The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-03

property at the rate for that year.
These provisions Of law are INSULT
cient to compensate the town of Ster-
ling. The town in its municipal capac-
ity receives no shadow of compen-
satiOn for the depreciation of the val
ues of property near. but not actually
within the territory taken by the com
monwealth, although individuals were
afforded such relief. There is a depre-
citation of values in Sterling.
No provision for the loss of personal
property has been made. This town
suffers a permanent and never ending
loss by the removal Of the personal
property Of these farmers that were
taken which under ordinary circum-
stances would have staid in the town
forever Sterling has two lakes. They
are among the beautiful fresh water
sheets Of the state. They have been
taken by the Water Board There is
reason to fear that restriction would
be placed upon their use. Their des-
truction as the magnet of thousands of
pleasure seekers who camped upon
their shores seems to be assured
Upon one shore OF the west
lake is large camp meet
ing association and upon the other
shore a large picnic ground operated
by citizens of Sterling and a source of
considerable revenue.
Upon Saltwater River were Stones
ShOddy mill Washacum Pottery, AL
lens Grist Mill and upon East Washa-
cum Brook at its confluence with Still
water several chair factories.
On page 1876 of the board of health 3
report for 1895 1t said that it was the
purpose to excavate and clean out
certain shallow mill ponds along the
/ smaller streams, which had an un-
favorable effect on the purity of the
water. No clue was given as to what
mill ponds were intended, but those
supplying the mills referred to We're
small and they were shallow Sterling
was damaged by the destruction of
@hurches. in Oakdale ard West
Boylston, which were attended by the
people of the district especially injured.
These people had been deprived Of
| church, store and market privileges.
! They had been reduced from q thriv-
/ ing community TO the position OF one
/ Of the lonesomest hill communities in
| Massachusetts.
Mr.. Rugg read from the reports Of
the Metropolitan Water Board: For
the Wachusett reservoir 5163 acres
have been taken. 4195 acres are TO be
submerged The water will have an
average depth of 46 feet and a maxi
mum depth Of 129 feet. The resulting
lake will be Sal miles long.its maximum
WluJn Z.t0 miles, ana It's length or shore
line 35.4 miles, exclusive Of islands.
A. b. F. Kinney of Worcester was
the first witness called. He has been a
trustee of the Sterling Camp Ground
Association for 10 years, and the pres
ident for six years. The association
owns so acres of land in Sterling. The
resort has become a substantial sum-
mer resort. It's church buildings are
substantial There are expensive cot
tages, a hotel a store. a preachers cot
tage. and office buildings. There are
1876 cottages and 80 church societies
have buildings of their own. There is
a large pavilion which is used for
camp meetings in rainy weather. which
is owned by the association. The build
ings on the north side of the county
road are owned by individual owners,
who occupy them in summer. They are
mostly owned by Worcester business
men. The cost Of the cottages will run
from 1880 down to $500 The Richard
son cottage is worth much more.
The association is an organized,