USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1909 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
C
CHARLESTOWN FEZ9 FOND FEILDE 1 6 30
MALDEN NORTH END
1649.
006
Melrose Public Library Melrose, Massachusetts
MP
CITY OF MELROSE MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1909
WITH
Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 4th, 1909
OSE
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
..
· MALDEN .
NORTH END
NOOF
1649.
50
0
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK
MELROSE THE MELROSE FREE PRESS, INC.
1910
GM
INAUGURAL ADDRESS -OF - HON. EUGENE H. MOORE MAYOR OF MELROSE DELIVERED JANUARY 4th, 1909 .
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen:
For the third time it becomes my duty and pleasant privilege to extend to you a cordial greeting.
In presenting my Inaugural Address to you it will be my purpose to outline briefly the present condition of some of our most important departments, and to make such recom- mendations in relation to them and to our course of action for the ensuing year as in my judgment will be conservative and well, and which I believe the well-being of our good city de- mands.
It is fitting at this time and on this occasion that I should give expression to my grateful appreciation of the confidence and trust which my fellow citizens have placed in me, and of their endorsement and approval of the work of the adminis- tration of the past two years. To in some degree merit that confidence and to attain their endorsement and approval has been my controlling purpose and guide in the performance of my duties and in my official actions during the past two years. I bear cheerful testimony to the efficient and faithful co- operation of my associates in the City Government, and what- ever of success that may have been attained can fairly and justly be attributed to the harmony which has always pre- vailed and the earnest purpose of all to do their full duty, that the best results might be obtained.
The trust which has been reposed in us demands the best service we can give, and the problems which arise must be met with patience, honesty and intelligence. It matters not from what section of our municipality we come, here we serve the entire community. It matters not what our personal prefer-
4
CITY OF MELROSE
ence may be, here they must sink from sight if they oppose the common good. Every cause and every man must be treated with fairness and consideration and without favor. We may not always succeed in our efforts to arrive at a just conclusion, but we will be more honored for an honest failure than for a suspicious success.
The needs of our City are great and must be provided for, together with such improvements as are necessary. We have pride in our progress and we are determined to continue to stand in the front rank of the municipalities of our grand old Commonwealth; we must remember, however, that for what we buy we must pay, and neither the purse nor the credit of our City is unlimited. It is often easier to promise than to fulfill; a coward can say yes when it takes courage to say no. The demands of the extravagant or the enthusiastic or the thoughtless should not tempt us into unwise expenditures, neither should fear of the oftimes purely self-interested tax- payer induce us to take a niggardly or a short-sighted course. The application of the same principles which govern each of us in the conduct of our own business affairs will obtain for the City full value for every dollar that goes out of its Treasury. The great problem of the financial management of American cities is receiving careful study all over the land. General conditions in other municipalities are similar to our own. We must meet the important questions that will arise with all the intelligence, honesty and patriotism we posesss.
I call your attention to the following facts relative to the financial condition of the City, as submitted to me by the Auditor for the year ending December 31, 1908.
Bonded Debt.
School House Bonds . $200,000.00
Sewerage Loan Bonds
.
365,000.00
Surface Drainage Bonds
100,000.00
Town Hall Bonds
45,000.00
Water Works Bonds
200,000.00
Total
$910,000.00
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
There is in the Sinking Funds to be applied to the pay- ment of these bonds when they mature:
School House
$119,398.78
Sewerage .
168,280.06
Surface Drainage.
15,965.31
Town Hall
42,432.92
Water Works
155.103.51
Total
$501,180.58
Permanent Debt.
Brorwed on account of
Bennett Dam Notes
$10,000.00
Ell Pond Park Notes .
6,000.000
Ell Pond Retaining Wall Notes
2,000.00
Green Street Widening Notes
2,000.00
Melrose Street Extension Notes
2,000.00
New Vaults Notes
2,500.00
Orris Street Extension Notes
3,934.85
Permanent Improvement of High-
ways .
15,000.00
School Dept. Repairs
1,500.00
Sewall School Building
500.00
Sidewalks, Continuous
3,000.00
Steam Road Roller
1,500.00
Total
$49,934.85
Municipal Debt.
Fire Dept., Contingent
$200.00
Fire Dept., New Hose
1,000.00
Fire Dept., Repairs, etc., Hose 4 Building
350.00
General Contingent
600.00
Health Dept., Collecting Garbage
245.00
Health Dept., Contagious Diseases
1,300.00
New Vaults, etc.
525.00
Police Dept., Special Officers ·
210.00
6
CITY OF MELROSE
School Dept., Fuel
3,500.00
School Dept., Repairs 600.00
Sidewalks, Continuous
3,000.00
Water Division, Construction
10,000.00
Water Division, Water Meters
25,000.00
Total
$46,530.00
The amount which must be raised in 1909 for the payment of
Permanent Debt is
$19,800.00
Municipal Debt is
11,530.00
Total
$31,330.00
Loans have been authorized since the Budget was passed, as follows:
Bennett Dam Notes
$10,000.00
Fire Dept., Contingent
200.00
Fire Dept., New Hose
1,000.00
Fire Dept., Repairs, etc Hose 4 Building
350.00
General Contingent
600.00
Health Dept., Collecting Garbage
245.00
Health Dept., Contagious Diseases
1,300.00
New Vaults, etc.
3,025.00
Permanent Improvement of High- ways .
15,000.00
Police Dept., Special Officers
210.00
School Dept., Fuel
3,500.00
School Dept., Repairs
600.00
Sidewalks, Continuous
3,000.00
Water Division, Construction
10,000.00
Water Division .
25,000.00
$74,030.00
Bonded Debt
$910,000.00
Permanent Debt
49,934.85
Municipal Debt
46,530.00
Total
-$1,006.464.85
-
7
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Temporary Loans in anticipation
of taxes
$146,765.00
Cemetery Trust Fund.
18,483.00
E. Toothaker Fund
1,276.49
$166,524.49
Gross Debt
$1,172,989.34
Less Sinking Funds
501,180.58
$671,808.76
Assets.
Cash on hand
$19,061.38
Sinking Funds
501,180.58
Due from Commonwealth
3,290.50
Due from uncollected taxes.
173,432.94
Due from uncollected tax titles
1,561.10
Due from uncollected tax takings
5,493.77
Real Estate taken by City
1,076.69
Sewer assessments taken by City,
Uncollected
241.83
Moth Assessments
563.89
Sewer Assessments
14,968.13
Sidewalk Assessments
5,395.85
Street Betterments
621.57
Street Watering.
2,869.90 $729,758.13
Gross Debt
$1,172,989.34
Less Assets
729,758.13
Leaving Net Indebtedness .
$443,231.21
Our Material Assets are: Cemetery $34,600.00
City Hall and Fire Stations.
159,025.00
Fire Alarm and Apparatus . 28,664.91
Parks and Public Grounds
38,500.00 i
8
CITY OF MELROSE
Public Library .
40,000.00
School Houses and Land
414,450.00
Sewerage System.
405,067.79
Stone Crusher
8,000.00
Surface Drainage
127,182.41
Water System
$361,703.13
Total
-$1,617,193.24
An analysis of the Auditor's statement shows that the Net Funded Debt is $1,557.04 less than last year, that the Net Permanent Debt is $21,300.00, the Net Municipal Debt is $32,245.00, and the Temporary Loan in anticipation of taxes is $19,265.00 more than last year, making a net increase of $71,252.00. The Cemetery Trust Fund for perpetual care has increased $2,409.50.
Borrowing Capacity For 1909.
Year
Total Valuation
Abatements
Net Valuation
1906
$15,518,380.00
$264,650.00
$15,253,730.00
1907
15,788,985.00
302,125.00
15,486,860.00
1908
16,211,360.00
344,000.00
15,867,360.00
$46,607,950.00
Average Valuation for three years is . 15,535,983.15
Two and one-half per cent. of same is.
$388,399.57
Net Debt is
257,633.15
Borrowing capacity for 1909 is
$130,766.42
Highways.
No branch of the City's business requires more careful thought and conservative management than does the High- way Department. The criticism of the work done is always free, but not always fair. The improvements that should be made to our streets and sidewalks are entirely out of propor- tion to the appropriations made for that purpose. The
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
standing, enterprise, and prosperity of a community can, to a great extent, be determined by the quality and condition of its streets.
The main thoroughfares of our City should be placed in the best possible condition, and in making this statement we are not unmindful of the fact that there are many other streets in need of attention. I believe that the work of permanent roads should be continued this year; I therefore recommend that Grove, Essex, and Howard streets be macadamized. The Boston & Northern Railroad officials have agreed to lay new, modern rails on Howard Street the coming Spring.
Macadamizing has been done on the following streets:
Bellevue Avenue
Lebanon Street
Cedar Park
Melrose Street
Chester Street
Porter Street
Emerson Street, East
Stratford Road
Herbert Street Upham Street
and Wyoming Avenue, a length of about three miles, and gravelling has been done on the following streets with the material from the streets macadamized :
Adams Street
Larrabee Street
Appleton Street
Lynde Street
Batchelder Street
North Avenue
Cottage Street
Rowe Street
East Street Russell Street
Gould Street
School Street
Greystone Road
Short Street
Grove Place
Sylvan Street
Grundy Street Whittier Street
a length of about one and one half miles, making a total of about four and one half miles. There have been about one and one half miles of sidewalks graded and gravelled.
Edgestone.
7,230 lineal feet of new edgestone set.
1,237 66 66 old edgestone reset.
150 66 66 new crossings laid.
"
140 66 old crossings relaid.
10
CITY OF MELROSE
Paving.
633 sq. yds. gutters paved. 362 “ " gutters repaved.
New Sidewalks.
3,814 sq. yds. tar concrete. 333 " " granolithic.
Sidewalk Repairs.
3005 sq. yds. new work (concrete). 2971 " " top dressing (concrete).
146 “ " Brick sidewalk relaid.
Sewers Constructed.
Ashland Street
Lincoln Street
Briggs Street
Merrill Street
Emerson Street, East
Meridian Street
Emerson Street, West
Porter Street
Fells Court
Spring Street
Howard Street Upham Street
and Laurel Street, a length of 6,101 feet.
Surface Drains Constructed.
Dix Pond Area
Porter Street
Lebanon Street Sewall Street
and Upham Street, a total of 2,222 feet. Number of Catch basins built, 10.
City Stable and Yard.
There is nothing new which I can say in regard to the City Stable and Yard. I am not asking for them as a luxury, but as a strictly business proposition, one which, from a finan- cial standpoint after taking the oath of office that you have, I cannot see how you can longer postpone.
11
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Collection of Ashes.
The Public Works Department have collected the ashes this year instead of having it done by contract, and while it has cost more, it is my opinion that the results have justified the extra expense.
For eleven months we have collected 2,609 two horse loads, or 86,097 barrels, which is an increase of about 30 per cent. over former years, due in part to the fact that we have removed everything that was placed out, and have collected on time. The cost has been 81 cents per load.
Water.
In the past two years appropriations have been made for the purchase and installation of water meters, and at the pres- ent time practically all services in the city are metered, and some progress has been made toward reducing the amount of water wasted. Inasmuch as our Metropolitan Water Amount is based largely upon the amount of water delivered to us, it behooves us to prevent all waste, and reduce our per capita consumption of water. It is generally admitted that the use of meters will do this, and our experience with only 1,000 out of a total of 3,700 on meter rates, for the year 1908, shows that we have reduced our per capita consumption from 113 daily in November, 1907, to 63 in November, 1908.
Owing to the increasing water tax for water furnished us by the Metropolitan Water Board, from $19,722.73 in 1904, to $28,693.90 in 1908, an increase in five years of $8,971.17, -- and this Metropolitan burden is one from which we cannot escape-it is doubtful, unless there is charged to the different departments water consumed by them, if the minimum meter charge passed by your predecessors will bring in enough rev- enue to pay the Metropolitan tax, probably $25,000, the inter- est and sinking funds, $9,500, and maintenance, $15,000; about $50,000 in all.
Parks and Playgrounds.
If any increase in our bonded indebtedness is justified this year, I believe we should consider land for Parks and Play-
12
CITY OF MELROSE
grounds. For many years there has been much interest mani- fested in acquiring the land around Ell Pond occupied by the Ice Houses, for Park purposes. The time is at hand when something ought to be done in this direction. Centrally loca- ted, it would be a great benefit to our City. Before many years we would have beautiful grounds, a source of pride to our citizens, while the children would have every opportunity to indulge in recreation and healthful outdoor pastimes.
Also, as the City has accepted the Playground Act, I believe we should now improve the land in the rear of the Central Fire Station, known as "Dix's Pond" for a playground for the children, and furnish it with suitable seats, that our laboring men may have a breathing place where they may assemble and spend the hot summer evenings, without mo- lestation by the police, something they have not at the present time.
Park Commissioners.
In anticipation of the City taking property for Parks and Playgrounds, I think it would be well if the Board would consider' the advisability of providing an ordinance for the establishment of a Board of Park Commissioners.
Street Signs.
The work of furnishing new signs designating the names of the streets has, for the most part, been completed. This will prevent inconvenience and save annoyance to the travel- ling public, and I believe that it would be advisable to appro- priate a small sum with which to finish this work.
Shade Trees and Wires.
In my opinion the public shade trees of our City have not been receiving the attention they require. These trees are being unnecessarily multilated and destroyed by the methods employed by the Public Service corporations in stringing wires. I believe that as rapidly as practical all wires should be placed under ground, and I recommend that this subject receive your early and careful consideration.
13
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths.
The work of exterminating these pests must be continued this year. Special attention will be given to the selection of the men employed, in order that the work may be done in the most thorough manner. Property owners should be very careful whom they employ to remove the nests, as in many cases the work is improperly done and the nests are not de- stroyed as they should be.
It may be necessary in the near future to make an ap- propriation on account of the elm tree beetle.
Board of Health.
The great prevalence of scarlet fever and diphtheria during the year and the large number of cases requiring aid from the Board of Health has necessitated a large expense. For the first time in at least eight years it has been found neces- sary to close a school on account of contagious diseases. The contagious hospital has rendered good service, but during a considerable portion of the time was quite inadequate to care for the number of cases under treatment. The physicians and people of Melrose, having seen so much benefit from the removal of cases from their homes to the contagious hospital and the demand for hospital accommodations is so firmly established, that in the opinion of the Board of Health the contagious hospital should be enlargeff, refitted and made suitable for the care of all cases as may desire hospital treat- ment.
Charity Department.
This department has had the same careful and efficient management as in years past. Melrose deals with this unfor- tunate class of people as generously as their needs demand.
Schools.
Liberal appropriations for school purposes have always met with public approval, but such appropriations constantly
14
CITY OF MELROSE
grow larger, and the enormous amount now required for the maintenance of the schools has become a matter requiring serious attention.
I believe that our citizens recognize the value of good schools, and are willing to make sacrifices in order that their children may enjoy educational advantages equal to those offered by other cities and towns. It is only reasonable, how- ever, that they should demand that the burden be lightened whenever it is practical so to do, and those having the ex- pentidure of the school monies in charge should practice such economy as is consistent with good judgment.
High School Building.
The people having approved of your additional appropria- tion of $3,000, making $78,000 for the purpose of enlarging the High School building, the contract will be awarded at an early date, so that the work may be commenced in the Spring as soon as the weather will permit.
Public Service Corporations.
What may be asked of this year's Board in the way of granting concessions for public utilities is largely a matter of conjecture at this time. We have had a deal of experience in the past few years and should therefore be sufficiently ad- vanced in our schooling to put the knowledge gained to prac- tical as well as profitable use.
It is well for us to remember that public concessions for private purposes, although designed to accomplish beneficial results to the public at large, have value. In granting pole locations in the future, we should take into consideration the difficulties encountered in order to have locations abandoned, and I would recommend that in the future we grant locations with some rights in regard to removal or change of location.
Fire Department.
I congratulate the officers and men in the various com- panies for the splendid work they have always done, and the
15
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
readiness and willingness with which they respond to the call of duty.
Necessary improvements remain to be made, providing better quarters and equipment to the Highlands, and protec- tion to the West side, and some of the present horses must be replaced with new ones.
Police Department.
As the City grows in wealth and population the demands of the Police Department increase. For a city the size of Mel- rose the force is rather small, and yet in the main its work has been very satisfactory. It is one of the most important de- partments of the City, for upon the intelligence, fidelity and watchfulness of its members the entire community must rely for protection, and the responsibility resting upon each indi- vidual connected with it cannot be belittled.
IN MEMORIAM.
Albert A. Day, one of our most prominent and beloved citizens and a highly respected member of the Board of Alder- men has been taken suddenly from among us. For nearly eight years he served faithfully as a member of the City Govern- ment. It is to be regretted that in civil, as well as in public life, men like him are taken away in the twinkling of an eye; yet we find solace in the thought that he was characteristic of all that was noble and good. May we never forget his true and kindly nature and high-minded public service.
Elbridge H. Goss, a member of the Public Library Com- mittee and Alderman in 1901, passed through the grades of public responsibility with honor to himself and to the com- munity he served. Sterling honesty and devotion to every interest intrusted to him stood out boldly in his open character and even now furnishes us with an example well worthy of im- itation,
16
CITY OF MELROSE
Conclusion.
We now enter upon the performance of our duties and assume the grave responsibilities of the year. Our City's welfare is to be our constant thought and care. Let us en- deavor to make our administration successful, and at the close of the year make acceptable return to the people we have this day sworn to serve.
Government of the City of Melrose 1909
Mayor, EUGENE H. MOORE.
President of the Board of Aldermen, CHARLES C. SWETT.
Aldermen at Large.
John Buffum
Term expires January, 1911
Thomas H. Gilman
66
1911
Leslie F. Keene
1911
William J. Bowser
66
66
66 1910
Charles E. French
66
66 1910
Edward J. Lord
66
66
60
1910
Charles C. Swett
66
66
66
1910
Ward Aldermen,
Ward 1. Julius A. Serra
Walter H. Todd
Ward 2. George E. Manser
Stanley S. Porter
Ward 3. Alfred H. Colby
Leslie A. Pike
Ward 4. Fred E. Ellis
William A. Waterhouse
Ward 5. Edwin Thatcher Clark
William D. Reidy
Ward 6. J. Sydney Hitchins
Augustus L. Holmes
Ward 7. Hiram B. Andrews
Charles F. Doherty
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, Serra, Clark.
Annual Appropriations. Aldermen Lord, French, Keene, Buffum, Bowser, Todd, Porter, Reidy, Andrews.
Buildings. Aldermen Gilman, Manser, Clark, Doherty, Holmes.
Claims. Aldermen Waterhouse, Todd, Ellis, Pike, Reidy.
Elections and Returns, Printing and Supplies. Aldermen Doherty, Porter, Bowser, Pike, Waterhouse.
Finance. Aldermen Todd, Lord, Buffum, Manser, Waterhouse, Pike, Doherty.
Fire Department, Electric and Telephone Wires. Aldermen Keene, Gilman, Hitchins, Doherty, Clark.
Highways, Sewers, Water and Public Grounds. Aldermen French, Bowser, Gilman, Ellis, Keene, Hitchins, Reidy.
Nominations and Resolutions. Aldermen Hitchins, Todd, Colby, Bowser, Manser.
Ordinances, Rules, Orders and Legislative Matters. Aldermen Serra, French, Lord, Porter, Doherty.
19
STANDING COMMITTEES
Police Department and Licenses. Aldermen Porter, Lord, Keene, Todd, Holmes.
Public Charities. Aldermen Andrews, Buffum, Holmes.
Public Health. Aldermen Reidy, French, Waterhouse.
Public Schools and Public Library.
Aldermen Buffum, Colby, Serra, Porter, Holmes, Clark, Andrews.
Special Committee on Spot Pond Brook for Conference with His Honor the Mayor.
Aldermen Ellis, Lord, Colby, Andrews, Reidy.
State Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief, Aldermen Manser, Serra, Hitchins.
Street Railways and Public Lighting,
Aldermen Bowser, Gilman, Buffum, Keene, Ellis, Serra, Holmes.
Special Committee on Moth Pests. Aldermen Pike, Colby, Ellis, Keene, Andrews.
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.
Mayor's Clerk, Irma A. Gurney.
City Solicitor, Claude L. Allen.
Chief of Fire Department, Joseph Edwards.
Chief of Police, (Acting) Osborne E. Drown.
21
CITY OFFICERS
Inspector of Buildings, Allan S. Sims.
Inspector of Plumbing, Andrew J. Burnett.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, William S. Briry.
-
Inspector of Animals,
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, Frank R. Upham, term expires 1910, Chairman. L. Frank Hinckley, term expires 1911. William Morss, term expires 1912.
Alden B. Smith,
Assistant Assessors, Merton G. Woodbury,
George A. Bailey.
Board of Health, Clarence P. Holden, M.D., Chairman,
Arthur A. Hayden Fred H. Rounds,
Grace A. Colby, Clerk.
22
CITY OF MELROSE
City Physician, Clarence P. Holden, M.D.
Charles O. Boyd,
Matilda E. Stantial,
Matron Pratt Farm, Mrs. Charles W. Chapman.
Superintendent Pratt Farm, Charles W. Chapman.
School Committee,
Edwin S. Small .
Term expires 1912
Lowell F. Wentworth
1912
Frank L. Welt .
E. Clifford Fish, resigned
66
1910
Elmer O. Goodridge, elected to fill vacancy
1910
Isabelle Stantial
66
1910
Oscar F. Frost .
66
66
1910
Eben F. Phillips .
66
66
1911
George E. Cornwall
66
66
1911
Sinking Fund Commissioners,
Term expires 1910
Franklin P. Shumway
1911
William A. Morse
Trustees of the Public Library,
Charles C. Barry
Term expires 1912
Paul Sterling
66
1911
Mary L. Charles
1911
Neil A. Divver
6
66
1910
Anna T. Bush
66
1910
66
1912
Edward M. Munyan
1911
Sarah A. Day
Charles C. Barry .
1912
1912
Overseers of the Poor, Peter J. Lynch, Chairman.
Grace A. Colby, Clerk.
23
CITY OFFICERS
Cemetery Committee, Julian C. Woodman, Chairman.
Joseph D. Lord
Willis C. Goss Edwin C. Gould, Clerk Roscoe A. Leavitt, Superintendent Wyoming Cemetery.
Registrars of Voters,
Harry C. Woodill Edwin L. Cragin
Term expires 1912
1910
Victor C. Kirmes
1911
W. DeHaven Jones, City Clerk, ex-officio.
Engineers of the Fire Department, Joseph Edwards, Chief Thomas J. Hawkes, Ist Assistant Edgar W. Mansfield, 2d Assistant
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.