Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 13.

The sentiment in favor of a public supply grew each year until, early in 1869, a committee was appointed to inquire into the probable cost of taking water from the Charlestown works.

A town meeting was called September 20, 1869, to hear the very able and exhaustive report which was read by the chairman of the committee, Eleazar Boynton, Jr. Although the committee was instructed to investigate the Charlestown water scheme, the report was strongly in favor of taking the Spot Pond water, stating that Malden had already voted to take from Spot Pond, and that Melrose probably would later.

In the meantime the following prominent men, Samuel E. Sewall, Daniel W. Gooch and George W. Heath of Melrose, Elisha S. Converse, J. H. Abbott and George P. Cox of Malden, and James O. Curtis, Charles V. Bemis and Benjamin F. Hayes of Medford, had secured an act of the Legislature of 1867, incorporating them as the Spot Pond Water Company. ‘The end in view was,’ to quote Judge Hayes, ‘saving the pond for the use of the towns, if within any reasonable time they should desire, as municipalities, to utilize its waters.’ By this act the right was reserved to the three towns to purchase the franchise and corporate property, by paying therefor the amount expended, together with interest, less any amount the incorporators derived therefrom with interest. This was an act of pure public spirit.

At this September meeting Medford voted to take water from Spot Pond, and elected Daniel W. Lawrence, Daniel A. Gleason and Benjamin F. Hayes a Board of Water Commissioners. Mr. Lawrence declined to serve, and Daniel W. Wilcox was chosen. It was also voted that the board contract for the construction of the works.

At the next town meeting, November 2, 1869, the opposition voted that the selectmen be instructed to petition