USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 1
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Stack. 207168 R&f-352 569 1868-1871
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF SOMERVILLE.
FELLOW CITIZENS : -
In presenting to you the twenty-sixth Annual Report of the Town of Somerville, we have to say that no marked events have occurred to disturb the progress and prospects of its affairs.
We ask your attention to the following Report :
HIGHWAYS.
A larger work has been performed upon the highways the ast year than ever before, but much as has been performed, : our Board earnestly recommend an increase of force and material to finish work now suffering to be done.
Your Board regretted that the appropriation asked for at the meeting in November last, to enable them to purchase a stone- breaking Machine, was not voted, and we are unanimously of the opinion that the appropriation should be made at the next Town Meeting.
The nature of our streets is such that nothing but stone is suitable to dress them with, and in most of our thoroughfares stone is indispensably necessary to stand the heavy teaming which is almost constantly passing over them, but little progress can be made through the cold winter months in preparing a sufficient quantity of the right material for our spring require- ments, so that some of our principal streets which are now necessarily in poor condition, might soon be made inviting to travel. By the energetic measures of the Superintendent of Streets, as much has been done the past year as we could reasonably anticipate.
..
1922
1
4
Most of the streets which have been accepted for the last two years have remained without scarcely any labor or material having been expended upon them, our whole appropriation being necessarily expended for ordinary repairs.
The cutting and grading of that part of School Street lying between Broadway and Medford Streets has been contracted for, under such conditions that the work will be completed without expense to the town. The work is so extensive that some months will be required to complete it.
SEWERAGE.
In connection with the subject of highways the importance of drainage should be considered, and your Board would recom- mend a liberal appropriation therefor. One of the most import- ant places, and the first which should have your attention, is Linwood Street, running from Washington to Milk Row. Your Board received a very numerously signed petition of the abutters on said street, and upon its being acted upon by the Board, it was decided to have a plan and profile so that they could see the fcasibility of the work and estimate its cost. Said plan is now on file. The plan points out a very feasible way of running the Sewer, and we should have had it constructed the last autumn but for the lateness of the season before the plan was completed.
The benefit to the neighborhood which will result by con- structing a sewer according to the plan above referred to, cannot be over valued. The health of the thickly settled population on and around Linwood Street should be considered, and in the midst of them is a large school-house literally packed with chil- dren, who throughout the summer months are breathing the foul atmosphere of that neighborhood.
The petitioners are anxious to have the Sewer built, and willing to pay their full share of the expense. We only refer to this as one of the places where the surface-water should be removed for the health of the different neighborhoods, if there were no other considerations.
The Sewer upon Marshall Street has been completed, and has undoubtedly enhanced the value of real estate abutting upon and benefited by it many times its full cost.
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Your Board, in making the award for the above sewer, assessed three-fourths upon those benefited, and one-fourth to the town, which award, we are pleased to say, has given general satisfaction.
NEW STREETS.
The new highway as laid out by the County Commissioners, and running from Broadway to Elm Street, is so far towards completion that we think it will be ready for presentation to the Commissioners some time in June next. Your Board consider this street of great value to the abutters, and convenience to the town.
TURNPIKE.
The Turnpike, so called, was put under contract in August last, but the season was so far advanced that it was found im- possible to finish the work until the coming spring.
TOWN LEDGES.
The appropriations made last spring for the purchase of one or more ledges for the use of highways has been expended by the purchase of one adjoining the one now owned by the town - but nearly worked out - on Bond Street, and another contain- ing over five acres lying between Broadway and the new street, and which is cut by the latter. This ledge we consider of great value to the town, it being opened upon by two streets which lead nearly through the town, viz. : Broadway on the northerly side, and Elm Street and Milk Row on the southerly side. A very good bed of gravel has been found to exist upon the last named lot, which is the only gravel owned by the town within its limits.
RAILROAD BRIDGES.
The Board have arranged with the Boston and Lowell Rail- road Company to widen the Bridges over their road on Cross, Central and Cedar Streets, at which places much inconvenience has been experienced by the narrowness of the Bridges upon their approaches at the above places.
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The Bridge over Cross Street and its approaches are nearly completed. The Boston and Lowell Railroad Company have manifested a ready disposition to meet the wishes of your Board with regard to the above alterations.
The Bridges on Prospect and Washington Streets over the Fitchburg Railroad are in a similar condition to those over the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and we hope soon to see them widened in like manner.
STREET LAMPS.
Much interest was manifested in Town Meeting last spring to have additional Lamps placed along our thoroughfares through- out the town. The liberal appropriation then voted has been expended for that purpose. In several localities the citizens desired lamp-posts placed nearer together than the town appro- priation would allow, and with the money paid by them added to the sum voted by the town has enabled your Board to add about seventy new Lamps the past year, making the whole number of Public Lamps now lighted, one hundred and ninety-four. One hundred and eight are south of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and eighty-six are on the north side. Forty-one of the above are for the present lighted with oil. Much. benefit is derived to the town by well-lighted streets. It makes our highways safer for travel, and the town generally inviting to builders, and your Board are of the opinion that a liberal spirit should at all times be shown in improving our streets and sidewalks.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department of Somerville is small, but it is kept in such efficient condition that the interests of the town have not suffered, and being fortunately surrounded, aid has been fur- nished by which all fires have been as well managed as could be, considering our facilities for a supply of water. Two Reservoirs of great value have been added this year, at a comparatively small cost, both costing only about one-half the usual cost of one. We hope before the lapse of another year we may have all addition to our present water facilities which will enable the
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town to place Hydrants in many streets where, at this time, we are entirely without water facilities in case of fire.
We refer you for particulars of the Department to the annexed Report of the Engineer.
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN, - In compliance with the usual customs, I here- with submit the Report of the Board of Engineers of the Somer- ville Fire Department.
Since our last Report the Department has been called out 29 times, 12 times from fire in town, and 7 times from fires in Charlestown, 4 from fires in Cambridge, 1 in Roxbury, and 5 false alarms. The Department have rendered assistance in Charlestown 4 times, and received assistance 4 times ; they have rendered assistance in Cambridge once. It will be seen that the number of fires in town are 5 less than last year, and the number of alarms 12 less than last year. Although we have had less in number, yet our loss has been quite heavy, having lost three churches the past year, the fire having so much head- way when discovered that it was impossible to save them. It may seem strange to some of our people that we do not save these large buildings, but allow me to say that it is not because the Department do not try as hard as any Department can, and if they will notice the reports of other cities and towns, they will see that it is very seldom that a church is saved, if it takes fire in the tower end of the building, owing to the draft which con- ducts the fire to the roof. There are some people who always have taken a great deal of pride in finding fault with the manner in which the Department have performed their duty. In some cases, I believe, it is owing to prejudice, and in many cases, from ignorance of the duty of a fireman. It is much easier for a per- son to find fault with others than to perform the duty himself, and I think that there has been and still are some who would like to see the Department broken up, to satisfy selfish motives.
There have been some changes in the Department during the past year, and I think it is at present in a better condition than it has before been since its organization.
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WATER.
Although it will be seen that our town has grown very fast the past two years, and the liability for fires increasing, yet our people are unmindful of the very important thing that is necessary to stay a conflagration. It is water. It will be seen by those who have attended the fires at some of the churches, that we have been compelled to force the water 1,600 feet, and up a grade of 70 to 80 feet, thereby requiring a great strain both on the engine and hose. It is hoped that this evil will be remedied by a better supply. Since our last Report there have been two Reservoirs built, one in front of the Town Stable, on Prospect Street, and another on Walnut Street, at a comparatively small cost, with an inexhaustible supply of water. There have been two Hydrants attached to the pipes at Winter Hill. At the present time there are 27 Hydrants and 8 Reservoirs in town, 24 of the Hydants and 5 Reservoirs are situated on the north and easterly side of the Lowell Railroad. It will be seen by the above table that some portions of our town must have a very poor supply.
It is hoped that before another year expires we shall have the Mystic Lake water in all parts of our town, running through nothing less than six or eight inch pipes.
ALARM.
Since our last Report we have had no addition to our facilities ; they have been injured in some parts of the town by the loss of the church bells, and in one locality by the use of an alarm bell for school purposes, which, should a fire break out in that locality while the bell is being rung for school, would cause a great delay in spreading the alarm, and might result in the loss of much property. It is hoped before long to have the Telegraph Alarm, which would prove of great advantage in case of fire.
It having been suggested by some of the residents of the northerly part of the town that a Hose Carriage is much needed on Winter Hill, we would recommend it to your consideration.
The Board of Engineers would recommend the removal of the Lock-up or Station-House, located in the building occupied by the
9.
Department, and that that part of the building be used for the Hook and Ladder Carriage, with suitable rooms in the second story for sleeping rooms for the men permanently employed, as the room now occupied by them is unfit for men to sleep in, owing to the dampness of the cellar; and they would also recom- mend the building of a Hose Tower, in connection with this building, 50 feet high, as it would prove a saving in Hose, and the one now in use being less than half large enough for the quantity of hose which is required for use.
The Department now consists of one Steam Fire Engine, which has had some valuable improvements attached the past year, and is now believed to be equal to any engine in this vicinity, with an Engineer and Driver permanently employed.
A Hose Carriage, run in connection with the Engine, carry- ing 1,000 feet 2} inch leather hose, and has proved a great addi- tion to the Department, with a company of 10 men, the driver of which is permanently employed.
One four wheeled Hose Carriage, in charge of the John E. Wool Hose Company, which has been repaired and painted the past year, and is in good condition, carrying 600 feet 2} inch hose.
One hose pung, for the use of the above company, with a company of 15 men.
One Hook and Ladder Truck, drawn by a horse.
One hand Engine, Somerville No. 1, with hose carriage, which is in working condition at all times.
HOSE.
There is in the Department,
1,200 feet single riveted hose, good.
1,500 feet double riveted hose, good.
500 feet single riveted hose, almost worthless.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
DAVID A. SANBORN, JR.,
Chief Engineer Somerville Fire Department.
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POLICE AND WATCH.
The appropriation made last spring for one or more perma- nent Watchmen has been partially expended for temporary watching.
The past year has been one of unusual quiet, and your Board did not deem it necessary to appoint permanent watch as in- tended when the appropriation was made. We feel that the result of the temporary watch has been of much benefit to the town, by preventing disturbances and depredations upon fruit gardens, &c. For particulars in this Department we refer you to the Secretary of Police's Report herewith annexed.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Somerville :
In accordance with the usual custom, the officers of the Police Department submit the following Report for the year ending January 28, 1868 :
Whole number of arrests, one hundred and thirty-seven, an increase of sixty-nine from last year.
Assault and battery, 40
Larceny, . 17
Keeping dog without license, 55
Simple drunk,
6
Feeding cows upon the street,
6
Attempt to pick pocket, 1
Playing cards on Lord's day,
3
Disturbing the peace, ..
2
Adultery,
2
Unlawfully distraining a cow,
1
Breaking and entering, . 3
Attempt to rescue a prisoner,
1
137
Which were disposed of as follows :
Acquitted and discharged, . 28
Sentenced to pay fine and costs, 81
Sent to House of Correction, .
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Settled by parties acknowledging satisfaction, . 6
Bound over to Superior Court, . 9
137
Amount of fines imposed, . $591.00
Amount of costs,
328.70
Total amount of fines and costs.
$919.70
Amount of imprisonments by sentence, 2 years and 6 months.
We feel that the time has arrived when this town needs a day and night police force just as much as Charlestown or Cam- bridge, and that we suffer by the vigilence of our neighbors, is undoubtedly true. Rogues will congregate where they are not watched. Our large and rapidly increasing population in the southerly and eastern part of the town need a regular day-officer in each location, and a watch at night.
No one conversant in such matters can say this town can be well and properly cared for and protected without good officers in each district, regularly appointed and paid, who shall give their whole services to the town. The present officers have ever been willing to work for the good of the town, and work together, but under the present system, much has to be left undone which, with a regularly organized police force, could not fail of being accomplished.
During the last few months two officers have been on duty at night in different sections of the town, and a part of the time four men have done duty. Although that is as much as could be reasonably expected, after the action of the town at the meeting in March last, yet it leaves a large and widely extended beat for the men to travel.
We feel assured your honorable Board will lay the matter be- fore the town, in its proper light, and that the citizens will see the importance of the establishment of an organized Police Department.
Respectfully submitted.
JARIUS MANN,
Secretary Somerville Police Department.
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CEMETERY.
With regard to this long agitated subject, we have to say that as yet the Board have been unable to locate one.
HORSE RAILROADS.
A good deal of dissatisfaction is being felt throughout the town with regard to the tracks being placed upon the sides of the streets, and the Board feel that the town suffers on account of such location, and that it is very damaging to the property of citizens located upon the same side of the way, and is cer- tainly a great drawback to the proper repair of the two thor- oughfares upon which said tracks are located.
We cannot close our Report, fellow citizens, without congrat- ulating you upon the apparent prosperity - and we believe it to be real -of our town. One of the principal evidences of its strength and rapid growth is the unprecedented amount of building which has been done the last year, and which is still progressing, not in any particular location, but in all parts of the town can be seen this evidence of undoubted thrift.
From statistics carefully obtained, we find that the whole number of new buildings erected since January 1, 1867, to be two hundred and eighty-seven, two hundred and thirty-nine of which are dwelling-houses, twenty-two of these being double houses, making two hundred and sixty-one additional tenements in one year. Besides the above work, additions and alterations have been made upon fifty-five other buildings, and all indica- tions point to an equal increase the ensuing year.
Considering this rapid growth, and in viewing the noble monuments which have been erected upon the spots once deso- lated by the torch of the incendiary, we feel proud of the spirit and enterprise of the citizens of Somerville.
FRANCIS HOUGHTON, GEORGE W. HADLEY, SILAS H. HOLLAND, JACOB T. GLINES, GEORGE O. BRASTOW,
Selectmen of Somerville.
Report.
By vote of the town, passed at the April meeting of this year, the different departments were instructed to close their accounts and make their Reports up to December 31st. Consequently, the Financial Report will only show receipts and disbursements for ten months, commencing March 1, 1867, and ending Decem- ber 31st, 1867.
The gross amount of receipts are $228,636.04, and the dis- bursements are $211,361.69, leaving in the Treasury, cash, January 1, 1868, $17,274.35.
The whole amount of taxes assessed for 1867, including abate- ments and discounts, was $142,684.
There remained of 1864, uncollected, $96.25; of 1865, $2,414.02 ; of 1866, $7,767.54 making a total of $152,961.81, of which the Treasurer has received on 1864, $49.75 ; on 1865, $847.30 ; on 1866, $4,608.02 ; on 1867, $111,739.12, making the gross amount collected and paid the Treasurer, $117,244.19.
The Treasurer has also received from J. H. Lord, Esq., State Treasurer, on account of Corporation Taxes, $2,569.75, also on account of State Aid refunded, $7,700.
By referring to notes payable, annexed, it will be seen that the debt of the town has increased since March 1, 1867, $40,200, making the town debt December 31, 1867, $189,474.
This increase, at first sight, looks bad, but there is another side to this question. While our debt has increased $40,200, the value of town property, at a very moderate appraisement, has increased $59,250.
These figures are low. The most of our School Buildings have received repairs and additional and improved furniture, while the Prescott and Foster School Houses, with the land and improvements, are set at very low figures.
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Ledges for repairs of highways have been bought, and other improvements made.
State Aid has been paid to the families of soldiers by order of the Selectmen, to the amount of $4,771, and Town Aid has, or will be used during the winter, in aid of soldiers' families to the extent of the appropriation ($500,) and this amount should be again voted for their benefit.
Ten thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($10,250) of the town debt falls due in 1868, and the Treasurer would recom- mend a commencement in reduction to that extent, and would suggest that all calls for money the coming year be assessed and collected on the valuation of the town, which is increasing very fast. It is believed that at least 225 dwellings have been built in this town the past year, and they are still going up in all directions. This indicates increasing wealth, and consequently ability to meet all necessary expenses of the town without increase of indebtedness.
It will be seen by annexed accounts that the unexpended balances of appropriations amount to $43,749.51, to meet the calls from the different departments on these balances. We have cash in the Treasury amounting to $17,274.35. Uncollected taxes, $25,722.70.
The State School fund has not yet been received.
There is to be refunded from the State some $700 for military services. Also collections from abutters on Marshall Street, say $2,000. .
These amounts will undoubtedly meet all calls until the time of the usual meetings for appropriations, at which time the Treasurer's balance will, as usual, be small, or on the wrong side of the Ledger, and the town will be a borrower in anticipa- tion of taxes.
The Treasurer has, for the information of citizens that do not take much interest in town meetings, appended a list of appro- priations and financial votes, passed by the town at the April meeting.
The above remarks, with annexed accounts, are respectfully submitted.
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM,
Treasurer of Town of Somerville.
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APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1867.
Schools,
$34.000 00
Rent of rooms, . 1,500 00
Insurance, on extra rooms, &c.,
2,000 00
Construction Prescott school-house, &c.,
31,503 82
Janitor's rooms,
2,700 00
Heating purposes,
8,500 00
Alterations of High school-house, special meeting,
1,000 00
Construction of Foster
5,000 00
Lincoln school-house, furniture,
600 00
Highways, .
15,000 00
Miscellaneous,
5,000 00
Medford Turnpike and new street,
10,500 00
Interest account,
12,000 00
Fire Department,
5,000 00
New hose,
1,000 00
Gas, .
4,500 00
Lamp posts, .
1,000 00
Police and night watch,
2,700 00
Salaries,
4,000 00
Soldiers relief, 500. Board of Health, 500,
1,000 00
Town Ledges,
5,000 00
Abatement of taxes and discount,
4,000 00
Special appropriations for Selectmen,
5,000 00
State tax, .
28,800 00
County tax, .
5,129 44
$196,433 26
FINANCIAL VOTES PASSED BY TOWN.
Voted. Instructing Treasurer to borrow on current ex- penses of the year, . $30,000 00 . Voted. Authorizing the Treasurer to borrow for Medford Turnpike and now street, 10,500 00
Voted. Authorizing the Treasurer to borrow for Town Ledges, 5,000 00
Voted.
Authorizing the Treasurer to borrow for renewal
of Town Notes, &c.,
35,250 00
Voted.
Authorizing the Treasurer to borrow for Janitors'
rooms in school-houses, .
2,700 00
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Voted. Authorizing the Treasurer to borrow for use of Selectmen, . . . $5,000 00 ·
Voted. Authorizing the Treasurer to borrow in anticipa- tion of taxes as required.
SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY WITH LOCATION AND VALUATION.
Jan. 1, 1868.
Highland Avenue High school-house, land and improvements, $14,000 00 Instruments, piano, collections and furniture, 1,500 00 Milk Street, Franklin school-house and primary, with furni- ture and piano, · 11,500 00
Beacon Street, Harvard school-house and furniture, 1,500 00
Spring Hill, Spring Hill primary,
1,400 00
Broadway, Walnut Hill school-house and land,
800 00
Washington Street, Prospect Hill school-house, land, furni- ture and piano, . 14,250 00
Medford Street, Brastow school-house, land and furniture, . 6,500 00 Sycamore Street, Foster school-house, Town Hall, land, fur- niture, piano, and improvements, 45,000 00
Pearl Street, Prescott school-house, land, furniture, piano and improvements, . 45,000 00
Prospect Street, Union school-house, land and furniture, 2,000 00
Elm Street, Lincoln school-house, land, furniture, piano, &c., 11,500 00 Maple Street, Jackson school-house, land and furniture, Broadway, Town Farm and improvements,
5,000 00
5,500 00
Court House, Town Stables and land, corner Prospect and Milk Streets,
4,000 00
Washington Street, Engine house, armory, stables and land, 8,000 00
Milk Street, Ledge,
2,000 00
Bond Street, Ledges,
1,900 00
Broadway, Ledges,
3,700 00
Town of Winchester gravel land,
700 00
Joy Street, land, .
300 00
Steam fire engine, horses, harness, &c.,
6.000 00
Hand engine and apparatus, 800 00
Hose carriage, hose and fixtures,
5.200 00
Hose house, land, &c., .
3,400 00
Hook and ladder carriage, apparatus and building, 1,500 00
Town pound, 100 00
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Town safes,
$275 00
Horses, carts, harnesses, tools, &c., for highways, . 2,800 00
Total,
$206,125 00
TAXES.
Received of Benj. Randall, Collector, on ac-
count of Taxes, 1864,
$49 75
Received of Benj. Randall, Collector, on ac-
count of Taxes, 1865, .
847 30
Received of Benj. Randall, Collector, on ac- count of Taxes, 1866, . 4,608 02
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