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Westerly Chamber of Commerce Weighs In

Not content with the progress being made, the Westerly Chamber of Commerce decided to weigh in, get things moving. A special committee of political heavies from the Chamber met with the Water Commissioners in the Town Hall. The committee was composed of Horace E. Burdick, Town Council President; Frank A. Sullivan, President of the Sullivan Granite Company; Samuel H. Davis, attorney and 3^rd District Court Judge; Clifford W. Campbell, one of the two representatives from the town to the Rhode Island General Assembly (the other was Dr. John M. O’Connell, a Democrat), and Frank G. Ahern, a prominent textile merchant and sign company owner. The Water Commissioners had wanted to meet at the Commission office, but in the end yielded to the Chamber request that the gathering be held at the Town Hall.

Getting down to serious discussion the Water Commissioners said they would extend the water system “to any section of the town provided they could be guaranteed a return of 10% of their investment for a period of ten years.” Or, as Faquhar Smith bluntly explained it, “I am absolutely opposed to having anyone come to us and ask us to lay pipe through an open field in the hope that someday the section will be built up.” Sullivan pointed out some of the water problems in the Misquamicut area. Smith explained that his group was working on plans for a water tower that would aid the Misquamicut Fire District somewhat. The Chamber committee was told that new engineers had just been brought on board. New plans would be developed by them. Then Smith brought up a sore point: “We need a larger revenue.” The Water Works could not continue to do business on only $80,000.00 per year

Sullivan countered “the thing to do if you want to get more income is to build up the shore property. The shore now pays one-third of the taxes of the town.” He pointed out that before water was piped into Misquamicut “person could buy a lot for $25.00 and the adjoining lot would be thrown in for good measure. Now a 50-foot front of this property sells for $1500.00.” (Sun June 5, 1931)

With some relief the Chamber of Commerce announced later that “the Water Works Commission…is actually getting a plan under way for the solution of many of the problems which confront the Commission in that part of the town.” Yes, they sighed, progress is being made in the development of Water Works plans and policy.

By the close of July 1931, the Board of Water Commissioners had awarded several important contracts to out-of-state bidders. The awards were subject to Town Council approval. The agreements provided for the materials and erection of a 500,000gallon water storage tank and for 9800 feet of pipe. The Pittsburgh-DesMoines Steel Company of New York would supply materials for and the construction of the tower at a cost of $23,680.00. R.G. Wood of Philadelphia was allowed to sell to the town 6900 feet of 12-inch Centrifugal cast iron, “Class 200” pipe @$1.17 per foot. The larger 16-inch pipe ran $1.89 per foot, all 2100 feet of it.

The land under the storage tank was purchased from Frederick P. Babcock, Watch Hill Road, for $1000.00. The tank would rest on a hill off Winnapaug Road and be high enough so that the water tanks on Quarry Hill [Tower Street] will almost be on a level with it.

“The plan calls for the laying of the 16-inch main from the Watch Hill at the Mastuxet Brook [intersection of Watch Hill Road and Winnapaug Road] to the tank and from the tank to the present line on Shore Road. The 12-inch line will be laid down Winnapaug Road from the Shore Road, connecting with the main pipe on Atlantic Avenue… (Sun July 31, 1931) That connection was made so flawlessly that folks served by the Water Works didn’t even know it had happened.

Late in August the Board of Water Commissioners opened the bids for laying the pipelines and the construction of the concrete base for the 500,000 gallon water reservoir. Much was expected from the pipe-laying project. “It [was] claimed that the pressure at some points along the line would exceed that required by the New England Insurance Exchange.” (Sun August 24, 1931)

When the bids were received and opened by the Water Commissioners, the winner was Angelo M. Gencarelli & Company. He won both the pipe-laying contract, $9641.00 and the foundation construction contract, $3850.00 for a total of $13, 491.00. Other bids were greater and lesser than Gencarelli’s, but the Town Council backed the Water Commissioners when some complaints were raised.

The Board of Water Commissioners’ Report (1931) affirms “ immediately after the award of the contracts work was started on the foundation, followed closely by the erection of the superstructure.” In fact, the Sun reported three carloads of structural steel had arrived at the Westerly train station. It would soon be transported to the construction site. (October 6, 1931) “Installation of the pipeline was begun on August 31 and the actual laying of the pipes was finished on December 9^th, 1931.” On December 21^st the structural work was completed and the water turned on and an inspection made by Mr. George A. Sampson. (Report, 1931). The 1932 Report said “the work in connection with the erection of the 500,000 gallon steel water tank and pipeline, suspended last December, because of uncertain weather conditions was resumed in early spring and continued until its completion. Inspection was made by the Water Commissioners, the work was accepted, and on May 24^th the tank was filled with water and put into service. The entire cost of the project was $58,125.11.”

So there it stands today supplying water and fire protection to the southern end of town. The tower will come down to be replaced by an even larger one, meeting the needs of the 21^st Century. It remains a testimony to the men who planned for it and erected it. The tower has withstood at least three major hurricanes, a world war, rust and corrosion for most of a century. At a cost of a little over $800 a year the town has received more than its full dollar value from this mute servant.

Photos contained in a small black photo album which was loaned to this writer by Mr. Corina hold the following names and pictures of men who worked on this project in 1931-1932:

John Adamo Tony Folice Frank Sammataro

Joe Ballato J. Gandolfi Angelo Sanquedolce

Tony Ballato Peter Grills Gus Sanquedolce

Tony DiAngi Pete La Point Sam Saporita

Clarence K. Dion Rosy Miceli Joe Strafaci

Rosy Dolce Angelo Rizzo

While it still stands here are some characteristics:

Capacity: 500,000 gallons

Type/Style Tower: Steel-legged Tank

Height above the hill: 126 feet

Height above sea level: 232feet

Legs: 82 feet high

Tank height: 24 feet

Cost: $58, 125.11

Serves: Misquamicut, Weekapaug, Watch Hill

New Tower (2004)

Type/Style: Single Pedestal Spheroid

Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons

Cost: $1,500,000(approx.)

Afterword: Shelter Harbor did not receive a boost in its water supply until 1960.

The town of Westerly is still growing: new homes, new stores, new businesses, new restaurants are under construction. There will always be a need for more clean water and more places to store it. This story about the building of the Winnapaug Water Tank is but one of many that can be told of life in Westerly.

The author wishes to thank Paul Corina and Thomas G. Ahern for their advice and assistance.

Westerly Historical Society Newsletter April 2004

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Winnapaug Water Tank Ascending, by Thomas A. O’Connell

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