USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1930 > Part 16
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Water Consumption
Gals. per capita
Year
Population
Gals. per year
Gals. per day
per day
1895
4,717
72,375,248
198,000
42.0
1900
4,969
54,250,465
149,000
29.9
1905
5,682
51,904,135
142,000
25.0
1910
5,818
74,820,836
205,000
35.2
1915
6,805
81,877,229
224,000
32.9
1920
7,439
105,035,230
288,000
38.7
1925
8,693
120,112,169
329,000
37.9
1930
9,500
147,000,000
402,000
42.3
1935
10,700
171,500,000
470,000
44.0
1940
12,000
202,000,000
553,000
46.2
1945
13,400
237,000,000
650,000
48.4
1950
14,900
275,000,000
753,000
50.6
1955
16,500
318,000,000
872,000
52.8
1960
18,200
365,000,000
1,000,000 .
55.0
Pumping Heads
The following table gives the pumping heads at various rates of pumping with the present distribution piping and with a new 12" main from Franklin Street to the center of the town.
The static pumping head assumes a full standpipe and the ground water at the wells lowered 12 ft.
Static
Total pumping head
gals. per min. (feet)
Rate of pumping pumping head Pipe friction
(feet) Present piping New 12" main (feet)
200
227
13
240
232
300
227
26
253
235
400
227
45
272
240
500
227
67
294
246
600
227
92
319
253
700
227
120
347
261
800
227
151
378
270
900
227
186
413
280
1000
227
225
452
291
1100
227
269
496
304
*Estimated.
215
Driven Wells
To yield 525 g.p.m. without lowering the ground water level below a reasonable limit, thirty-five 21/2" driven wells should be provided. There are now ten wells already completed that can be utilized, requiring only a thorough cleaning. The present wells and the additional 25 wells are shown on the accompanying drawing. The distance apart of the wells is 50 ft. or more, and for the most part on alternate sides of the suction mains.
Additional driven wells for future extensions are indicated in dotted lines running northwest into the meadow and southeast into an extensive low area. The exact location of these future extensions would : be determined as the work progressed when they were installed. The . location of the proposed thirty-five wells is probably sufficiently fixed by the ten wells already completed. Each individual well would be connected to the cast iron suction mains leading to the pumping station by means of a special 21/2" Wye branch, gate valve, lead goose neck and wrought iron piping.
The average depth of the additional twenty-five wells is assumed at 40 ft. as compared with an average of 37.1 ft. for the present ten wells. The suction main from the pumping station to the well field is 16" in diameter. Each of the branch suction mains begins with a 12" pipe and reduces to 8", thus allowing an extension of several wells at the ends.
The suction mains allow a total capacity without excessive friction of at least 2 Mg. in 24 hours.
Pumping Station 1
The proposed pumping station is located at the westerly end of a gravel knoll near the edge of the meadow and quite central with respect to the well field. The pumping station building is 30 ft. x 30 ft. outside dimensions. Below the finished grade the structure would be built of water-tight concrete. The floor on which the pumps are located is at elevation 87, or 5 ft. below the present ground water level. This lowering of the pumps to reduce the suction lift is essential for a driven well water supply. The building above the finished grade would be constructed of brickwork and the roof of slate so that the structure would be fireproof.
The pumping station is ample in size to contain the proposed duplicate electric motor driven centrifugal pumping units and appurte- nances, each capable of delivering 1 Mg. of water in a 16-hour day. Space is also available for an addition pumping unit either electric motor or gasoline engine driven, if its installation is found advisable at a later date.
216
The proposed pumping equipment consists of the following :
(1) A combined sand and air chamber 8 ft. in diameter by 12 ft. in height with a 16" inlet, two 12" outlets to connect with the proposed pumps, and one 12" additional outlet for a possible future pump.
(2) Two horizontal centrifugal pumps, direct-connected to 125 H. P. induction motors with impellers designed for 525 g.p.m. against a total pumping head of 300 ft. The installation of a 12" main on Grove and Lowell Streets would so reduce the pumping head that the capacity of these pumps with the same impellers would be increased 50% more or less, and consequently new impellers would not be required for several years. The cost of installing new impellers for 2-stage pumps would be $600. Each pump could then deliver at least 1,050 g.p.m.
(3) Two rotary vacuum pumps, direct-connected to squirrel-cage motors, capable of exhausting the air from the driven wells, suction mains, air chamber and centrifugal pumps within a few minutes. The vacuum pumps would operate automati- cally, holding the water in the sand chamber about 4 ft. above the center of the pumps to keep the pumps continuously primed.
(4) Electric switchboard, starting equipment for the motors, electric meters, switches and other control apparatus.
(5) Electric lights, heat, office partition and miscellaneous equipment. We have considered the installation of a third centrifugal pump direct-connected to a gasoline engine at a total cost of $7,500 and also of providing a gasoline engine auxiliary for one of the proposed motor-driven pumps at an additional cost of $5,500. On account of the dependability of the municipal electric power, the considerable storage of water in your two standpipes, and the availability of your present supplying works, this considerable expense does not seem to be war- ranted, at least for the present.
Force Main
The discharge main from the pumps to Franklin Street, 4,200 ft. in length, is 12" in diameter. We have considered the advantages of using a 16" pipe but find that the saving even at a pumping rate of 1,050 g.p.m. is only 14 ft. in pumping head and does not warrant the additional in- stallation cost of $5,000.
Operation of New Supply
The method of operating the new supply has been carefully con- sidered. For the present we believe semi-automatic control will be
217
preferable. During the winter months the entire supply could ordinarily be furnished from the driven wells and within a 16-hour working day. In the months of greatest consumption, there will be several days each month when the present pumping station must be operated to supply the consumption. We believe that both stations can be run simultaneously with the present operators. It would be possible to provide remote con- trol at the present pumping station to start and stop the pumping equipment at the new supply, but the cost would be about $2,500 and it would seem safer to have the operator start the new station each morn- ing, after which he could either remain there or return to the present station, depending upon the consumption requirements. The new station would be stopped by hand when the standpipes were filled. Until the equipment had been thoroughly proven, it would be advisable for an operator to remain continuously at the new station.
Cost of Construction
We have estimated the total cost of developing the new driven well water supply system as follows :
Driven Wells
25 Additional wells (1000 lin. ft. @ $3.10) $ 3,100.00
Wells driven and abandoned
(150 lin. ft. @ $2.40) 360.00
Suction mains and specials 16" to 8" (1,870 lin. ft.) 7,965.00
Connections to driven wells
(35 @ $45). 1,575.00
Cleaning present ten wells. 100.00
Total for well system $13,100.00
Pumping Station (30 ft. x 30 ft.) (outside dimensions)
Substructure, superstructure, pump founda- tions, piping connections and valves, light, heat, office, grading, etc. $11,000.00
Pumping Equipment
1 Sand and air chamber
2 525 g.p.m. electric motor driven centrifugal pumps with provision for new impellers to deliver 1 Mg. in 16 hours.
218
2 Electric motor driven vacuum pumps.
Switchboard and electric control equipment.
Electric wiring, gages, miscellaneous piping, etc.
Complete and erected, ready for operation
$10,600.00
10" Venturi meter, installed. 1,000.00
12" Cast iron force main (4,200 lin. ft.)
10,300.00
Total
$46,000.00
Engineering and contingencies (15%)
6,900.00
Total cost of installation, excluding land and rights-of-way
$52,900.00
The above estimates are based on electric motor driven centrif- ugal pumps which represent a minimum installation cost for pumping equipment and pumping station. Electric motor driven triplex pumping units would involve an increase in construction cost of $13,000. The average saving in electric power would be $675 per year which does not equal the fixed charges on the additional cost.
Consideration should also be given to Diesel oil engines for the motive power instead of electric motors. Either centrifugal or triplex pumps could be operated by oil engines but the saving in fuel oil does not warrant the additional cost of the triplex pumps. For two 1,050 g.p.m. oil engine driven, centrifugal pumps the cost of the pumping units, foundations, pumping station and appurtenances would be increased $34,000.
Cost of Electric Power for Pumping
The electric power rate proposed by the Reading Municipal Light Department under Schedule E is as follows :
First 30 hours per month of maximum K. W. demand @ 3c per K. W. H. Next 120 hours per month of maximum K. W. demand @ 2c per K. W. H. Over 150 hours per month of maximum K. W. demand @ 1.9c per K. W. H. Discount 10% if paid within 15 days.
Under this schedule the Water Department provides the necessary transformers and the current is metered at the primary voltage. The average cost for electric power with the present distribution piping would be about $33 per Mg. of water pumped, and the average electric power rate 1.82c per K. W. H.
219
A new 12" main on Grove and Lowell Streets would reduce the cost to about $24.50 per Mg. The above cost represent 1,785 and 1,300 K. W. H.'s per Mg.
The average cost for fuel oil and lubricating oil with a new 12" pipe on Grove and Lowell Streets would be $7.50 per Mg. of water pumped as against $24.50 for electric power. The average saving in the cost of power with Diesel oil engines for the period from 1930 to 1950, which may be considered to represent the useful life of the pumping units, would be $3,400 per year.
The certain additional costs would be as follows:
Interest and depreciation on $34,000 @ 8% $2,720.00
Increased maintenance and repairs 400.00
Total $3,120.00
An uncertain additional cost is for labor because the station could not be operated semi-automatic with Diesel engines but would require the constant attendance of an operator.
In view of the uncertain saving, small at best, and the considerable increase in the appropriation necessary for developing the driven well supply using Diesel oil engines we believe that electric motor driven centrifugal pumping units represent the best economy.
Recommendations
As a result of our study we would recommend-
(1) That driven wells be provided for a capacity of 525 gallons per minute, the practical limit of the capacity of the present piping system.
(2) That the pumping equipment, pumping station and force main to Franklin Street be designed for a capacity of 1,050 g.p.m.
(3) That a new 12" main be installed from Franklin Street to the center of the Town in 1933 conditioned, however, upon the results of the operation of the driven well supply.
(4) That the present supplying works be maintained and operated as found to be expedient and necessary.
(5) That the Town appropriate the sum of $55,000 for de- veloping an additional supply of water from driven wells.
Respectfully submitted,
WESTON & SAMPSON.
Thirty-sixth Annual Report
OF THE
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ended December 31
1930
222
OFFICERS OF ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER DEPARTMENT
Commissioners
HENRY R. JOHNSON, Chairman Term expires 1932
HERBERT G. EVANS, Secretary Term expires 1933
HARRY P. BAKER
Term expires 1931
Manager
ARTHUR G. SIAS
Office 177 Main Street, Reading, Mass.
MANAGER'S REPORT
To the Municipal Light Board :
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit herewith my report of the operation of the Municipal Light Plant for the year ending December 31, 1930.
While the year just passed has been one in which business ac- tivities have shown a tendency to slacken, yet our station records show that we delivered at the switchboard about 9 per cent more current than during the previous year.
The kilowatt hours sold increased about 14.5 per cent, and kilo- watt hours unaccounted for decreased from 18 per cent to 13.9 per cent. The maximum station load was 2190 K. W. as compared with 2048 in 1929.
The maximum load occurred on December 24th. The largest daily output in K. W. H. was 24881 on December 23rd.
The following table shows the kilowatt hours purchased, kilowatt hours sold for the various classes of service, kilowatt hours furnished for which no revenue was received, and the number of kilowatt hours unaccounted for.
For purposes of comparison similar data for 1929 is included in the table, with the increase or decrease in each class of service.
223
K. W. HOURS PURCHASED AND SOLD
1930
1929 . Increase Decrease
K. W. Hours :
Generated
103,985
Purchased
none 7,050,708
103,985 6,362,853
687,855
Totals
7,050,708
6,466,838
583,870
K. W. Hours Sold :
Residence Lighting
2,783,528
2,444,555
338,973
Commercial Lighting
500,427
452,605
47,822
Commercial Heating
201,151
189,148
12,003
Commercial Power-Retail
1,017,313
1,334,736
317,423
Commercial Power-Wholesale
763,140
238,150
524,990
Municipal Lighting
98,495
85,790
12,705
Municipal Power
246,340
121,652
124,688
Street Lighting
391,385
371,547
19,838
Police Spot Lights
3,056
2,177
879
Sub-total
6,004,835
5,240,360
764,475
K. W. Hours used at Office,
Station and Garage
52,117
56,368
4,251
K. W. Hours used for Christmas Illumination
14,264
6,622
7,642
K. W. Hours Unaccounted for
979,492
1,163,488
183,996
Totals
7,050,708
6,466,838
583,870
Per Cent Unaccounted for
13.9%
18.0%
4.1%
. .
The kilowatt hours sold for residence use increased 13.8 per cent and showed an average use per meter of 611 kilowatt hours as compared with 544 in 1929.
For commercial lighting use there was an increase of 10.5 per cent and for commercial power 13.2 per cent. Current sold for commer- cial heating and refrigeration showed an increase of 6.3 per cent.
The average cost of current purchased was 1.106 cents as compared with 1.051 cents last year, the increase being due to the larger average demand in 1930.
The average production cost for the year, based on the total kilo- watt hours purchased was 1.36 cents.
The average total cost of all current sold and delivered to street lights was 4.19 cents which is the lowest cost we have any record of at this plant. The average income per kilowatt hour sold and delivered to street lights was 4.44 cents.
224
The following table shows the average cost per kilowatt hour for each class of expense accounts, based on the number of kilowatt hours sold and delivered to street lights, in 1929 and 1930.
Comparison of Operation Costs 1930-1929
1930
1929
Production
1.332
1.365
Distribution
1.139
1.113
Utilization
0.169
0.171
Commercial
0.240
0.279
New Business
0.061
0.093
General and Miscellaneous
0.980
1.086
Bonds, Notes and Interest
0.265
0.329
Total Costs
4.186
4.436
This shows a reduction in costs over 1929 of a quarter of a cent per kilowatt hour or 5.6 per cent.
The income from sales of current was $266,891.46, an increase of $20,949.01 or about 8 per cent more than last year.
The appropriation from the tax levy for street lighting was $12,000.00 and the cost to the Department was $12,516.79.
A comparison of the income received this year and last year from the different classes of customers as well as the income received from each town is shown in the following table.
Income From Sales of Current
1930
1929
Increase Decrease
Residence Lighting
$143,939.34
$128,888.80
$ 15,050.54
Commercial Lighting
34,599.15
32,085.82
2,513.33
Commercial Heating
6,942.82
6,370.35
572.47
Commercial Power-Retail
33,944.39
41,531.70
7,587.31
Commercial Power-Wholesale
14,086.86
5,592.25
8,494.61
Municipal Light
1,915.72
1,808.50
107.22
Municipal Power
5,505.26
3,023.27
2,481.99
Street Lighting
25,957.92
26,641.76
683.84
Totals
$266,891.46
$245,942.45
$20,949.01
Reading
$163,207.91
$152,132.51
$ 11,075.40
Lynnfield Center
15,275.35
13,516.86
1,758.49
North Reading
28,914.17
27,971.65
942.52
Wilmington
58,986.79
51,961.99
7,024.80
Other Districts
507.24
359.44
147.80
Totals
$266,891.46
$245,942.45
$ 20,949.01
Income From
Each Town
225
The following table shows the kilowatt hours sold in each town during 1929 and 1930:
K. W. Hours Sold in Each Town
1930
1929
Increase Decrease
Reading
4,024,023
3,601,491
422,532
Lynnfield Center
238,873
208,589
30,284
North Reading
454,640
448,998
5,642
Wilmington
1,278,985
975,476
303,509
Other Districts
8,314
5,806
2,508
Totals
6,004,835
5,240,360
764,475
The total expenses for the year increased $19,032.59 or about 8 per cent.
Of this amount $11,252.46 was expended for additional current pur- chased, and $6614.99 for renewal and maintenance of distribution lines
The last of the outstanding notes amounting to $1300.00 have been paid during the year.
The amount of bonds outstanding at the beginning of the year has been reduced by $11,500 and bonds authorized for additions and im- provements to the distribution system, amounting to $15,000 have been issued during the year. The total amount outstanding December 31, 1930 was $69,500.00.
The inventory value of materials and supplies is $3290.82 more than at the beginning of the year. This increase for the most part is represented by the additional quantity of wire on hand.
Current assets December 31st exceeded current liabilities by $64,547.34, which is an increase of $10,535.88 over the previous year.
Accounts Receivable were $33,646.94 and Accounts Payable $32,781.02.
Bills paid by the Treasurer in advance of collections amounted to $13,975.81.
The increase in Profit and Loss surplus for the year was $13,405.26.
The additions to plant accounts during the year amounted to $38,612.67 the details of which are shown in the table elsewhere in this re- port. Of this amount $10,014.88 was paid from the Special Appropria- tion for Construction. The balance of the additions have been taken care of from the Depreciation Fund.
We have installed 341 new services and 38 additional street lights. during the year.
The following table shows the classification of customers as of December 31st.
226
Classification of Customers as of December 31, 1930
Res. Com. Com. Ltg. Ltg.
Htg.
Ret'1 Wh'l's'l'e St. Lts.
Reading
2509
270
47
80
9
1º
2934
North Reading
659
59
20
17
3
6
76
Lynnfield Center
380
27
8
9
-
-
42
Wilmington
1118
97
15
19
2
4
1255
Totals
4666
453
90
125
14
29
5377
Public street lights have been installed as follows :
Reading 13, North Reading 8, Wilmington 10, and Lynnfield Cen- ter 7. Three private street lights have been discontinued during the year. The number of hours which the street lights have burned during the year is as follows: Reading 3930, North Reading and Lynnfield 2148, Wilmington 2151.
The following table shows the number of each size of street lamps renewed during the year.
40
50
60
100
250
300 600 1000
Total
CP
W
CP
CP
CP
W
CP
CP
Reading
-
868
2
93
13
26 1003
Lynnfield Center
225
225
North Reading
422
422
Wilmington
883
44
15
942
Totals
1530
44
868
2
93
15
13
26
2592
POWER STATION
The generating machinery at the power station has not been used during the year, all current being purchased.
The equipment is in good operating condition and can be started up at short notice.
During the year the new Edison Sub-station at Woburn has been connected with the high tension transmission lines of the New England Power Company from the Fifteen-Mile Falls development on the Con- necticut River.
As our supply of electricity comes through this sub-station, we re- ceive the benefit of additional capacity in generating equipment as well as an additional source of power supply.
Five new feeder voltage regulators have been installed at the power station on the Reading Center, Pumping Station and Wilmington primary feeder circuits, and the regulation on these circuits has been greatly improved and losses reduced.
The cost of the regulators, including installation was $5,743.73 which was paid from the special appropriation.
Totals
Com. Power Private
227
Distribution Lines
Considerably more than the usual amount of work has been done on the distribution lines this year, in renewing defective poles. The fol- lowing tables show in detail the number of each size renewed as well. as the number added.
Summary of Pole Additions and Renewals Comparative Statement of Pole Additions and Renewals Additions :
1930
1929
1928
Reading
76
80
34
Northı Reading
139
55
76
Lynnfield Center
44
75
27
Wilmington
118
129
111
Total Additions
377
339
248
Renewals :
Reading
287
146
100
North Reading
89
86
38
Lynnfield Center
95
31
39
Wilmington
120
92
133
Total Renewals
591
355
310
Total Poles Handled
968
694
558
Comparative Statement of Pole Additions and Renewals By Sizes Poles Additions Renewals
1930
1929
1928
1930
1929
1928
25 ft.
3
2
1
-
-
30
265
257
198
90
137
72
35
57
60
41
424
174
210
40
55
16
4
58
36
19
45
-
2
2
18
8
6
50
2
55
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
377
339
248
591
355
310
-
-
-
-
1
The three phase feeder lines on Chestnut Street, North Reading have been replaced with larger wire, as well as those on Lowell Street and Main Street, Lynnfield Center. The lines on Chestnut Street, Lynnfield Center have not yet been completed.
The feeder lines on Lowell and Main Streets, Wilmington have been renewed with larger wire as far as Church Street. Work is now progressing on the renewal of the lines on Main Street and Woburn Street, Wilmington, with wire of larger capacity.
228
The feeders between the Power Station and Reading Square have been increased in size, thereby enabling us to maintain better voltage regulation.
In all, approximately 50 miles of wire has been added to the dis- tribution system during the year. The amount expended from the special appropriation for this work was $4,271.15, the balance being used from the Depreciation Fund.
The number of transformers in use December 31st was 527, an in- crease of 27 over the previous year.
STREET LIGHTING
We have continued the improvement of the street lighting system by the installation of 20 General Electric Novalux enclosed units with 400 candle power lamps on South Main Street from the railroad cross- ing to the Stoneham line. These replaced the old type brackets with flat shades and bare lamps.
We have also replaced the old style fixtures on Haven Street from Sanborn Street to Gould Street with Novalux units and 1000 candle power lamps.
Future plans contemplate renewing with the new type fixtures, the old style brackets on Salem and Woburn Streets.
We plan to do similar work on North Main Street when the street is rebuilt by the State.
METERS
We have added to the distribution system during the year 172 meters. The value of new meters purchased during the year was about $1000. less than last year, due to the change to single meters in resi- dences, which released a large number for use in connection with new services. 1076 meters have been tested and calibrated, either in cus- tomers' premises or in the meter room.
840 inspections of polyphase power meters have been made. The periodic inspection of meters in customers' premises, which during last year was done by the State Engineering and Testing Bureau, has been carried on this year by Mr. H. L. Gianascol, a graduate of the meter de- partment of the General Electric Company. All meters are now tested, repaired and calibrated by our own department.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
The decorative lighting on the streets, parks and public buildings was again installed for the holiday season. In place of the lighted trees on the poles, lights were arranged in the shrubbery on the Common and Ernest Leach Park. That this change met with approval, was evidenced by the many favorable comments which we received.
229
4725 lamps were lighted for two weeks, using 13517 kilowatt hours The expense to the Department for this work, including current, labor and lamp renewals was approximately $1500.
MASSACHUSETTS BAY TERCENTENARY
The Department co-operated with the local Tercentenary Com- mitteės in Reading and Wilmington in furnishing electrical service in connection with the celebrations held in each town.
LAMP AND APPLIANCE DEPARTMENT
Sales of lamps and appliances amounted to $40,440.59 which was about 12 per cent less than last year. The estimated annual revenue from the appliances sold is $6934.
RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT
The Department has co-operated as much as possible during the year with the Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare in providing work for the unemployed. Ten persons have been given employment during the year and their wages amounted to $3,972.73.
FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS
As the time is probably near at hand when the street car service in Reading will be replaced with bus service, and car tracks, trolley wires and feeders removed, it seems opportune to consider the advis- ability of placing our wires underground, at least through the central part of the town, on Main and Haven Streets.
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