Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-03-03
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.

and report at a subsequent meeting regard /
inc the best sources and means of an addi- |
tonal supply of good water for all public /
AID private uses, respectfully report:
That by the terms of the vote under |.
which they were appointed, the committee |
considered themselves instructed to employ
a competent hydraulic engineer, and with
his advice and assistance, carefully to in
yrstigate both the practicable new sources
and means of obtaining such supply, and
fine probable cost thereof Accordingly,
after proper inquiry, they engaged the
services of Mr.. E. A. Ellsworth of Hol-
woke. Mass, who has had large experience
in his profession. His plans and specifca-
tions call for thoroughly good work, am
ple in capacity for a very large increase in
population, and his estimates of cost, in
the opinion of the committee, may be safe
" accepted as reliable.
After due examination, the engineer and
the committee concurred in the opinion
Uhe Milestone brook watershed being at
present unavailable through legal compli-
cations), that there are two practically
available sources of an abundant supply,
viz: First-West river by pumping and
second Stickney brook in West Dummers-
ton Supplemented probably by a storage
Gravity. There are also two practical ways
of securing this supply, viz. First, through
the Chestnut Hill reservoir system; and,
second, through an entirely new and sepa-
rate water system; and through each,
from either of the sources named.
The committee also communicated at
once with Mr.. Geo. f. Crowell, proprietor
of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir company,
and proceeded to investigate that system of
water supply-its present capacity, and the
demands upon it, past, present and pro-
spectye-and its present and prospective
ability to meet these demands; in which
Investigations they have had his courteous
and frank assistance. The letters from
Mr.. Crowell, in response to various inqui-
ries by the committee, will best explain his
system.
The committee have learned with some
surprise that, out of about 100 house
holds, or separate families, in the village,
only about 2O0-or less than one-fifth-are
receiving their water for domestic uses
from the Chestnut Hill reservoir-the 9TH
er four-fifths and more getting their perma-
nent supply from other sources, and main
" from the ten or twelve private aqueduct
associations in town, whose shares are gen.
orally owned with the buildings they sup
ply-thus practically, and, in most cases,
permanently, cutting off the use of water
by occupants of such buildings from any
general water system, except for occasional
temporary and special purposes. And this
less than One-tifth in number of consumers,
and representing very much less than one
fifth of the amount consumed, practically
and prOXmately measures the present de-
mand for water for domestic uses from all
sources outside of the aqueducts and few
private cisterns and wells. But for public
uses such as sprinkling streets, almost en-
tirey: and extinguishing fires, largely
the supply must come from some general
water system; though the proximity OF
Milestone brook to nearly all our large
manufacturing establishments, where de-
structve fires are most imminent, and the
existence and careful maintenance of a
large number of suitable cisteTns in yari
GUS parts of the village, supplemented by
the appliances of our well organized vii
lage fire department, are important factor;
to be considered in solving the problem o.
security against fires. For these public
uses the sum of about $500 is paid a.
present-S1150 by the village for hydranl
service and about $3.50 (raised by indivd
ual subscriptiOn), for watering streets. II
reply to inquiries, the committee have re
Ceived a report from the officers of the vii
lage fire department, which is appended
hereto.
The committee agree with the engineer
that the number of hydrants ought to b.
increased to 80, and probably more SHOULD
be added later, from time to time-perhap
ultimately to the number of 4O-as pipe
are extended into new streets now unsup
piled. Obviously hydrants should be place.
at once on Birge street for the protection o
the large property interests there located
The committee are also of the opinion tina
the report of the fire engineers may safel
be accepted as to the satisfactory capacit
and performances of the hydrants in actu
al service, and also as to the general capa
bility and efficiency of the combined ap
planes of the village for eXtinguishin
fires. With these appliances all in work
ing order, and an abundant supply of wa
ter for hydrant service, few towns are a
thoroughly well protected from destructiv
contlagratiOns as BrattlebOro.
The committee are satisfied that Stick
ney brook-certainly when reinforced by
large storage reservoir in Marlboro Mort
pond-can safely be depended upon to flu
nish an ample supply of good water for
purposes. Mr.. Ellsworth estimates tn
''oI VI DllLBll5 III anu hlohiAbueAh5
gravity such a supply from this source g
$4,000; to which sum must be added a
indefinite amount to cover the cost of 81
curing the legal right to take water frol
the brook, and from the pond if used IL
storage
Mr.. EllswOrth's estimate of the cost
plant for obtaining and distributing
full supply from West river by pumpiI
with steam is SOL, 221, and by pumpin
with water power is 1923, 72l; to whic
sums respectively must be added a
amount necessary to cover cost of site ft
reservoir, right of way, etc. The estimate
all cases is intended to cover the cost of a
entire and complete new system throughou
necesstating the digging oftrenches and Il
laying of new distributing mains in all Il
streets of the village. Neither of the
new systems can be completed in time
be of service during the present seaso
The committee are of the opinion, If u
village desires to construct new wat
works, that the Stickney brook plan vii
gravity as a motor, provided the right
take the water can be purchased for
reasonable sum, is preferable to that
taking the entire supply from West riv
by means of Darnatual numDinQ