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CHARLESTOWN 1629 FOND FEILDE 1638.
MALDENT NORTH END 1649
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Melrose Public Library Melrose, Massachusetts
MP
CITY OF MELROSE MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1908
WITH
Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 6th, 1908
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TE
SE
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
· MALDEN .
NORTH END
1649.
50
RP
ED
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK
MELROSE FREE PRESS PRINT SHOP 1909
Gm 352 1 clos
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY MELROSE. MASS.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
- OF -
HON. EUGENE H. MOORE MAYOR OF MELROSE
DELIVERED JANUARY 6th, 1908
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen:
Today, for the second time, I have the honor of taking the oath of office and assuming the grave responsibilities of Mayor of our City.
I should indeed be ungrateful if at this time I failed to express in some degree my gratitude to those citizens who thought me worthy of the honor of a re-election to the im- portant and responsible office of Mayor. Today we drop party ties and obligations, and stand forth as representatives of the whole city and her people. It is pleasant to greet so many of last year's board, and to extend a welcome to the new members. The retiring members have rendered excel- lent service to the City, and a similiar service is expected from the new ones.
I call your attention to the following facts bearing on the financial condition of the City, as submitted to me by the Auditor for the year ending December 31, 1907.
Bonded Debt.
School House Loan Bonds
$200,000.00
Sewerage Loan Bonds
355,000.00
Surface Drainage Bonds
100,000.00
Town Hall Bonds
.
45,000.00
Water Bonds
185,000.00
Total,
$885,000.00
4
CITY OF MELROSE
There is in the Sinking Fund to be applied to the pay- ment of these bonds when they mature:
School House
$107,917.89
Sewerage .
162,250.19
Surface Drainage
13,383.49
Town Hall
40,869.80
Water
150,202.19
Total
$474,623.54
Permanent Debt.
Borrowed on account of:
Ell Pond Park Notes . $7,000.00
Ell Pond Retaining Wall Notes 2,000.00
Green Street Widening Notes 4,000.00
Melrose Street Extension Notes 2,000.00
Orris Street Extension Notes 3,934.85
School Department Repair Notes
1,500.00
Sewall School Building Notes
1,700.00
Sidewalks Continuous, Notes
4,000.00
Steam Road Roller Notes
2,500.00 ·
$28,634.85
Municipal Debt.
Brown Tail & Gypsy Moths .
$5,000.00
Election Contingent
750.00
Fire Dept. Contingent
300.00
Fire Dept. Universal Fire Alarm Box
200.00
General Contingent
210.00
Linden & Sucker Brooks
1,000.00
Police Dept. Special Officers.
325.00
School Dept. Fuel
.
4,000.00
School Dept. Repairs . .
1,000.00
Continuous Sidewalks
.
1,500.00
$14,285.00
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
The amount which must be raised in 1908 for payment of Permanent Debt is: $4,200.00
For payment of Municipal Debt 14,285.00
$18,485.00
Loans have been authorized since the Budget was passed as follows:
Brown Tail & Gypsy Moths . $5,000.00
Election Contingent
750.00
Fire Dept. Contingent
300.00
Fire Dept. Universal Fire Alarm Box
200.00
General Contingent
210.00
Linden & Sucker Brooks
1,000.00
Melrose Street Extension
2,000.00
Orris Street Extension
3,934.85
Police Dept. Special Officers.
. 325.00
School Dept. Fuel
4,000.00
School Dept. Repairs .
2,500.00
Continuous Sidewalks
1,500.00
$21,719.85
Bonded Debt
$885,000.00
Permanent Debt
28,634.85
Municipal Debt .
14,285.00
Total
$927,919.85
Temporary Loans in anticipation
of taxes
$127,500.00·
Cemetery Trust Fund . .
16,073.50
E. Toothaker Fund
.
1,237.01
$144,810.51
Gross Debt
$1,072,730.36
Less Sinking Funds
474,623.54
$598,106.82
6
CITY OF MELROSE
Assets.
Cash on hand
$11,938.26
Sinking Funds 474,623.54 .
Due from Commonwealth 6,433.30
Due from uncollected taxes . 164,858.65
Due from uncollected tax titles and takings 6,681.11
Real Estate taken by City
1,350.20
Sewer Ass'ts taken by City
241.83
Uncollected :
Sewer Assessments
23,280.77
Main St. Curbstone Assm'ts
178.25
Moth Assessments .
1,010.75
Sidewalk Assessment
1,575.26
Street Betterments .
.
912.73
Street Watering
2,821.79
$695,906.44 1,072.730.36
Gross Debt
Less Assets
695,906.44
Net Indebtedness
$376,823.92
Our Material Assets are :
Cemetery
$34,600.00
City Hall, Fire Station, etc. .
159,025.00
Fire Alarm & Apparatus
27,864.19
Parks & Public Grounds
39,500.00
Public Library .
40,000.00
School Houses & Land
414,450.00
Sewerage System
395,096.39
Stone Crusher
8,000.00
Surface Drainage System
118,196.19
Water System
351,742.15
Total
$1,589,073.92
.
.
An analysis of the Auditor's statement shows that the net Funded Debt is $24,003.70 less than last year; that
7
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
the net Permanent Debt is $3,493.03 less; that the net Muni- cipal Debt is $4,599.13 less, and our Temporary Loan in an- ticipation of taxes is $5,100.00 more, a net decrease of $26,995 .- 86. The Cemetery Trust Fund for perpetual care has increased $2,217.50.
Borrowing Capacity For 1908.
Year
Total Valuation
Abatements
Net Valuation
1905
$15,329,695.00
$155,000.00
$15,174,695.00
1906
15,506,680.00
162,900.00
15,343.780.00
1907
15,734,410.00
208,750.00
15,525,660.00
$46,044,135.00
Average valuation is .
15,348,045.00
Two and one-half per cent, of same is
$383,701.12
Net Debt is
214,132.16
Borrowing Capacity for 1908 is
$169,568.96
Highways.
I have always been an advocate of good roads and sidewalks. The former can be enjoyed by the rich man with his carriage or automobile, the latter by his less fortunate: brother and his family, on foot.
We have had but little assistance from the state, with the exceptions of the road from Waverly Avenue into Saugus, and the Metropolitan Boulevard so well begun and now awaiting completion and extension beyond to the Lynn Woods, where it will connect with the Boulevard from Point .. of Pines,-in fact it is the connecting link and completion- of a plan drawn and adopted by the Metropolitan Park Com- mission. A petition is soon to be presented to the Legisla- ture for the necessary appropriation which deserves your hearty support.
The construction of gravel sidewalks in the out-lying district has given satisfaction and should be continued to a.
8
CITY OF MELROSE.
limited amount each year, as should the construction of arti- ficial sidewalks when generally petitioned for. Care, how- ever should be taken to lay continuous strips, but not to too great an extent in any one year.
The practice of purchasing gravel by the load from vari- ous gravel pits for road purposes does not seem to me to be a wise one, in view of the provisions of law permitting the acquisition of land for such purposes. I accordingly recom- mend that the Highway Committee consider the advisability of acquiring suitable gravel pits.
Streets Macadamized, Resurfaced and Graveled:
Main Street, macadamized, east side, length . 4300 feet resurfaced east side, length . 1200 " macadamized, west side, length 1000 " resurfaced, west side, length . 2300 “
Franklin Street, macadamized Main Street to Stoneham Line, length 3600 ft.
Also the following streets macadamized :-
Emerson Street, length
440 feet
Everett 66 66
·
·
520 “
Fairmount 66
. 590 66
Green 66 66
.
850 66
Lebanon 66 66
430 “ .
Malvern 66 66
Stratford Road 66
. 320 “ 6
Orient Avenues 66
970
Youle Street, 66
· 830
Upham 66 66
· 850
Vinton 66 66
· 780
Wyoming Avenue "
. 450
F
1
7,280
·
·
· 250 66
.
Following streets gravelled from surplus of streets mac- adamized :
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Chestnut Street, length
300 feet
Circuit Street, 66
.
· 730 “
Clifton Park
·
. 150 "
Irving Street
·
· 590 "
Melrose Street 66
600
Tremont Street
at brook ·
66
150
Warren Street
350
Woodland Avenue "
.
. 500 66
3,370
Total, 19,450 feet, or about 3 6-10 miles.
Edgestone.
8300 lineal feet new edgestone set.
900 66 old edgestone reset.
1800 66 ' new crossings laid.
1030
" old crossings relaid.
Pavings.
1500 lineal feet gutters paved 503 sq. yd.
1800 66 gutters repaved ·
588 “
Quantity at crossings
.
559 66
1650
New Sidewalks.
2320 sq. yds. brick.
513 " " tar concrete. 396 66 " granolithic.
Repairs.
6400 sq. yds. new work. 17136 “ " top dressing.
.
10
CITY OF MELROSE
Length of Sewers Constructed and Number of Houses Connected.
East Foster Street
.
1410 ft. 6 inch pipe
Taylor 66
250 "6 "
Porter 66
·
265 "8 " 66
Merrill 66 (unfinished) . ·
825 " 8 " 66
Fells Court (unfinished)
275 " 6 " ·
Sewall Woods Road (relaid)
145 " 6 " 66
Number of buildings connected with sewer, 63.
Water.
New services constructed
37
Main lines
2724 ft.
Relaid 5593 feet, replaces 4 inch cement pipe.
Inside services and repairs
. . 169
Services renewed .
. 233
City Stable and Yard.
After serving for one year as Chief Executive, I am more than ever convinced of the need of a city stable and yard. At the present time the city property consists of 13 horses 1 street sweeper 1 cross cut saw
26 sets of harnesses 2 steam rollers 12 drills
13 blankets 14 snow plows
11 crow bars
4 double tip carts
4 gutter plows
4 spirit levels
4 single tip carts
3 push carts 4 axes
9 water carts
132 shovels
6 wheelbarrows
1 stone jigger 122 picks axes 9 hoes
4 pumps
3 express wagons.
4 strainers
1 caravan 4 grub hoes
3 gravel screens
1 stone drag
54 lanterns
2 derricks
1 road machine
17 sledge hammers
6 street horses
3 double sleds
15 strik'g hammers 5 tool boxes
1 single sled
5 common "
13 bracing jacks
and numerous smaller tools, and it must be apparent to your Board and to the public generally that it is most important to provide proper accommondations for this valuable property,
11
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
and I trust you will select a location which will meet with the approval of the citizens so that we may have the long needed city stable and yard.
Surface Drainage.
The $100,000 bond issue authorized by the Legislature has now all been expended, and I would suggest that your Board consider the matter of petitioning the Legislature for another bond issue or an issue inside the debt limit. While there is a very large part of the city yet to be covered, it can fairly be said that practically most of the streets of the city where surface drainage was seriously needed are now pro- vided with it.
In connection with this matter, I wish to again call your 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 Stoneham, forming a junction just below Wyoming avenue and flowing southerly into and through Malden, and dis- charging into the Malden river, has from early date 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 ten or twelve feet, and a large territory pre- viously flowing into Spot Pond was diked off and drained un- der the pond and discharged direct into the brook. This ac- tion by the Metropolitan Water Board greatly aggravated the conditions. Since then there have been numerous confer- ences between Melrose, Malden and the Metropolitan Water Board with no satisfactory result.
With an improvement in this brook, the entire flat sec- tion in the vicinity of Wyoming avenue will be greatly bene- fitted, and will permit of the construction of lateral drains in that section, which cannot be constructed until this improve- ment is accomplished.
12
CITY OF MELROSE.
Sewers.
The sewer system should be extended in some sections the coming year, as it is in the interest of the public health that such extensions be made. There are many houses in the city not connected with the sewer. The expense is not great when one considers the convenience and sanitary bene- fit derived; and the Board of Health should insist that all property owners make connection with the sewer as soon as they can conveniently do so.
Water.
The authority under which we may borrow money for the purposes of the water plan wholly devoted to the ex- tension of the water mains is exhausted. The extension of the water mains has been mainly in response to petitions for the same.
I will therefore ask your Honorable Board to grant the necessary authority to petition the Legislature to borrow a further sum of money for this purpose, unless it seems to you advisable to borrow it inside our debt limit.
While some of our citizens have considered the installing of a meter in their premises a hardship and an injustice, they will soon realize that water is a commodity which they should use with reasonable economy, and that to let it run to waste is expensive, and the reading of the meters by the inspectors and the water takers as well, will teach them a lesson in econ- omy that will be advantageous to all.
With the exception of Boston, Melrose stands the high- est in the amount of water consumed per capita among the cities and towns in the Metropolitan district. Melrose con- sumed 113 gallons per capita daily while Malden consumed only 40 gallons.
Parks.
Work has been commenced on the improvement of Ell Pond Park, which already gives promise of being a most use- ful and beautiful outing place. Work has also been finished
13
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
along Main street, by the pond, and a new retaining wall built, band stand finished, and a new brick walk laid, which adds much to the appearance of our main thoroughfare.
Melrose Common has at last been graded and seeded,- a much needed improvement.
Street Lights.
Our contract expires February 1. A new contract must contain several conditions more favorable to the City, particu- larly with reference to the time of lighting and extinguishing the lamps, and allowance for out lamps; also the rate schedule will stand a revision.
Dix's Square.
Acting under orders heretofore given, the City has con- tinued to fill up what was formerly known as Dix's pond, with ashes, refuse, etc., and now has title to quite a large lot of land which chould be converted into a public park or square. En- trances can be acquired from Myrtle, on the east, and Main St. on west at a reasonable price, furnishing not only a breathing place in the center of the City, but a thoroughfare to a large number of scholars coming from the west side of the City through Emerson, Vine and other streets. A Band Stand would not be an impossiblity. The churches have put forth their best efforts to beautify and adorn the center, why shouldn't the city do something in the same direction? It is the experience of every City that with the increase in popula- tion they find out the need of just such places and alas too often are deprived by reason of increased cost of what timely wisdom and forethought might have gained.
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths.
The gypsy and brown tail moth problem still confronts us, and will for years to come. A large number of trees have been pruned, a work which has been much neglected in the past, or if attempted at all, was performed with much injury to the life and appearance of the trees. A great deal of work
14
CITY OF MELROSE
has been done this year within the borders of the City of Mel- rose, without any cost to the City. The U. S. Government has expended about $150 at Wyoming Avenue and Ravine Road. Something over $2,000 has been expended at Pine Banks Park and contiguous property in Melrose by the State of Massachusetts. The State has also expended $1,500 for Ell Pond Park and Sewall's Wood Park, improving the general appearance of both and opening up to the public view the heretofore hidden beauties of Ell Pond Park, and giving an entirely new view of the pond itself. This work has been performed by men who were given work at a somewhat re- duced rate, through the kindness of the State Moth Depart- ment and the Government, to help them through their tem- porary absence from their regular employment.
There has been expended this year $10,628.26 of which amount $2,326.73 has been spent on private work, of which $1,819.67 is chargeable to property owners. This would leave an expenditure of $8,808.59 on public property, $1,904.29 of which is to bereimbursed from the State, leaving a total expen- diture by the City on account of moths of $6,904.30.
Fire Department.
The recent disastrous fire on Main street and the three explosions and the resulting fire in the factory building near B. & M. tracks on Essex street sound a note of warning which should not pass unheeded. I wish to publicly com- mend the Fire Department for their prompt response and the efficient performance of their duty. By the explosion in the factory building and the fire which followed, our firemen were brought into serious and unknown danger, and they discharged their duty bravely and well. More stringent regulations should be made and enforced for the 'sale, storage, and use of gasoline or other dangerous explosives.
The needs of Melrose Highlands for more apparatus and accommodations have been recently presented and deserve your consideration. I desire to call your attention to a sec- tion of the City which has never had protection. I refer to
15
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
the west side of the B. & M. Railroad. Conditions have changed, and with frequent shifting of cars at Bogle's cross- ing should the apparatus from the Center Station be delayed for five minutes only, the result from loss of property and possibly loss of life might be appalling.
The matter of a fire whistle is now before your board. -
City Hall.
I would call the attention of your Honorable Board to the pressing need of better accommodations and conveniences in the City Hall. Most of the departments are overcrowded, more particularly the one room in which there is at the pre- sent time the City Treasurer, City Clerk, the Clerk of Com- mittees, Auditor, and Superintendent of Cemetery. The Treasurer is doing a business of $1,000,000.00 a year in just room enough for a 4 foot desk and chair.
The accommodations and conveniences, while perfectly satisfactory at the time the building was built in 1872, are very crude and inadequate at the present day.
Schools.
The great amount of money needed for the support and maintenance of the public schools is a matter which demands our most serious attention. The liberality of the citizens of Melrose in their contribution towards defraying the expenses of our public school system can never be questioned. I have the utmost confidence in the lofty purposes, strict integrity, and zealous efforts of this department and its assistants, but I believe it is time to begin more carefully to scrutinize our ex- penditures, and I believe that the citizens generally, whether justly or injustly, feel that greater prudence and watchfulness should be exercised. Efforts should be directed to see where- in economy can be practiced, rather than to excel our neigh- bors in luxurious facilities.
16
CITY OF MELROSE.
High School Building.
By a large majority at the polls, the people have recently decided by placing the seal of their approval upon your order to enlarge and improve the High School Building, at an ex- pense of $75,000.00. Necessarily the enlargement will reduce and take from the children a portion of the play ground in the rear of the building. I am informed by the Secretary of the High School Building Committee that had it been possible the land on the other side of Ell Pond brook, extending to Felton Place would have been acquired and the brook walled in and covered over. As it was, by co-operation with the Sewer Commissioners who furnished the refuse material from the streets during the construction of the sewers, they were en- abled to build on one side a stone wall and plank the bed of the brook and rough grade what is now a play ground.
By such a purchase now the City could immediately be- gin a much needed improvement by filling in the land with surplus material to be obtained from the cellar of the exten- sion together with the ashes obtained throughout the City, the easterly side of the brook walled in and covered over, thus eliminating what is now unsightly and a menace to the little children and furnishing a playground for them, particularly in the heart of the City. If deemed wise, the Sewall School Building could later be moved across the brook easterly, thus providing space for a furture enlargement of the High School.
Police Department.
This department, is perhaps, more liable to receive un- deserved criticism than any other municipal department, ow- ing largely to the character of its work.
There has been little out of the ordinary in the work dur- ing the year. The number of crimes committed in the City, continues to be small. Life and property are well protected, and are reasonably secure, and the good order of the communi- ty is everywhere manifest.
17
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Charity Department.
The City is fortunate in having its charity department under so careful and faithful a management, both from a. humane and an economic standpoint.
Public Service Corporations.
I think the time has arrived when we should be very careful about granting any more pole locations, and many of the present ones should be removed; and steps should at once be taken to order wires underground.
Conclusion.
In closing, let me urge the necessity of thoroughly study- ing every municipal problem presented to you for solution. We should constantly keep in mind that harmonious co- operation is absolutely essential and that no one man can make a success of this year's work.
While in the discharge of our duties we cannot hope en- tirely to escape criticism, let us so conduct municipal affairs that when our term of office is completed, we can review our work and feel that we have given our best work and efforts to- our City.
Government of the City of Melrose 1908
Mayor, EUGENE H. MOORE.
President of the Board of Aldermen, CHARLES C. SWETT.
Aldermen at Large,
William J. Bowser
Term expires January, 1910
Charles E. French
Edward J. Lord.
Charles C. Swett
John Buffum
1909
Albert A. Day, deceased Oct. 20, 1908
Leslie F. Keene
66
66
66
Ward Aldermen,
Ward 1. Frank J. Sherman, resigned Julius A. Serra, elected to fill vacancy
Walter H. Todd
Ward 2. Otis J. Libby
Stanley S. Porter
4
Ward 3. Alfred H. Colby
Thomas H. Gilman
Ward 4. John Dike
Fred E. Ellis
Ward 5. Arthur S. Davis
Edmund L. Grundy
1
Ward 6. Joseph H. Allen
Elmer O. Goodridge --
Ward 7. David Cassell
George D. Russell
66
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 Colby, French, Gilman, Grundy, Sherman, Serra.
Buildings, Aldermen Gilman, Lord, Libby; Porter, Russell.
City Clerk and Cemetery, Aldermen Russell, Day, Buffum, Keene, Todd. · 1
Claims, Aldermen Allen, Davis, Dike, Todd, Ellis.
Elections and Returns, Printing and Supplies, Aldermen Porter, Allen, Bowser, Goodridge, Cassell.
Finance, Aldermen Lord, Allen, Dike, Keene, Buffum, Todd, Cassell.
Fire Department, Electric and Telephone Wires, Aldermen Keene, Goodridge, Gilman, Allen, Russell.
1
Highways, Sewers, Water and Public Grounds, Aldermen Davis, Goodridge, French, Bowser, Libby, Gilman, Ellis.
Nominations and Resolutions, Aldermen Todd, Davis, Cassell, Colby, Porter.
Ordinances, Rule, Orders and Legislative Matters, Aldermen French, Day, Dike, Lord, Porter.
20
CITY OF MELROSE.
Police Department and Licenses, Aldermen Goodridge, Lord, Keene, Porter, Todd.
Public Charities, Aldermen Buffum, Day, Cassell.
Public Health, Aldermen Grundy, Dike, French.
Public Schools and Public Library, Aldermen Dike, Day, Buffum, Colby, Sherman, Serra, Russell, Grundy.
Solicitor and Collector, Aldermen Cassell, Bowser, Libby, Grundy, Sherman, Serra.
Special Committee on Spot Pond Brook for Conference with His Honor the Mayor.
Aldermen Ellis, Goodridge, Allen, Lord, Grundy.
State, Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief, Aldermen Day, Libby, Russell. :
Street Railways and Public Lighting, Aldermen Bowser, Davis, Gilman, Buffum, Keene, Ellis, Sherman, Serra.
Treasury and Assessors, Aldermen Sherman, Serra, Bowser, Davis, Colby, Russell.
Special Committee on Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths. Aldermen Libby, French, Colby, Todd, Ellis.
Clerk of Committees, Victor C. Kirmes.
City Officers
City Clerk, W. DeHaven Jones.
Assistant City Clerk and Clerk of Committees, Victor C. Kirmes.
City Treasurer, William R. Lavender.
City Collector, James W. Murray.
City Auditor, Edwin C. Gould.
Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works, !
George O. W. Servis.
L
Mayor's Clerk, 1 Irma A. Gurney. -
1
City Solicitor, Claude L. Allen.
Chief of Fire Department, Joseph Edwards.
Chief of Police. Frank M. Mclaughlin.
22
CITY OF MELROSE
Inspector of Buildings, Allan S. Sims. -
Inspector of Plumbing, John T. Barker.
?
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, William S. Briry.
Inspector of Animals, Provisions and Food Products, Frank P. Sturges.
Sealer of Weights and Measures, William L. Pierce.
Agent State Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief, Charles O. Boyd.
Burial Agent, Albert L. Carlton.
Assessors.
1
- William Morss, for one year, term expires 1909. Frank R. Upham for two years, Chairman, term expires 1910. L. Frank Hinckley for three years, term expires 1911. John C. Crolly, Clerk.
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