USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1913 > Part 12
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The installation of condensing equipment at the station will bring about a marked economy in fuel consumption, and we believe that the savings indicated in the consulting en- gineer's report made last June will be fully borne out. It is expected that the installation made as a result of that report will be completed and running early in February.
In April the following new schedule of power rates was put into effect :
POWER RATE
WHEN MONTHLY CONSUMPTION IS
200 kilowatt hours or less 8c. per KWH. From 201 to 300 kilowatts
7c. per KWH.
301 to 400 kilowatts 6c. per KWH.
401 to 500 kilowatts 5c. per KWH.
501 to 750 kilowatts
4 1-2c. per KWH.
751 to 1000 kilowatts 4c. per KWH.
1001 to 1500 kilowatts
3 1-2c. per KWH.
1501 to 3000 kilowatts 3c. per KWH.
Over 3000 kilowatts
2 3-4c. per KWH.
To comply with the provisions of law as explained in an opinion of the Town Counsel published in December, the Board has made a lighting rate of 5c. per kilowatt to muni- cipal departments, which approximates the cost of produc- tion as defined by the statutes.
The new offices of the Department in the Y. M. C. A. building have been leased for a period of five years. They have proved to be well adapted to our needs, affording ex- cellent opportunity to display and demonstrate electrical apparatus, and are more convenient and accessible to the public than the former quarters.
The policy of replacing arc lights by incandescent street lamps has been continued. The extent to which this has
259
been done is shown by the following comparison of the ac- counts in the statements of assets :
B
1908 1913
Arc lamps .
$5,540 82
$3,375 25
Incandescent street lamps
9 91 5,499 58
The Board has planned improvements in street lighting to be made by substituting incandescent for arc lights on the following streets :
Lowell street from the Common to Wilmington line. Grove street from Lowell to Franklin street.
Charles and Haverhill streets to North Reading line.
Green street from High to Eaton street.
South Main street from the railroad to Stoneham line. Summer avenue from Mineral to Main street.
West street from Woburn street to Woburn line.
Washington street from Main street to Village street.
The first three of these will have been completed by the time this report is distributed; the others are to follow, although it may not be possible to attend to all during the coming year.
Attention is called to the Manager's estimates of the financial requirements for the ensuing year. Two estimates are given. In both cases allowance has been made for a proposed reduction in lighting rate to Reading consumers from 12c. to 11c. per kilowatt, with the usual 10% discount to be allowed for payment in fifteen days, making 9 9-10c. per kilowatt net. The first estimate has been figured upon the assumption that no contract will be made for supplying current to the Town of Wakefield for the ensuing year. The second is based upon the making of such a contract, the esti- mated extra expense and additional revenue from this busi- ness being included, and a net return of $4,500 to the Town of Reading for the year is indicated. It is needless to say that the Municipal Light Board urges the Town to authorize them to execute the proposed contract, subject to the con-
260
sent of the Gas and Electric Light Commissioners as required by law.
We feel that with strict economy and a more careful adjustment of the expenditures, for the betterment and im- provement of the property, to the income of the Department, the increase in the profit and loss deficit of the past year will be quickly recovered. The Municipal Light Plant will be operated during the coming year with that end in view.
CARL M. SPENCER, GEORGE L. FLINT, FRANK E. CRAFTS, Municipal Light Board.
" Carrier of Light and Power, Devourer of Time and Space, Bearer of Human Speech over Land and Sea, Greatest Servant of Mankind -itself unknown."
DR. CHARLES W. ELLIOT.
REPORT OF CONSULTING ENGINEER
LOWELL, MASS., Feb. 6, 1914.
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen : - In response to your request, we are here- with giving you a detailed description of the new apparatus and arrangement of same in your power house.
The steam turbine is of the Curtis impulse type, manu- factured by the General Electric Company at its Lynn works. The machine runs at 3600 r. p. m. and has a contin- uous rating of 500 k. w. It is provided with a connection between the first and second stages where, at light loads, steam from the auxiliary apparatus may be admitted with subsequent increase in economy of the station. The turbine is direct-connected to a General Electric, 500 k. w. alter- nating current, two-phase, 2300 volt generator and a 125 volt shunt wound exciter is mounted on the same shaft. The entire rotating element rests on three bearings, lubri- cated with oil rings and a forced feed system. The oil is cooled by means of water circulating in coils of pipes im- bedded in the lower half of the bearing; the generator wind- ings are air cooled, air being taken from outside and dis- charged outside through air ducts in the basement. With this arrangement the machine is capable of 25% overload for two hours. The machine is mounted on a concrete and steel foundation and running at full speed hardly any vibra- tion is perceptible.
The condenser for the turbine is of the Le Blanc jet
261
262
type, manufactured by the Westinghouse Machine Company. It is the most compact unit made, set in the basement di- rectly under the turbine and consists simply of a mixing chamber for the exhaust steam and injection water set over a centrifugal discharge pump and air pump mounted on the same shaft. The condenser is driven by a 34 H. P. turbine also mounted on the same shaft, which runs at a speed of 2200 r. p. m., and the whole unit is mounted on a common bed-plate.
For purpose of recooling the condensing water after passing through the condenser a spray nozzle pond was built on the lawn in front of the power house. This pond is built with concrete bottom and sides and has a capacity of 100,000 gallons. In connection with this pond a make-up well was also built capable of supplying 100 gallons per minute. Water for condensing purposes is taken from the pond at the suc- tion intake, which is provided with two copper screens to prevent any debris from being carried into the condenser. In passing through the condenser it becomes warmed by action of the exhaust steam. It is then discharged through the spray nozzles, which breaks it up into a fine spray. In passing through the spray, the water is guaranteed to drop 20 degrees F in temperature, when it is again fit for use. The present equipment in the pond consists of 27 2 1-2 inch nozzles manufactured by the Spray Engineering Company, and provision is made for installation of 13 more when needed.
In addition to the above equipment a Deane Condenser was installed to take the exhaust of No. 1 and No. 2 Engines. To prevent oil from being discharged into the pond an oil separator was installed in the exhaust line from the above engines. This condenser is of the ordinary jet type, with a direct double acting engine-driven pump, size 12 in. by Sin. by 24 in.
The feed water heater on No. 2 Engine was moved and connected in tandem with the other heater and the exhaust
263
from all auxiliaries was made to exhaust into these. With a little back pressure on these heaters the boiler feed water can be raised considerably above boiling. A hot-well was also installed into which all drips are discharged. The water level is held constant by means of a ball-cock in the condenser in moderately warm and soft water. This ar- rangement it is hoped will alleviate the troubles from boiler scale.
Cooling water, for bearings, water seals and make up to the pond is supplied by means of a small duplex pump tak- ing water from the make-up well.
Work on the new installation was started late in Sep- tember. The turbine was given its first tryout on January 27, 1914, and indications are that the economy as stated in our report will easily be equalled. The equipment as a whole improves the appearance of the station and ought to be a material asset in later years.
Thanking you for every courtesy you and your em- ployees have shown us, we are, sirs.
Yours very truly,
JOHN A. STEVENS.
MANAGER'S REPORT
TO THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD, READING, MASS. :
Gentlemen - I respectfully submit herewith my report showing the results of the operation of the Electric Light and Power Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1913.
The increase in the number of kilowatt hours generated has been about 12% over 1912, and the sales have increased approximately 19%, while the percentage of current lost and unaccounted for has decreased 4% over last year.
The operating expenses have increased quite materially over the previous year due to various reasons, the principal items of manufacturing expense in which there has been an increase being fuel, station wages and repair of real estate. The increase in fuel cost is partly due to the increase in price of coal, partly to the increased load and also due to the fact that the small Corliss engine was operated about 1500 hours less and the larger compound engine about 1700 hours more than during the previous year ; the larger engine requir- ing about fourteen pounds of steam per kilowatt hour more than the smaller one. The increase in station wages is on ac- count of additional help and increase in the pay of the regular help. while the extensive repairs to the coal trestle, which were required by the Railroad Company, account for the increase in this item of expense. With the probable de- crease in fuel cost due to the improvements which are now being made at the plant, the cost of manufacturing should be materially reduced.
The principal increase in the distribution expense has been in repairs of lines and is on account of extensive repairs
264
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and replacements. This item of expense I feel can be mate- rially reduced during the coming year, although there are many poles and wires which we have planned to renew in 1914.
The moving of the office and show room into larger quarters called for increased office expenses, including rent, and the increase in general salaries was on account of addi- tional help at the office. The expense of the Consulting Engineer's report is the principal item of Board expense ; liability insurance has nearly doubled on account of increase in rate and pay roll : and the larger part of increase in stable expense is on account of upkeep and depreciation of auto- mobile.
Many items of miscellaneous expense can be materially reduced during the coming year, and the total operating expense per kilowatt hour should be much less than during 1913, especially if we can make a contract to supply the Wakefield Plant with all their current.
The work of renewing defective poles and wires and rebuilding pole lines jointly with the Telephone and Rail- way Companies has been continued during the year, the entire Lowell street pole line having been rebuilt in this manner, and future maintenance expense will be borne equally by the parties occupying the poles. I recommend that this work be continued during the coming year, espe. cially on a portion of Summer avenue and West street, and also on Middlesex avenue. Arrangements have been made with the Telephone Company to rebuild jointly the present pole line on South Main street, between Summer avenue and the Reading-Stoneham Town line, and this work will be started at an early date.
We have completed this year the work of testing and re-calibrating the meters, and this item of expense can be omitted during the coming year.
In Reading we have, during the past year, installed seventy 60-candle power and two 350-candle power Tungsten
266
street lamps and removed seven arc lamps; and I recom- mend that the arc service be changed to incandescent ser- vice as rapidly as possible, so as to reduce the expense for labor in trimming. In the adjoining towns the following 32-candle power Tungsten street lamps have been added during the past year: Lynnfield Centre 50, North Reading 38 and Wilmington 55; and it is probable that additional street lights will be asked for in all three towns at their annual meeting.
The Center street light circuit now has 17 are lamps, twelve 100-candle power, and sixty-nine 60-candle power Tungsten lamps and has burned a total of 3,645 hours during the year. The remaining three circuits now have 72 arcs and two hundred nine 60-candle power, and two 350-candle power Tungstens, and have burned a total of 3,196 hours, the increase in the number of kilowatt hours generated for the street lights being about 6% over the previous year.
The records of the office show that the following house- hold devices have been sold to customers during the past year: 4 ranges, 14 toasters and small stoves, 12 electric fans, 149 flat irons, 9 radiators, 5 heating pads, 3 electric signs, 3 vacuum cleaners, 9 motors, and other small devices.
There is an opportunity to secure considerable addi- tional business on or near existing lines at comparatively little expense for construction, and I recommend that an aggressive effort be made to secure as much of this as possi- ble during the coming year. The reduced cost of lighting with Mazda lamps and the lower price of the lamps make it possible for almost everyone on our lines to enjoy the bene- fit of our service, if we can induce them to wire their houses.
In my report for 1912, I recommended that better facil- ities for coal storage be provided and suggested that a new trestle be built but in view of the fact that we have ex- pended considerable money in repairs on the present trestle, it would seem that this might be deferred for the present, and the present coal bins made larger.
267
The installation of the new apparatus in the basement of the power station has taken most of the room which we have previously used for the storage of tools and line mate- rial, and most of the remaining room is needed for station supplies and tools. I recommend that a wooden building approximately 50 feet long and 25 feet wide be built on the vacant lot near the power station, to be used for a stock and tool room and also for a shelter for the horses and wagons in cold and stormy weather. Such a building would cost about $1,000 and would fill a much needed want.
The new office and display room to which we moved in July has been a decided improvement and an advantage to us and the public generally, and I feel that the expense of moving and fitting up the new quarters was justified.
The work of obtaining a record of the connected load was commenced this year, but it was not possible to com- plete it in time for this report. I recommend that this work be continued so that this data may be available for the State Report on June 30th, 1914.
The following tables show data from the records at the office and are followed by the financial report.
NORTH READING EXTENSION
Total number of customers Dec. 31, 1913 69
Number of commercial lamps connected
1,542
Number of 32 candle street lamps connected 208
Horse power in motors . 12 1-2
Total investment to Dec. 31, 1913 $23,518 95
Total earnings for the year .
4,370 59 ·
LYNNFIELD EXTENSION
Total number of customers Dec. 31, 1913
58
Number of commercial lamps connected 1,470
Number of 32 candle street lamps connected
50
Horse power in motors . 11
Total investment to Dec. 31, 1913
$7,621 39
Total earnings for the year
1,573 92
268
WILMINGTON EXTENSION
Total number of customers Dec. 31, 1913
98
Number of commercial lamps connected 1,694
Number of 32 candle street lamps connected 255
Horse power in motors . 27 1-6
Total investment to Dec. 31, 1913
$28,269 05
Total earnings for the year
5,103 55
NOTE .- With reference to the above tables it should be noted that about $16,000 has been spent for construction in the above towns, upon which less than six months' earnings are shown on Dec. 31st.
TABLE SHOWING DATA FROM THE RECORDS OF THE PLANT
Kilowatt hours manufactured 1,045,592
Kilowatt hours used on street lights 255,744
Kilowatt hours sold to Wakefield plant 127,529
Kilowatt hours sold to Reading consumers 380,782
Kilowatt hours sold to North Reading consumers
35,752
Kilowatt hours sold to Lynnfield consumers
11,332
Kilowatt hours sold to Wilmington consumers
44,498
Kilowatt hours used at station and office
15,283 ·
Kilowatt hours unaccounted for
174,672
Coal used, tons
2,393.1
Average cost of coal per ton
$4.414
Carbons used
4,457
Globes used .
332
Incandescent lamps renewed free
2,886
60-candle power Tungsten street lamps installed 32-candle power Tungsten street lamps installed 350-candle power Tungsten street lamps installed Arc lamps removed
69
143
2
-
New poles added .
494
Old poles renewed
113
Feet of wire added
318,098
Feet of wire renewed
41,610
.
269
Incandescent lamps connected
4,025 Motors connected .
22
New services installed .
199
CONNECTED LOAD DECEMBER 31, 1913
Total number of customers .
1,263
Total number of incandescent lamps (approx.) 27,191
Total horse power in motors
272
Total number of arc street lamps
. 89
Total number of Tungston street lamps
814
TABLE SHOWING EARNINGS OF LIGHT AND POWER FOR FIVE YEARS
LIGHTS
Total
1909 $21,217 40 2,863 45
1910 $23,876 50 3,174 25
1911 $30,217 13
1912 $31,772 66 2,861 18
1913 $36,747 35 3,365 99
Net
$18,353 95
$20,702 25
$26,027 07
$28,911 48
$33,381 36
POWER
Total
1909 $3,730 84 15 63
1910 $4,984 78
1911 $5,312 91
1912 $8,321 36
$11,363 81
Discount
18 16
22 58
60 91
80 47
Net
$3,715 21
$4,966 62
$5,290 33
$8,260 45
$11,283 34
NET TOTAL LIGHT AND POWER
1909
1910
1911
1912
$22,069 16
$25,668 87
$31,317 40
$37,171 93
1913 $44,664 70
CASH ACCOUNT
DR.
Jan. 1, 1913, to balance $1,229 53
To appropriation for bond payments . 5,000 00
Appropriation for note payments . 1,000 00
Appropriation for construction 3,826 19
Appropriation for new street lights 1,250 00
.
1913
Discount
4,190 06
270
Proceeds of Wilmington construc- tion bonds 3,000 00
Proceeds of new construction notes 13,500 00
Proceeds of special construction bonds
23,500 00
Receipts from customers
50,350 61
Receipts from N. E. T. & T. Co., poles and labor 1,696 16
Receipts from sale of poles 43 00
Receipts from reels returned
102 27
Receipts from sale of scrap
434 24
Sundry receipts . .
118 30
Interest received on deposits
101 88
Accrued interest on bonds and notes 53 17
Petty cash 100 00
$105,305 35
CR.
By cash paid for the following accounts :
Electric plant
$337 35
Cooling plant
2,788 26
Steam plant .
.
1,951 64
Lines
1,775 72
Incandescent street lamps
114 32
Meters .
2,415 31
Transformers
1,575 94
Lynnfield Extension
1,286 36
North Reading Extension
3,056 64
Wilmington Extension .
6,113 21
Fuel
9,821 29
Oil and waste
362 46
Water 142 79
Station wages 7,376 47
Repair of real estate
406 95
Repair of steam plant .
757 65
Repair of electric plant
214 42
Station tools and appliances
328 58
271
Repair of lines and lamps
5,573 95
Carbons .
63 65
Incandescent lamps
3,100 67
Globes
50 65
Distribution tools and appliances
115 10
Distribution wages
1,011 45
Repair of meters
446 97
Pole line rental
81 60
General salaries
3,662 36
Board expenses
589 10
General office expenses
1,572 15
Advertising and printing
161 68
Taxes
161 15 .
Insurance
.
2,186 52
Interest .
.
3,287 88
Bonds
.
5,000 00
Notes
1,800 00 .
Stable expenses
885 49
Jobbing material
3,312 24 .
Stock
10,580 20
Commissioners' salaries
225 00
Petty cash
100 00
Law expense .
10 00
Office furniture
400 25
Automobile
624 00
$86,033 02
Balance Dec. 31, 1913
19,272 33
$105,305 35
SUMMARY OF CASH RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR
DR.
Balance Dec. 31, 1912 · Appropriation for bond payments .
$1,229 53
5,000 00
Appropriation for note payments
.
1,000 00
205 60
Rent of office .
.
272
Appropriation for new street lights . 1,250 00
Appropriation for construction . 3,826 19
Receipts from customers 50,350 61
Interest received
155 05
Sundry receipts .
2,493 97
Proceeds Wilmington construction bonds .
3,000 00
Proceeds notes for construction . .
13,500 00
Proceeds bonds for construction . 23,500 00
--- $105,305 35
CR.
Cash paid for construction . $21,414 75
Cash paid for bonds
5,000 00
Cash paid for notes
1,800 00
Cash paid for interest
3,287 88
Cash paid for Commissioners' salaries 225 00
Cash paid for maintenance accounts 51,572 26
Cash paid for insurance 2,571 98
Cash paid for taxes
161 15
$86,033 02
Balance Dec. 31, 1913 . 19,272 33
$105,305 35
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION CASH ACCOUNT
$23,500 00
Appropriation
Expended for steam plant
$1,918 89
Expended for electric plant 325 35
Expended for cooling plant
2,788 26
5,032 50
Balance Dec. 31, 1913
$18,467 50
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OPERATIONS FOR TWELVE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1913 EXPENSE
MANUFACTURE :
Fuel
$10,563 21
Oil and waste
277 59
Water .
143 46
Station wages
7,376 47
Repair of real estate
419 91
Repair of steam plant
704 82
Repair of electric plant
85 88
Station tools and appliances
483 65
$20,054 99
DISTRIBUTION :
Distribution wages
$997 25
Repair of lines and lamps
6,779 88
Carbons
247 68
Incandescent lamps
1,947 13
Globes .
91 28
Distribution tools and appliances
166 76
Repair of meters
475 44
$10,705 42
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES :
General salaries .
$3,662 36
Board expenses
589 10
Commissioners' salaries
225 00
General office expenses
1,762 12
Rent of office
235 60
Advertising and printing
226 98
Stable expenses
1,277 14
Insurance
2,015 43
Taxes .
161 15
Law expense
60 00
$10,214 88
$40,975 29
Gain in operating
3,689 41
$44,664 70
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INCOME
Commercial light, less discounts $8,482 17
Domestic lights, less discounts 21,073 48
Commercial power, less discounts
5,501 64
Power sold to Water Works
332 40
Power sold to Wakefield
2,724 65
Lighting municipal buildings
679 07
Street lighting, North Reading
2,482 38
Street lighting, Wilmington
2,995 16
Street lighting, Lynnfield .
393 75
$44,664 70
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT, DEC. 31, 1913
DR.
Deficit Jan. 1, 1913
.
. $32,928 80
Interest paid
3,515 40
Depreciation
4,788 80
Note paid from earnings
800 00
Bad accounts charged off
215 79
$42,248 79
CR.
*Note credited
$800 00
*Note credited
2,200 00
Jobbing income .
45 17
Rent of poles
524 82
Interest on bank balances .
101 88
Gain in operating
3,689 41
$7,361 28
Deficit Dec. 31, 1913
34,887 51
$42,248 79
*NOTE .- Amount of note payments from earnings charged to this account now credited, by instructions from the office of the Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners.
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STATEMENT, DECEMBER 31, 1913
ASSETS
Real estate
. $11,526 59
Steam plant
11,565 80
Cooling plant
2,788 26 .
Electric plant
13,218 96
Lines . 72,084 70
Incandescent street lights .
5,499 58
Arc lamps
3,375 25
Meters
13,569 55
Transformers
8,963 46
INVENTORY :
Fuel 4,373 51
Station tools and appliances 732 20
Oil and waste
23 22
Jobbing supplies .
1,958 41
Line material
2,888 00
Incandescent lamps
925 60
Repairs, steam plant
123 30
Repairs, electric plant
100 00
Horse, wagons, etc.
1,482 18
Distribution tools and appliances 484 65
Office supplies
273 70
Office furniture
892 75
Unexpired insurance
341 39
Cash in Town Treasury 19,272 33
Cash in Mechanics' Savings Bank (customers' deposits) .
1,360 44
Accounts receivable (manufacturing) 7,456 04
Sundry accounts receivable 357 24
$185,637 11
Profit and loss deficit
34,887 51
$220,524 62
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LIABILITIES
Bonds outstanding . $80,500 00
Appropriations for bond payments 38,000 00
Appropriations for note payments 22,000 00
Appropriations for construction
32,491 23 .
Notes payable 25,500 00 .
Overdraft for construction
3,211 64 .
Customers' deposits .
.
1,360 44
Interest accrued, not due
1,167 60 ·
Accounts payable, construction 2,932 07 .
Accounts payable, maintenance
. 13,361 64
$220,524 62
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
DR.
Cost of plant as shown in Town Report
Dec. 31, 1912
$173,091 96
Electric plant
$765 26
Steam plant
1,643 50 .
Cooling plant
2,788 26
Lines .
19,161 13 .
Incandescent street lamps .
1,846 60 .
Meters
1,786 20
Transformers
1,465 90
29,456 85
Cost of plant Dec. 31, 1913
$202,548 81
· CONSTRUCTION CASH ACCOUNT DR.
Balance appropriation for new street lights, 1912 .
$998 21
To appropriation for new street lights $1,250 00
Appropriation for construction 3,826 19
Proceeds Wilmington construction bonds 3,000 00
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Proceeds bonds for construction . $23,500 00
Proceeds notes for construction . 13,500 00 Depreciation cash used for con- struction
1,849 95
$47,924 35
OR.
By amount paid for electric plant $765 28
Amount paid for steam plant 1,643 50
Amount paid for cooling plant
2,788 26
Amount paid for lines .
19,161 13
Amount paid for incandescent
street lights .
1,846 60
Amount paid for meters 1,786 20
Amount paid for transformers 1,465 90
$29,456 85
Balance Dec. 31, 1913
18,467 50
$47,924 35
WILMINGTON EXTENSION CASH ACCOUNT
Bond issue for Wilmington Extension $20,000 00
Bonds not sold
$1,000 00
Expended .
19,000 00
$20,000 00
ADDITIONAL TUNGSTEN STREET LIGHTS
Balance January 1, 1913
$401 93
Appropriation
1,250 00
Depreciation cash used
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