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CHARLESTOWN 1623 POND FEILDE 1 6 38
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NORTH END
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1649. SO
W.R. LAVENDER. Cit, Trean
WIR, LAVENDER, City Treas
CITY OF MELROSE
MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1905
WITH MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS DELIVERED JANUARY 2, 1905
CITY
NOF
ROS
EXPLORED 1628 .
ROSP
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
· MALDEN ·
NORTH END
1649.
1850
ING
CORPORATED
006
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK
MELROSE : DUNTON PRINTING COMPANY 1906
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
OF Hon. SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK,
MAYOR OF MELROSE,
DELIVERED JAN. 2, 1905.
MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN :
Once more, by the will of the people, I am privileged to oc- cupy this position and to address you upon the affairs of our city, and I am free to admit that, notwithstanding the know- ledge and insight into the workings of our municipality that has come to me from two years' experience and a constant attention to its needs, as I stand upon the threshold of the new year, I realize to the fullest extent that the problems con- fronting us, are in many ways more difficult than any that have come before us since we became a city.
These relate principally to the questions of finance, legisla- tion and administration, and we may well pause and seriously consider how best to meet these great questions which have got to be met fairly and squarely.
The financial problem is always with us ; a little more so, however, this year than usual, for the reason that in making up our budget, we shall be obliged to limit the expenditures for the city to the rate of $12 on each $1000 of our net valuation for 1904, which is $15,153,060.00 and gives us $181,836.32 to spend. Some doubt has been expressed by some of our citizens, as to our ability to do so. On this question there can be no doubt, we must make up our budget to conform to the rate and it will be so made. There can be very little, if any, additional expenditures to what we spent last year ; in fact, I think somne departments will have to be cut down. If it is necessary to do this, I do not think the interests of the city will suffer materially, for the character of work done, since we have become a city, has been such that the cost of maintenance has not per-
4
CITY OF MELROSE.
ceptibly increased in our departments ; again, an effort has been made to comply with the Sinking Fund requirements, which under the town and for the first two years of the city government has been omitted. In 1902 we appropriated $8,759.65 ; in 1903, $12,254.05 ; in 1904, $13,309.65. The . appropriating of this amount has naturally reduced the amount available for city departments.
Appropriations less sinking fund for 1900
$199,837.41
66
66
66
1901
206,635.82
66
66
" 1902
228,257.62
66
1903
224,833.69
66
66
66
66
1904
211,693.67
During this time the State, County and Metropolitan Tax has increased to an alarming extent. The State tax has increased from $6,645.00 in 1900 to $11,625.00 in 1904 ; the Sewerage tax, from $9,431.01 to $11,744.15 ; the County tax, from $11,- 857.11 to $15,716.05.
Notwithstanding these drafts upon our treasury, our financial condition is excellent, our credit is of the highest degree, Mel- rose bonds are sought after and we are doing an immense busi- ness at a very reasonable cost. The wonder is to me that we are so well provided for and so satisfactorily, for the small amount expended, and it is also a wonder to me that any citizen can seriously object to paying his share of the expense incurred on account of these many benefits which we receive.
The financial condition of the city, as submitted to me by the auditor for the year ending December 31, 1904, is as follows :
· FUNDED DEBT.
School house bonds $200,000.00
Sewerage loan bonds. 350,000.00
Surface drainage bonds 60,000.00 Town hall bonds
45,000.00
Water loan bonds
272,000.00
$927,000.00
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
In the sinking fund to be applied to the payment of these bonds when they mature:
School house sinking fund.
$42,626.90
Sewerage loan sinking fund
103,553.01
Surface drainage sinking fund.
6,728.88
Town hall sinking fund
4,717.16
Water loan sinking fund
148,294.54
$305,920.49
PERMANENT DEBT.
Borrowed on account of
Central Fire Station,
notes
$20,000.00
Ell Pond Park
10,000.00
High School grounds,
3,000.00
New School Building,
66
6,000.00
Public Grounds,
66
9,200.00
Stone Crusher,
6,520.00
Surface Drainage,
66
4,000.00
In the sinking funds to be applied to the pay- ment of these notes there is :
Central Fire Station sinking fund .. . $1,632.10
Central Fire Station and school-
house fund
4,701.80
There have been loans authorized on account of appropriations made during the year 1904, which must be included in the tax levy for 1905 as follows :
Melrose Common, note 1 year, $1,000. $1,000.00
Continuous sidewalk and curbing, Elm street.
2,000.00
Brown-tail and gypsy moth. 1,000.00
School department, fuel
1,000.00
$58,720.00
$6,333.90
$5,000.00
6
CITY OF MELROSE.
Permanent Debt
$927,000.00
Permanent Loan.
58,720.00
$985,720.00
Temporary loans in anticipation of taxes
$101,400.00
Cemetery Trust Funds
10,819.50
E. Toothaker Fund
1,212.00
113,431.50
$1,099,151.50
Less sinking fund of the Funded Debt
$305,920.49
Less sinking fund of the Permanent Loans 6,333.90
312,254.39
$786,897.11
ASSETS.
Cash on hand
$15,050.07
Sinking funds
312,254.39
Due from Commonwealth
3,476.00
Uncollected taxes
152,337.34
Uncollected tax titles
6,639.29
Uncollected tax sales taken by city ..
271.48
Uncollected sewer assessments
46,740.71
Uncollected street watering assess- ments
2,484.97
Uncollected sidewalk assessments. .
78.92
$539,333.17
Gross debt
$1,099,151.50
Less assets
539,333.17
Net indebtedness $559,818.33
7
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Our material assets are :
School Houses and Lands
$414,450.00
Public Library 40,600.00
City Hall, Fire Houses, etc.
159,025.00
Public Grounds, Parks, etc. 40,000.00
Cemetery 32,000.00
Stone Crusher 8,000.00
Water Works
454,285.82
Fire Apparatus
29,106.50
Sewerage System
387,850.43
Surface Drainage System
71,764.02
$1,637,081.77
An analysis of the Auditor's statement shows that our net Funded Debt is $98,736.71 less than last year, and our net Municipal Debt is $7,493.90 less, and our temporary loan in anticipation of taxes is also $6,795.53 less.
1903 - Funded Debt $897,000.00
Less sinking fund 177,183.78
$719,816.22
1904 - Funded Debt
$927,000.00
· Less sinking fund 305,920.49
621,079.51
Funded Debt reduced. $99,736.71
1903 - Municipal Debt.
$64,000.00
Less sinking fund 3,120.00
$60,880.00
1904 - Municipal Debt.
$58,720.00
Less sinking fund
6,333.90
$52,386.10
Municipal Debt reduced . . $8,493.90
8
CITY OF MELROSE.
1903 - Temporary Loan in antici- pation of taxes. ... $. .. 108,195.53
1904 - Temporary Loan in antici- pation of taxes 101,400.00
Temporary Loan less .. . $6,795.53
This is no juggling of figures, is it the fact to be proven by the Treasurer's books, and I trust that those who are prone to criti- cise our city government will study these figures and not make scare heads in cold type out of thin air.
The tax rate of $17.40 per one thousand for 1904 is divided as follows :-
State Tax ..
$11,625.00
$.49
County Tax
15,716.05
.76
Metropolitan Sewerage Tax
11,744.15
.77
Metropolitan Park Tax
5,696.87
.37
Interest
22,350.00
1.47
Sinking Fund
13,309.65
.87
Overlay
3,627.28
.24
City Tax
189,343.67
12.43
$273,412.67
$17.40
The city tax of $12.43 is divided as follows :-
Bonds for city officers
$170.00
Charity Department
7,200.00
Contingents
4,261.00
Fire Department
11,235.00
Fourth of July celebration.
500.00
Health Department
3,071.70
Insurance
1,281.18
Melrose Hospital.
1,000.00
Memorial Day
200.00
Military Aid
455.45
Permanent Loan.
1,100.00
Police Department
12,372.00
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Public Library
$3,000 00
Curbing and grading grounds
1,500.00
Salaries as provided by ordinance
12,400.00
School Department
82,220.00
Soldiers' Relief.
2,000.00
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
City Hall.
$2,280.00
Collection of ashes ..
1,395.00
Dix Pond
100.00
Engineering Division
2,350.00
Highway Division
20,000.00
Parks
100.00
Public Works office
1,170.00
Sewer Division, maintenance
800.00
Sidewalks
2,500.00
Street Lighting .
12,904.25
Brown-tail and Gypsy Moth and Charity
Department, (special orders).
1,778.09
$189,343.67
Real estate valuation.
$13,813,325.00
Personal valuation 1,424,530.00
$15,237,855.00
Number of dwellings 1903,
3312
1904,
3319
BORROWING CAPACITY FOR 1905. (Revised Laws, Chapter 27.)
An act to limit municipal debt of and the rate of taxation in cities.
SECTION 3. A city shall not become indebted in an amount exceeding two and one-half per cent. on the average of the assessors' valuations of the taxable property therein for the three preceding years, the valuation of each year being first
10
CITY OF MELROSE.
reduced by the amount of all abatements allowed thereon previous to the last day of December in the year preceding said assessment.
The net valuation of the city of Melrose for the past three years is as follows :
Year.
Total Valuation
Abatements
Net Valuation
1902
$15,461,980
$4,274.75
$15,034,405
1903
15,225,105
2,627.95
14,962,310
1904
15,411,530
2,584.70
15,153,060
$45,149,775
Average valuation for 1902, 1903, 1904, is
$15,049,935.00
Two and one-half per cent. of the same
$376,248.12
Net municipal debt
253,542.04
Borrowing capacity for 1905
$122,706.08
To which will be added any amount that may be appropri- ated for the municipal debt and sinking funds.
TAX LEVY FOR 1905. (Revised Laws, Chapter 12.)
An act authorizing assessors in cities of less than one hundred thousand inhabitants to use the valuation of the year preceding as a basis of taxation.
SECTION 54. The taxes assessed on property exclusive of the state tax, county tax and sums required by law to be raised on account of the city debt shall not in any year exceed twelve dollars in any city on every one thousand dollars of the assesors' valuation of the taxable property therein for the preceding year, said valuation being first reduced by the amount of all abate- ments allowed thereon previous to the thirty-first day of De- cember in the year preceding said assessment, subject to the following provisions: If the city council of a city which con- tains less than one hundred thousand inhabitants according to the last preceding national or state census so determines, the
11
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
average of the assessors' valuation of the taxable property therein for the preceding three years, said valuation for each year being first reduced by the amount of all abatements allow- ed thereon previous to the thirty-first day of December in the year preceding said assessment, shall be used to determine said limit of taxation instead of said assessors' valuation of the pre- ceding year. In the city of Boston, and in all cities which con- tain one hundred thousand inhabitants or more according to the census aforesaid, said average shall be so used.
In the city of Boston, said taxes shall not exceed ten and one- half dollars instead of twelve dollars as aforesaid. Any order or appropriation requiring a larger assessment than is herein limited shall be void. The provisions of this section shall not affect any existing exemption from the operation of the corre- sponding provisions of earlier laws.
The net valuation for 1904 $15,153,060.00 Assessed at $12.00 per $1,000 gives 181,836.72 which is the legal limit for taxation for municipal purposes for 1905 outside of the sinking fund requirements, interest on the debt, and state and county tax.
In the method of keeping our books and accounts of the several departments, I believe there is an opportunity for im- provement, and while there is nothing to investigate so far as relates to the ability and integrity of our officers, yet I think that if a committee was appointed by your Honorable Board, who would examine carefully into our clerical work, there might be a uniform method adopted which would be appreciated not only by the officers themselves, but by those who desire in- formation from the several departments.
In this connection I would like to have considered the advisa- bility of uniting the officers of Treasurer and Collector. I be- lieve, if this is done, the business of collecting and financing could be done more economically and with better satisfaction. I would also recommend that if the custom is to be maintained in the future as has been in the past, of the Engr. and Supt. of Public Works collecting and holding monies for sewer con- nections, water repairs, renting the City Auditorium, and receipts for other purposes, and the Clerk of the Cemetery Committee
12
CITY OF MELROSE
also receiving sums which aggregate in the course of the year to about $5000, that they should be placed under bonds as are other officers who handle the city's monies.
These, and other questions of a like nature, could be consid- ered by a committee, and if in their judgment there appeared to be a reason for a reorganization in the clerical work of the de- partments, they could make their report to your body for action. I recommend, therefore, that a committee be appointed who shall take these matters under consideration.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
It must be conceded by all who have given the matter any thought, that a great amount of work has been done during the year by this department, and with very satisfactory results. This has been accomplished mainly by the faithful, untiring and able management of our Engr. and Supt. of Public Works, W. Dabney Hunter; combining with expert knowledge of the construction and planning of Drainage, Water and Sewer Systems, an executive ability which enables him to receive the loyal support of his assistants in working for the interest of the city, we may well congratulate ourselves upon having such a one at the head of this our most responsible and important de- partment.
I would earnestly call to your attention, as I have done pre- viously, the needs of the city stable and yard; and in addition to what I have said before relative to this matter, I believe, if we establish a city stable and yard, the collection of ashes and street sprinkling could be done to better advantage and without an increase in the cost.
The principal work of this department during the year 1904 has been as follows:
The building of the Franklin Street drain, of which a portion of the expense has been paid by the Boston & Maine Railroad Company.
Berwick Street Drain relaid.
The Leonard Brook Drain completed.
Elm Street Drain completed, street put to grade.
13
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
SURFACE DRAINAGE.
Cedar Park Drain completed and connected with the main brook.
Ashland Street and Highland Avenue Drain built.
There are a number of residences which are not connected with the sewer, and in many cases the reason for their not being connected is that the expense attending the same practically prohibits many doing so. It seems to me that the present method of levying assessments for common sewers, if adopted for connections, would be for the benefit of the individual and also for the city as there should not be the slightest obstacle to secure connection of all the premises on sewered streets; and I would therefore recommend that the Legislature be petitioned for authority to use from our issue of sewer bonds such amounts as would be necessary to make these connections, and that the cost be apportioned upon the owners of real estate, to be made in five annual payments similar to that now in use for the ap- portioning of the abutters' sewer tax.
Main Street Drain, from Franklin to Porter streets, built, of which the Boston & Northern Street Railway Company paid a portion.
These drains all form a part of the original system of surface drainage as planned by the Engr. and Supt. of Public Works and adopted by the Board of Aldermen. With the funds avail- able from the sale of bonds authorized in 1904, it is the intention of this department during the coming year to build catch-basins and connect by lateral drains those streets and crossings which are now in poor condition, owing to the wash of freshets and heavy rains, thus preparing the way towards rebuilding the streets properly, so that they may be safe and convenient for travel, and not waste the public money by constant repairing. In connection with this subject, I respectfully recommend that another issue of $20,000 Surface Drainage Bonds be authorized.
HIGHWAYS.
The supervising of the widening and rebuilding of Main Street from Porter Street northerly to the Wakefield line.
14
CITY OF MELROSE
Elm Street graded and rebuilt, curbstones set and sidewalks repaired and rebuilt.
A section of Main Street, comprising the west side between Essex and Foster Streets, laid with bitulithic macadam. This was not an experiment, but to serve as an object lesson to show to our citizens what an improvement could be made upon our most travelled streets of a surface which would not only be durable and easy to keep clean but practically noiseless. There is nothing better than a granite block paving for such streets, but the expense of laying and the noise of teams rattling over the pavements make it especially undesirable, and as this pavement which is now laid costs about one-half that of the granite paving and seems to prove satisfactory to our citizens, I should recommend that wherever it may be deemed necessary to renew or rebuild in those streets of a like condition as Main Street where it is now laid, that this method be adopted.
Appleton Street, gutters paved.
Ashland Street, raised to grade and macadamized.
Franklin Street, from Ashland to Greenwood Streets, resur- faced.
Main Street, east side, from Winthrop to Emerson Streets, resurfaced.
Lebanon Street, from Forest Street to the Malden line, graded and macadamized.
Berwick Street, Vinton Street from Emerson to Franklin Streets, Otis Street, Orris Street, Vinton Street to Walton Park, macadamized.
Walton Park, east gutter paved and street graded.
Most of this work has been what might be termed permanent construction and not for maintaining. To carry on any work during the year, which may be of a permanent nature, it might be necessary that a bond issue be authorized for "Permanent Highway Improvement."
All individual sidewalks applied for, and all continuous walks ordered have been built and many of the old walks have been repaired.
WATER.
A new 10-inch water main has been laid in Main Street from Melrose to Morgan Street.
15
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
In view of the fact that the new method of assessment upon the several municipalities in the Metropolitan Water District goes into effect January 1, 1906, the basis of said assessment will be determined by the consumption of water during the coming year. A full and exhaustive report of the use and waste of water in the district, and the relation that Melrose bears to the other municipalities, has been prepared by Mr. Hunter, which is now in the hands of a committee of your Honorable Board, and will no doubt be acted upon at an early date. If, in your judgment, it seems best to adopt the meter system, it will prob- ably be necessary that a bond issue will have to be authorized.
I would respectfully suggest that your Board take immediate action upon the question of the assessment of betterments for benefits received under the system of surface drainage.
I also call to your attention the fact that there is a section of the city which was not included in the original system of surface drainage. I refer to that portion known as the Saugus River area, containing about 317 acres. It may be desirable for the benefit of the owners of property in that section, that the Engr. and Supt. of Public Works should prepare plans and estimate of cost of continuing the system through this territory. This might be properly considered in connection with the proposed boulevard which is laid out along the brook at or near Bennett's Pond. And with regard to the boulevard which is to connect the Fells with Lynn Woods, I am credibly informed that surveys have been made and are now completed, preparatory to com- mencing the building of the roadway; as soon as the plans are finished, they will be sent to the city and options on the land to be taken will be asked for.
There is a matter of legislation that will probably come before the next General Court in which Melrose in common with the other cities and towns in the Metropolitan District, is vitally in- terested. I refer to a report that will be made by a special com- mittee appointed by the Legislature of 1904 to investigate and report upon questions relative to the local sewerage systems within the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Mr. Hunter and myself attended the hearing at the State House upon the subject matter. It seems that some of the towns and cities who were
16
CITY OF MELROSE
not in the Metropolitan Sewerage District scheme originally, and have come in since it was completed, desire to have their main sewers to be built by the state, as it has been done in those places through which the main sewer was obliged to go to con- nect with other towns and cities. I opposed the petition, but at the same time protected our interests, providing that they should make a favorable report by calling their attention to the fact that Melrose wishes to have an opportunity to show that certain lines or laterals built by it, and others to be built in the future, should be purchased and built by the Commonwealth; but whatever way the committee may report, it will of necessity come before the Legislature for consideration, and I recommend that our representative be requested, in the event of the com- mittee making a favorable report, to use his influence against the passage of the bill, on the ground that it is inexpedient and unwise for the Commonwealth to build or purchase local sewers, unless the same are used in common by two or more of the mun- icipalities.
DYNAMITE EXPLOSION.
The awful calamity caused by the explosion of dynamite, which startled and shocked our city on the evening of September 21st, is still fresh in our memory. Some measures should be adopted to better safeguard lives and property from accidents of this nature than are now in force, and I believe that a general law will be enacted by the Legislature during the coming year, placing proper restrictions governing the handling and trans- porting of dangerous explosives, and I recommend that our Representative to the General Court be instructed to use his efforts toward obtaining necessary legislation upon this matter.
PINE BANKS PARK.
I have received a communication from Col. H. E. Converse of Malden in which he, acting for his sisters and himself, offers to the cities of Malden and Melrose the property known as The Pine Banks Park, which belonged to the estate of his father, the late Hon. E. S. Converse. By the terms of the will of Mr.
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Converse, the whole of the property known as Pine Banks Park is devised to his children with the request that they "consider giving the whole or some part thereof to the City of Malden and the Town of Melrose for a public park or other public charitable use, upon condition that the said city and town shall respectively agree to keep such portion thereof as shall be within its borders, in good repair and condition." They desire to carry out his suggestions and "will deed the property known as Pine Banks Park, except the two log cabins which will be re- moved, to a board of seven trustees who are to hold it in trust and keep it forever open as a public park, except as hereinafter provided.
"The board of trustees shall consist of seven members made up as follows: The Mayors of the city of Malden and the city of Melrose, ex-officiis, two citizens of Malden and two of Melrose, to be selected in the first instance by the donors, the term of office of one representative of each city to expire in each year, the vacancy to be filled in January of each year by vote of the remaining five members, the seventh member to be named by the donors and their descendants; and in the event of their failure, inability or refusal to name such seventh member, the vacancy to be filled on petition of either of the cities by the Pro- bate for the County of Middlesex. This board is to have the absolute control and management of the property with power to make such rules and regulations as shall seem to it best. The members thereof shall serve without pay.
"The city of Melrose and the city of Malden, if they accept the provisions of this offer, are to agree to furnish in equal shares annually the amount determined by the board each year to be necessary to keep the property in as good condition as the same now is. Failure on the part of either of the cities to make sufficient appropriation, shall on request of the donors, their heirs or devisees, obligate the trustees to reconvey the property to the donors or their heirs or devisees free from all trusts.''
This beautiful park at the entrance to our city contains 107 1-2 acres of diversified land, hill and plain, dense woods and level ground. It has been for many years, through the generosity and public spirit of its owner, maintained for the benefit of the
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