Dublin Core
Title
Centennial Monograph: Water Department
Description
A history of the water department in Maynard through 1966.
Creator
Eva V. Fidanza
Date
ca1966
Identifier
2019.220
Document Item Type Metadata
Text
As the population increased in Maynard the need of a water system became a necessity, and a committee was appointed reporting that an adequate supply of pure water could be obtained by securing White Pond, about three miles to the south. Application was made to the legislature and although objection was made by Sudbury parties, a bill was passed May 25, l888, giving us the rights to the pond and leave to issue thirty-year bonds.
Thomas Hillis, Thomas Naylor, and Frank W. Nyman were chosen Water Commissioners who made a contract with Howland & Ellis to put in a system with reservoir for $70,000.
Trouble broke out in the Fall of 1888, and the work stopped. A suit against the Town was brought by Howland. Friction developed among the commissioners, one of who brought suit against the Town. Backed by the authority of the Town, Thomas Hill and Thomas Naylor continued the work, Naylor taking full charge of the construction, its completion being accomplished in 1889 and bonds for $125,000 issued. The Town won the lawsuits which dragged on for several years at a cost of $30,000.
The reservoir on Pompasitticutt Hill is 199 feet above Ben Smith's Dam. It is 22 feet deep, 113 feet in diameter and holds 1,500,000 gallons of water, the pressure being 90 pounds on Main Street.
Extensions have been made each year and the construction costs stood at that time at $213,500. The water flows by gravity to the receiving wells and then is pumped to the Reservoir or directly into the mains
In 1929, land was purchased from the Independent Ice Company and the land of George Snyder, which gave the Town control of most of the land bordering White Pond. The property of the Ice Company of about 125 acres was bought for $8,500, the land from Andrew and George Snyder about two acres at a cost of $500. Property was posted to the effect that it was water supply of the Town of Maynard and trespassing was forbidden.
At a special meeting an act was adopted which would make water bills a lien on property, but it was rejected at the meeting.
In 1930 the house on the Schneider property was taken and the house which was on the property of the Ice Company, together with about ten acres of land was sold.
In 1932 voters accepted the act which made the water rates a lien on property. At the March meeting the Town appropriated $17,000 for a new Pumping Plant for the Pumping Station. After considering different types and visiting anumber of plants, it appeared that the Diesel engine and centrifugal pump was the proper unit to install.
In 1935 three lots of the White Pond property, which did not border on the pond were not necessary to protect the water supply and were transferred to the State Department of Conservation to be made part of a State Forest. There is about 51 acres in these three lots and the State paid the Town $256.25.
The fiftieth report of this department was issued in 1938, the first being in March I890 for the year 1889. There were three W.P.A. projects being carried on by this department.
In 1941, before applying for a W.P.A. Project for the new Force Main to White Pond, it was necessary to send a copy of the original ’’Act to supply the Town with water" to the W.P.A. office. Unable to find the full text of the act, Mr. Avery Steele, Representative, was requested to secure copies for us. These copies were secured and Mr. Steele presented the Town with an attested copy of the original act. Mr. Steele had this copy framed and it is displayed in the office of the Water Department.
On May 1, 1941 Orrin R. Bosworth, engineer at the Old Pumping Station, was retired on pension. Due to the war he was retained to operate the station in case of a breakdown. The United States Government took over a large area of land in Maynard and Stow, which takes in the greater part of both pipe lines from the Pumping Station in Maynard, to White Pond. This was taken after the new line was laid. The gravity line was discontinued and a Force Main put in from Winter Street, through what is now the Ammunition Depot, to White Pond. A Pumping Station was installed at White Pond.
May 26, 1944, Christopher Wilson died, He had been a member of the Water Board since his election in March 1929. He was replaced by Mr. George Weaving who was appointed to serve the remainder of Mr. Wilson's term.
In 1946, Mr. William Naylor had to retire according to rules of the pension system. At his suggestion one was chosen to act as Superintendent. At a meeting held in April Mr. Peter T. Peterson was appointed. In December Mr. Peterson was appointed to the position of Superintendent and Water Registrar by the Water Commissioners and a Superintendent of Sewer by the Sewer Commissioners.
On October 30, 1951 the observation tower at the reservoir was completely destroyed by fire.
In 1952 the voters of the Town voted to place the Water Department under Public Works, thereby eliminating the Water Commissioners; Gavin Taylor who served on the board since 1910, Edward Boulden since 1944, James J. Bakun since 1946.
In 1953 Mr. Albert Raitanen was selected by the Board of Public Works to be Superintendent. The board was comprised of Gerald Nee, Arthur P. Croft, and James J. Bakun.
On August 19, 1955 the devastating hurricane "Diane" struck the North East, and poured a deluge of torrential rains upon the countryside. This storm moved so fast that no accurate forecast or probable effects could be made. Most of the Public Works force were called out and kept on a "stand by status" in case they were needed. The department was mostly concerned about the dam in Hudson because if this dam had let go, the Hudson Light and Power Station would be out and our power for the White Pond Pumping Station is supplied by Hudson.
Estimates of the storm was damage to the retaining wall on Walnut Street caused by fast flowing water. Walls on upstream and downstream sides of the Mill Street Bridge were damaged. A washout under abutments of the Walnut St. Bridge had occurred. Sudbury St. Bridge had settled and cracked so badly it was declared unsafe for more than four tons and posted to this effect. Seven hundred and fifty meters were out of operation.
Since Public Works was organized a short four years ago, three different men have served as Superintendent. During the past year 1956, Mr. Peter T. Peterson resigned as Superintendent to enter a private business. Mr. Gerald Nee, one of the original organizers of Public Works and a former chairman of the board, was appointed in July as Superintendent.
A search for a new water supply was brought out in 1957 which was considered a must. D. L. Maher Company of Woburn drove test wells off Old Marlboro Road and with the recommendation of the State Department of Health, an eight-day pumping test was held at the most likely spot. This test proved that the water in that area was not adequate to supply the Town with its minimum requirement.
In March of 1958, the Superintendent of the Department, Gerald Nee, resigned. Mr. Lauri Wick, the Highway Foreman was appointed acting Superintendent. Most highly qualified engineering personnel interviewed would not accept the job because of the salary. It was then decided to seek an administrator trained in Municipal Public Works, Finance and Law. This resulted in the appointment of Donald A. Lent of Maynard, a man with over thirty years experience and education in this field.
The annual report of the Public Works for 1959 stated it should seek a registered professional engineer who is technically trained in Public Works. They feel he could render valuable assistance to all Departments, especially the planning board.
The present Board of Public Works is John J. Tobin, Raymond J. Sheridan, and Michael Barilone.
The search continues for an underground water supply and is now in the hands of the General Court and the Town of Stow. This came about in 1961 when an Act of Legislature passed, allowing the Town of Maynard, through its Public Works and the Town of Stow, through its Board of Selectmen, to enter into agreement to jointly search for ground water in the Town of Stow. Agreement was signed and ground rules set by both boards. A booster pump was installed at Winter Street.
In 1962 the water search with Stow produced nothing as far as Maynard was concerned and it was decided to discontinue it. We have had meetings with the Town of Sudbury Water District Commissioners to see what could be worked out with them for obtaining water. The results were not enlightening.
At the end of 1964 a second survey was made of land off Old Marlboro Road. A test well was drilled by Robert Quirk, which, after the water was passed by the State Department of Health, the town began pumping from the well into the mains. During the test period of six months, between July 20 to December 13, 63,672,600 gallons of water was pumped; for which the town paid Quirk, $100.00 per million gallons.
In December 1965 the Board of Public Works on advice, of the Engineer, requested and received two months extension from the owner of the land, which provided for the pumping of water until March 20.
At the same time R. Quirk proposed that they lease it for a year at $20,000. This proposal to come up at the Town Meeting March, 1966.
Thomas Hillis, Thomas Naylor, and Frank W. Nyman were chosen Water Commissioners who made a contract with Howland & Ellis to put in a system with reservoir for $70,000.
Trouble broke out in the Fall of 1888, and the work stopped. A suit against the Town was brought by Howland. Friction developed among the commissioners, one of who brought suit against the Town. Backed by the authority of the Town, Thomas Hill and Thomas Naylor continued the work, Naylor taking full charge of the construction, its completion being accomplished in 1889 and bonds for $125,000 issued. The Town won the lawsuits which dragged on for several years at a cost of $30,000.
The reservoir on Pompasitticutt Hill is 199 feet above Ben Smith's Dam. It is 22 feet deep, 113 feet in diameter and holds 1,500,000 gallons of water, the pressure being 90 pounds on Main Street.
Extensions have been made each year and the construction costs stood at that time at $213,500. The water flows by gravity to the receiving wells and then is pumped to the Reservoir or directly into the mains
In 1929, land was purchased from the Independent Ice Company and the land of George Snyder, which gave the Town control of most of the land bordering White Pond. The property of the Ice Company of about 125 acres was bought for $8,500, the land from Andrew and George Snyder about two acres at a cost of $500. Property was posted to the effect that it was water supply of the Town of Maynard and trespassing was forbidden.
At a special meeting an act was adopted which would make water bills a lien on property, but it was rejected at the meeting.
In 1930 the house on the Schneider property was taken and the house which was on the property of the Ice Company, together with about ten acres of land was sold.
In 1932 voters accepted the act which made the water rates a lien on property. At the March meeting the Town appropriated $17,000 for a new Pumping Plant for the Pumping Station. After considering different types and visiting anumber of plants, it appeared that the Diesel engine and centrifugal pump was the proper unit to install.
In 1935 three lots of the White Pond property, which did not border on the pond were not necessary to protect the water supply and were transferred to the State Department of Conservation to be made part of a State Forest. There is about 51 acres in these three lots and the State paid the Town $256.25.
The fiftieth report of this department was issued in 1938, the first being in March I890 for the year 1889. There were three W.P.A. projects being carried on by this department.
In 1941, before applying for a W.P.A. Project for the new Force Main to White Pond, it was necessary to send a copy of the original ’’Act to supply the Town with water" to the W.P.A. office. Unable to find the full text of the act, Mr. Avery Steele, Representative, was requested to secure copies for us. These copies were secured and Mr. Steele presented the Town with an attested copy of the original act. Mr. Steele had this copy framed and it is displayed in the office of the Water Department.
On May 1, 1941 Orrin R. Bosworth, engineer at the Old Pumping Station, was retired on pension. Due to the war he was retained to operate the station in case of a breakdown. The United States Government took over a large area of land in Maynard and Stow, which takes in the greater part of both pipe lines from the Pumping Station in Maynard, to White Pond. This was taken after the new line was laid. The gravity line was discontinued and a Force Main put in from Winter Street, through what is now the Ammunition Depot, to White Pond. A Pumping Station was installed at White Pond.
May 26, 1944, Christopher Wilson died, He had been a member of the Water Board since his election in March 1929. He was replaced by Mr. George Weaving who was appointed to serve the remainder of Mr. Wilson's term.
In 1946, Mr. William Naylor had to retire according to rules of the pension system. At his suggestion one was chosen to act as Superintendent. At a meeting held in April Mr. Peter T. Peterson was appointed. In December Mr. Peterson was appointed to the position of Superintendent and Water Registrar by the Water Commissioners and a Superintendent of Sewer by the Sewer Commissioners.
On October 30, 1951 the observation tower at the reservoir was completely destroyed by fire.
In 1952 the voters of the Town voted to place the Water Department under Public Works, thereby eliminating the Water Commissioners; Gavin Taylor who served on the board since 1910, Edward Boulden since 1944, James J. Bakun since 1946.
In 1953 Mr. Albert Raitanen was selected by the Board of Public Works to be Superintendent. The board was comprised of Gerald Nee, Arthur P. Croft, and James J. Bakun.
On August 19, 1955 the devastating hurricane "Diane" struck the North East, and poured a deluge of torrential rains upon the countryside. This storm moved so fast that no accurate forecast or probable effects could be made. Most of the Public Works force were called out and kept on a "stand by status" in case they were needed. The department was mostly concerned about the dam in Hudson because if this dam had let go, the Hudson Light and Power Station would be out and our power for the White Pond Pumping Station is supplied by Hudson.
Estimates of the storm was damage to the retaining wall on Walnut Street caused by fast flowing water. Walls on upstream and downstream sides of the Mill Street Bridge were damaged. A washout under abutments of the Walnut St. Bridge had occurred. Sudbury St. Bridge had settled and cracked so badly it was declared unsafe for more than four tons and posted to this effect. Seven hundred and fifty meters were out of operation.
Since Public Works was organized a short four years ago, three different men have served as Superintendent. During the past year 1956, Mr. Peter T. Peterson resigned as Superintendent to enter a private business. Mr. Gerald Nee, one of the original organizers of Public Works and a former chairman of the board, was appointed in July as Superintendent.
A search for a new water supply was brought out in 1957 which was considered a must. D. L. Maher Company of Woburn drove test wells off Old Marlboro Road and with the recommendation of the State Department of Health, an eight-day pumping test was held at the most likely spot. This test proved that the water in that area was not adequate to supply the Town with its minimum requirement.
In March of 1958, the Superintendent of the Department, Gerald Nee, resigned. Mr. Lauri Wick, the Highway Foreman was appointed acting Superintendent. Most highly qualified engineering personnel interviewed would not accept the job because of the salary. It was then decided to seek an administrator trained in Municipal Public Works, Finance and Law. This resulted in the appointment of Donald A. Lent of Maynard, a man with over thirty years experience and education in this field.
The annual report of the Public Works for 1959 stated it should seek a registered professional engineer who is technically trained in Public Works. They feel he could render valuable assistance to all Departments, especially the planning board.
The present Board of Public Works is John J. Tobin, Raymond J. Sheridan, and Michael Barilone.
The search continues for an underground water supply and is now in the hands of the General Court and the Town of Stow. This came about in 1961 when an Act of Legislature passed, allowing the Town of Maynard, through its Public Works and the Town of Stow, through its Board of Selectmen, to enter into agreement to jointly search for ground water in the Town of Stow. Agreement was signed and ground rules set by both boards. A booster pump was installed at Winter Street.
In 1962 the water search with Stow produced nothing as far as Maynard was concerned and it was decided to discontinue it. We have had meetings with the Town of Sudbury Water District Commissioners to see what could be worked out with them for obtaining water. The results were not enlightening.
At the end of 1964 a second survey was made of land off Old Marlboro Road. A test well was drilled by Robert Quirk, which, after the water was passed by the State Department of Health, the town began pumping from the well into the mains. During the test period of six months, between July 20 to December 13, 63,672,600 gallons of water was pumped; for which the town paid Quirk, $100.00 per million gallons.
In December 1965 the Board of Public Works on advice, of the Engineer, requested and received two months extension from the owner of the land, which provided for the pumping of water until March 20.
At the same time R. Quirk proposed that they lease it for a year at $20,000. This proposal to come up at the Town Meeting March, 1966.
Storage
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