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LORED. R
E
CHARLESTOWN 1629 POND FEILDE 1638
MALDEN NORTH END
1649.
18%
R
CITY OF MELROSE MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1913
WITH
Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 6th, 1913
OF
.R
YPLON
62.
OSE
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
· MALDEN ·
NORTH END
Non
1649.
ASO
ORATE
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK
MELROSE, MASS. MELROSE FREE PRESS, INC.
1914
OLIVER B. MUNROE MAYOR
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
OLIVER B. MUNROE MAYOR OF MELROSE DELIVERED JANUARY 6th, 1913
Mr. President and Members of the Board of Aldermen, Fellow Citizens:
In assuming the duties of the office to which I have been elected by the will of the people, I am keenly mindful of its responsibilities and the seriousness of the service which I am called upon to render. The people are demanding and have the right to demand that those whom they elect to public office shall "make good" and it is a gratifying sign of the times that they are holding those whom they thus honor, to a more rigid accountability for the trust reposed in them.
The chief executive who faithfully and efficiently serves the peo- ple must constantly have before him what the best interests of the community as a whole require, what is most conducive to its material welfare, its growth and prosperity along right lines, involving of course all questions of conveniences and improvements, a wise husbanding of its resources, its increase in enlightenment and morality, the promo- tion of law and order, the safeguarding of life and property, and the amelioration of conditions under which human life is lived.
It is evident that the successful meeting of these requirements in- volves the putting forth of the best effort of which one is capable. It involves the exercise of business acumen and common sense, of tact and breadth of judgment, a knowledge of human nature, alertness, continuous attention to the city's affairs, absolute honesty and in- tegrity of purpose, an obedience to and enforcement of the law. It will be my constant effort during my incumbency of this office to give to the city the best that is within me to the end that the administration of our municipal affairs may be conducted along these lines, and such recommendations as I shall have to offer will be in accordance there- with.
4
CITY OF MELROSE
Many and great improvements would be recommended and strongly urged by me at this moment if the present and prospective revenue of the city were such as to justify them. Such of them as I feel that the city is warranted in undertaking during the current year, I shall not hesitate to recommend. But while our financial condition is sound, it behooves us to see that it is kept so. In this connection, I ask for the hearty cooperation of the Board of Aldermen. With your body rests the authority to appropriate. I ask of you that you ex- amine very carefully every request or order introduced for an ap- propriation.
While there has been an increase in taxable property during the past few years, it has not kept pace with the increase in expenses, and in order that the annual appropriation for current expenses may be kept within the $12-dollar tax limit demanded by State law, it has been necessary to provide for outlays other than bare necessities by borrowing, as a result of which our indebtedness. and our interest obligations have been increased.
I desire in this connection to call attention briefly to a statement, which the City Auditor has furnished me, showing a comparison of budgets, tax levy, tax rate, valuation, and population of 1900 with those of 1912.
COMPARISON OF BUDGET, TAX LEVY, TAX RATE, VALUATION,
AND POPULATION OF 1900 WITH THOSE OF 1912.
Showing amount of increase and per cent of increase.
1900
1912
Increase in 1912 amount per cent.
Budget City,
$240,662.41
$335,743.72
Overlay
3,309.39
12,466.03
$243,971.80
$348,209.75
$104,237.95
42.70
Less Appropriated from De-
partment receipts, Bank
and Corporation Tax, etc.
$40,825.00
$41,817.01
In Tax Levy for City Pur-
poses .
$203,146.80
$306,392.71
$103,245.91
50.82
State Tax.
$6,645.00
$27,000.00
20,355.00
306.33
State Sewer Tax
9,431.01
15,804.48
6,373.47
67.58
5
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Metropolitan Park Tax.
6,230.65
9 112.75
3,182.10 51.07
State Highway Tax ..
None
13.45
Charles River Basin.
None
1,323.37
$22,306.66
$53,559.05
$31,252.39
140.10
County Tax
$11,857.11
$14,860.33
$3,003.22
25.33
Total Tax Levy
237,310.57
374,812.09
137,501.52
57.94
Tax Rate
18.00
20.40
4.20
36.34
Valuation
$12,778,365.00
$17,422,800.00
$4,644,435.00 36.34
Population
12,715.00
16,241.00
3,526.00
27.73
These figures show that while the total valuation has increased f om $12,778,365.00 to $17,422,800.00, or 36.34 per cent., the total tax levy has risen from $237,310.57 to $374,812.09, or an increase of 57.94 per cent., necessitating an increase in the tax rate of $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or 13.33 per cent. This rise in the tax levy has been rendered necessary largely by the increase in our various State taxes, which have risen from $22,000 in 1900 to $53,000 in 1912, equivalent to $3.00 on a thousand on $17,000,000 assessed valuation, also by the increased demands of the public for improvements and conveniences without a proportionate increase in revenue, to say nothing of the added cost incurred by the advance in the price of material and labor.
These figures, I hope, will show you the need of exercising wise economy in the making of appropriations during the current year.
There is, however, another side to the picture, which is very gratifying, namely, while our tax rate in the past few years has risen and our gross indebtedness has increased, the city's material assets have grown larger in a much greater proportion.
I have prepared a statement in this connection, with the details of which I will not weary you, showing that our total bonded debt December 28, 1912, was $1,052,500.00, against which there were in the sinking funds to be applied to the payment of these bonds when they mature, $524,001.90, leaving a net bonded debt of $528,498.10. Our gross debt, including bonded, municipal and permanent debt and temporary loans in anticipation of taxes and other items, was $1,298,822.81 against which, in the way of assets, there were sinking funds as above and other items, amounting in all to $799,869.00, leav- ing the net indebtedness at $498,953.53. Our material assets amount to $2,012,944.84, including among the most prominent items the following :- School houses and land, $530,845.00; sewer system,
6
CITY OF MELROSE
$443,564.22; water system, $424,259.91; city hall and fire station, $152,400.00; public library, $66,900.00; surface drainage, $148,523.64. fire department, $63,224.55. Our material assets as compared with 1900 have risen from $1,462,209.57 to $2,012,944.84, or over a half- million dollars in 12 years, an increase of nearly 40 per cent., while our assets in the nature of cash, sinking funds, uncollected taxes, etc., have risen from $290,419.93 to $799,869.28. Any city, which can show such a substantial increase in its material assets and at the same time keep its net indebtedness within the limits shown by these figures,is certainly in a financially sound condition, and it is no wonder that its credit is of the highest order and that its bonds command a high premium in the financial markets of the world.
The amount which must be raised in 1913 for the payment of municipal debt is $8,691.00 and of permanent debt $18,310.00, making a total of $27,001.00.
Loans have been authorized since the last budget was passed, as follows: Sundry notes, $22,345.40; bonds, $39,000.00, making a total of $61,345.40.
Our borrowing capacity for 1913 is $154,427.51.
BONDED DEBT, DECEMBER 28, 1912.
Auditorium Bonds
$47,000.00
Park Bonds
19,500.00
School Bonds
278,000.00
Sewerage Bonds
380,000.00
Surface Drainage Bonds
125,000.00
Water Bonds.
203,000.00
Total.
$1,052,500.00
In Sinking Funds to be applied to payment of above bonds at maturity :-
School House .
$162,824.22
Sewerage.
219,582.34
Surface Drainage.
26,587.56
Water
115,007.78
Total.
$524,001.90
Net Bonded Debt
$528,498.10
Bonded Debt.
$1,052,500.00
Municipal Debt.
8,691.00
Permanent Debt .
44,010.00
Temporary loans in anticipation of taxes
163.900.00
7
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Cemetery Trust Funds
28,399.50
E. Toothaker Trust Funds
1,322.31
Gross Debt.
$1,298,822.81
ASSETS, DECEMBER 28, 1912.
Cash on hand .
$17,013.87
Sinking Funds.
524,001.90
Due from Commonwealth.
2,739.50
66
"
Uncollected Tax Titles
134.43
66
66 Uncollected Tax Takings
6,087.00
66
6 R. E. Possessions
2,968.12
66 66
Sewer Possessions
471.76
66
Moth Assessments (approx.) .
321.88
66
6
Sewer Assessments (approx.)
10,965.15
66
66
Street Betterment (approx.)
2,642.41
66
66
Street Sprinkling (approx.).
10,295.04
6
66 Water Rates (approx.).
2,303.58
Total
$799,869.28
Gross Debt.
$1,298,822.81
Less Assets
799,869.28
$498,953.53
MATERIAL ASSETS.
Auditorium (payments to date)
$71,575.75
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth
599.20
Cemetery
36,815.00
Charity Department. .
1,490.75
City Hall and Fire Station
152,400.00
Fire Department.
63,224.55
Health Department
806.14
Highways. .
20,558.00
Parks and Public Grounds
43,670.00
Police Department
7,712.68
Public Library
66,900.00
School Houses and Land .
530,845.00
Sewer System
443,564.22
Surface Drainage
148,523.64
Water System.
424,259.91
$2,0124484
66
Uncollected Taxes
215,903.16
Sidewalk Assessments (approx.)
4,021.48
8
CITY OF MELROSE
Average valuation for three years is $16,887,220.00
Two and one-half per cent. of same is
422,180.50
Net debt inside debt limit. $264,098.59
Authorized . 3,654.40 267,752.99
Borrowing capacity for 1913
$154,427.51
Valuation of City-1900
$12,778,365.00 17,422,800.00
Valuation of City-1912.
Schedule of City Property :-
1900.
$1,462,209.57
1912
2,012,944.84
Assets :-
Cash, Sinking Funds, uncollected taxes, etc.,
1900.
$290,419.93
1912.
799,869.28
Indebtedness :-
Bonds, Trust Funds, Notes, Temporary Loans. 1900. $875,135.31
1912.
774,820.91
On October 25, 1912, all of the books, securities, and cash in the hands of the Sinking Fund Commissioners were examined by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics and found by them to be correct and the Commissioners would recommend that a similar audit of their accounts be made every year.
The Sinking Fund Commissioners report that there came due, and they have paid during the year 1912 :-
$ 62,000.00 Water Bonds
25,000.00 Sewer Bonds
45,000.00 . Town Hall Bonds.
$132,000.00
and that there comes due during 1913, $50,000 Water Bonds.
The Commissioners are continually purchasing Melrose taxable bonds as they come into the market, believing that the City, when security of principal as well as returns are considered, cannot find any better investments than its own bonds.
The Commissioners have during the year purchased several of the short time notes issued by the City for current expenses, thus saving the City the expense of certification which costs about $35.00 on each note.
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
The Commissioners suggest that the City would save money by consolidating these small notes and issuing one note covering all of these small appropriations, as the small loss in interest would be more than offset by the large cost of certification of each small note.
ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT.
An effort has been made each year for several years past to have the 12-dollar tax limit raised for current expenses or removed entirely. This would probably be entirely unnecessary if personal property paid its just proportion of the taxes.
The method of assessing taxes upon intangible personal property under Massachusetts laws is very unsatisfactory, although quite as good as in any other state, as under the Massachusetts laws, two per- sons may have personal property of the same value, but one may be perfectly fair and honest and willing to bear his share of the burdens and pay what he ought to. Another may intend to be honest, but still take advantage of some technicality of the law, and escape the payment of all or a large share of his taxes, thus putting more than the just proportion upon his neighbor. A larger proportion of the tax levy in Melrose should be placed upon personal property. Today the personal tax levy is about 15 per cent. of the whole. In Malden it is 20 per cent. Substantial progress has been made in recent years, however, by the assessors in securing an increased revenue through taxation of personal property. Thus the amount of personal assess- ment has risen since 1898 from $724,249 to $1,358,200 in 1904, and to $2,213,000 in 1912.
It has been estimated by the deputy tax commissioners from figures taken from inventories filed in the Probate Courts of Massa- chusetts and comparing the assessable figures thus disclosed with actual figures from assessors' offices in the cities and towns from which these inventories came, that only about one-twelfth part of the personal tax of Massachusetts was assessed until after the death of the owners thereof.
HIGHWAYS.
It is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the need of keeping our highways in good repair. The character and condition of a city's streets are potent factors in determining its prosperity and progress,
10
CITY OF MELROSE
and it is not good economy to neglect them although for the time being it may appear to be so. It is unfortunate that the annual appropri- ation usually made for the care of our highways is not sufficient to provide for what is really needed to be done, to say nothing of the amount of permanent road construction which should be accomplished each year, and I would therefore advise that a special appropriation of liberal proportions be made for attaining the desired end. The longer this work is delayed, the costlier it will prove to be when it is under- taken. If it should seem wise to the Board of Aldermen that this recommendation be followed, I would advise that a beginning be made upon our main thorough-fares, including first, Main Street, and then following with cross streets. Main Street from Wyoming Avenue to the Wakefield line should be repaired and re-surfaced and should re- ceive something in the way of permanent improvement as soon as the electric light wires can be placed underground and the tracks relaid in certain portions and brought up to grade where needed. In the mean- time it should be curbed from Wyoming Avenue to Wakefield in places where curbing at present does not exist. Essex Street should be macadamized with tarvia finish from Main Street to Vine Street where needed. Wyoming Avenue on the north side should have curbstones from Hurd Street to Adams Street, and Hurd Street should be macad- amized.
As to gutters, I would recommend that on the side hills of East Emerson Street, Morgan Street, Henry Avenue, Orris Street, from Walton Park to Warren Street on the west side, Cedar Park, and on Ashland Street, there should be paved gutters, and a special appropri- ation should be made therefor.
It is of course as necessary that we maintain satisfactorily what we now have, as that we enter upon new construction and constant and careful attention should be given to repair work. Modern methods of patching depressions in highways should be adopted and carried into effect. A moderate outlay in repairing, rightly done and at the right time, will prove very economical in the end. To neglect it may prove very costly in more ways than one. With the destruction of our streets by swiftly moving vehicles it is more than ever necessary that a sufficient amount of money be expended upon them to hold the surfaces together. Marked improvemens have been made upon our streets during the few past years, but we are appropriating less in our annual budget for highways than we appropriated during the last portion of our existence as a town, and this, notwithstanding the fact
11
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
that the hours of labor per day have been reduced, that the cost of all material is higher and that labor itself is higher. A larger expenditure can be satisfactorily made for the cleaning of our streets.
I do not expect that all these recommendations can be carried into effect at once, but I am reasonable, I believe, in making this re- quest, that at least a beginning in accordance with some such com- prehensive plan be made this year along the lines indicated.
CITY STABLES.
It is to the advantage of any city that it provide as far as is practicable against waste in any form. It is not good business policy to allow its materials and rolling stock to remain outside, exposed to the elements, in all kinds of weather. Deterioration and loss are sure to result and have resulted in the case of this city.
Under existing conditions our horses in the public works depart- ment have to be boarded and our implements, tools, rolling stock, and materials, and supplies of various kinds stored in different places or left in open lots. One of the things most needed in this city today is the establishment of city stables for the keeping of our own stock and the storing of everything in the way of material which the city owns, and they should be located as centrally as possible and near the rail- road where unloading can be done at the least possihle cost. If there is to be nothing done in this direction, larger and better accommoda- tions should be secured at the expiration of the present lease on Lin- wood Avenue, or at least a shed should be erected at that place for the protection of our property. To continually delay action on this im- portant matter is a penny-wise and pound-foolish policy.
Up-to-date methods of road repairing and construction and street cleaning are essential to economical effective work, and the use of suitable tools, implements, and teams is necessary if such methods are to be carried into effect. More horses are needed to take the place of those that are becoming unfit for service. If the money to accom- plish these purposes is to be taken out of the usual sum expended for highway maintenance, the highways will suffer.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
The cost of the construction of our water system up to September 30, 1912, has been $424,259.01 against which there are outstanding $203,000.00 of sinking fund and serial bonds. The water loan sinking
12
CITY OF MELROSE
fund December 24, 1912, was $115,611.98 and the amount received in premiums on water bonds sold applicable to the payment of serial bonds was $146.90. This leaves our net water debt at $87,246.12, the annual interest charge on which is $8,120.00. The average mainten- ance charge for the past three years has been $11,291.67 The charge per annum has varied according to weather conditions. Thus last February, because of the very severe and unusual freeze-ups, the maintenance charge increased very seriously, for, while in 1910 and 1911 payments for water maintenance up to April 1, were but $2,069.48 and $2,029.60 respectively, the payments to the same date in 1912 were $7,025.68, an increase of about $5,000. The average State water tax for three years was $20,606.37. The annual revenue for the past three years has been $44,115.25. It will thus be seen that the annual revenue has exceeded the combined State water tax, maintenance charge, and annual interest charge by over $4,000. It should be stated that our city is now all metered and that rates are generally satisfactory.
SEWERS.
Our sewer and surface drainage system should receive more at- tention in order that it be kept in perfect condition. From now on it will naturally require more attention to keep it clean and clear, and if necessary an increased appropriation should be made therefor. The demand for sewers is increasing as the city continues to grow, and wherever possible this demand should be granted. As recommended by my predecessor, a more equitable division of the cost in the matter of sewer assessments may be advantageously considered. In 1898, by vote of the town, an assessment of $.20 per foot frontage and 5 mills per foot of area was established. This assessment might have been fair and sufficient at that time, but is now unfair to the city on account of the increased cost of material and labor, as a result of which the city's share of the cost is three times that of the individual. A re- apportionment therefore would seem to be advisable.
SURFACE DRAINAGE.
Our surface drainage system, constructed a few years ago, as far as it has been carried, has worked efficiently and satisfactorily. The lack of drainage in the lower portion of our city, especially the Wy- oming section, however, is still sorely felt. The problem of providing a sufficiently free and unobstructed flow of water which shall prevent
13
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
flooding along the course of Spot Pond brook in times of freshet by the water turned into it by the Metropolitan Board, from Doleful Pond, is one which is still pressing for solution, as well as that of remedying the situation with reference to Ell Pond brook. Last winter a commission was appointed, consisting of one person named by the Governor of the State, one by the Mayor of Malden, one by the Mayor of Melrose, and one by the Board of Selectmen of Stoneham, to investigate the con- dition of Spot Pond brook in Stoneham, Melrose, and Malden, and to report to the General Court before January 10 of this year. This commission, I am informed, has looked over the situation, and is pre- paring a report. This will of course be awaited with much interest. If this report, however, is to contain recommendations, the ultimate outcome of which is to entail a very large expense upon the City of Melrose, we may well hesitate before taking any decided action looking to such an end, especially as the present unfortunate situation is very largely due to the action of the Metropolitan Water Board in diverting the waters of Doleful Pond into the Spot Pond brook and the attitude of Malden in not removing in its territory the obstruction to the flow of the main stream to tide water. But the situation in our own territory can be greatly relieved by keeping the course of these brooks free and unobstructed, by deepening and widening to their legal widths these streams. The opinion that we cannot do anything unless Malden does very much, I believe to be greatly exaggerated. In the interest of the public health alone, to say nothing of the inconveniences to the people living along the lines of these brooks, caused by flooding, some definite method of relief ought to be entered upon as soon as it can be the most economically and intelligently done. The report of the Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works to the Board of Aldermen in 1912, relative to the condition of Ell and Spot Pond brooks, discloses lack of care for some years. It is my opinion that residents along Spot Pond brook have suffered too long and too seriously awaiting the determination of the responsibility of Malden, our own City, and the Commonwealth, for existing conditions. We must seriously consider whether not alone for sanitary reasons but from a purely business point of view, we should not begin to build a permanent covered con- duit for that portion of Ell Pond brook situated between East Foster Street and Wyoming Station, and possibly we may find it desirable to permit abuttors to use such covered portions as seems desirable, as was done with the Boston & Maine R. R. at Wyoming, thereby reducing the expense of the undertaking.
14
CITY OF MELROSE
SCHOOLS.
The advantages of the maintenance of a high standard of ex- cellence in our public schools cannot be overestimated, and every public-spirited citizen, who has the welfare of the community at heart, will insist upon it. The people of Melrose have for years shown a liberal spirit in providing funds for the carrying on of our public school system, although the cost of maintenance has called for a very con- siderable portion of the entire tax levy, being now approximately about $100,000.00 per annum.
I am very happy to say, however, that there is substantial evi- dence of economy and business efficiency on the part of those who have charge of our schools, which will commend itself to the people. It is worth while in this connection to call attention to the fact that the average cost per pupil for all children in our public schools is practi- cally the average for the state. The cost per pupil for the high school is only two-thirds the average for the state and only one-half what it is in many Massachusetts cities.
During the past year improvements and economies instituted by the School Committee have effected a saving of nearly $2,000 per annum in the item of fuel. While there has been a slight saving in this respect in all the schools, the largest item has been in the High School Building, for whereas the amount of coal recently consumed there was about 600 tons, it is now less than 400 tons per annum, and during the coming year the amount will probably be nearer 300 with average weather conditions. The High School Building is today better heated and ventilated than ever before. By similar methods water rates have been cut in the past two years from $940 to $721, a saving of 23 per cent.
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