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Melrose Public Library Melrose, Massachusetts
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CITY OF MELROSE MASSACHUSETTS
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Annual Reports 1907
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Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 7th, 1907
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PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK
MELROSE FREE PRESS PRINT SHOP 1908
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1
EUGENE H. MOORE, MAYOR
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https://archive.org/details/cityofmelroseann1907melr
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HON. EUGENE H. MOORE MAYOR OF MELROSE DELIVERED JAN. 7th, 1907
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :
By the will of the people and as their servants, we assemble here to represent them during the year of 1907. We have one of the most beautiful cities of the Commonwealth, one for which Nature has done much, and our citizens more, in pro- viding everything needed for a fine residential community. We are well situated for residential purposes, within seven miles of Boston. We have better steam railroads service than now exists on the south side of Boston ; we have through elec- trics to Boston by two routes, and with better cars and service than most places, and we have a fairly direct carriage route through the parkways to Boston. We look forward to the ex- tension of the boulevard system to the Lynn Woods. No other city has a more beautiful situation. We border on the great park system, with Spot Pond, the Fells, Boston Rock, Pine Banks Park, Mt. Hood, Sewall Woods, Ravine Road, Ell Pond and many other attractive and interesting sections.
Our public buildings have contributed much to the beauty of the city. We have substantial and attractive school buildings, city hall, public library, hospital, Y. M. C. A. building and club houses and church buildings ornamenting the city.
The growth of the city the past few years has been moderate but most substantial. In every locality houses of attractive architecture and good value are being erected.
We have the best of schools, ample parks and boulevards, and a great water and sewerage system ; highways that are
3
CITY OF MELROSE
being constantly improved, and a drainage system well estab- lished ; an efficient police force, and one of the best fire depart- ments of any small city. With all the above, we are in excel- lent financial condition.
The financial condition of the city as submitted to me by the Auditor for the year ending December 31, 1906, is as follows :
Bonded Debt.
School House Loan Bonds . $200,000.00
Sewerage Loan Bonds . 360,000.00
Surface Drainage Bonds 60,000.00
Town Hall Bonds
45,000.00
Water Bonds
235,000.00
Total, $900,000.00
There is in the Sinking Funds to be applied to the pay- ment of these bonds when they mature:
School House
$45,513.05
Sewerage,
179,897.01
Surface Drainage,
7,228.42
Town Hall,
38,321.06
Water,
194,660.30
Total,
$465,619.84
Permanent Debt.
Borrowed on account of:
Ell Pond Park Notes, . $4,000.00
Green Street Widening Notes, 8,000.00
Melrose Common Notes, 1,500.00
Public Grounds Note, 7,927.88
Retaining Wall Ell Pond Notes, 2,000.00
Sewall School Building Notes, 2,200.00
Continuous Sidewalks Notes, 4,000.00
Steam Road Roller Notes,
2,500.00
$32,127.88
6 4
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Municipal Debt.
School Department,
$1,284.13
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths,
7,500.00
Building South Avenue,
2,000.00
Sewall School Building,
700.00
Steam Road Roller,
1,000.00
Green Street Widening,
2,000.00
Building Rogers Street,
800.00
Charity Department,
1,500.00
Continuous Sidewalks, .
1,500.00
Individual Sidewalks, .
600.00
Total, $18,884.13
Loans have been authorized which will be borrowed be- fore the end of the year, as follows:
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths, $4,000.00
Fire Department, new hose, . 1,100.00
General Contingent,
1,500.00
$6,600.00
Total amount which must be raised in 1907 for the above notes is $15,200.00.
Loans have been authorized since the Budget was passed as follows:
Charity Department, $1,500.00
Sewall School Building,
1,400.00
Steam Road Roller,
3,500.00
Green Street Widening,
6,000.00
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths,
4,000.00
Fire Department,
1,100.00
Retaining Wall, Ell Pond,
2,000.00
General Contingent,
1,500.00
Building Rogers Street,
800.00
School Department Repairs, . 500.00
Individual Sidewalks, .
600.00
Continuous Sidewalks, .
5,500.00
$28,400.00
6
CITY OF MELROSE
Bonded Debt, . $900,000.00
Permanent Loans,
32,127.88
Municipal Loans,
18,884.13
Total,
$951,012.01
Temporary loans in anticipa-
of taxes,
$122,400.00
Cemetery Trust Fund, .
13,856.00
E. Toothaker} Fund,
1,233.46
Total,
$137,489.46
Gross Debt,
$1,088,501.47
Less Sinking Funds,
465,619.84
$622,881.63
Assets.
Cash on hand,
$82,181.30
Sinking Funds,
465,619.84
Due from Commonwealth,
3,318.50
Due from uncollected taxes,
164,747.15
Due from uncollected tax
takings,
5,862.19
Real estate taken by city,
1,224.42
Sewer assessment by city,
343.91
Uncollected sewer assess-
ments,
23,790.69
Sidewalk assessment,
1,356.75
Street Betterments,
1,023.37
Street Watering, .
2,771.68
Main Street Curbstone,
961.44
Moth Assessments,
450.12
Total, $753,651.36
Gross Debt,
$1,088,501.47
Less assets,
$ 753,651.36
Net Indebtedness,
$334,850.11
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Our material assets are :
School Houses & Lands,
$414,450.00
Public Library, 40,600.00
City Hall, Fire Station, etc., .
159,025.00
Public Grounds, Parks, etc., .
40,000.00
Cemetery,
32,650.00
Stone Crusher,
8,000.00
Water Works,
465,008.82
Sewerage System,
397,929.98
Surface Drainage System,
102,412.11
Fire Apparatus & Fire
Alarms,
29,281.70
Total,
$1,689,357.61
An analysis of the Auditor's statement shows that our net Funded Debt is $181,814.02 less than last year, and our net Municipal Debt is $21,528.99 less, and our temporary loan in anticipation of taxes is $13,470.39 more.
Borrowing Capacity for 1907.
Year
Total Valuation
Abatements
Net Valuation
1904
$15,411,530.00
$117,850.00
$15,293,680.00
1905
15,329,695.00
155,000.00
15,174,695.00
1906
15,506,680.00
162,900.00
15,343,780.00
$45,812,155.00
Average Valuation is
$15,270,718.00
Two and one-half per. cent. of same is, Net Municipal Debt is,
$381,767.95
$212,177.90
Borrowing Capacity for 1907 is,
$169,590.05
Public Works Department.
Of all the branches of the public service, this department is perhaps, with the exception of the schools, the most important one, and includes, as you gentlemen all know, the care and management of the public ways, sidewalks, bridges and cul-
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CITY OF MELROSE
verts, water works, public drains, and sewers, public parks, squares and play-grounds ; it also includes the engineering department and the care and custody of all public property.
Highway Division.
Under this head I wish to give you a few facts and figures compiled from the printed reports of the Town and City, show- ing the expenditures of some of the branches of the city the past 14 years, most of which I will omit to read, as figures at this time are not particularly interesting to you, but wish to show that the Highway Department decreased from $27,147 in 1892 to $22,914 in 1905, a decrease of $4,633, while the other departments have materially increased, particularly the School Department from $41,762 in 1892 to $87,647 in 1905, the inter- est from $9,061 in 1892 to $33,063 in 1905, and the State, County and Metropolitan Tax from $12,833 in 1892 to $51,872 in 1905.
Year.
Charity
Department.
Fire
Department.
Department.
Department.
Department.
Interest
State,
County, and
Metropolitan
Metropolitan
Water Tax.
Sidewalks.
Street
Lighting.
Parks.
Highways.
1892
$9,332
$5,191
$1,033
$6,028
$41,764
$9,061
$12,833
$3,778
$6,721
$27,147
1893
7,396
9,064
1,280
6,967
43,235
9,057
16,590
4,213
7,980
$599
30,794
1894
9,088
8,450
1,476
8,210
47,533
8,502
17,818
4,170
8,303
225
20,326
1895
8,198
9,010
1,791
8,691
49,683
7,284
20,783
4,274
8,435
308
25,607
1896
8,370
9,219
2,016
9,694
55,125
16,268
16,743
4,440
10,059
433
28,962
1897
9,083
9,065
1,931
10,120
70,004
26,044
33,948
6,307
11,006
474
22,954
1898
10,938
12,064
1,912
10,519
71,547
28,055
24,763
$3,332
4,602
10,978
293
28,143
1899
11,887
11,511
2,072
11,434
72,583
30,522
28,298
4,921
3,832
10,852
435
27,846
1900
12,302
12,513
2,730
12,485
84,823
36,952
27,933
6,747
2,588
12,397
282
22,820
1901
11,694
10,324
3,517
11,898
81,539
30,502
43,013
12,546
5,152
11,992
113
27,902
1902
13,866
11,087
11,922
12,559
81,178
32,833
44,710
14,434
5,689
12,276
88
28,820
1903
13,633
12,996
6,497
12,499
84,719
35,670
40,521
17,815
5,135
12,452
92
21,329
1904
11,280
12,952
3,788
12,694
8,927
34,636
44,782
19,722
5,027
12,666
78
21,328
1905
11,496
13,023
4,547
12,483
87,647
33,063
51,872
20,478
7,584
12,330
98
22,914
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
6
Health
Police
School
Tax.
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CITY OF MELROSE
From the figures on preceding page it will appear that the amount of money appropriated and expended for the care and maintenance of the highways has gradually decreased, while that appropriated and expended for other purposes has in- creased.
Melrose is purely a residential suburb, and it seems to me that our prosperity as a community largely depends upon our ability to compete with the surrounding cities in making it an attractive place in which to live. Our water and sewer sys- tems are underground, little attention is paid to our schools or our public library by the visitor in, or traveller through our territory ; the one thing that is seen and noted is the condition and appearance of the walks and streets. If these are in good condition, cleanly kept, and present an appearance of thrift, a a desirable class of people will be attracted to Melrose, and in a short time it will become one of the most desirable suburbs of Boston, with the attending increase in property values and the corresponding decrease in the rate of taxation.
Owing to the additional appropriation last year of $10,000.00 more work has been done in this department the past season than in any other year since Melrose became a city.
Sidewalk Division.
During the year just passed, an unusually large amount of work on continuous sidewalks has been accomplished, as all the orders of the Board, although passed late in the season, have been carried out. In addition, sidewalks have been constructed in front of 23 estates, and notwithstanding the city does not pay one-half the cost of granolithic, I am pleased to note that its use is increasing. I recommend that the sidewalk ordinance be amended so that your Board may, if it should so elect, order a granolithic walk in front of any estate. I also recommend that your board consider the advisability of apportioning the assessment on continuous walks similar to sewer assessments.
City Stable and Yard.
I am convinced of the need of a city stable and yard. We are now paying at the rate of over $1,000.00 per year for rents, etc., which would be saved and could be applied as an off-set
II
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
against the necessary investment. From my knowledge of the sentiments of the previous Boards of Aldermen when consider- ing this matter, I am led to believe it was not so much the question of its need, as it was the selection of a suitable location. It is needed, not only as an economical measure, but it is nec- essary for the convenience of the public in calling on the de- partments at all times of day or night in case of emergency, with the assurance that water breaks, etc., would have ready and prompt attention ; it would tend to consolidate the divi- sions of the public works department in reality, and would per- mit the management of this important department to suitably care for and preserve the numerous implements in its possess- ion, and I would earnestly urge your early consideration of this important matter.
Water Division.
This department of our Public Works Department is finan- cially in a healthy condition, and although our assessment by the Commonwealth to pay our part of the maintenance, interest and sinking fund requirements for the cost of the Metropolitan Water System is high, we are able to pay all our bills and have a small margin to spend each year in improve- ment of the plant.
Relative to our large per capita consumption, and the effect that it has upon the amount of assessment by the Common- wealth, I will have a careful study made to see what can be done, if anything, to reduce this expense, and will later send the result of the research to your Board with my recommenda- tions thereon.
Surface Drainage.
To date there has been appropriated and expended $80,000 of the $100,000.00 authorized, and in addition the Board of aldermen in 1901 authorized the expenditure of the $10,000.00 for the same purpose, making the total amount appropriated to date $90,000.00, and notwithstanding only $90,000.00 has been appropriated, I am informed by the department that drains costing $107,000.00 have been constructed, the other $17,000.00 being paid by private parties and from the approp-
I2
CITY OF MELROSE
riation for care and maintenance of highways. With this ex- penditure the flooded condition of many of the streets is satis- factorily and permanently remedied, and I believe the work has given universal satisfaction, and while the same relief might possibly have been temporarily accomplished with less expen- diture of money, the drains as constructed are intended to be, and I believe will prove a permanent benefit, and last as long as Melrose remains a body politic. I recommend a continu- ance of the work the coming year, and request that you give the matter your early attention to the end that the appropriation be made in order that the work may be laid out and contracts for stock placed.
In connection with this matter, I wish to call attention to the much agitated and discussed problem of Spot Pond Brook.
To briefly review this subject, the waters from the brook flowing from Ell Pond in Melrose and Spot Pond in Stone- ham, forming a junction just below Wyoming avenue and flowing southerly into and through Malden and discharging into the Malden River, has from early time been a detriment to the growth of Melrose.
In 1898, when the Metropolitan Water Board took Spot Pond, for its use as a storage basin, the elevation of the water was raised some 10 or 12 feet, and a large territory previously flow- ing into Spot Pond was diked off and drained under the pond and discharged direct into the brook. This action by the Met- ropolitan Water Board greatly aggravated the conditions. Since then there has been numorous conferences between Mel- rose, Malden and the Metropolitan Water Board with no satis- factory result. It is my intention to do all in my power to bring about some improvement in this water course, and to that end I earnestly ask the co-operation of your Board. With an improvement in this brook, the entire flat section in the vicinity of Wyoming avenue will be greatly benefited, and will permit of the construction of lateral drains in this section, which cannot be constructed until this improvement is accom- plished.
Appended hereto is a summary of the work done the past season, that previously constructed, and a total of the work constructed to date, which I will omit to read.
I3
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
10 inch Akron pipe
470 feet
,102 feet
572 feet
12
66
4
5,271
"
4,404
15
66
66
6,142
2,572
66
6 9,675 8,714 284 1,602 66
66
18 66 Akron 66
1,000
602
66
3,896
66
20
66
Iron
66
120
6
120
66
24
Akron
1,106
10
1,116
Concrete and brick conduit
6,738
1,303
66
8,041
Concrete culv'ts and I beams
6
1
66
7
Catch basins
239
83
322
Manholes
137
45
66
182
Sewer Division.
Several main sewers have been constructed the past year and at the present time few if any extensions are needed. That the system is all that it should be, is evinced by the health of the community and the small amount expended annually for the maintenance of the system. I have no re- commendations to make.
Parks.
Melrose possesses numerous so-called Parks,-Sewall Woods, Melrose Common, Pine Banks and Ell Pond, none of which, with the single exception of Pine Banks Park, has any appear- ance whatever of being a Park ; none of them are located within the center of the city, and I suggest for your considera- tion the advisability of securing by purchase or otherwise, the land in the rear of the Central Fire Station and adjoining the City hall lot, and that the same be improved that there may be in the heart of the city an open spot where people may recreate on holidays and enjoy the open air on summer evenings.
Bath House.
I recommend that you consider the advisability of con- structing a proper bathhouse in Ell Pond adjoining Main street for use of small children. It will be remembered that the children too small to go alone to the nearby bathing resorts
16
66 Iron
284
20
66
66
66
3,572
66
324.
66
66
66
I4
CITY OF MELROSE
persist in bathing in this pond, which is conceded by all to be dangerous, and has on several occasions proved fatal to them.
The School Department.
No more important interests will claim our consideration during the year than those of public education.
We are a community of high intelligence, demanding the best schools. We should be known as a city of schools, con- stantly increasing in reputation and standing. Our graduates rank with honor in the colleges, our teachers and school offici- als are of high character and ability. The great financial burdens incident to the public schools should be borne with patience and pleasure as a wise investment, which will fit our sons and daughters for the business of life, and make them proud that they were educated in Melrose. We should all join in making our schools the best in New England.
The most pressing need of this department, as it appears to me, is the need for increased school rooms. This I get both from personal inspection and from conference with the school authorities.
During the past few years, two plans for relief in this direc- tion have failed of approval, although in both cases, they were indorsed by the School Committee and the Board of Aldermen. To me it seems unfortunate that something could not have been accomplished, for our schools are suffering seriously under the present conditions.
Melrose cannot, from any point of view, refuse longer to provide proper accomodations for all the pupils in its schools.
Doubtless, owing to the conflicting personal interests, any plan of enlargement of our present accommodations will meet with opposition, but in considering the matter it will be well to keep in mind the following points : (1) unless we choose to sacrifice the best interests of the city, relief in this line must come at an early date ; (2) in deciding what shall be done per- sonal interests and preferences should not for a moment stand in the way of the advancement of public good.
In view of the necessity for early action in this matter, I am led to suggest that it may be wise to have a special committee appointed to bring forward some suggestion as to the best plan
I5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
to be adopted in securing the needed enlargement of our present school accommodations.
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths.
Throughout the residential district of the city, the brown tail moth is practically exterminated. This pest has been a source of physical discomfort to many of our citizens for a num- ber of years past. Through its entire area, the city is infested with the gypsy moth, and has been thoroughly scouted and re- ported to the State officials as one large colony. But to the general observer, even the gypsy is not as much in evidence as during any of the past ten years. This may well be ascribed to the thorough work done by the city last year and the intelli- gent and constantly increasing work of the public throughout the entire residential section of our city. While the woodlands are still badly infested, there being vastly more nests than last year, much preliminary work has been done which should show to great advantage during the coming summer. Notices were sent out during September, 1906, to all property holders requiring them to clear their estates of gypsy and brown tail moth nests on or before Jan. 1, 1907. In accordance with the above, the property will be inspected shortly after Jan. 1, 1907, and property holders who have not attended to their gypsy and brown tail moths nests will be given ten days time, and on failure to comply, on the expiration of that time the city will enter and do what is necessary to protect the neighborhood. Approximately the cost of exterminating the moths from Jan- uary 1 to date is as follows :
Pine Banks Park:
Labor, Material,
$1,779.26 408.50
$2,187.76
Ell Pond Park:
Labor,
302.10
Material,
68.70
370.80
Sewall Woods:
Labor,
407.50
Material,
93.75
506.25
Cemetery and Poor Farm:
Labor,
664.98
Material,
167.04
832.02
16
CITY OF MELROSE
Schools and Stone Crusher Lots,
Labor, 156.65
Material, 37.75 194.40
Cleaning Private Property : 4,051.07
All Other Private Property :
5,207.41
Making a total of
$13,349.71
Fire Department.
While we have had no large fires to tax our department, yet we should be prepared for such an emergency and I would recommend your committee on Fire Department to carefully consider the following matters : Hose 3, at the Highlands, is nów occupying a house that it is impossible to properly heat. It is in need of many improvements and costly repairs and would be throwing money away to do so. I would suggest to your committee to consider a new house and combination wagon for the Highlands. You must take into consideration the fact that that part of the Highlands west of the track is far removed from our Central Fire Station, and serious delay might be occasioned by the gates being down at the railroad crossing.
I would suggest that you look into the matter of furnishing Hose 2 quarters at Wyoming west of the track, for, as at the Highlands, serious delay might occur at the railroad crossing.
The matter of a fire whistle is now before your board, and hope you will give it careful consideration.
Public Library.
The Public Library is occupying a beautiful building, and has been well and judiciously managed in the past, and I un- derstand that the hours have been increased, but would sug- gest to the Trustees that it be opened as early as 1 p. m. at least that the scholars may enjoy the use of it on their way home from school.
Public Service Corporations.
The public service corporations should be the servants of
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
the people, and not masters. Our lighting, transportation and telephone business is in the hands of companies that are finan- cially able to serve the public well. They should be held to the very highest service, and no privileges should be granted them without compensating benefits to the public.
Police Department.
The department at present consists of a chief and eleven patrolmen. The officers have been faithful in the discharge of their duties and the laws well enforced. I have no recom- mendations to make for this department at present.
Board of Health and Charity Department.
In these departments I have no recommendations to make at the present time.
In conclusion, let us remember that we should work together for the interests of the whole city. The problems before us require our united and earnest work. We can accomplish much if we work in harmony. From long service in the Board of Aldermen, I know the hard and painstaking work of the members. No one is more interested in a good administration than are the members of the board. I must rely upon you for cooperation through the year.
I shall constantly seek your advice and help in performing our work. Let us, as public officials, bear in mind that we are servants of the people. Every official, whether elected or appointed, should give his best attention to the public service. It is our duty to act with courtesy to every citizen stockholder in this great corporation by whom we are employed. If we cannot grant their demands, we are at least bound to give respectful and courteous treatment to every citizen.
In performing our work, let us keep in mind that this is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Government of the City of Melrose 1907
Mayor, EUGENE H. MOORE.
President of the Board of Aldermen, CHARLES C. SWETT.
Aldermen at Large,
John Buffum
.Term expires January, 1909
Albert A. Day
66
66
66
Leslie F. Keene
66
66
1908
Joel C. Page
66
66
66
66
Charles C. Swett
66
66
Lowell F. Wentworth
Ward Aldermen.
Ward 1. Charles E. French
Julius A. Serra
Ward 2. Otis J. Libby
George E. Manser
Ward 3. Thomas H. Gilman
George W. Libbey
Ward 4. John Dike
Frank G. Howard
Ward 5. Arthur S. Davis
Edward J. Lord
Ward 6. Joseph Henry Allen
Elmer O. Goodridge Wallace R. Lovett
Ward 7. William J. Bowser
66
Oliver B. Munroe
66
Clerk of the Board. W. DeHaven Jones, City Clerk.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
President of the Board of Aldermen. Charles C. Swett.
Accounts and Surety Bonds. Aldermen Howard, French, Wentworth, Gilman, Lovett.
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