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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-09-11 Special Town Meeting Minutest),r, ), A Special Town Meeting o 6e t. 11, 1950 OiQ , 311C W Officer's Return Middlesex, ss. Reading, September 81 1950 By virtue of the within warrant, Is on September 2, 1950, notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading quali- fied to vote in elections and town affairs to meet in the place and at the time specified by posting an attested copy ,thereof in the following places within said Town. , Precinct 1. Austints Lunch Room, 17 Harnden St. The Danforth Pharmacy, 1 Harnden St. Central Fire Station, Pleasant St. Police Headquarters, Pleasant St. Precinct 2. Masonic Temple Building Lyceum Hall Building M. F. Charles & Sons' Store, 610 Main St. Boston & Maine Railroad Depot Odd Fellows Building Precinct 3. Waterhousels Neighborhood Store, 36 Mineral St. Bennyts Neighborhood Store, 168 Lowell St. Fire Station #20 Woburn St. Precinct 4. Municipal Building Zitzow's Neighborhood Store, 287 Lowell St. McLaughlin's Neighborhood Store, 1051 Main St. The date.of posting being more than seven days prior to the date set for the meeting in this warrant, and I caused an attested copy of this Warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle In the issue of September 7. 1950, the date of publication being more than one day prior to the date of meeting. - HARRIS Constable of Reading SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Shepardson Hall, Junior High School September 11, 1950 The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. Howard, at 8:15 p.m. The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to dispense with further reading of the warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clark. Article 1. on motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the Moderator be and he hereby is authorized and empowered to ap- point a Committee of five to make a study for a suitable memorial for World War II Veterans and survey of the location in the Town therefor, such Committee to report at the Annual Town Meeting to be held in March, 1951. Article 1. On motion of James E. Calvin It was voted that the following report be placed on file: REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS TO THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING OF SEPT. 11, 1950, RELATIVE TO THE WATER SYSTEM In preparing a report to the Town Meeting, the Board of Pub- lic Works decided that the best possible report would be to submit to the Town Meeting a substantial part of the report of the Con- sulting Engineers which follows herewith: Special Town,Meeting, Sept. 11, 1950 Board of Public Works August 28, 1950 Reading Massachusetts Gentlemen: As requested by you, we have investigated the matter in in- creasing and improving the water supply works and distribution system of the Town of Reading and report as follows: POPULATION The population of the Town of Reading has increased as follows in the past fifteen years: 1935 10..703 1950 13,879 We estimate that the population of the Town of Reading will be about 20,000 in the year 1975. WATER CONSUMPTION The water consumption of the Town of Reading has increased as follows since 1935. Year Average Daily Maximum Day's Maximum Week's Consumption Consumption Consumption 1935 679,000 1949 888,00b In 1949 the average daily lons, the maximum daily consume and during the week of maximum consumption per capita was 108 lj,lOOPOOO_ 7o300o000 1o530s000 10t271,000 consumption per capita was 64 gal- ?tion per capita was 113 gallons water consumption the average daily gallons. The capacity of such water works improvements as you have under consideration should provide for a period of about twenty- five years. We estimate the 1975 population at 20,000. We esti- mate that in 1975 the per capita consumption will average 75 gal- lons which will result in an average daily water consumption for the Town of 1j500,000 gallons. We estimate the maximum daily consumption at 125 gallons per capita which will result in a maxi- mum daily consumption of 21 2 million gallons per day. Therefor it appears that the water supply works should have a capacity of 3 million gallons per day with ample storage ta meet peak demands in order to have some factor of safety. CAPACITY OF PRESENT SUPPLY WORKS The present water supply works have been used to their maki- mum capacity during the past few years. -During 1949 great diffi- culty was experienced in keeping the Town supplied with water during the periods of extended drought and heavy water consumption. The maximum capacity of the water supply works, until changes were made this year, was about 1"million gallons per da-y. It has been necessary to run the pumps and filtrE 1"'plant at their maximum yield for 24 hours a day continuously for 'Several days. In order to increase the capacity of the filtratio' 6-pl"t to aid in meeting the demand this past summer, the coke and sand' \ in the filter units was renewed. They have been maintained to their maximum operating capacity by the application of chlorine. This chlorine has been applied at relatively high rates by what is known as the break- point chlorination method. Tests show that the wells which yield the most water are those in the swamp. The wells installed during the past few years on the high"ground in an effort to obtain water of better quality yield very `little water. Dg elk Special Town Meeting, Sept. 11 1 950 "f D WATER QUALITY IN THE PAST Study of the records of past analysis show that the quality of the water as it comes from the wells before treatment, is un- satisfactory principally in four respects: namely, quality of color, iron, manganese, and organic matter. The quality of the raw water varies greatly from season to season and is affected by the rate of draft and level of water in the ground. The purpose of the present,filtration plant (deferrization plant) is primarily to remove iron and manganese. The presence of organic matter con- tained in the water interferes with the process of removing the manganese and iron with the result that at times the water, as it, leaves the filter plant has had a high color and more iron and manganese than is desirable. Also, considerable organic matter has passed through the plant, together with iron and manganesep which have created a favorable environment for the growth of so- called Iron-loving Bacteria in the distribution system. This fact is evidenced by the analysis made of samples of water through the distribution system. Vie believe that the plant has been well operated and that the plant was so constructed that it would produce satisfactory results if the raw water quality was substantially the same as when the plant was first built. The quality of the raw water has deteriorated due to the great Increase in rate of draft. TEST WELLS Test wells were driven in many locations throughout the Town. The locations for driving test wells were selected after making careful topographical and,hydrological studies. Analysis of the results obtained from these test wells convinces us that the only substantial ground water supply in Reading is in the vicinity of your present water supply wells. STUDIES IN RELATION TO WATER TREATMENT Since the only substantial source of ground water in the Town of Reading is in the vicinity of the present water supply works, we became con-winced that the quality of the water would always be such that at least a substantial part of it will need treatment. The present filtration plant (deferrization plant) when ,,operated at low rates will remove iron and manganese from the water to a reasonable degree. In order to do this, however, "it is necessary that the sane'and coke be removed and replaced from time to time. The United States Treasury Standards, which are the common yardstick used for acceptability of water for use for domestic purposes, require that the total of iron and man- ganese content of the water not exceed .3 of a part per million. , At times, during the past-years, the water as it left the fil- tration plant contained about twice this amount. Probably, the principal reason for the low efficiency of the filtration plant has been due to organic matter contained in the well water. The raw water before treatment was highly colored and the water as it left the plant had, at tunes, an objectionable color. In an "effort to remove the color and increase the efficienc'�and cap- acity of the plant, we carried on` experiments using the normal accepted treatment method. None of the normal accepted treatment methods were satisfactory except the method known as breakpoint chlorination. This started on June 14 and has been continuous since then. This process has removed iron deposits, organic matter, filmatious bacterial growth, etc. from the coke, sand filters, settling basins, gravel underdrains, etc.., thereby In,- creasing their capacities,, Fortunately, the same and coke had been replaced only about a month before starting this process which was a decided advantage.' This break-point chlorination process has materially reduced the clogging of these units and enabled you to pass water through at higher rates. This purging of iron, manganese, etc*, from the coke, sand, etc., has been reflected in the analysis of water samples taken from the plant effluent. The true efficiency of this break-point chlorination process can only be determined after purging has ceased. Shortly after putting this process into operation, complaints of objection- able taste and odor were received from residents near the filter Special Town,Meeting, Sept. 11, 1950 plant and later generally throughout the Town. The intensity of these objectionable tastes and odors has decreased with time. At present, the water leaving the plant contains no objectionable taste and odor. Certain bacteria, develop to a great degree where there are certain iron compounds present in the water. The Reading water supply has been such that these bacteria have: thrived in the water mains of the distribution system. The application of chlorine ,by this process, we believe, has destroyed their food, thus causing them to decompose and thereby impart this objectionable taste and odor. Had there been sufficient water available, it would have been possible to flush the mains and thereby improve this condition. PROVISIONS FOR INCREASING WATER SUPPLY FROM 100 ACRE MEADOW: Due to the greater demand for water in July, 1950, it was necessary to increase the water supply by constructing a gravel CD packed well at the location previously tested in the vicinity of Town Well 'A-7". This emergency measure involved connecting the new well to the present well field suction system. When this was done it was observed that the vacuum (suction lift) decreased about thirty per cent (4-feet) and the well yield was about 400 GPM. With the help of this well the supply works were able to meet the peak demand of the maximum day experienced this summer, viz. July 31, 1950, when 1,685,000 gallons were pumped. Tests ' made of the quality of the water from this well show that it is of excellent quality not requiring treatment. Based on the past experience in this area, however, the -quality of the 'water may deteriorate. There is no way to determine whether or not the quality of the water from this well will deteriorate materially in the future, as wells yielding poor quality water (although of the small driven well type) are located nearby. In order to increase the supply and to improve the quality of water at least for the present, we propose that another gravel packed well be built on land now owned by Carroll about 240-feet distant from the gravel packed well built this summer; tests made at this location show the water to be of good quality. -We recommend that the water from the second gravel packed well be piped to the suction connection of the gravel packed well built this summer. We also recommend that an electric motor driven turbine type pump be Installed in each of these two gravel packed ,wells and that they be pumped at a combined rate of one,million gallons per day. To do' this will require additional piping so that this water of superior quality may be pumped directly into the dis- tribution mains leading,to town without treatment. The piping ar- rangements should be such that by the operation of the valves, the water may be pumped to the treatment plant in case treatment should be needed in the future. In order to obtain sufficient water from the present driven well system when the water from the two gravel packed wells de- scribed above is pumped directly into the distribution system, it will'be necessary to construct at least one additional gravel packed well in the vicinity of the best water- bearing wells on the "B" line. We propose that one such well be constructed at this time close to Town Well "B-24". The water from this third well will be of poorer quality and require treatment. C The water supply works with the assistance of the new gravel packed well produced, during the peak day of 1950, 1,685,000 gallons which is at the rate of 1,170 gallons per minute, for the 24-hour period. Vie propose that the filter plant be operated in the future at a maximum rate not to exceed 1,300,000 gallons per day (900 gallons per minute), and that the new gravel packed wells be operated at a combined rate not to exceed one million gallons per day (700 gallons per minute). This proposed arrangement will give a total supply capacity of.2,300,000 gallons per day. However, if the quality of the water from the two new gravel packed wells becomes unsatisfactory and it is not advisable to pump it directly into the distribution rains, the filter plant does not have the capacity to treat it all. Special Town Meeting, Septa 11" 19.50 11 ai CID, PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY The Hundred Acre Meadow area is the only location in Reading where a substantial quantity of water can be obtained. No practical method has been found to satisfactorily treat the water without making major expenditures for another treatment plant and changes in the present pumping plant and treatment plant. The maximum dry weather yield of the Hundred Acre Meadow area Is indeterminate. Experience has shown that the quality of the water deteriorates as the rate of draft is increased. We are convinced that you would continually experience diffi- culty in treating this water and that it will become increasingly difficult to meet the quantity demands as well. Therefore, we recommend that the Town of Reading secure its entire water supply in a permanent manner from the Metropolitan Water Supply. I We have had conferences with officials of the Metropolitan District Commission, Water Supply Division and have been told by them that they will not be In a position to provide service to Reading for a period of about three years. The following is a quote from a letter from Harold J. Toole, Chief Water Supply Engineer, Metropolitan District Commission: "I feel it would be advisable for them ( the Town of Reading) to delay taking action until the new section of our Pressure Tunnel, extending from Chestnut Hill to a point in Malden or Melrose, is completed. We expect this may be completed within the next three years and after that time, we would have ample supply available in Fells Reservoir to supply Reading and we would then be able to consider Reading's application for admission into the Metropolitan Water District." Based on the quantity of water now being used and the present M. D. C. rate of 640 per million gallons, the total yearly charge would be about $13,500. Based on the expected consumption in 1975 and at an increased rate of'say $55 the total yearly charge would be $309000. The law provides that you may spread the cost of the connection to their system over a period of ten years. We recommend that you seek special legislation allowing you to spread the necessary pay- ments ever a period of 20 years. It will be necessary for the Town of Reading to construct a booster pumping station near the Bear Hill standpipe to slightly increase the pressure (about 15 pounds) in order to adequately serve Reading. The pumps should beelectric motor driven and auto- matically controlled so as not to require an attendant. There should'also be installed a gasoline engine driven pump to serve in case of power failure or the like. Dur to war conditions, it may be more than five years before this new supply can be made available. Therefore, it will be nec- essary for the Town to build the recommended gravel packed wells with pump, pipe lines, etc., to serve in the interim. IMPROVEMENTS TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM During periods of heavy draft such as a warm summer evening and during large fires the water supply works are not able to keep the standpipes sufficiently full. This condition gets worse each year as the rate of water consumption increases. The Beacon St, standpipe is 30 feet in diameter and 100 feet high and the Bear Hill standpipe is 40 feet In diameter and 90 feet high. Special mown Meeting, Sept, 11, 1950 These standpipes have only ,a combined: storage of 14,688 gallons per foot of height. So that a draft of say 300,000 gallons in excess to the capacity of the supply works will lower the water pressure in the system 21 feet (9 pounds.) In order to maintain adequate pressures and flows for dom- estic and fire fighting purposes it is necessary that the elevated storage facilities be increased. Such storage will not only serve to maintain adequate flows when served from the present wells but will be necessary when the supply is obtained from the Meptropolitan System. We recommend building an elevated tank having a capacity of 750,000 gallons of which about 500,000 will be stored in the top 25 feet. This elevated tank to be built beside the present stand- pipe at Beacon Street. This elevated tank should be built at the earliest possible date to reduce the peak demand load on the water supply works.. n The distribution system piping (average pipe size) is small for a system of its size. The deficiency of water at satisfactory pressures for fire fighting purposes is shown on the attached table. This table was prepared by the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association based on' tests ' made by them. The town has made some extensions and improvements since these tests were made in 1943. A serious deficiency exists in the system west of the railroad and more particularly at the higher elevations in Prospect Street vicinity. We recommend that a 12 -inch pipe be installed to farm a loop in the distribution system thus strengthening the entire system as well as this particular area. The location of this proposed pipe,-line is shown on the attached plan. ESTIMATES OF COST We estimate the cost of the proposed improvements as fellows; Three gravel packed wells, (one of which is already built), two pumping station buildings with pumping equipments: piping, valves, etc. (one to be built on gravel packed well already constructed) $50000 One 750,000 gallon capacity elevated tank with foundations and appur- tenances 150,000 TOTAL $200..000 The above estimates include the cost of engineering, super- vision, etc. We,lhave not included an estimate of the cost of installing the distribution piping on west side of the town as it is assumed that this will be installed by town forces from time to time. RECOMMENDATIONS We, recommend that you have constructed at once the works esti- mated herein to cost 4200,000. Vie also recommend that you take the necessary steps to secure the future watersupply,from the Metro- politan System and that the costs for the connection be financed by borrowing for a period of 20 years. Respectfully Submitted: Respectfully submitted, itVHITMAN & HOWARD, ENGINEERS BOARD OF , FUB.LIC WORKS By P aul F. Howard ( Signed ) Jaynes E. Calvin John W. Harrison Marry R. Walker Coleman J. Donahue Walter S. Hopkins Special Town Meeting., 6epto III 1VOU Article 1. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 1 be laid on,the table. Article 2. On motion of James E. Calvin it was voted that the sum of Twenty-five Thousand (S25,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of laying water mains of' not less than six (6) inches but less than sixteen (16) inches in diameter of which sum Ten Thousand ,,($10.,000.00) Dollars,is for salaries and Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00).Dollars is for mat- erials and expenses, and to meet said appropriation, the Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and he hereby is,, authorized to borrow Twenty-five Thousand 025,000.00) Dollars under authority of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor payable in not more than ten (101 Years from the date' thereof or at such earlier date as� the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. 102 voted in the affirmative; 0 voted in the negative. Article 2. On.motion of James E. Calvin it was voted that the sum, of Fifty Thousand ($50p000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of developing additional well fields, including wells, pipes and original pumping station equipment, and to authorize the Board of Public Works to construct said works and contract with respect thereto, and to meet said ap- propriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and he hereby is authorized to borrow Fifty Thousand ($50j004.) Dollars under authority of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor payable in not more than ten (10) years from the date thereof or at such earlier date as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. 100 voted in the affirmative; 1 voted in the negative. Article 3. Thomas F. Maher moved that further discussion of Article 3 be indefinitely postponed and that a special com- mittee be appointed by the Moderator,to study said Article 3 and report back to the Annual Town Meeting. This motion was�-defeated. Article 3. On motion of James E. Calvin it was voted that the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand ($150,000.00). Dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of constructing a standpipe on land owned by the,Town and located on Beacon Street abutting the present Town Standpipe, and to meet said appropri- ation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and he hereby is authorized to borrow'One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (04150,000.00) Dollars under"the authority of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor pay- able in not more than twenty -years from the date thereof or at such earlier date as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine and the Board of Public Works are hereby authorized to proceed with the construction of said standpipe and to enter into all contracts and agreements in respect thereto and to do all other acts and things necessary and proper forcarrying but the provisions of this vote. 97 voted in the affirmative; 4 voted in the negative. A.ticle 1. On motion of Joshua T. Day, Jr. it was voted that the Board of Public Works be and they hereby are authorized, ,empowered and instructed to take action to i cause an application ­""to be filed forthwith",, , e Metropolitan Water ' District for admis- sion of the Town to membership therein so that the Town may ob- tain its entire water supply from said System upon the terms and conditions as prescribed by'the provisions of Chapter 92 of the General Laws as amended. Article!l. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 1 be indefinitely postponed. `' Special Town Meeting, Sept. 11 , 1950 ID On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to adjourn, sine die. Adjourned at 9;25 p.m. A True Record. Attest:,,,J, Town Clerk