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PLORED. 1628 SE CHARLESTOWN 1829 POND FEILBE 1638
MALDEN NORTH END 1649
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CITY OF MELROSE
MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1914
WITH Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 5th, 1914
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CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
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ยท MALDEN .
NORTH END
1649.
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ORPORATED
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PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE
MELROSE, MASS. THE MELROSE FREE PRESS, INC.
1915
OLIVER B. MUNROE MAYOR
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
OLIVER B. MUNROE
MAYOR OF MELROSE
DELIVERED JANUARY 5th, 1914
Mr. President and Members of the Board of Aldermen:
Elected by the will of the people to serve a second term as the City's chief executive, it is with a profound realization of the seriousness of the trust reposed in me that I again enter upon the discharge of the duties of my office. Important matters, which are now pending, affecting the welfare of the people, will call for the exercise of wisdom, prudence and firmness. The problems which will confront us will be many and varied and can be successfully solved only by a subordination of individual interest to the general well being of the community. The greatest good to the greatest number is the principle which should govern. This idea has been frequently reiterated, but it needs to be constantly kept in mind if there is to be a wise and efficient administration of our municipal affairs.
The financial condition of the City continues sound and its credit unimpaired; and there is an obligation upon us to see that it continues so. The demands of the people for the modern conveniences of life are con- stantly increasing and it is only by a very careful and judicious appor- tionment of the revenue of the City, a wise husbanding of its resources and a constant watchfulness that the City gets good value for the money that is spent, that these requirements can be even partly met, without imposing a tax on the people which shall prove burdensome for many. I therefore recommend, in order that our present excellent financial condition shall be maintained, that every request or order introduced into your Board for an appropriation shall be carefully examined before final action is taken thereon.
Now that the $12-dollar tax limit for current expenses has been re- moved and the cities are empowered by act of the Legislature, to fix their own rate, and as last year's Board has seen fit to allow the rate to remain open to be determined by this year's administration, I especially urge that we resist the temptation to increase appropriations to an extent which shall result in a burdensome tax upon the people. There is every reason for anticipating a large increase in property values as the result of the unusually large amount of building construction completed and now in progress, and a decided gain in personal property, but I shall exert my utmost effort to limit appropriations for current expenses to an amount which shall not exceed twelve dollars per thousand on the 1914 valuation. And I ask your co-operation in striving to attain this end.
From statements prepared by the Treasury department the total bonded debt at the end of the year 1913 was $1,022,000. But there were
4
CITY OF MELROSE
in the sinking funds applicable to the payment of this debt, $506,420.40, leaving a net bonded debt of $515,579.60.
As regards the sinking funds, heretofore the commissioners have carried the securities in their custody at cost, charging off some of the premiums each year. This year they have adopted the policy of carrying all securities at par and have charged off all premiums, the total charged off being $16,054.78. Of course, the actual value to-day of the securities is considerably more than par, so that our net bonded debt is actually slightly less than appears from the figures and slightly less than it was a year ago.
BONDED DEBT, DECEMBER 15, 1913.
Auditorium Bonds
$39,000.00
Park Bonds
17,000.00
School Bonds
278,000.00
Sewerage Bonds
390,000.00
Surface Drainage Bonds
135,000.00
Water Bonds
163,000.00
Total
$1,022,000.00
In sinking funds to be applied to payment of the above bonds at
maturity :-
School Fund.
$182,622.96
Sewer Fund .
221,892.78
Surface Drainage
36,447.31
Water Fund.
65,457.35
Total
$506,420.40
Net Bonded Debt
$515,579.60
Bonds have been paid and cancelled during the year as below :-
Paid from Sinking Fund (Water Bonds)
Serial Bonds paid from appropriations :- . . .
Water Bonds . $5,000.00
One overdue for which provision has
been made
1,000.00
6,000.00
Auditorium Bonds.
3,000.00
Park Bonds 2,500.00
Total
$61,500.00
Our gross debt, as will be seen from the figures presented amounts to $1,330,685.18, against which there are gross assets of $768,540.37, leaving a net indebtedness of $562,144.81. Our property assets are about $2,128,000.00.
$50,000.00
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
GROSS DEBT.
Bonded Debt
$1,022,000.00
Municipal Debt.
9,629.70
Permanent Debt .
91,522.00
Temporary Loans in anticipation of taxes
175,100.00
Cemetery Trust Fund .
31,103.50
E. Toothaker Trust Fund
1,329.98
Total
$1,330,685.18
Assets (exclusive of Property Assets) Dec. 31, 1913:
Cash on hand.
$29,338.38
Sinking Funds
489,243.45
Due from Commonwealth
2,545.50
Uncollected Taxes
204,584.78
66
Tax Titles
134.43
66
Tax Takings
10,633.79
66
Real Estate Possessions. .
3,342.94
66
Moth Assessments
576.16
Sewer Assessments
11,307. 56
66
Sidewalk Assessments
4,843.38
66
Street Betterment .
2,213.29
66
Street Sprinkling
6,585.94
66
Water Rates.
2,728.01
Total
$768,540.37
PROPERTY ASSETS.
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth
$1,695.55
Charity Department.
1,992.75
Fire Department.
73,982.82
Health Department
806.14
Public Parks.
52,695.00
Police Department
7,283.23
Public Library
74,100.00
School Department
530,590.00
Sundries .
3,075.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
530.50
Wyoming Cemetery
36,856.00
Soldiers' Memorial
120,000.00
City Hall .
152,400.00
Highway Department.
20,558.00
Sewer System.
453,312.27
Surface Drainage System
160,892.63
Water System
437.239,75
Total
$2,128,009.64
Sewer Possessions
471.76
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CITY OF MELROSE
Loans have been. authorized since the last Budget was passed as follows :-
Sundry Notes
Bonds
$82,051.70 45,000.00
Total
$127,051.70
Less $10,000 City Stable loan defeated
on referendum
10,000.00
$117,051.70
Our borrowing capacity for 1914 is $124,402.53.
STATEMENT OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS FOR 1913.
Relating to Budget, Tax Levy, Tax Rate, Valuation and Population, City Debt, Sinking Fund, etc .:
$344,352.50
Budget 1913, City Overlay
7,316.90
$351,669.40
Total Budget for City pur-
poses . $351,669.40
Less appropriated from de-
partment, receipts and
Bank and Corpor. Tax. .. 54,807.70
In tax levy for City pur-
poses . $296,861.70
State Tax
$32,640.00
State Sewer Tax
17,103.24
Metropolitan Park Tax
10,262.39
State Highway Tax
20.00
Charles River Basin
1,655.79
Bureau of Statistics (for service) .
1,502.39
Total paid State $63,183.81
$414,853.21
County Tax .
16,466.40
$431,319.61
Less amount appropriated from Bank
and Corp. Tax and Dept. Receipts. . .
54,807.70
$376,511.91
Tax Rate 1913. $20.40
Valuation 1913. 18,003,525.00
This valuation does not include additions since levy was made.
Population 1913: 16,612.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
HIGHWAYS.
In pursuance of recommendations made in my inaugural address of last year, the Board of Aldermen made certain special appropriations for permanent road construction and improvements, including $25,000 for Main Street, which has been carefully and wisely expended. It has been the policy of the administration in the matter of permanent road con- struction or improvement to make a beginning on our main thoroughfare and thence radiating outward, put our cross streets in good, substantial condition. Acting on the line of this policy Main Street has been mac- adamized with Hassam pavement from Porter Street to Grove Street at a low cost as compared with the same quality of work done in other cities, and the work of finishing the street to the Malden line with bituminous macadam will be done in the spring, or as soon as the weather will permit. A portion of this work has already been done. Essex Street has also been macadamized. During the coming season I would recommend that West Foster Street and West Emerson Street be rebuilt and put into good condition from Main Street to the Boston & Maine railroad tracks. A part of Washington Street should be rebuilt and the whole of Pleasant Street should be resurfaced as this is a main entrance to the City on the west side of the Boston & Maine railroad. Tremont Street should be resurfaced from West Emerson Street to Franklin Street, and Cottage Street should be macadamized and curbed. During the coming season underground work will be done on Main Street from Porter Street to Franklin Square, preliminary to the continuation of the permanent im- provement on this portion of our Main thoroughfare at such time as the Board may consider it advisable to make an appropriation therefor.
Edgestones have been put in on both sides of Hillside Avenue from Upham to Emerson Streets with the expectation that the street was to be macadamized, and this should be done. East Foster Street should be curbed from the brook to Dell Avenue, and ultimately Grove Street should be macadamized from Lebanon Street to Swain's Pond Avenue.
Supplementary to the work already accomplished on Main Street, it should be stated that preparations are being made to bury the wires of the Malden Electric Company in the conduit, which it laid during the past season, and that connections have been made by the N. E. Tel. & Tel. Company for the putting of its wires in its conduits, in which a bore is provided for the City's fire alarm and police signal wires. When the telephone company buries its wires, I would recommend a moderate ap- propriation by your Honorable Body for the putting of our own wires under ground in the telephone conduit. All the large poles which have for years disfigured Main Street can then be removed, the trolley poles being the only ones remaining. Following the line of general improvement of the street, arrangements are being made with the Malden Electric Company for more even and better lighting of this thoroughfare through ornamental poles connecting with its conduit on the easterly side of the street.
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CITY OF MELROSE
STREET RAILWAY FACILITIES.
Much has been done in the way of street railway improvements during the past year-much more than had been originally intended by the Bay State Company. A new roadbed and new rails have been laid the entire length of Main Street from Porter Street to the Malden line, and this roadbed has matched up well with the street work done by the City. The tracks on Franklin Street, which had given much annoyance have been put in better condition and new rails have been laid on Essex Street where needed.
On Porter Street more or less repair work has been done. I would recommend that a committee be appointed by the Board, who, in con- junction with the Mayor, shall take up the question of securing better facilities for Ward Seven, or the southeasterly section of the City, which will be a potent factor in developing this portion of Melrose. Better transportation facilities for the west side of the City, possibly in connection with the Fells, Stoneham line, may well engage the consideration of such a committee, also.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
I would strongly urge that action be taken this year looking to a rearrangement of the interior of City Hall so that the Departments will have adequate room and facilities for the transaction of the City's business. A due regard for the members of the Board, as well as the people, who desire to attend its meetings, demands that it shall have larger and better quarters, as well as committee rooms. At present there are no committee rooms whatever. Improved and larger quarters should be provided for the police department, treasurer and auditor's department and health and charity departments, which at present occupy the same room together with other departments. A private office should be provided for the Mayor of the City. I am glad to see that an order has been introduced into the Board of Aldermen providing for a special committee to take this whole subject into consideration.
The Memorial Building is well serving the purposes for which it was built. The income therefrom has fully justified expectations entertained at the beginning of the year, so that a lowering of the rates has been ordained by the Board, which will naturally ensure a still broader use thereof by the citizens.
The people having voted adversely on the proposition to purchase the Benson property on Tremont Street for City Stables, I consider it very important that action should be taken looking to the acquiring of some other location, where City Stables can be built and which will meet with the approval of the people. I will repeat what I said last year that one of the things most needed in this city is the establishment of City Stables for the keeping of our stock, teams, horses, rollers, and the storing of material and articles of various kinds, which under consisting conditions suffer from deterioration and loss. Our experience with fire last year should firmly convince us of the necessity of having these stables of fire- proof construction.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
SEWER AND WATER.
A large amount of sewer construction has been done this year in localities where sewer connections were demanded by the owners of both new and old buildings. Surface drainage has been extended on lower Main Street so as to take care of the water which for many years settled in that portion of our main thoroughfare and an unusually large number of catch basins have been built in various sections of the City. Water mains have been extended in many localities where' water supply and adequate fire protection have long been needed. To curtail work of this character in sections where it is badly required is detrimental to the public health and the best interests of the City and is an obstacle to its growth along right lines.
The cost of construction of our water system up to September 30, 1913 was $437,239.74 against which there are oustanding $147,000.00 of Sinking Fund and Serial Bonds. The water loan sinking fund December 27, 1913, was $65,636.09, which leaves a water debt of $81,363.91, the annual interest charge on which is $5,690.00. The maintenance charge for the past year has been $12,147.82; interest on water bonds, $8,024.20; payments, state water tax, $22,684.86, making a total of $42,856.88. Total receipts have been $44,561.90, leaving a balance of $1,705.02.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The work of the Fire Department during the past year has been deserving of the highest commendation. Its alertness and skill have more than once prevented extended destruction of property. The new com- bination chemical and hose auto at the Central Fire Station went into service July 1st, 1913, and from that date to December 1, 1913, a period of five months, it has answered 32 alarms of fire, at a total cost for up-keep, including equipment, of $33.87. Compare this with what it would have cost to keep three horses to pull a combination wagon for the same period, which would be $250.00 and the wisdom of having purchased this kind of equipment will be at once apparent, to say nothing of the time saved in reaching the scene of the fires.
I would recommend that one permanent man be added to the regular force, to be located at the East Side Station, also that the City purchase a new auto hook and ladder truck. If an auto truck is purchased it will do away with three horses, which now have to be fed whether we have fires or not. Unless an auto is purchased, new horses will have to be bought at a cost of probably over $1,000.00.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
The general health and sanitation of the City has been good, not- withstanding an increase of general mortality over that of 1912. The City had been more than usually free from contagious diseases until September, when there began an epidemic of scarlet fever, which has
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CITY OF MELROSE
been especially difficult to suppress, owing to the fact that many of the cases were so mild that no physician was called in attendance, and the serious nature of the disease was not recognized.
During the year the Board of Health has availed itself of the public health service of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has had examinations of milk to determine its bacteriological contents, as well as its chemical qualities. These results have been published from time to time, letting the people know the quality of the milk which they were buying. Considering the immense importance of pure milk, any reason- able expense which will improve the product and safeguard the people from an impure supply, is justified.
Among sanitary problems which confront us may be mentioned a hospital for tuberculosis, the inspection of tenements and more oversight of foods. In fact every session of the General Court places new and im- portant duties upon local boards of health.
CHARITY DEPARTMENT.
With the ever increasing demands for money in this department, under the new State law which went into effect the first of September, which provided for compulsory aid for mothers with dependent children, a larger appropriation will be necessary.
At the City Farm, the first of last year, there were five inmates, and the number has averaged four during the year. The general run-down condition of the land and farming implements, together with machine for two horses and only one horse to do the work, has been a great handicap to the proper management of the farm. Nevertheless, the income from the Farm, by wise and efficient management, has been more than doubled, having increased from $417.31 to $854.84. The buildings, however, are still sadly in need of paint and other repairs, so that a somewhat larger appropriation for this branch of the department would seem to be ad- visable.
The Board continues, as in the past, to care for our aged and infirm dependents, at the same time safeguarding the City from imposition by those who are unworthy or not entitled to the City's aid.
CEMETERY.
Development work in the Wyoming Cemetery has proceeded along lines laid down in the plans submitted to last year's Board of Aldermen. A large number of lots have been graded and the improvement of the swamp near the center has been practically completed. Racks have been placed in the tomb for the reception of bodies. The improvement of Sylvan Street up to and including that portion of it at the entrance of the Cemetery should certainly be carried out in accordance with general plans already prepared. This work required the co-operation of the Cemetery Depart- ment, Public Works Department and the Trustees of Pine Banks Park, all of whom, it is understood, view the matter favorably. The expense
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
will be small, as it simply requires parking and planting shrubbery along Sylvan Street and the Park land and at the entrance of the Cemetery, the intent being to make the approach harmonize and be in keeping with the Cemetery itself.
BOSTON ROCK.
Early in the month of November, 1913, it became a matter of common report that options had been given on the property known as Boston Rock and adjacent lands and that the prospective purchasers proposed to establish a large stone crushing plant, thereby to enable them to crush four or five hundred tons of rock daily for a period of fifty or more years.
Applications for a permit to store dynamite and blast rock were made respectively to the Board of Aldermen and Chief of the Fire Department, both of which have been refused.
From the first this matter lias engaged the serious consideration of many citizens, both men and women, and a committee of fifteen, repre- senting a large number of citizens, has carried on an effective campaign of investigation and protest.
Every Department of the City Government, I feel sure, together with the Citizens' Committee, has co-operated and will continue to co-operate for the protection of the homes at Wyoming Heights and vicinity.
It is sincerely to be hoped that some better method may be found than long and expensive litigation to solve the problem confronting us, but I am firmly convinced that we must oppose with vigor at every point, the infliction of so great a detriment to the well being of our City as the installation of a stone crushing plant on Boston Rock.
PARKS.
The development of the park areas has been confined to Ell Pond embankment on the site of the old Benson ice houses. Here the grounds have been graded, a retaining wall and boat landing with suitable ap- proaches have been built, and it is contemplated to further improve it the coming year. On other parks little besides maintenance has been done.
For the coming year it is hoped that a still further development of Ell Pond and the Melrose Common can be accomplished. At the former place were held the band concerts given by the Metropolitan Park Com- mission. This developed the lack of lights, seats and suitable approaches from the east to the park. In this connection private interests have expressed a desire to co-operate with the commission in securing more concerts and provide a suitable shelter, hoping the City will construct paths and provide lights, etc., and with this end in view I would recommend that the City appropriate sufficient money to carry out the proposed im- provements as outlined above.
.I would call the attention of both the Board of Aldermen and of the Park Commissioners to the necessity of a playground for the smaller children in the northeasterly section of the city, or in that large portion
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CITY OF MELROSE
covered by Ward 2, where playing in the streets has become a source of both danger to the children and annoyance to the passer-by. I have reason to believe that the desired end can be accomplished at a very moderate cost to the city.
NEW BUILDINGS.
The new building ordinances which were put into effect this year, have worked satisfactorily, and the City has been saved from much in- secure, unsanitary and inflammable construction thereby. The total valuation of all permits granted during the year has been about $350,000. Most of the new construction is of good character and is now well under way. All of this construction, together with the increase in personal property which has been discovered, justifies the belief that there will be a very material increase in actual property values this year, conservatively estimated at a half million dollars.
CARE OF TREES.
A special appropriation of $3,000 was made last year for the care of trees in response to the request of many of the women and public- spirited citizens of Melrose, which thus afforded an opportunity for that kindly care and attention for a great many of our old and young trees, which they had not received for many years, and for the planting of new trees, in co-operation with a committee of the Melrose Women's Club. Nearly 200 new trees were planted, all of which, with one or two excep- tions, have done very well. As many more at least should be planted during the coming year.
To date, 1167 trees have been pruned and the cuts have been creosoted and tarred. Dead and rotten wood has been removed from 234 cavities and these cavities have been creosoted and tarred and thoroughly filled with cement fillings. Much work of the above character remains yet to be done, but two or three successive years of care on our street trees by careful pruning and scientific patching will cause our trees to compare favorably with those of any city or park in the State.
There has been expended by the Moth Department to date the sum of $1,761.89 for the suppression of brown tail and Gypsy moths, exclusive of private work, and $359.60 for "Other Insect Pests." The leopard moths are getting more numerous and active in the city street trees, necessitating the cutting of many limbs from trees, which have been destroyed. The elm leaf beetle is still with us but there has been comparatively but little defoliation or perforation of leaves, because of the more thorough arsenical spraying, which will quickly and easily throw its stream over our highest trees.
SCHOOLS.
The cost per pupil in the Melrose High School is the lowest of any city in the State; yet, that the instruction is highly efficient, is shown by
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
the fact that this school has again been approved by the New England College Entrance Board, and further, that six of this year's honor students at Harvard, three of them Freshmen, are from the Melrose High School. This record could not have been made by boys who had not been well prepared.
Our common schools are equally efficient, while the cost per pupil is below the average for the State. This high standing of our schools and their relative low cost, denote a management which is educationally pro- gressive, but financially conservative.
With our school well developed along accepted academic lines, the great need of the system to-day is the institution of practical courses for the large percentage of our children who cannot attend college or higher institutions of learning, but who must immediately seek some means of earning a living. The new course in engineering and the extension of wood-working and cabinet making seem to be along right lines. I am informed by the Superintendent that there are to-day over one hundred boys who wish to take these subjects, but who cannot be accommodated. It would be well if these courses could be extended, and it is hoped that as the attendance in the High School decreases with the graduation of former ninth grade pupils and the resources of the City increase, more of this kind of practical instruction may be given to our children.
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