Search using this query type:

Search only these record types:

Advanced Search (Items only)

Centennial Monograph: Sewage System

mhs-2019.224.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Centennial Monograph: Sewage System

Description

A history of the town's sewerage system. Recognized as a need from the earliest days of the town's incorporation, a variety of factors prevented its construction until 1930.

Creator

Ralph L. Sheridan

Date

ca1967

Identifier

2019.224

Document Item Type Metadata

Text

Sewerage had been one of the considerations of the earliest town meetings, but no positive action was taken.

In 1902, the American Woolen Company built their own system on the former Reardon and Mahoney estates, with filter beds near the old McGrath place off Waltham Street (now the Rod and Gun Club property.)

In 1907, a committee was appointed to act with the Board of Health to investigate the advisability of installing a sewerage system. This committee recommended nothing be done at that time on account of the large debt outstanding.

Another such committee was appointed In 1914 and $1000 appropriated for a preliminary survey. After an extensive investigation the committee recommended the construction of a system costing approximately $125,000, to include about eight and one-half miles of piping, a disposal plant and fixtures, with a total capacity of 500,000 gallons daily. This was approved by the state Commissioner of Health, and the General Court under Chapter 340, Acts of 1916, granted the town permission for its construction.

Work was not started due to conditions caused by the World War. The matter was again discussed in 1925, and in 1928 the General Court granted the town permission to acquire land on the Maynard-Acton line for a disposal plant site. In 1928, a contract was signed to build a sewerage plant and pipe the town at a cost of $150,000.

In 1929, the town asked the General Court for permission to borrow $100,000 in excess of the debt limit to complete the system.

In 1930, three sewer commissioners were elected: Peter Wilcox, Mark Newton and Chrlstopher Wilson. They, in turn, appointed Edwin Carlton, Superintendent of Sewers and Clerk.

In 1934, William A. Naylor, Water Superintendent, was also named Superintendent of Sewers.

In 1936, the Textile Realty Company, representing the American Woolen Company, turned their system over to the town.

And in 1952, town meeting voted to place the Sewer Department under the Public Works Department.

Storage

SU9-4