USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1930 > Part 13
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Considerable trouble was experienced on Pleasant Street because of the flat grade and 616 feet of drain was laid from Eaton Street west- erly to the brook.
By far the largest project was on Woburn Street, westerly from Wenda in which a drain 2,436 feet long was laid to take care of portions of Woburn Street, Summer Avenue, Prospect Street and Copeland Avenue.
Harriman Avenue at Deering Street is a low spot where rains flooded the cellars on many occasions and the Board voted to lay 435 feet of drain to High Street which solved that problem.
Late in the fall 837 feet of drainage was laid on Summer and Fair- view Avenues to conform to the general drainage program. This elimi- nated an open ditch through private land and took considerable water from the gutters. 11,500 feet of open ditch was cleaned out this fall.
The sooner the drains are laid and water removed from the streets that much sooner will it be possible to maintain the road surface in bet- ter condition at less expense. The drainage at the northerly end of the square should be taken care of in 1931 as a large amount of water flows over the surface during every rain.
Sidewalks
Cement concrete sidewalks were laid in 1930, by the Department of Public Works, the average cost being $2.04 per sq. yd. This was a saving of about $1.00 per sq. yd. over the general contract prices. There were 2,341 sq. yds. laid as shown in the table.
Tar concrete sidewalks were laid as shown to the extent of 2030 sq. yds. Most of this work was resurfacing as required by the bad con- dition of the old walk.
Stone dust was used to cover 9410 sq. yds. of sidewalk and gravel was used to build 1502 sq. yds. of sidewalk. The gravel will serve as a good base for a concrete walk later on.
In connection with the sidewalk work I would recommend the pur- chase of a concrete mixer similar to the machine used this year.
Curbing, to keep highway traffic from encroaching on the side- walks and lawns, was set at the following corners : Village and Green, Mount Vernon and High, King and Berkeley, Bancroft and Lowell, Lin- den and Middlesex, Salem and Main.
There are yet many corners that should be curbed as a protection to both life and property.
176
Straight curbing was set as requested by property owners and de- termined by the Board of Public Works to the extent of 135 feet.
177 street signs have been purchased this year and most of them have been set up. This is one improvement that is very noticeable, par- ticularly to strangers in town.
Because of the increased activities of the highway department we are more crowded than ever at the garage and many pieces of machin- ery have to be left out in the open at all times and in order to work on some pieces of machinery it is necessary to put others outside. A municipal garage capable of housing the highway, park, sewer and water departments should be seriously considered in the very near future. The problems connected with rolling in the highway work are much more difficult with a steam roller than they would be with a gasoline driven roller, owing to the fact that a steam licensed roller engineer must be on the machine. Although we are still able to hire steam licensed men for short periods, it is always unsatisfactory and requires concentration of the roller work which is not always convenient or economical. I would recommend the purchase of a gasoline driven roller.
1930 DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION
Cement
Street
Length
Width
Sq. Yards
Bancroft Ave.
104.10
4.50
52
Dudley St.
780.00
4.50
390
Haven St.
338.50
10.00
376
High St.
808.00
5.00
449
Lowell St.
211.50
6.00
141
Main St.
461.50
10.00
513
Temple St.
616.00
5.00
342
Union St.
140.00
5.00
78
Average
width
Sq. yds.
Total
3459.60
6.25
2341
177
Tar
Sq. Yds.
Bancroft Ave.
51
Chute St.
467
Fremont St.
55
Haven St.
317
Linden St.
334
Main St.
4
Middlesex Ave.
280
Sanborn St.
59
Woburn St.
463
Total
2030
Stonedust
587.95 tons of No. 5 stone @ 16 sq. yds. to ton=9,410 sq. yds. in 1930 Gravel
Sq. Yds.
Grove St.
111
Hanscom Ave.
89
Hopkins St.
289
Pleasant St.
302
Salem St.
267
Summer Ave.
444
Total
1502
All 1930 sidewalks Total
15,283 Sq. Yds.
1930 DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION
Catch
Street
Basins
10"
12"
15"
18"
20'
21"
24" Total
Bond St.
3
522
522
Copeland Ave.
0
181
181
Fairview Ave.
3
31
254
312
597
Hancock St.
0
335
335
Harriman Ave.
2
140
140
High St
3
295
295
Main St.
3
330
330
Pleasant St.
8
230
386
616
Prospect St.
2
300
300
Salem St.
2
562
Summer Ave.
6
31
365
Vale Rd.
3
475
16
491
Vine St.
3
325
325
Woburn St.
10
97
385
778
299
1559
Woodbine St.
3
162
162
Woodward Ave.
4
80
144
25
249
Total
55
310
1667
1195
1515
1480
522
611
7300
178
PARK DEPARTMENT
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Park Department :
General Appropriation
$ 5,000.00
Expended
Memorial Park :
Pay Roll, Care of Park $ 841.44
Supervised Play 724.00
Bills
1,818.33
.
Total
$ 3,383.77
Common and Main Street Parks :
Pay Roll
$ 350.80
Bills
777.25
Total
$ 1,128.05
Leach Park :
Pay Roll $ 59.13
Total
.. $
59.13
Washington St. Park :
Pay Roll $ 296.50
Bills
125.64
Total
$ 422.14
Summary Expenditures :
Total Pay Rolls
$ 2,271.87
Total Bills
2,721.22
Total $ 4,993.09
Balance Unexpended
6.91
Birch Meadow Appropriations
3,000.00
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 484.99
Bills
2,037.12
$ 2,522.11
Balance Unexpended $ 477.89
179
PARKS
Birch Meadow has been under consideration for some time as a park and playground and in the March meeting this year an appropria- tion of $3,000 was made in this connection. During the year land com- prising the greater portion of the meadow was acquired. While So. Main Street was under reconstruction, material was purchased from the contractor and used to make an entrance from the northerly end of Ban- croft Avenue, and also fill a section of the meadow next to the entrance. In the fall a tennis court with a hard surface was built on the new fill, and players from all sections of the town used this court till the winter weather set in.
Memorial Park has proved itself more valuable to the children and the town than ever before. Climbing apparatus was erected and proved to be very popular. A Giant Stride was set up and was continually in use after it was ready for the children.
A large area of the lawns was plowed, harrowed, smoothed and seeded. This meant a much larger area for the children to use for games. A new power mower was purchased and the grass was kept mowed all the time.
At the beginning of the winter the brook was again blocked at the dam and the entire area between the dam and Charles St. was flooded. The ice was lighted at night and a section blocked off for hockey games. A great many skaters enjoyed the ice day and night, particularly during the holidays.
The ball park where the baseball and football games are played was kept mowed throughout the season and in the fall the rougher part of the land was plowed and harrowed. Shrubbery was set out just in- side the fence on Washington St.
Grass, shrubbery and trees were regularly cared for at Leach Park and the improved appearance was well worth the cost.
The northwesterly section of the Common was plowed, harrowed, rolled and seeded. A barberry hedge was set out on the Salem St. and I,owell St. sides. Rhododendrons were set under the elm trees and small evergreens were set in the corners.
The band stand was moved from the Common and set up in Me- morial Park where it may be used for concerts or other gatherings.
Just before Christmas two evergreen trees were set in the Com- mon, one of these, a fine blue spruce, was donated by Mr. Henry John- son. During the holiday season the parks and trees were so well illumi- nated by the Municipal Light Department that the most favorable criti- cism was attracted from the newspapers.
180
Results as a whole were very satisfactory and work should be con- tinued on the Common to make it a very attractive center.
Several hard surface tennis courts should be built in Memorial Park and- at least three more in Birch Meadow.
Park areas and playground advantages have increased consider- ably and it is unquestioned that money used in this manner is well spent.
The supervised play under the direction of the Reading Woman's Club, with Mrs. F. M. Day as chairman and Miss Josephine Turner as director was conducted in a most excellent manner.
REPORT OF THE READING PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The twelfth season of the Reading Playground opened July 1, with informal exercises.
Mrs. James Fairchild represented the Women's Club and gave an interesting talk to the children. The donors of the Park were invited to be present. Ice cream was served free to about 250 children and games played.
Miss Josephine Turner, Supervisor, a graduate of Posse Nissen school was assistant supervisor last year and well known to the chil- dren.
Classes in reed and coping saw work under Miss Lyons' supervi- sion were very popular. The doll house presented to the children by Miss Turner was painted and furnished very attractively under Miss Briggs' direction and the children were very enthusiastic about this work.
Tennis was greatly enjoyed by children of all ages. The courts were always in use.
Checkers, boxing, croquet, track and baseball kept many occupied.
The last week was a very busy one. On Tuesday, a Mother Goose Safety Play was presented by the children. Seats were placed on the lawn for the large audience. The costumes were made by the children. Dancing and stunts by the girls were also given. The natural setting of vine covered stone walls and trees was very effective.
Closing day was given to tennis finals and track events. Certifi- cates as rewards of merit and prizes were awarded.
Free ice cream was given to the children and some very fine reed and coping saw work exhibited.
·
181
The Playground Safety News sent us by the Massachusetts Safety Council was distributed twice a month. Safety songs and slogans were taught by this means.
A new jungle gym and giant stride were installed. Clock golf was laid out and very popular.
The committee wishes to thank the Board of Public Works for its helpfulness at all times. Thanks, also, to the Reading police for co-op- eration, Steele Furniture Co., for linoleum and roofing for doll house.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. WALTER F. TAYLOR MRS. DENNIS A. CUMMINGS MISS ANNA P. REID MISS LYDIA HOLDEN MRS. FRED M. DAY, (Chairman).
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The Playground Committee would recommend that the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) be appropriated by the Town of Read- ing for the work assigned to it.
It would suggest that the sum be not definitely divided for salaries and expenses.
MRS. FRED M. DAY, Chairman.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the Sewer Department :
Construction and Maintenance :
Balance Brought Forward . ..
$ 12,363.60
Receipts for 1930
11,460.10
Total
$ 23,823.70
182
Construction Account :
Expended :
Pay Roll
$
5,732.91
Bills
2,692.99
Total
$ 8,425.90
Maintenance Account :
Expended :
Pay Roll $ 2,250.21
Tools, Supplies, Repairs 619.80
Payment of Bonds
9,000.00
Total
$ 11,870.01
Maintenance and Construction Pay Roll and
Bills $ 20,295.91
Balance
# 3,527.79
HOUSE CONNECTION ACCOUNT
Balance Brought Forward $ 200.00
Cash Receipts 1930 2,167.41
Total $ 2,367.41
Expended :
1. Pay Roll $ 1,132.62
2. Refunds 398.71
3. Pipe 235.14
4. Misc. Supplies and Repairs .. 163.41
5. Transfer to Maint. Account .. 237.53
Total
$ 2,167.41
Balance
$ 200.00
183
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Extension of the sewer system was started early in the season, using the regular force and as much of the local labor as could be taken care of, the number of workmen varying with the progress of the con- struction.
One extension was laid in High, Mt. Vernon, School and Dudley Streets, a distance of two thousand five hundred and forty-one feet. There are forty possible connections in this section, eight of which are now in use.
Short extensions were made on Bancroft Avenue and on John Street of two hundred thirty five feet and two hundred sixty six feet. re- spectively.
On Pleasant Street an extension of six hundred thirty one feet was laid, easterly from Middle Street. There are fourteen possible con- nections of which one has been made.
The total extension of sewer mains this year was three thousand six hundred seventy three and twenty two hundredths feet and thirty two house connections were made with a total of one thousand six hun- dred twenty five linear feet.
General inspection and flushing of sewers has been carried on as usual in accordance with the regular maintenance program. The in- spections however indicate that there is considerably more leakage from the under ground water than should be allowed and also that a more definite method of cleaning the sewers should be used. For this work I would recommend a turbine sewer cleaning machine, and a regular crew for this work. No work of this nature has been done before be- cause the system was new and did not need it, but the time has come when it is necessary to start a regular maintenance crew on the sewer cleaning and inspection work.
If the investigation which the Board of Public Works is now mak- ing, results in lower rates for the use of the sewer, it is very probable that more property owners on streets where the mains are now laid, will take advantage of the sewer benefits.
This will result in a greater income without the expense of laying new extensions to the system.
240
184
STREETS
Streets
Possible Con- nected
Completed Con- nections
Per Cent Con- nected
No Con- struction Started
Connected to Street Line
Partially Installed to House
Revenue Charges 1930
Arlington
11
3
27
5
2
1
$27.00
Ash
17
8
47
Bancroft
22
8
36
13
1
109.50
Berkeley
27
16
59
11
Brook
1
1
3
111.60
Copeland Ave.
7
7
100
6
6.00
Elliott
5
2
40
3
28.50
Fremont
4
4
100
67.20
Fulton
1
1
100
18.60
Gould
3
3
100
43.50
Green .
53
34
65
10
4
5
540.88
Harnden
8
6
75
2
171.90
Haven
39
27
68
7
3
2
953.70
High
14
5
35
7
2
66.00
Hillcrest Rd.
10
8
80
1
1
172.80
Howard
18
15
83
2
1
238.80
John
16
7
42
8
1
57.30
King
5
5
100
95.40
Kingston
15
10
67
5
113.70
Lincoln
7
4
57
3
128.10
Linden
9
5
56
3
1
86.70
Lowell
4
3
75
1
7
2
1,402.20 9.00
Middle.
2
1
50
1
6.30
Middlesex Ave. .
18
14
77
2
2
272.03
Minot
12
8
67
2
2
82.80
Mt. Vernon
23
6
26
17
61.50
Park Ave ..
7
6
86
56.10
Parker.
7
5
72
2
48.90
Perkins Ave.
7
7
100
.
Pine Ave.
1
1
100
Pleasant
27
13
48
14
144.00
Pratt.
4
3
75
1
36.00
Prescott
53
37
70
1
9
6
508.50
Prospect
15
7
47
8
168.90
Salem
18
9
50
2
7
238.20
Sanborn
14
8
56
4
2
155.10
School .
10
3
30
7
Scotland Rd.
1
1
100
.
0
1
148.20
Sweetscr Ave ..
5
1
20
.
20
6
428.40
Union
5
3
60
1
1
52.20
Village.
22
10
45
11
2
2
171.90
Washington.
27
10
37
12
4
1
154.80
Wenda
4
4
100
54.90
Wilson .
10
7
70
2
1
44.70
Woburn
80
40
50
9
27
4
638.80
Totals
803
460
58%
194
106
43
$9,083.99
?
.
Eaton
2
2
100
Center Ave.
10
7
70
233.40
Dudley
10
4
40
42.90
Main.
44
34
77
1
1
Maple
2
1
50
.
3
1
14.10
Temple
32
6
19
.
1
164.18
Warren Avc.
17
13
78
Summer Ave. .
18
8
44
7.80
I.
1
194.10
214.20
296.70
185
LENGTH OF SEWER CONNECTIONS RUN TO EITHER CURB, HOUSES, OR CONNECTED
Streets
Curb
Houses
Connected
Total Length
Arlington
66.50
46.00
175.00
287.50
Ash .
331.10
331.10
Bancroft.
16.00
396.90
412.90
Berkeley .
925.70
925.70
Brook
52.00
317.00
369.00
Copeland Ave.
450.00
450.00
Dudley
185.00
185.00
Eaton .
106.00
106.00
Elliott .
115.00
115.00
Fremont
209.00
209.00
Fulton.
44.00
44.00
Gould
236.50
236.50
Green .
72.00
173.00
1,461.20
1,706.20
Harnden.
32,00
195.00
227.00
Haven .
186.00
79.00
1,107.80
1,372.80
High
22.00
. 209.10
231.10
Hillcrest .
25.00
516.00
541.00
Howard.
26.00
886.50
912.50
John
37.00
265.20
302.20
King
306.70
306.70
Kingston.
407.00
407.00
Lincoln
70.00
186.00
256.00
Linden
41.00
219.00
260.00
Lowell
232.50
232.50
Main .
256.00
99.00
1,836.75
2,191.75
Maple
18.00
40.00
58.00
Middle
48.00
138.00
983.20
1,169.20
Minot
42.00
77.00
331.00
450.00
Mt. Vernon
37.00
208.00
245.00
Parker. . .
232.50
232.50
Perkins Ave.
434.80
434.80
Pine Ave. .
46.00
46.00
Pleasant
722.50
722.50
Pratt.
242.00
242.00
Prescott
204.00
269.00
2,436.20
2,909.20
Salem
110.00
98.00
168.00
168.00
Scotland Rd.
60.00
60.00
Summer Ave. .
94.00
576.20
670.20
Sweetser Ave.
64.00
45.00
43.00
152.00
Temple .
300.00
173.00
505.00
978.00
Union . .
66.00
177.00
243.00
Village.
34.00
484.00
518.00
Warren Ave ..
36.00
68.00
565.00
669.00
Washington
61.00
48.00
587.40
696.40
Wenda .
202.50
202.50
Wilson.
43.00
287.40
330.40
Woburn
458.00
222.50
2,526.40
3,206.90
Totals
2,164.50
1,887.50
25,347.95
29,399.95
Prospect
594.50
594.50
642.00
752.00
Sanborn
575.40
673.40
School .
36.50
36.50
Middlesex Ave.
321.50
321.50
Park Ave. .
Center Ave.
186
LENGTH OF MAIN SEWERS IN STREETS
Streets
6 inch
8 inch
10 inch
12 inch
1.5 inch
18 inch
20 inch
24 inch
ATotaly
Arlington
399.80
399.80
Ash
822.90
258.80
1081.70
Bancroft .
1015.00
1015.00
Berkeley .
1256.10
1256.10
Brook
847.60
847.60
Center
620.60
620.60
Copeland
500.00
500.00
Dudley :
374.50
374.50
Eaton
907.70|
907.70
Elliott .
279.00
279.00
Fremont
456.50
456.50
Green.
175.20
1717.40
821.60
2714.20
Harnden
559.30
559.30
Haven.
1752.80
1772.80
High
1338.05
736.10
2074.15
Hillcrest
770.80
770.80
Howard.
300.00
1110.00
1410.00
Interceptors
205.00
2732.00
2937.00
John
266.00
178.50
1014.10
King
340.00
175.00
515.00
Kingston
719.30
719.30
Lincoln
573.40
538.10
1111.50
Linden .
735.30
735.30
Lowell .
813.10
813.10
Main.
1246.10
234.90
2436.50 189.20
Middle
313.60
313.60
Middlesex .
1111.50
1111.50
Minot
1409.65
1409.65
Mt. Vernon
698.52
160.00
858.52
Park
507.30
322.70
830.00
Parker .
427.00
427.00
Perkins.
400.00
400.00
Pine .
226.00
226.00
Pleasant
1496.80
469.80
1966.60
Pratt.
555.50
555.50
Prescott
2265.30
1174.10
3439.40
Prospect
1260.00
1260.00
Salem
1004.90
132.50
1137.40
Sanborn
716.30
716.30
School. .
688.25
688.25
Summer
1229.40
1229.40
Sweetser .
334.30
cast iron
334.30
Temple
896.76
432.89
661.39
1991.04
Union
303.60
303.60 1503.40
Village.
1015.60
487.80
715.00
Washington
424.90
246.80
312.90
1574.30
2558.90
Wenda
300.00
471.40
333.10
804.50
Woburn
732.80
2915.70
917.40
4565.90
Tot. lengths
2744.76
36,002.82 3298.44
6164.79
2870.60
487.80
1809.20
3758.10
57,136.51
Total length of House connections constructed to date. 29,399.95
Total length of Sewers and Underdrains constructed to date. 91,162.06
Grand Total
120,562.01 ft.
or 22.83 miles of pipe
Warren
715.00
300.00
Wilson .
955.50
Maple
189.20
569.60
187
LENGTH OF UNDERDRAINS IN STREETS
Length of Underdrains in Streets
Streets
5 inch
6 inch
8 inch
10 inch
Total Length
Total Length Sewers and Underdrains
Arlington
399.80
Ash .
237.00
258.80
495.80
1,577.50
Bancroft.
1,015.00
Berkeley
456.00
456.00
1,712.10
Brook
847.60
847.60
1,695.20
Center
620.60
620.60
1,241.20
Copeland
500.00
Dudley
374.50
Eaton
380.00
527.70
907.70
1,815.40
Elliott
Fremont
456.50
456.50
913.00
Green
836.90
974.10
1,811.00
4,525.20
Harnden
588.20
588.20
2,341.00
High
487.70
736.10
1,223.80
3,297.95
Hillcrest .
450.40
450.40
1,221.20
Howard.
1,410.00
1,410.00
2,820.00
Interceptors
2,937.00
2,937.00
5,874.00
John
748.10
748.10
1,762.20
King .
175.00
175.00
690.00
Kingston
609.30
110.00
719.30
1,438.60
Lincoln
290.40
444.90
735.30
1,470.60
Lowell
1,246.10
955.50
234.90
2,436.50
4,873.00
Maple
189.20
189.20
378.40
Middle
254.00
254.00
1,365.50
Minot
972.65
437.00
1,409.65
2,819.30
Park
507.30
322.70
830.00
1,660.00
Pine .
226.00
469.80
469.80
2,436.40
Pratt .
252.20
303.30
555.50
1,111.00
Prescott
1,070.60
2,091.80
3,162.40
6,601.80
Prospect
886.00
886.00
2,146.00
Salem
543.00
132.50
675.50
1,812.90
Sanborn
200.00
200.00
916.30
School .
688.25
Summer
1,229.40
Sweetser
175.00
175.00
509.30
Temple
40.00
40.00
2,031.04
Union
303.60
Village.
825.00
825.00
2,328.40
Warren
715.00
724.00
246.80
1,163.20
2,134.00
4,692.90
Wenda
300.00
Wilson.
804.50
804.50
1,609.00
Woburn
1,196.00
917.40
2,113.40
6,679.30
Total Lengths. . .
9,781.15
16,363.00
6,224.50
1,656.90
34,025.55
91,162.06
Mt. Vernon
230.30
230.30
1,088.82
Parker
427.00
Perkins
400.00
226.00
452.00
Pleasant
1,111.50
1,111.50
2,223.00
Linden
813.10
Main .
313.60
Middlesex
279.00
559.30
Haven .
715.00
1,430.00
Washington
188
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
The following is the yearly report of the executive office :
Appropriation
$ 6,000.00
Expended :
Salaries and Misc. Supplies
$ 5,996.26
Total
$ 5,996.26
Balance
$ 3.74
The following table shows the expenditures made this past year in all departments, the payroll of cach, and the entire expenditures of the Board of Public Works :
Board of P. W.
Water Dept.
Highway Dept·
Sewer Dept.
Park Dept.
Totals
Pay Roll . $4,854.92 $ 22,909.20 $32,513.39 $ 9,115.74 $2,756.86 $ 72,150.11 Bills
1,141.34
80,981.45
53,999.90
13,110.05
4,758.34 153,991.06
Totals $5,996.26 $103,89.0.63 $86,513.29 $22,225.79 $7,515.20 $226,141.17
April 21, 1930.
Mr. Martin B. Hartshorn
Chairman, Board of Public Works
Reading, Mass.
Dear Sir :
In accordance with your instructions an investigation has been car- ried on for several months, to determine the possibility of increasing the Reading water supply by means of a new system of wells. A number of test wells have been driven, pumping tests have been made, and sam- ples of water analyzed with the results given in the following pages :
Possible Sources of Additional Water Supply. There are five possible methods of obtaining an additional water supply to which con- sideration should be given :
1. Extension of present system by the construction of deep wells near the present pumping station, by an extension of the filter gallery, or by shallow wells.
189
2. Development of one or more well systems in new areas within the limits of the town, involving the construction of one or more pumping stations and pipe lines.
3. Enlargement of the treatment works to permit taking an ade- quate supply of surface water from the Ipswich River.
4. Entrance into the Metropolitan Water District and the use of metropolitan water for the whole or part of the Town's sup- ply.
5. Purchase of water from the town of Wilmington, or some other adjoining municipality.
In this report the discussion will be limited to the first three pos- sible methods, although careful consideration should be given to each of the other methods listed before deciding on the best method for the Town to adopt.
Supply from Ipswich River. Brief reference will be made to the possibility of using surface water from the Ipswich River, as it has a bearing on the present supply works.
In the report of Mr. M. M. Tidd, engineer, upon the completion of the water works system in 1891, reference was made to a 12-in. pipe running directly from the pumping station to the Ipswich River, for use in case of emergency, to draw water from the river to supplement the water obtained from the filter gallery. There is also a reference indi- cating the possibility of there having been a second pipe connection with the river, perhaps that now used as a drain. Although it was the in- tention to keep the river connection closed by gates provided for the purpose except in emergency, the increased draft in recent years has made it necessary at times to draw on river water to supplement the supply from the ground. The absence of meters on the supply lines, has made it impossible to determine the amount of water so drawn. Chlorinating apparatus has been installed in the pumping station, to chlorinate any water drawn directly from the river, in order to sterilize it before it is pumped to the distribution system.
The use of the river water in 1923 led the State Board of Health to urge that "an investigation be begun as soon as practicable, for the purpose of obtaining an adequate water supply for the Town from some suitable source." In accordance with this recommendation the Town employed Mr. Frank A. Barbour, engineer, to make an investigation, and his report on an improved water supply was presented in July, 1924.
The water of the Ipswich River is highly colored at times which together with its softness would add to the difficulties of treatment. The
190
watershed at the pumping station includes the village of Wilmington Centre and for that reason the water is subject to pollution by domestic sewage. Although at the present time the extent of pollution is not ex- cessive it is likely to increase as the population becomes greater in density.
During dry weather the flow of the river is reduced to so low a point as to be inadequate to meet the future needs of the town unless the dry weather flow can be augmented by building a large storage res- ervoir. There is no good site available for such a reservoir within a practicable distance of the town, although one or more sites have been suggested for construction by a group of towns or cities acting as a water district.
While the storage of the river water in a large reservoir would improve the quality of the water, it still would be necessary to treat it in a modern water filtration plant, in order to make it safe and satis- factory for domestic use.
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