USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1917 > Part 1
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https://archive.org/details/cityofmelroseann1917melr
CITY OF MELROSE
MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1917
WITH
Mayor's Inaugural Address
DELIVERED JANUARY 2, 1917
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PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE
THE KEYSTONE PRESS MELROSE, MASS. 1918
INAUGURAL ADDRESS HON. CHARLES H. ADAMS
MAYOR OF MELROSE
DELIVERED JANUARY 2ND, 1917
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Board of Aldermen, Ladies and Gentlemen :
At the beginning of the work for another year we should express our gratitude for the prosperity and advancemnt in 1916.
Through the growth of the City the extensive building operations, creating new property, we were able to reduce our tax rate without any general advance in property valuation. The rate was reduced from $23.70 to $22.00. By the splendid progress of the City, the actual value of every property in Melrose was increased, but the value for taxation purposes was, with minor exceptions, not changed.
We are able to so manage our affairs that the Budget was slightly less in 1916 than in 1915. How was it with you in your homes and in business? Did not your expenses increase in every line of expendi- ture? Did you buy anything so low in 1916 as before? On the whole, are you not surprised that our city has been able to get along without increasing your taxes? But all taxes are a burden, and a great burden to some, the subject of complaint and protest, often made by those best able to pay them, and we should seek to take from the people by taxation only the smallest amount possible for the needs of the city. But the type of a city we aim to maintain and the intelligent people who live here demand a still finer city, requiring the best of manage- ment to keep within a reasonable rate.
Through the sinking funds we have paid off the $200,000 in School House bonds, having paid in 20 years in interest $160,000. The pay- ment of this debt will save $8,000 a year in interest, and about the same amount in contributions towards the principal.
Interest Payments
Our payments for interest are about $50,000 a year, varying with
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CITY OF MELROSE
the varying rates, which the Treasurer is obliged to pay on a great variety of loans.
Boston Rubber Shoe Company
In 1914 the Boston Rubber Shoe Company did not pay its cor- poration tax. It transferred its money and accounts to New York to avoid taxation and we lost $14,000. In 1915, in attempting to force the collection for both year's the Attorney General made a compromise, accepting one year's tax in place of two years, and it was understood that the Company would hereafter pay without protest. But they again appealed in 1916 and we are short again about $14,000. Other corporations are adopting the same methods of evasion, and the whole of our system of corporation taxation, so vital to a state filled with manufacturing industries, is to be tried out.
Water Department
The income of the water department has just reached a point sufficient to pay for water purchased, maintenance of the system, inter- est and the necessary new construction. A few years ago, before our water rates were reduced, the income of the department was $54,000. It fell to $39,000. Recently it has been gaining and now stands at $48,000 or $6,000 less than its highest point.
By the careful renewal and repairs of pipes, for the prevention of waste, and the excellent management of the system, the waste of water has been constantly reduced until we stand second in a list of 21 places that make up the Metropolitan Water System. The first place is held by Milton. We are actually paying $8,000 per year less for water than 8 years ago. This work does not appear on the surface, but I consider it one of the best tests of the efficiency of our Public Works Department.
Streets
Our streets, with a few exceptions, are in excellent condition ; better by far on the average than those about us in other cities. Men who travel much agree upon the general fineness of our streets. Do you know that when you consider water pipes, sewers, drainage, gut- ters, edgestones and sidewalks, that streets cost from $8 to $12 a foot.
We have been improving the city with many granolithic walks and granite curbing, which is the most substantial, lasting and orna- mental work we can do. The city borrows the money, and the abut- tors pay one-half the cost. By a most liberal policy to encourage the construction of sidewalks, the abuttors are allowed to divide their cost into 10 annual payments, which is the most liberal arrangement per- mitted under the laws. Personally, I take small interest in the con- struction of fine roads for the automobile until the sidewalks are con- structed for those who walk.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
We have in this city over 50 private ways, or unaccepted streets, some of which have been in use for 30 years, and I urge the accept- ance and improvement by the city of these private streets, to encourage their development, in preference to the laying out and building of new ones.
Highlands Boulevard
I regret very much that we have been unable to adopt any plan for the building of a broad road or boulevard from Ell Pond across the marshlands to Franklin Street at the Highlands. With the miserable car service at Franklin Square we need an easy and direct road to bring the Highlands into the center of the City. I am confident that the building of this boulevard is only temporarily postponed, to be taken up again, whenever the city becomes better informed upon its importance.
Better Lighting
Better street lighting and the proper spacing of our present lights is recommended. The White Way should be extended through Frank- lin Square and Franklin Street. There is not a well-lighted thorough- fare between the center and the Highlands. How shall we center their hearts down here, unless we give them streets and lights to make the way easy. Tremont Street may be improved with walks and lights, and widened by taking a strip of that low-priced land near the pond and along Ell Pond Park. Here is an opportunity for one broad avenue connecting two important sections.
Growth of the City
During the year, there has been constructed about $400,000 in new buildings, of attractive size and architecture, a development of property that is bringing fine people and a splendid reputation to the city. Much of the new property has been erected upon streets already established, where water and sewers and drainage are in. Here is a profit to the city that will shortly show in our general prosperity. There remains to be developed the South East section alone. It is accessible by narrow roads, few walks and lights, and is without sewers.
We often hear of the beauties of the various sections of the city. The hill with Bellevue Avenue and Stratford Road, Wyoming Hill and the West Side, close against the Fells, and the Sewall Woods, swinging around the fine sections of the Highlands on both sides of the track. These are beautiful sections. And when you have seen them all, you may go to the South East and find our most picturesque and elevated section where you can live in sight of the sea and the mountains.
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CITY OF MELROSE
We bring children from the South East section to the Melrose public schools in a barge. They need a fine four-room schoolhouse to be a social center and an inspiration to those people of small means who are building homes and whose children will soon be the citizens of the city. The kind of citizens they become will indicate the care we give to them now. I recommend that these narrow roads be legally laid out the full width, while land is cheap, and their lines fixed, to be constructed only at such time in the future as the growth may justi- fy.
Housing Laws
Melrose early adopted an excellent building code which has helped to keep our building operations within lines that stand for light, air, sanitation and fire protection. Much depends upon the administration of this department, and our Inspector of buildings stands for a faithful compliance with the code, looking always to the welfare of the whole city.
We have adopted appropriate ordinances which require that all buildings shall be connected with a sewer, if a sewer is in the street, or a cesspool that is fly proof, built only with the approval of the Board of Health. i
The Boulevard to Lynn Woods
The many great problems on the part of the Metropolitan Park system has prevented the extension of the Boulevard from Bellevue Avenue to the Lynn Woods. An effort will be made by our repre- sentative to secure legislation for its building out to Howard Street beyond the Saugus line, the coming year, and leaving the extension to the Lynn Woods for future legislation.
Department of Parks
During the year, the Horace Mann Park on Grove Street has been finished, making it an ornament and utility in a section filled with children and in a locality where much good will soon come from it.
The ice-houses at Ell Pond with the land adjoining the pond are now secure to the city after years of agitation. Through the generous contributions of money by John C. F. Slayton and James W. Maguire and their associates, the city secured this property at small cost. In the spring the ice-houses will disappear, and the park system will be extended. This will be our most conspicuous improvement of the year in the development of a beautiful city.
Trees
We have thousands of shade trees along our streets which attract
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universal praise and comment. But our people are neglecting the orna- mentation of their own grounds with beautiful evergreen trees. Where do we find on any of our public grounds, around our churches, school- houses and other public buildings, beautiful spruce, pines, hemlocks and firs ornamenting the city throughout the winter? Our civic organ- izations may well make an educational campaign along this line. The grounds .around our schoolhouses should be so finely kept up as to be examples, and an inspiration to private citizens in ornamenting private grounds. I hope that we may be able to appropriate a small amount for the High School grounds on the Upham Street side.
Playgrounds
In reading the report of the Planning Board I was struck by the statement that Melrose had not yet purchased one single playground. We have been talking for years about it. Pine Banks and the Com- mon were given to us. At the Lincoln School we use one without cost, while the owner pays the taxes upon it. We use Messenger's Meadows through the kindness of the owner.
Nearly 5,000 children live in this city and the public playground is no longer a luxury. It is a fundamental necessity. The Washington School is an example of 350 pupils using the street as a playground.
Zachariah, the prophet, drew a picture of a city, the streets of which were filled with children playing. But Zachariah never saw our electric cars and automobiles speeding through the streets.
School Gardens
School gardens have been conducted for many years by the Mel- rose Woman's Club, and if they are to continue this generous work and supervision, then the land, at least, should be furnished and set apart by the city for permanent use and development.
The city has the vacant lot on Franklin Street, the old school lot on Lynde street, it will soon have the lot on Upham street where now stands the East Side Chapel, and we can set aside a plot at Ell Pond Park for the work.
Athletic Field
We need an athletic field that can be enclosed for games on import- ant athletic events, to be managed by the city in the same way as we manage this building; to be rented at a fair price for all games to which a fee is charged, to be free and open at other times. By the experience of other cities it is clear that such an enterprise need cost the tax- payers nothing, and it will be of vast value to our school and other athletics in the making of rugged men of the boys who grow up here. I hope that such a plan may be worked out and adopted,
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The supervision of playgrounds is a new activity in civic life. Very important in the welfare of the children, it was conducted last year by the Community Associates who raised and contributed several hun- dred dollars. Now with the removal of the ice business from Ell Pond we are to have a winter playground of immense value, needing some supervision and a proper development. This activity must be in charge of some board or organization. Either the Park Commissioners or a committee or organization allied with the city, should develop both summer and winter sports and playground work to the end that play shall be under good auspices, that children shall be watched over, interest be stimulated and the playground used to the fullest develop- ment.
At the Ell Pond we need a winter house for the manifold uses of thousands of visitors and skaters.
The Public Library
The splendid progress for the Library, its increasing importance in the city, its extending circulation of books, the success of the branches established at the South East, the Highlands and on Upham Hill, the increasing use of the building for such educational and civic purposes, as the Red Cross meetings, the Horticultural Society, the Boy Scouts' conferences and exhibits, the Story Telling Classes, the art collections, and the reading rooms, make it a leading institution in the life of our people.
Notwithstanding the closing of the children's department for many weeks last summer, on acount of infantile paralysis, restricting also the distribution of books in many ways, the actual circulation is larger than ever before.
I hope we may still farther develop it in the conduct of lectures and classes in art, literature and handicraft, under the auspices of the Board of Trustees. I would like to see cases of books loaned to schools, fire engine houses and neighborhoods and clubs and chapels.
Planning Board
We cannot measure with accuracy the importance of the work of the Melrose Planning Board. We may see the benefits of the work in the removal of the ice-houses, in the plan for the improvement of Spot Pond Brook and in its plans for parks and playgrounds, but its constant study of the development and future of Melrose, its leader- ship in plans for public benefits, its examinations and advice upon matters referred to it, its far seeing survey of the growth, building, architecture, roads, housing and beauty of the city are invaluable. Its earnest advocacy by this Board of public improvements along the finer lines of progress will have a marked influence.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
The Memorial Building
In accordance with the recommendation of last year, an Advisory Board will have general oversight of the management and future de- velopment of the Memorial Building. This Board will be named this month, and we look forward to its work with keen anticipation. The usefulness of this building in the uplifting of civic and social stand- ards, in educational and moral influences, in music and art, in the training of a democracy, will be greatly enlarged. The great gift that has recently come to it, in the world famous painting of the Battle of Lexington painted by Bicknell, is an index of the great things to be here accomplished. The income of the building has been about $3,500, and within a few dollars of the income for 1915. It just pays its cost. Any excess of income should be used for its improvement. The interest on the bonds is paid by taxation. There is no profit in the rental of the building. The profit comes to the whole community in its wonderful influence upon the social, civic and patriotic life of the people.
Old Auditorium
I cannot pass this subject without saying a word for the old auditorium in the City Hall Building, for which, with many others, I have a real affection. In that place, the business of the old town was transacted and there was heard in town meeting the voices of the men who laid the foundation of the city. I hope it may be preserved and used for some of the many purposes and occasions for which this great building is not always available.
The Charity Board
The Charity Board is constantly extending its work. It has the almshouse, the needy in their houses, and the dependent mothers with children. There is also the co-operative work with many organizations and individuals who aid those who are in need, but who are not yet upon the books of the city. There is a constant effort to prevent paup- erism or public relief. Those who contribute even spasmodically to the relief of distress accomplish the double purpose. Persons who give by will, large sums of money to organized charities, ought to re- member the city itself, whose experienced Board of Overseers of the Poor is competent to administer any funds with sympathy and effi- ciency. The Overseers are always informed concerning persons who may be in temporary distress, who will not apply for public aid and will not allow any one to pauperize them.
Those who are willing to aid in the prevention of pauperism, may do so by taking private cases or contributing relief. All the work relating to such cases will gladly be done by the city officials.
But the Charity Board is always the headquarters of the city for
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relief of distress and no one in Melrose shall be allowed to go cold or hungry with the great army of generous people all about us.
Public Health
The problem of the public health has a very first place in the ad- ministration of affairs in Melrose the coming year. We rank fairly high among the first class of communities. But we shall not be satis- fied with second best. There is no reason, whatever for being content with present conditions. We have a competent Board with a chairman of advanced attainments in public health matters. There is no talent too great for this department.
The eminent Dr. Flexner and Dr. Mclaughlin of the State De- partment of Health has warned the country of a more severe epidemic of infantile paralysis next summer. In view of that warning we need to have a great housecleaning season. We must be able to investi- gate and clean up every unsanitary place, inside and outside our houses. Landlords who maintain unsanitary tenements should meet the strictest enforcement of the law. Restaurants should be inspected and no place licensed to serve food that does not present a certificate from the Board of Health. By ordinance, we should require an inspection of every place where food is sold.
Our milk inspection shows the very best quality of supply. Our local producers show a wonderful record of high grade milk. We ought to prohibit the sale of unpasteuried milk brought in from distant places that are not under Massachusetts inspection. We ought to collect rub- bish of hotels, stores and public markets every week throughout the year.
We have placed the collection of garbage upon a regular and, I believe, a responsible basis. It is now time to insist that citizens shall keep it in suitable receptacles of ample size, in proper places, protected from flies.
All dealers in food will protect their supplies from flies and dust, when they learn that you will not buy fruit and foods that are exposed upon the sidewalks and handled by dirty hands. We have many streets without sewers and these should be constructed with all possible rapidity.
We have School Physicians, a public health nurse, and our school teachers are very co-operative in health matters. I hope we have another Public Health Week this ycar along the lines of that very successful one a year ago.
The Chief Executive of the City promises all the support of his office to the most aggressive health work this city may adopt.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Fire Department
The splendid work of the Fire Department has reduced our fire losses to the minimum. Less than $8,000 is the amount of loss during the year. About $165,000 of property has been exposed to fire, showing the importance of quick and brave service. In many cases the damage has been kept below $25 a fire. We have a department of fire fighters who know every fire trap in the city. I recommend that we continue to motorize the equipment and that the hose cariage at Hose 4 on the East Side be placed upon a motor truck and that the horses be trans- ferred to some other department. This means reduced expense and increased efficiency. In a year more we ought to complete the motoriz- ation of the central station.
Police Service
The good order of this city, the freedom from crime and vice, the driving out of suspicious persons and suspected places is the best evi- dence of an efficient department made up of men, whose homes and families are here, and who are interested in the moral welfare of the city. This department is dragging along with one horse, where it should have an inexpensive motor equipment to enable it to respond to any call in any part of the city. The telephone brings notice of any need or disorder. We need facilities for going quickly to the scene of need. While we have a good police force, we have at the present time the poorest police station in New England in a city of our size. I hope to see a new complete police building, wholly apart from the other departments in City Hall.
The Cemetery
The Wyoming Cemetery continues its beautiful growth, the close companion of the life of the community. It is managed with great care, taste and beauty. More and more interest and affection center there, and its influence upon us is noble and inspiring. It is self-supporting to a degree not found elsewhere. We need a new interest in its orna- mentation A new entrance, the place for an arch, or noble gate. This presents a fine opportunity for a gift to the city as a memorial to some who sleep within it. Two hundred and sixty-five soldiers lie there in graves designated with markers and flags, which are decorated every Memorial Day by the Grand Army Post.
Many beautiful pieces of marble and granite mark the graves. That nothing may ever be erected upon any lot to destroy the harmony and beauty of the place, I recommend that an ordinance be adopted which shall provide that no monument or other structure shall be erected within the cemetery that does not have the approval of the Cemetery Committee.
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CITY OF MELROSE
Develop Local Trade
It is a part of the business of government to develop and protect business.
More than $3,000,000 a year of our earnings is spent in Boston. Much of it ought to be spent here.
I am not thinking about the merchant, I am thinking of our city and ourselves. We must have good stores, and we cannot have them unless we trade in them. They employ our people, buy our real estate, support our institutions, and belong to us. Why may we not trade with them. You would be surprised to find the variety of goods and that prices are lower here than you pay in Boston.
You hang on a strap in the poorest car service in the country, two hours in and out. You destroy your nerves, waste time and expose your children to disease. If the inadequate street railway service, be- tween this city and Boston, shall teach us to build up our own stores and theatres and clubs and music, and social affairs, we may yet be grateful to them.
Schools
The largest, as well as the most important item of expense with which we deal is the Public Schools. The cost the past year, exclusive of payments of debts for buildings, has been $106,000. The financial management is excellent .. Our schools cost $40.67 per pupil per year. While the average cost for thirty-six cities is $43.02.
The lines of progress that should be especially promoted are Physi- * cal, Vocational and Industrial education. The same system of physical education, which has been instituted in the grades is to be extended to the High School. The school system is responsible, if it takes well and rugged boys and girls, and holds them four years in complete control and sends them out with hollow chests and stooping shoulders.
The foundations for a vocational school has been laid in the oppor- tunity now given for instruction in several trades, and practical work therein. This department cannot at present care for all who desire the work. It should be further developed to meet the undeniable demand of our boys for technical training, and such equipment and instruction as is called for should be furnished.
With the co-operation of the Community Associates, sewing has been offered to the girls of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Th? enthusiasm with which this has been received, even though the time has had to be given outside of school hours, demonstrates the desire for its continuance and it should be followed in the High School by courses offering very practical instruction and cooking, homemaking and home economics and sanitation, dressmaking, millinery, and such other occu- pations as our young women desire to enter.
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