


A. N. Mansfield


H. C. Parker


Course of Study


H. W. Poor


H. C. Parker Mrs. Brown


J. H. Robinson


H. C. Parker


A. N. Mansfield


Teachers and Salaries


H. C. Parker


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


The School Committee of Reading submits the following report :


The schools have had, on the whole, a very successful year.


The number of changes among the teachers has been very large but we have been extremely fortunate in filling the vacancies.


The Committee organized at the beginning of the school year in the choice of Walter S. Parker, Chairman, and Supt. Melville A. Stone as Secretary. We are sorry to record the resignation of Arthur N. Mansfield from membership on the Board. He had served on the Board but a short time, altho' in that limited period he had plainly shown his pre-eminent fitness for the position.


His liberal education, his broad view of all subjects presented for his consideration, his judicial temperament and his sincerity all combine to make him a valuable member of our School Board.


The vacancy caused by his resignation was filled at a joint con- vention of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, by the election of Charles A. Loring, a graduate of our schools, who brings to the Board the experience of a successful business man.


GIFTS TO THE SCHOOLS


The Town is fortunate in having many generous citizens, who take a keen interest in whatever pertains to the welfare of the schools. We have had presented to the schools from time to time works of art, pictures, statuary, busts, books, etc., etc. We desire to make public recognition of these gifts, from year to year, in our reports. We have, therefore, endeavored to make a complete list of all of these gifts which have been given to the schools. Appended to this report will be found a list of the pictures and the names of


168


the several donors. If any names have been omitted, we would feel grateful to any one who might inform us of the omission.


It is a well established fact that environment has great influence in determining the life of the young. The Committee would, there- fore, take this opportunity to heartily thank our friends for the gen- erous gifts of the past, and suggest to those friends who have not yet taken advantage of the privilege of donating something to the schools that books, pictures, other works of art, would tend to make our school buildings places of stronger influence in the upbuilding of sterling characters in the life of the pupils.


FINANCES


The Committee would respectfully and earnestly urge the cit- izens to study carefully the financial statement contained in this report. It gives us pleasure to acknowledge the liberality of the Town in its annual appropriation for public education. We feel justified in expressing an honest pride in the action and attitude of our Town in educational matters. The High School building and the Highland School building are both grand expressions of the in- terest of the Town in education. In this connection we would urge the careful study of our salary list by all thoughtful citizens.


When we take into account the high price of board, clothing, and everything that enters into the cost of living, the absolute necessaries which all our teachers must have for their social well- being, it seems clear that our salaries are low. The public are in- clined to take the stand that every man should have a living wage, that every worker should at least receive enough money to be able, with thrift and economy, to live comfortably and decently, and give his children an elementary education. Such, it seems, should be the reward of every man who is honest, industrious, temperate and thrifty. Now if we apply that reasoning to the teachers who receive our lowest salaries, $400.00 per year, it certainly falls short of a living wage. We do not expect to compete with larger cities and towns in the salaries paid to teachers, yet on the other hand we must not forget that in teaching, as in all other employments, the price paid influences the quality of the work done. From the na-


169


ture and importance of the work, can we afford to withhold from the worthy teacher a reasonable, fair compensation ? Is there any part of our social and civic organization of greater importance, or where the destinies of the individual or the welfare of our country are more involved ? The greatest thing in the education of every child, next to influence of parents and the home, is the influence of an excellent teacher.


In this connection we would take time to call the attention of parents to their grave responsibilities in this matter. Some one has said, "Given the first five years of a child's life and his future is assured." While that may not prove true in every case, yet there is truth enough in it to cause every father and mother to think se- riously and pray daily for divine guidance in the great task of rear- ing sons and daughters.


The Parents' Associations now formed everywhere in connec- tion with our public schools, are but additional evidences of the strong factors in education which should emanate from the home.


How many mothers realize that their wise and loving care of the children during the first two years of their life, largely deter- mines their attitude towards obedience, self-control, unselfishness, kindliness, forbearance, love, in short, the beginnings of all those virtues which make up a fine character and a useful member of society?


INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION


There is at the present time in this country, in Germany, England, France, and Russia a very large interest expressed in education, and especially in industrial education. Great strides have been made by all these countries in commercial and industrial progress during the past twenty years. Germany has made the greatest advancement in material prosperity of all the countries of Europe. When we investigate the cause of the wonderful advance made by Germany, in spite of poor soil, unfavorable situation, and oppressive military system, we are forced to the conclusion that one great factor determines the cause, namely : the industrial and com- mercial education of the whole people through the strong influence and wise statesmanship of Emperor Wm. III.


170


The United States is today profoundly stirred by the agitation of industrial education. The State of Massachusetts has already begun a definite movement in this same direction, by the appoint- ment by the Governor of an industrial commission.


The educational question before us can be divided into two parts. First : How can we improve what we already have in the schools ? Second : What is the best thing to introduce beyond what we already have, in order that the boy may, in the shortest possible time, become a useful and happy member of the social whole, by earning his own living? In other words, how can we bridge over the chasm between school life and actual life work, better, in less time, and more completely than we have ever done in the past?


Both of the questions are worthy of our most serious consider- ation. The first depends largely on the personality of the teacher and that depends primarily on the price that we pay and the in- ducements of our social life.


The second requires much thought and study of conditions and the elements which are bound up in our prosperity.


There is one thing of which we are absolutely certain. Every pupil who is graduated from our schools, is sure to be called upon to make his own contribution to the social whole through his life work. His work will be some occupation to raise the social whole, to help society, to sustain government, to build the town. When we consider all these things, is it far fetched or unreasonable for us to ask whether it would not be wise and sane for us to suggest that some steps be taken to introduce some form of industrial work in our High School?


We would not make any definite recommendation at this time, although we have a room especially adapted and set apart for the purpose in the High School building.


Although we do not press the matter now, we still think it merits careful consideration and discussion. Cannot something be done later to make the transition from school to life work shorter, quicker, and a better adaptation to each individual pupil?


We must not lose sight of the fact, that action is an essential part of education. Some maintain that a "child's thought is never


171


dissociated from his muscles," that "an idea is not complete until it is realized in action." The school should assist the pupil in turning knowledge into action.


Prof. James says : "Labratory work and shop work engender a habit of observation, a knowledge of the difference between accuracy and vagueness, and an insight into nature's complexity and into the inadequacy of all abstract verbal accounts of real phenomena which, once wrought into the mind, remain there a lifelong possession. They confer precision ; because if you are doing a thing you must do it definitely right or definitely wrong. They give honesty ; for when you express yourself by making things, and not by using words, it becomes impossible to dissimulate your vagueness or ignorance by ambiguity ; they beget a habit of self reliance ; they keep the interest and attention always cheerfully engaged, and reduce the teacher's disciplinary function to a minimum."


The terms of three members of the board expire at the next Town meeting : Howard W. Poor, Walter S. Parker and Charles A. Loring.


APPROPRIATIONS


We would respectfully recommend the sum of $29,000 for regular school expenses and $5,000 for school incidentals.


Adopted in School Committee Feb. 5th, 1908.


WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman. ELIZABETH H. BROWN. HENRY C. PARKER. JOHN H. ROBINSON. HOWARD W. POOR. CHARLES A. LORING.


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT


To the School Committee of the Town of Reading, Greeting :


I submit my ninth annual report, which is the fifteenth in the series.


CARE OF BUILDINGS


An inspection of the buildings in the early summer brought to light some instances of weathering that called for immediate at- tention.


The ventilating stacks at the Highland School required a relay- ing of the outer courses, while the copper work was also found in bad condition.


The tin roof at the Center School showed the need of renailing.


The Chestnut Hill School was found to be in need of a coat of paint and other minor repairs.


The Prospect Street School interior called for tinting and var- nish. All these were duly attended to during the summer vacation, while the roofs of the Center and Union Street Schools were suffered to do duty another year. It seems impossible to defer longer the reshingling of both these buildings, on account of the damage threat- ening the interiors.


Now that the roof of the Highland School has been repaired the interior demands attention, and I would recommend that the hall be repaired this year and the rest of the interior deferred till later. The outside woodwork also needs painting this year. The same is true of the Lowell Street building. In both instances one coat of paint this year will serve the purpose of two coats ap- plied a year or more later.


The usual repair of the desks was accomplished last summer with the usual gratifying result that the pupils seem to grow more


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careful of their desks the longer they continue in school. The fact that only three or four fines for marring desks were collected from more than twelve hundred pupils is a pretty good proof that they have learned to curb that destructive instinct so common to the schoolboy of fifty years ago.


Another matter of permanent improvement which I wish to submit for your consideration is the sanitation of the Prospect Street School building. A number of protests have been received regard- ing this condition, and I believe the right solution is to place in the basement the proper modern outfit for such service.


CARE OF THE CHILDREN


Our first duty toward the children, it seems to me, is to provide properly for their physical comfort and development, and this brings to mind the matter of medical inspection of the schools.


Thus far no appropriation has been made to enable us to carry out the spirit of the law, and I urge the importance of providing for the regular medical inspection of all the schools.


We may have our gymnasium at the High School, and our light gymnastics throughout the grades, but if from lack of careful medical supervision we suffer from as many cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever and measles as we annually experience, our schools would hardly seem to maintain the same rank from the physical standpoint as is accorded to them on the score of intellectual attain- ment.


From a consideration of the physical environment let us turn to that for which the schools are specially maintained, namely, the intellectual and moral development of the children.


First let me refer briefly to our course of study and the way in which the work of our High School is carried on.


Very few changes in text books have been made, but the change in the use of them has been considerable. No matter what may be the text-books and other equipment of the school, the chief factor in this work of child development is the teacher. One needs to visit the classes and become acquainted with the aims of the teacher to know how much good is accomplished here.


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As our school has attained the size and condition of the city High School, we have made more of the departmental plan of work and it may not be out of place to give some of the ideas of teachers who stand at the heads of the several departments.


The teacher in charge of history writes : " It is acknowledged by all that one of the chief objects of study is to bring boys and girls to some knowledge of their environment, and to fit them to become intelligent citizens. The study of history certainly helps to accom- plish this object and is now demanding and receiving in all secondary schools serious attention."




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