HomeMy WebLinkAbout1926-03-19 Board of Public Works Minutes March 19, 1926
Members present: John W. Ovien, Joseph W. Booth, Frank C.
Carter, Wm. S. Kinsley, M. C. Higgins, the Superintendent and Mr.
F. A. Barbour.
The Wilmington Water Board met with our Board and discussed
the proposed purchase of water from Wilmington by Reading. A report
of this meeting is attached.
It was voted to work up specifications for the water extension
on Forest Street, and obtain bids for the work.
It was voted to purchase a Ford 1/2 ton truck with a steel
carrying body, from the Reading Motor Company, at a price of
$5517.00 Net.
Respectfully submitted,
M. C. Higgins
SECRETARY.
March 19, 1926.
Report of meeting of Reading Board of Public Works with Water
Board of the Town of 'Wilmington.
The Wilmington Water Board was represented by Mr. Harriman,
Chairman, Mr. Eames and three other members. Mr. Barbour was
present as engineering counsel for the Board of Public Works.
The Wilmington Water Board has drilled six wells that, in a
pumping test last summer, furnished about 500,OnO gallons per day.
They prefer to estimate the production of the wells at 500'000 gallons,
although they nuoted an opinion of Mr. Greenough of the State Water
Board that they could very easily be made to --rroduee 700,000 gallons
per day.
The proposed to furnish the Town of Reading 100,000 gallons
of water daily at the Town Line, at a cost of $100 per million
gallons, under a fifteen year contract. Their plan was to build '
a storage tower of sufficient height to fill the present tower in
Reading. This tower would have to be about 125 feet high, and the
greatest diameter that can be.built with safety for this height is
about 28-30 ft. The water would be delivered through two 10" mains
to the Town Line on Lowell St. It was their idea that Reading would
continue to use its present supply and use the Wilmington water as
an auxiliary.
The water situation as it now exists in Reading is briefly this:
In 1925 we pumped a daily average of about 330,000 gallons, which,
from the report of our engineers, is dangerously near the limit.
Either the increased demand for water, consequent to the normal growth
of the Town, or a. severe drouth, will cause a real shortage. The '
growth of the Town is certain; drouths we cannot be sure of, but
they do occur nevertheless , and generally when we are least prepared
for them. These two factors alone make it imperative that the situation
be faced Immediately, and that provision be made for a sufficient J
supply for domestic and manufacturing purposes . .
' In considering the water situation, fire protection must not
be overlooked. Our local fire department could empty our present
stand pine in less than two hours, and then they would be done, as
far as water is concerned. It is therefore apparent that in settling
the water question we must be assured of a sufficient quantity for
both water services and fire Protection, regardless of our source
of supply.
In round figures, the cost to connect no to the Wilmington
water would be approximately $160,000. This provides for a 14" main
from the Town Line to the water tower, also an additional tower of
sufficient capacity to give adequate fire protection. This cost,
with its carrying charges, plus the rate quoted of 1100 per million
gallons, and averaged in with our own pumping station costs , and
spread over the life of the proposed contract, would produce a gross
cost in the neighborhood of $250 per million gallons , which is of
course a prohibitive figure.
Ib is obvious therefore that the proposition presented by the
Wilmington Board is not of interest. They have agreed to reconsider
their project and make us a proposition covering our entire water
sunnly and substitute a 14" main for their two 10" lines which will
meet our 14" main at the Town Line.
This proposition of furnishing us, say 400,000 gallons per day,
should enable the Wilmington Board to give us a much lower rate than
the one quoted, and also enable Reaing to cut out its own pumping
charges and to spread the fy10o,000 investment costs over the entire
amount of water used, rather than the 100,000 gallons per day first
proposed.
It should be states here that entrance into the Metropolitan
System with an unlimited water supply could be made in 1925 for
about .1135.00 per million gallons of water used.
Respectfully submitted
M. C. Higgins
SECR?TARY of the Board of Public Works
1